Discover whether your booking strategy is a savvy travel hack—or just a costly detour
Round-Trip Ticket vs. 2 One-Ways: Which Is Cheaper?
Published on Jan. 13, 2025
We’ve all been there: hovering over the “buy” button on an airline app, second-guessing whether we’ve truly scored the best deals for our trip. Logic might suggest that mixing and matching one-way flights could unlock better prices and improved schedules. But do two one-way tickets add up to more savings than a traditional round-trip ticket, or does this travel hack just leave you flying in circles?
The travel and finance experts at Upgraded Points took a deep dive into the debate, uncovering insights that might finally settle whether booking two one-way tickets is truly travel savvy or simply pound foolish.
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How was the study conducted?
Upgraded Points tallied over a one-week period the total savings or costs of booking round-trip tickets versus two one-way tickets across five of the United States’ busiest domestic routes and eight major airlines. For each carrier, study organizers averaged the cost for two one-way tickets, which included a departure and return, on a set route on specific dates. They then compared that against the average cost of a round-trip ticket using the same set of parameters.
How do round-trip vs. single-ticket prices vary overall?
The study leaves little doubt that opting for round-trip tickets when possible is the most fiscally responsible strategy. Upgraded Points found that the average cost of two one-way tickets on major U.S. routes was $432, while the round-trip option averaged substantially less at $291, offering a 33% savings of $141.
How do round-trip vs. single-ticket prices vary by airline?
It turns out that not all airlines are created equal when it comes to savings. Travelers considering one-way tickets should first search for flights on JetBlue, where the data shows round-trip fares saved passengers only around 4%, or about $20. Other carriers with modest savings on round-trip vs. single-ticket prices included Frontier at 12.5% less, or $27, and Spirit at 8.6% less, or $17.
On the other hand, data shows United was the most cost-effective airline for round trips, with those tickets averaging 39% cheaper, or $163 less than two one-way fares. Other airlines that had substantial average savings included Alaska (34% cheaper) and American (32% cheaper).
“These results underscore how much savings can vary by airline, making it important for travelers to consider their carrier when deciding between two one-ways or a round-trip,” the study noted.
How do round-trip vs. single-ticket prices vary by day of the week?
Timing can be everything for flight prices, especially when comparing round-trip tickets with two one-way fares. Upgraded Points reveals that booking round-trip tickets on Wednesdays offers the biggest savings—an impressive 43% off, or $153. Tuesdays are also a good option, with round-trip tickets averaging 42% less, or $146. Though ticket prices are steep on Sundays and the discount is reduced to 25%, you’ll still save about $147 by booking a round-trip flight.
The margins begin to shrink as the weekend approaches: On Fridays, round-trip purchases are an average of 35% cheaper, saving travelers only $110.
How do round-trip vs. single-ticket prices vary by airport route?
The route plays a big part in determining savings. For example, flying shorter distances, like Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO), offers the biggest round-trip savings, with fares on that itinerary 42% cheaper, or $143 less, than booking two one-way tickets.
On the other hand, cross-country flights between LAX and New York City’s JFK tend to be the most expensive. However, round-trip tickets still offer savings, coming in at 26% less, or $160 cheaper, than booking two one-way flights. If you’re heading from New York (LGA) to Chicago (ORD), you’ll save 30%, or $124, on a round-trip. Atlanta (ATL) to New York (LGA) offers 32% savings, or $112 less. And for flights traveling from Denver (DEN) to Chicago (ORD), round-trip tickets save you 30%, or $123, compared with two one-ways.
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece, Aaron Rasmussen tapped his experience as a longtime travel writer and travel guidebook editor to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- Upgraded Points: “2 One-Ways or a Round-Trip: Which Costs Less? [2025 Study]”
