All, had this happen to me twice, one time in MNL and the 2nd in JNB..

In MNL, I was asked for my return ticket FROM Manila to my next point. So, I showed the Immigration officer coupon #2 of my CX NRSA ticket (HKG-MNL-HKG),, He initially refused it saying this "isn't a confirmed ticket onward.".. True. In the end, the CX duty supervisor came over and "vouched" for me saying that I could leave anytime between now and 21 days (the max permitted w/o a visa for USA citizens) and that I would be able to get out without difficulty. So he let me in.. As we (CX Supervisor and I) were walking thru baggage claim, he remarked that this sometimes happen with new immigrations officer s who have never seen a non-rev person before.

2nd time was is JNB.. I had come in on TG using a BKK-JNB-BKK ID95.. When I got to immigration I was asked for my return ticket.. I noticed that nearly everyone else on the plane was asked this too.. so I didn't feel anything wrong.. When I showed him my ticket he asked about the "lines" thru it.. (staff ticket identifer) I told him that the lines were the universal industry standard for marking a employee or reduced rate ticket.. He asked for my confirmation. I told him I was planning on leaving in 5 days.. He again asked for my airline confirmation. I gave him my PNR.. He then told me that I was "inadmissable" since I did not have a valid return ticket out of South Africa.. I was taken to an "interviewing room" and met with a supervisor from Immigration. TG's rep was also called..

In the end, with the help of South African's ticket counter supervisor it was agreed that I would buy the cheapest REFUNDABLE oneway from JNB to NBO.. I think it was around $300.. That would make me admissable and I could turn right around and refund it afterwards.. In all, I spent 3 hours running around in one huge paperchase.. I did leave a nice note for the South African manager and he and his staff were very nice and helpful..