How to Time Open Jaw Flight Bookings
Book open jaw flights 6-8 weeks out for domestic trips and 8-12 weeks for international routes. Airlines release these complex routings later than standard round-trips, so booking too early often means higher prices and fewer options.
- Budget
- $50-200 premium over round-trip fares
- Duration
- Booking window varies by route complexity
- Best Time
- 6-8 weeks out for domestic, 8-12 weeks for international
- Visa Required
- Depends on destinations - check all countries on route
Step by step
Set up fare alerts 10-12 weeks before travel
Use Google Flights, Kayak, or Hopper to monitor prices for your open jaw route. Set alerts for both the outbound city to destination and destination to return city legs separately.
Check prices twice weekly starting 8 weeks out
Airlines typically release open jaw inventory 6-10 weeks before departure. Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings often show the best prices as airlines adjust inventory overnight.
Book when you see a 15-20% drop from initial prices
Open jaw routes rarely see dramatic price swings. A $50-100 drop on a $500+ ticket usually signals it's time to book. Don't wait for massive sales that may never come.
Consider booking one-ways separately if prices spike
If the open jaw fare jumps above $200 more than two one-way tickets, book separately. You lose some protection but gain flexibility and often save money.
Questions people ask
Why do open jaw flights cost more than round-trips?
Airlines price round-trips lower to guarantee the return leg. Open jaw bookings are essentially two one-way tickets with different origin/destination pairs, which airlines price higher due to inventory uncertainty.
Should I book open jaw or two separate one-ways?
Book open jaw if the price difference is under $200 and you want protection if one leg gets cancelled. Book separate one-ways if you're saving significant money or need maximum flexibility.
Can I change open jaw flights after booking?
Most airlines treat open jaw as a single ticket, so changes affect both legs and often cost $200-400 plus fare difference. Budget carriers may not allow changes at all.
Do I earn the same miles on open jaw flights?
Yes, you earn miles based on distance flown and fare class, just like any other ticket. The booking structure doesn't affect mileage earning.
Budget
Expect open jaw flights to cost 10-30% more than round-trip tickets on the same route. A round-trip flight from New York to Paris costing $600 might run $650-780 as an open jaw from New York to Paris, returning from Rome to New York.
Packing
- Screenshot of booking confirmations on your phone
- Backup payment method for potential rebooking
- Flexible luggage that works for both destinations
- International adapter if changing regions