One way ticket - airlines refusing

[JuniorMints 66]

3 hours ago, Ben&Zian said:

Some airlines indeed don't know much about the visa and it's use. We used Emirates for his one way trip to the US, no issues.

 

As mentioned, maybe book the round trip but bump the return out say 6 months or something. Always can cancel it or possibly reschedule it again depending on the airline's policies.

Thanks, I'll look into Emirates for flights to SFO

[MadamG 26]

@JuniorMints something like that.  All you need to really have is a record locator. 

[CEE53147 559]

3 hours ago, missileman said:

Although the airlines are misinformed, they are just trying to protect themselves in case he is denied entry at the US border (which, of course, won't happen).

 

Never say definitively that a person will be admitted. Even with a K-1, there is a chance - albeit very small - that entry will be denied. It gives someone not knowledgeable with the quirks of US immigration  unrealistic expectations.

[IzzyKL 21]

Echoing previous posters, I'd also recommend getting the return ticket under a separate booking and make sure it is 100% refundable (usually not applicable for promo fares, make sure you read the T&C) ; then cancel the ticket once you're there.

[Crazy Cat 39,140]

10 hours ago, CEE53147 said:

 

Never say definitively that a person will be admitted. Even with a K-1, there is a chance - albeit very small - that entry will be denied. It gives someone not knowledgeable with the quirks of US immigration  unrealistic expectations.

I think you are amplifying the risk of a person with a K-1 being denied entry.  I recall only one case where the person was sent back....Yes, only US citizens are guaranteed entry.....but more than 99% of people I recall who possess a valid K-1 have been allowed to enter.

[chi6488 93]

When I flew my k1 fiance and daughter to the USA it was a one way ticket.  I bought the tickets from expedia

[Eric-Pris 1,602]

13 hours ago, CEE53147 said:

 

Never say definitively that a person will be admitted. Even with a K-1, there is a chance - albeit very small - that entry will be denied. It gives someone not knowledgeable with the quirks of US immigration  unrealistic expectations.

Maybe if they tried to hijack the plane to the US, a K-1 would be denied.  LOL  Otherwise, it's a pretty safe bet that a K-1 will be admitted.  They didn't even ask my fiancee a single question at JFK, just a formality with the paperwork and stamp.

[Daisy.Chain 317]

One time American airlines wouldn't let me (US citizen) go to the Dominican Republic on a one way when I wasn't sure if my trip would be 8 or 14 days.   I had to buy another ticket at the counter, and I cancelled it the same day as soon as I arrived.

 

The crazy thing is that the irritating lady at the gate didn't even buy me a ticket back to the US -she got me a ticket from the DR capital city to another city in the DR. She tried to force my Dominican husband to get one too until we pulled our his passport. This happened in Detrout, but there might be a similar solution available.

 

You could buy him the ticket you want, then the day of the trip get him the cheapest returning ticket you can find within the next three months. When gets to the US, cancel the ticket for a full refund!

[MichiganSassy 7]

16 hours ago, JuniorMints said:

Thanks, I'll look into Emirates for flights to SFO

I flew with emirates back in 2014 and yes, their employees know better about K1 visa. Actually, port of entry is Abu Dhabi so your fiance will give the "package" from the embassy to USCIS officer in UAE. Very simple, they know what the procedure and such. I recommend emirates for sure. Good luck for finding the best ticket situation!😍 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

19 hours ago, Gravlax said:

I think you are probably right because Turkey requires visa for Algeria and there is no transit visa, and if the transit time in Istanbul is long, then they cannot let them to board without visa for Turkey. I am assuming the similar situation applies for Air France.

Air France allows to transit with approved US visa unless staying overnight in France or there is a change of airports or airlines

Many times people buy online tickets  for cheap price /  our friends bought for parents

 

not allowed to board in Marrackeh for Paris as there was a change of airlines and they had to pick up new tickets in paris for trip to the USA

 

[usmsbow 795]

20 hours ago, JuniorMints said:

 

My fiance has his K1 visa now and he went to the airport to buy his ticket, but both Turkish Airlines and Air France are refusing to sell him a one way ticket because he's on a visa.  He explained to them very well that he is not a TOURIST, he is an intending immigrant and will marry within 90 days and will stay in America.  Both airlines still refuse.  A round trip ticket from Algeria to SFO is $300 more and we don't want to waste that money if we don't have to.

 

I know I can just buy the ticket myself from here online so he will physically have a ticket in his hand, but my question is, when he goes to board the flight, and connecting flight, what can he say or do if they refuse him to board the flights? 

 

    

 

If the cost to buy the ticket online is the same (or less) than going to the airport, why not just do that? I'm guessing the problem is the ticket sales people don't know squat about visas and the like. I think he's less likely to face obstacles when checking in, and definitely will not when boarding the flight or his connecting flight. Turkish Air and Air France employees (at least in Turkey and France) are generally pretty good. 

 

Also, another airline to try might be Lufthansa. 

[Crazy Cat 39,140]

6 hours ago, Eric-Pris said:

Maybe if they tried to hijack the plane to the US, a K-1 would be denied.  LOL  Otherwise, it's a pretty safe bet that a K-1 will be admitted.  They didn't even ask my fiancee a single question at JFK, just a formality with the paperwork and stamp.

The only fiance with a K-1 that I can recall being denied was asked by the CBPO was asked "Do you plan to marry within 90 days?"  He replied "Maybe...maybe not"........He was sent back to his country.

[usmsbow 795]

1 hour ago, missileman said:

The only fiance with a K-1 that I can recall being denied was asked by the CBPO was asked "Do you plan to marry within 90 days?"  He replied "Maybe...maybe not"........He was sent back to his country.

 

With a mind like that, it is a true shame he wasn't allowed into the country. /s

[JuniorMints 66]

7 hours ago, usmsbow said:

 

 

 

Also, another airline to try might be Lufthansa. 

Actually, he went back to the airport today and did go to Lufthansa and they sold him the one way ticket, and the agent said they are very well aware of the K1 visa and not needing a 2 way ticket and there wouldn't be a problem boarding. 

 

Another VJ member told me their fiance flew from Algiers on Lufthansa on a 1 way ticket with no problem.  It seems Lufthansa is better informed.....    

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from K1 Progress Reports to General Immigration-Related Discussion.