You're right, it's not a "round trip" in the traditional sense, but "open jaw" is the correct term for what you're describing.And no, you generally do not want to book an open jaw trip as two separate one-way tickets. Here's why and how to book it correctly

Why NOT Two One-Way Tickets (Usually):
Cost

Booking two one-way tickets is almost always more expensive than booking an open-jaw itinerary. Airlines often charge a premium for one-way flights.

Airline Flexibility

If your trip has any delays or problems with connections, booking two one-way tickets gives you no airline protection for the connection where you move from one airline to another.

Baggage Fees

You will need to collect any checked luggage you might have, and re-check for your next leg.

How to Book an Open Jaw Ticket

Most airline websites and online travel agencies (OTAs) allow you to book open-jaw itineraries directly using a "multi-city" or "multiple destinations" search option. Here's how it generally works:1.

Find the Multi-City/Multiple Destinations Option

Look for a link or tab on the airline's or OTA's homepage that says something like: "Multi-City" "Multiple Destinations" "Advanced Search" (then look for the multi-city option within the advanced search)2.

Enter Your Flight Segments

You will then enter the details of each flight segment separately. For your example, it would look something like this:

Leg 1

Your Departure City to Your Destination City (e.g., New York to London)

Leg 2

Your Destination City 2 to Your Departure City 2 (e.g., Paris to Chicago)

Example Using Google Flights

1. Go to Google Flights (flights.google.com)2. Click on the "Multi-city" tab.
3. Enter your cities and dates: Leg 1: Departure City: New York Arrival City: London Departure Date: October 26, 2024 Leg 2: Departure City: Paris Arrival City: Chicago Departure Date: November 2, 20244. Click "Search".

Important Considerations



Date Flexibility

Experiment with different dates to see if the price changes. Sometimes shifting your dates by a day or two can significantly impact the cost.

Airline Combinations

The search engine may find itineraries that combine flights from different airlines. This can be a good way to save money, but be sure to check the baggage policies and connection times carefully.

Stopovers

Consider adding a stopover in another city. Sometimes a slightly longer itinerary with a stopover can be cheaper and give you the chance to see another place.

Check Airline Websites Directly

After searching on OTAs, always double-check the prices on the airline's website. Sometimes you can find better deals booking directly.

In summary, use the "multi-city" or "multiple destinations" option on airline websites or OTAs to book your open-jaw flights. It will almost always be cheaper and more convenient than booking two separate one-way tickets. Flag for review