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The law requires the airlines to see that you have a return ticket.  Many airlines do not follow the law and see that you have a return ticket.  However at any given moment YOU take the chance of being checked and buying a last minute ticket.

Cover your bases buy a changeable refundable ticket to Puerto Rico!

never had a problem buying a one-way ticket. If someone had asked I would just sy that I am going home.  No one ever asked. I flew American from Miami.  Also many times from the USVI ( St. Croix).

It does depend on the airline.  But they seem to get stricter these days.  On my last two flights "home" both American and just last week Jet Blue asked if I had a return ticket.  Both required me to show my  residency card before they would process my check in.

Planner is right if they "catch" you then purchase a fully refundable ticket and just cancel it when you get here.

You will never be asked if you have a return ticket when you leave here

Bob K

lauraeaton77 me bad this morning. Not enough coffee yet.

Let me add:  WELCOME TO THE FORUMS

Bob K

Gypsy my dear this is one of those times I am going to say -  and when was the last time you flew here?  Things have changed.

Bob is right, they are cracking down and are more likely to ask these days then before.

Planner, almost 2 years ago.

Well they are cracking down on this.  Airlines are being held liable if someone needs to be deported - they are paying the price so more and more are checking as they are supposed to.

Please dont make it 2 years until you come back okay......

It is my understanding that open date tickets are very expensive and changes to traveling dates (return date) have a high fee from airlines !!  I don't know of any refundable tickets as most are non-refundable !!  I suppose is better to pay the date fees if one stays longer than the returning date on the ticket ???  what do you suggest ??

I often suggest an open ticket to Puerto Rico or Miami - whichever is cheaper. You only need a ticket saying you will leave!  Thats it.

So can you buy an open ticket to PR or Miami and traveling to DR  ??  I don't understand !!  the open ticket doesn't show a returning date but it does show the place you are departing from, in this case DR  !!

No -  open tickets from DR to puerto rico. Its a return ticket.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!  And for welcoming me to the forum.  )

After a little research it appears that even "non-refundable" flights are fully refundable as long as you cancel within 24 hours.  Of course I will double check this before I purchase, but I think my best bet is just to buy a cheap "non-refundable" ticket to somewhere (haha wherever is cheapest!) the day my flight leaves.  Then I just have to remember to cancel it as soon as I land!

Good luck to you!

That should work.

Bob K

It's all in how you present yourself.  Just returned from North America 3 days ago, one way flight, no questions asked.  When I left, I paid my fine in advance and avoided all the hassles.  Problem is too many foreign people that live here don't want to forget they are foreigners.  Relax, it's the DR...  If it's good enough for a Dominican...it's good enough for me...

Mike just because you  were lucky on this last flight does not mean it will be the same for everyone.  More and more folks are getting "caught"

Bob K

Exactly  correct. And nothing to do with how you "present yourself" as this happens over "there" not here.  Here it can be hugely effected by how you present yourself.  Pretty sure American and Delta etc etc don't give a damn!

More and more airlines are facing the fines and hassles so more and more are doing what they are SUPPOSED TO HAVE ALWAYS DONE................   

No return ticket =  you take your chances!

So what, you take your chances...same reason people go to the casino.  All I am trying to say to you planner is it's not the same for everyone.  Give people information, even advice, they will make their own decisions.  Stop telling people what to do.

I am telling them  CLEARLY what the rules are.  Then I say YOU TAKE YOUR CHANCES.  That is called choice and everyone makes it,

What you "not" telling them is that the rules do not always apply in this country.  In many cases the people managing the rules don't even know the "rules".  Probably you have a 50/50 chance of being asked for a return ticket, maybe even 30/70, what ever the case is, it's not 100% of the time, so the "risk" is not explicit it's variable.  Do you see my point?

Once again this one way ticket issue starts in what ever country you are in (US, Canada, UK) to initiate you flight to the DR.  It has NOTHING to do with the DR or DR customs, laws, corruption, or anything else.  It is a requirement of the Airline you are fly with TO the DR, NOT leaving the DR.

Bob K

Basically if you fly as a tourist to DR the airline requires proof of returning flight from the country you are flying to in this casa DR. !!  The rules are set from the country of origen !!!  If you flight as with resident status or citizen status of DR then the returning flight doesn't apply because you reside there in DR. !!! Bob and Planner are correct and all they are trying to do is inform the public !!

I appreciate all the information people have posted on this topic, and I am sure those who read this thread in the future will as well.  I understand that this is a check that happens in the country of origin (in my case, the US) and is conducted by the airline, NOT immigration.  I may be wrong but I believe the airline would be able to validate if I actually did have a flight to leave the DR (as opposed to having just printed off a fake itinerary) if they actually decided to go to the effort so for this reason I will actually purchase a ticket- probably the cheapest one I can find to anywhere just in case something (crappy weather and lack of internet!?) prevents me from being able to cancel it.   Thanks again to everyone! 

You are welcome. As long as you are willing to purchase a ticket at the last minute you should do fine.

Bob K

I have traveled allot back and forth lately and each time I was required to ha e a return ticket or they would not allow me to board the pla e to DR.  It is better to just get a cheap refundable fare to save yourself the headache at the counter.  Spirit usually has the cheapest fates.  Hope this helps.

It helps a great deal.  What airlines were you using?  Its  often good to know which ones generally are checking.

Actually that is  a great idea to book your "refundable" fare on Spirit air.  I know they often have flights to Ft Lauderdale for under $100.

Bob K