Is it cheaper to book one-way tickets instead?

Rarely. Booking individual one-way tickets on long-haul routes usually results in higher fares compared to a single multi-city ticket. Only use the one-way method for the short 'gap' flight between your two main hubs.

Does an open-jaw flight affect my loyalty status?

No. As long as the flights are on the same alliance (e.g., Star Alliance or Oneworld), your segments will earn miles and status points normally.

What if I get stuck in the middle city?

If you booked it as one ticket, the airline is obligated to assist. If you booked the gap flight separately, you are on your own. Keep at least 6 hours of buffer time between your international arrival and your regional connection.

How to Book Open-Jaw Flights for Business Trips in Asia

Book open-jaw flights by selecting the 'Multi-city' option on airline or aggregator websites instead of 'Round trip.' This allows you to fly into one hub—like Tokyo—and depart from another—like Singapore—avoiding the need to backtrack to your original point of entry.

Use the Multi-City Tool. Do not use the standard 'Round Trip' search. Look for the 'Multi-city' or 'Advanced Search' tab on sites like Google Flights, ITA Matrix, or your company's travel portal.
Map Your Primary Hubs. Identify your primary business centers. For Asia, focus on 'anchor' airports that host major carriers like ANA, JAL, Cathay Pacific, or Singapore Airlines, as these offer the most flexibility for complex routing.
Select Flights Leg by Leg. Input your first flight (e.g., LAX to HND). Click 'Add flight' and input your second flight (e.g., HKG to LAX). The system will price this as a single ticket rather than two separate one-way fares.
Verify Fare Rules. Check if the fare is a single 'PNR' (Passenger Name Record). This ensures that if your first flight is delayed, the airline is responsible for rebooking your second leg.
Fill the 'Gap' Separately. Book the intra-Asia connection (e.g., HND to HKG) as a separate, regional one-way ticket using a low-cost carrier or a secondary regional flight. This is often cheaper than forcing the airline to include it in your long-haul multi-city booking.

Is it cheaper to book one-way tickets instead?: Rarely. Booking individual one-way tickets on long-haul routes usually results in higher fares compared to a single multi-city ticket. Only use the one-way method for the short 'gap' flight between your two main hubs.
Does an open-jaw flight affect my loyalty status?: No. As long as the flights are on the same alliance (e.g., Star Alliance or Oneworld), your segments will earn miles and status points normally.
What if I get stuck in the middle city?: If you booked it as one ticket, the airline is obligated to assist. If you booked the gap flight separately, you are on your own. Keep at least 6 hours of buffer time between your international arrival and your regional connection.