I am planning a trip to South America which I will be departing for in June of 2009. I am trying to figure out the best way to book my initial plane ticket. The US will not let you leave the country without a return ticket and I have yet to find an airline that will let me do a multi city (leaving from Portland, landing in Costa Rica, flying from Panama to Quito and then a year later coming home from Brazil) ticket spanning more than 6 months. Any ideas? I know that I can buy a return ticket and change it once I am there but it seems fairly expensive to do this as most airlines charge a 200.00 change fee along with the change in fare for the new ticket.

I need some help!

Thanks

First I am assuming you are a US citizen.

You might want to check again. I have never had a problem leaving the US on a one way ticket nor would it be legal for them to block you. I have done it twice. What you might be experiencing is the airline blocking you. Some countries want you to have a return ticket before entering the country. If you don't the airlines have to fly you back at their expense so they sometimes won't let you board with a one way ticket.

As far as solutions just buy tickets as you go. If indeed an airline is blocking you because you don't have a ticket out of the country you are flying to. Go and buy a fully refundable ticket out the country with a major airline. Cancel the ticket once you get into the country. I have never done this but have read and been advised by others to do this.

Thanks!

I agree with cjun. We flew into Peru in October with a one-way ticket. We did end up printing out a return itinerary from Santiago, Chile to the US (but did not actually buy the ticket) in case we got hassled about the return ticket issue. We were asked about it leaving Miami and showed the itinerary (we flew with Avianca, but the return itinerary was with LAN, fyi). That was sufficient for us. Actually purchasing a refundable ticket is certainly the safest way to avoid the issue, though.

Buy a one way ticket and head on out.

It shouldn't be a problem. Yeah, someitmes the airlines say they won't let you board and some countries say they require a return ticket but unless you are hella sketcy this won't be a problem. At the airport they'll let you board, at customs they'll let you in.

Have fun!

Do NOT buy a one way ticket - you'll get all sorts of hassles along the way ( this article explains why)

Don't bother speaking to any airlines directly - they're a nightmare to deal with. If you speak to a travel agency / flights specialist, you should be able to book an open jaw flight ticket into one country, and back from another, but if you explain to them beforehand that you want to return in a years time, and fix the (currently unbookable) date in advance, you won't have to pay any date change fee.

I've booked such flights for many many past clients of mine when I worked as a South America flights specialist - it's simple to do.

There is no need to book a one way flight. You'll regret it if you do!

Give Exito Travel a call. They are great with multi city trips and have always found me the best prices, even with the commission they add on.

http://www.exitotravel.com/