What is the general advantage of booking multi-city instead of two one way tickets. I was on Skyscanner, used multi-city, and chose booking with the airline. It then recommended I book the two flights separately anyway. Is this an airline thing? Airline is TAP.
EDIT: Thanks for the input, everyone. Helpful info.
It really depends on the airline and their pricing model. You should price both ways.
1) For some airlines, a multi-city is cheaper than two one-ways
2) A multi-city ticket may be less risky if you need to change your ticket or if the airline changes/cancels one of the legs. This is because both the inbound and outbound flights are on a single ticket.
It’s strategically advantageous to book 2 one ways if the price is the same (or even less sometimes). That way if you miss or need to change your outbound flight, the return flight is unaffected and won’t need repricing.
I'm not sure if it still this way but at one time, a one-way ticket for a flag for Homeland Security. However, systems have improved so much that one's travel might be better connected. If they can recognize your face, they can probably recognize your itinerary.
@CT - I very much doubt it - the last time I entered the US I didn't have an exit ticket - was leaving on a cruise ship - they didn't care. Occasionally the airline will check on checkin - because it looks like I maybe overstaying at the country e.g. Thailand used to require and onward ticket within 30 days for visa free entry - so I just have the paper work to show if requirested.
In most cases, a multi-city/open jaw ticket will be less than two one ways. But not always.
Book directly with the airline and see which is cheaper.
TAP has very good one way fares, so with TAP I am not surprised that you do not see better deals with multi-city tickets. But this airline is the exception rather than the rule.
It’s strategically advantageous to book 2 one ways if the price is the same (or even less sometimes). That way if you miss or need to change your outbound flight, the return flight is unaffected and won’t need repricing.
On the other hand, it is not a strategic advantage to have two one-ways if you decide you need to reschedule your trip. On a multi-city you would pay one change fee plus the fare difference. On two one-way tickets, each ticket would be subject to a change fee plus the fare difference.
There are various scenarios where a multi-city has advantages over two one-ways. There are also scenarios where two one-ways may be an advantage.
As stated above -- you have to price both. In our experience the multi-city ticket is cheaper than one-ways --- BUT --- not always. We recently found on two different trips that two one-way tickets were slightly less than the RT or multi-city. It just depends but spend a little extra time and check both.
