Arranging flight after visa

[symbiosis 0]

Is it safe to book a flight to the U.S. once the embassy schedules the final interview? I just don't want to wait until the last minute, when fares (and fuel surcharges!) will be much higher.

[Sal and Jay 2]

Is it safe to book a flight to the U.S. once the embassy schedules the final interview? I just don't want to wait until the last minute, when fares (and fuel surcharges!) will be much higher.

I wouldnt advise it, no one can be that sure that they will pass the interview. But, if you want to risk it you can book it.

[Gallowglass 0]

Just bear in mind that you might not be able to get a refund.

[wahenie19 0]

Is it safe to book a flight to the U.S. once the embassy schedules the final interview? I just don't want to wait until the last minute, when fares (and fuel surcharges!) will be much higher.

well you know everyone thinks the same as you do, and we all want to do that, but i won;t advise it. no one is sure when the visa is going to be delievered to her address due to the difference of the speed of the service of NSO branches. good luck on the interview!

[symbiosis 0]

Is it safe to book a flight to the U.S. once the embassy schedules the final interview? I just don't want to wait until the last minute, when fares (and fuel surcharges!) will be much higher.

well you know everyone thinks the same as you do, and we all want to do that, but i won;t advise it. no one is sure when the visa is going to be delievered to her address due to the difference of the speed of the service of NSO branches. good luck on the interview!

Still, if I wait until after the interview, the flight will likely cost twice as much. Or else, I could split the difference by buying a refundable/changeable ticket now.

[rin and john 71]

Is it safe to book a flight to the U.S. once the embassy schedules the final interview? I just don't want to wait until the last minute, when fares (and fuel surcharges!) will be much higher.

well you know everyone thinks the same as you do, and we all want to do that, but i won;t advise it. no one is sure when the visa is going to be delievered to her address due to the difference of the speed of the service of NSO branches. good luck on the interview!

Still, if I wait until after the interview, the flight will likely cost twice as much. Or else, I could split the difference by buying a refundable/changeable ticket now.

Check with the airline on their change policy. I bought Rin's ticket before the interview from Thai Airlines. They confirmed at the time I bought it that the departure date could be changed without penalty (the one-way ticket was around $800 in April 2007).

John

[motu 5]

DO what rin did - most airlines will let you reschedule for a fee (usually $100 to 200 but sometimes even less - if you can talk to their representative and tell them why you are changing it, they may give you a break (especially if you know the local agent)). Good Luck

[don2008 0]

my fiancees ticket was one way from Vn to the US, it was 950. i bought it about 2 weeks in advance, it was right after she got the pink slip. i did risk it by not waiting untill after we had the visa in hand. but i was willing to risk that much. i wouldnt recommend buying it before the interview though. paying more for the ticket to get her here sooner if something you might have to do, ask your self: is it worth spending alot now to see her sooner? it was worth it to me, i would have paid alot more that 950 to get her here with me!

[symbiosis 0]

my fiancees ticket was one way from Vn to the US, it was 950. i bought it about 2 weeks in advance, it was right after she got the pink slip. i did risk it by not waiting untill after we had the visa in hand. but i was willing to risk that much. i wouldnt recommend buying it before the interview though. paying more for the ticket to get her here sooner if something you might have to do, ask your self: is it worth spending alot now to see her sooner? it was worth it to me, i would have paid alot more that 950 to get her here with me!

apologies, but I'm new to this: "pink slip"? what's that? I thought the interview led directly to the visa, usually within a few days. In any case, I'd probably wait until she got an interview date from the embassy.

[Kang Lang 7]

i also did mine in advance and figured i would just eat the cost of a change fee if things didn't work out at our interview.

"the pink slip" is the approval. and in bkk the turnaround time was 2 business days for my husband to pick up his visa.

(some countries you do not have the option to pick up, it is delivered to you)

GOOD LUCK!

Please fill in your timeline

Edited June 17, 2008 by Kang Lang

[symbiosis 0]

i also did mine in advance and figured i would just eat the cost of a change fee if things didn't work out at our interview.

"the pink slip" is the approval. and in bkk the turnaround time was 2 business days for my husband to pick up his visa.

(some countries you do not have the option to pick up, it is delivered to you)

GOOD LUCK!

Please fill in your timeline

ugh! in the few days since I posted this question, the fares between Bangkok and U.S. have gone up an average of $1,000! I shoulda just pulled the trigger.

[mailman2 0]

i also did mine in advance and figured i would just eat the cost of a change fee if things didn't work out at our interview.

"the pink slip" is the approval. and in bkk the turnaround time was 2 business days for my husband to pick up his visa.

(some countries you do not have the option to pick up, it is delivered to you)

GOOD LUCK!

Please fill in your timeline

ugh! in the few days since I posted this question, the fares between Bangkok and U.S. have gone up an average of $1,000! I shoulda just pulled the trigger.

I'm getting hit with the high summer time rates for flights where I live also. I want to get my fiance here from Thailand the end of July when I am there, so she can fly with me. If I were to wait until September, it would be a lot less for a flight! Also, it seems when you purchase a ticket from Thailand, the additional charges they add to an airline ticket a quite hefty compared to what they charge in the US.

Something I wasn't sure of. It sounds like for an immigrant K-1 fiance visa, it is fine to only purchase a one way ticket. It doesn't have to be a round trip ticket. Didn't realize that until I read this thread.

[mogdog 0]

I was one click of the mouse away from buying tickets when my wife got her interview date. Thank God I did not! She had medical exam delay (we will know the results July 2). I will wait until she has her visa issued.