<p>The short answer is any or all of the above.</p>
<p>I prefer to do a one way in Sept. because I just can mentally handle a RT ticket at Thanksgiving better than the return half of the Sept. ticket and the first half of the Dec. ticket. Just easier to wrap my brain around it and stay on top of things. </p>
<p>In future years you may be able to book a June/Sept RT, although you may not always know the exact return date if your child is in special activities. That is what I did for my other child, some years ago.</p>
<p>That being said, for the coming year, a family member booked D a frequent flier ticket going to school in Sept. and coming home for Thanksgiving, and RT for me in Sept. So I’ll just have to get my head in gear. I am not necessarily going to fly with her every Sept. Didn’t with my son because it was just out of the question financially and logistically. But he had the same dorm and dorm parents the whole time while my D is currently in a freshman dorm so she will be changing.</p>
<p>For her very first arrival at school we flew Southwest. I was able to book one way for her and RT for me, with 4 free suitcases, at a very good price. Of course we had to drive 4 hours just to get to the airport where swa flies.</p>
<p>United frequent flier miles can be used for one way flights at half the RT “price.” One way travel varies from airline to airline.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about booking a Sept/June ticket. Worth checking out.</p>