You Understand Wrong, Though
lhtown said:
I understand that it is standard procedure for those coming in on a tourist visa to be required to show a return ticket
They ask you nothing. I have been through SDQ airport 14 times in the last 2 years. Nothing is said, the passport is scanned, stamped etc., etc., they give it back etc., you leave, dropping off the tourist card top portion on the way out.
You may have to haggle with customs but even then I have had one bag opened once and one bag lifted up to test its weight once and that is it.
If you are entering on a Dominican passport they say lots of course the issue of a return ticket doesn't really come up for them since they are citizens.
As to the first message I have no idea how one way flights would be cheaper since one way flights are often the most expensive, full fare ticket you can buy , excpt if the round trip full fare is twice the cost in which case it is only then cheaper because you only bought 1/2 a trip.
I have heard some people allegedly buy one way home on Transat or Skyservice charters back to Canada but that seems to be a risky proposition in its own right - first they have to be willing to, and second, you have to find an non sold-out flight. I would set my arrival and departure dates and go to AA.com and buy a ticket . They will allow you to buy ahead 6 months and in a pinch you change the return date pay them $145 CDN and go earlier or alter as the case may be.
But if the guy wants to come on a one way don't tell him it is usual to have or show a return ticket because that is false.