Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Most people don’t need an open-ended ticket. However, it may be needed when visiting a sick relative, traveling for business or exploring abroad.
Open-ended tickets cost more than purchasing a round-trip flight because the return flight is not known at the time of purchase and cannot be locked in.
A main reason that people purchase an open-ended plane ticket is the flexibility it offers. With an open-ended ticket, the return flight is not booked in advance but left up to travelers and their needs.
While they offer the flexibility of when to return home, open-ended plane tickets may have some restrictions due to heightened security measures on airlines.
An open-ended ticket is not the same as flying standby. For a standby flight, you only make it on the flight if there is room for you. With an open-ended ticket, you have paid for a seat but need to reserve the return flight when ready to travel home.