I fly from time to time on a mileage run to SYD and return on the same plane to the airport I departed from. Transit worked always, but randomly a check in agent (TG, CA) refuses to issue a boarding pass unless I have a visa. Reason are e.g. that returning to the airport of origin is not transit nor that it is covered by travel without visa.

While it took only minutes to get the visa for a TG check in agent in FRA, it took me most of my >4h transit time in PVG for CA check in agents. While the AUS immigration website was accessible, I could not enter my country of residence, therefore could not apply for the visa, independent if I used the airport Wifi or paid 60 € roaming for the cell phone.

Has anyone had this problem and did you solve it without having to get a visa.