[QUOTE=redbeard911;10381454]I guess it also depends if you have status on the airline. I've made same day changes to my ticket and it was cost of fare difference (based on RT) plus change fee. I agree that an airline shouldn't make a profit on a customer's misfortune.
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The governments hold the airlines accountable and also fine the airline for transporting you there in the first place (which is why when you travel to a country requiring a visa they check for it when you check in). The reality is that most check-in agents don't really know about the visas they are checking. I have many visas in my passport and its not unusual for an agent to look at an expired visa and smile and say "isle or window". Also, how many folks can actually look at a Kazahkstan visa and know exactly what it says??

I did have one occasion where proof of a return ticket was requested and I didn't have one (as is was an electronic ticket). I was escorted to a room and an airline representative was later brought to the room, the representative went and produced a print out showing I had a round trip ticket and then I went through

I also saw once a chinese businessman that had a Russian visa trying to enter another CIS country.....he was convinced that a Russian visa was ok....he was wrong and I saw him being escorted off to a holding area and a policeman was given his baggage ticket I assume to retrieve them for the trip back.

The fines to the airline is pretty substantial in most countries. I disagree that the airline shouldn't make money flying you out. You as the holder of the visa (or not) are responsible for your own entry into a country. If you don't have a visa, or it has expired, or you obtained the wrong type of visa, or were previously arrested in that country, etc. etc. .....then the airline certainly should make money flying you back to wherever.

I have sympathy for those randomly denied access, but at the end of the day its still your responsibility to enter the country not the airline and if they have to transport you then they should be earning money.