I'm going to be traveling in Asia for several months. I usually fly out of lax on Eva direct to taipei one way and have never been asked for a return ticket. This time I made the mistake of booking a two leg trip through Expedia which goes on Alaska to SEA and from SEA to TPE on EVA.

Alaska said they could not check the in unless I had a ticket showing I was leaving aipei within 90 days. I requested to sign a waiver removing them from liability if I was turned away by immigration in taipei but they said they didn't do that. So I booked a ticket from TPE to Bangkok.

They then told me I needed a return ticket to the US. this has never happened to me on any airline before. I have booked onward tickets when in this situation before with no issue but Alaska would not budge. insisted they would only accept a return ticket to the US.

So now I have also booked a return ticket to LAX for a date when I don't plan to return. They warned me not to cancel the ticket saying they will be checking and IF I cancel I'll get a huge fine. The thing is I really need to cancel it because it will be a huge waste of money if I don't.

Can anyone verify this is true and exactly how long are they checking to see if I have cancelled my ticket?

Could I safely cancel it after checking in for the second leg of my trip in SEA?

Expedia gives me 24 hours to cancel and I assume they are not still going to be checking my ticket after I arrive in taipei in ordee to fine me as claimed.. But the problem is by the time I arrive in taipei I think 24 hours may already have elapsed and it will be too late to cancel. So it seems like my best chance would be in SEA after checking in with EVA.

what is my best option in this situation?