AP reward booking: Australian Visa Application
Apr 6, 2012, 9:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Programs: SPG Plat, Aeroplan 35k, Hyatt Gold, Hilton Diamond, TK Elite
Posts: 134
AP reward booking: Australian Visa Application
Anyone has any experience with AP doing the passenger Australian electronic visa application?
AP booking agent applied for the Australian visa for our family RTW later this year and told me that we all got approved... however, there was no confirmation number given or any other indication that it was sent and got approved.
Should I expect some sort of confirmation?, Australia is pretty serious about their Visa policy.
I'm just a bit paranoid, as it seems Airlines make regular mistakes, and most of the times it's the traveler who ends up in a pickle... It was 12 years ago, I was on a trip to NZ via HNL, Canadian Airlines messed up something in HNL and rather than a direct flight to NZ, I was routed through SYD, and they didn't bother to inform me that I needed a visa.. however, they did give me an op-up and a free one night stay in HNL
Anyways, mid-way through my HNL-SYD flight, FA comes along and tells me that they just got word from the ground staff that I don't have an Australian visa and I shouldn't have been put on this flight. And this is just to let me know in advance, and they can't do anything about it
I was lucky that this was just pre 9/11 and things weren't so bad.. I did get asked all sorts of questions by Australian immigration.. but they eventually let me go once they figured out it was the Airline's fault... the leniency was probably an exception and I don't expect this to be case these days though.
AP booking agent applied for the Australian visa for our family RTW later this year and told me that we all got approved... however, there was no confirmation number given or any other indication that it was sent and got approved.
Should I expect some sort of confirmation?, Australia is pretty serious about their Visa policy.
I'm just a bit paranoid, as it seems Airlines make regular mistakes, and most of the times it's the traveler who ends up in a pickle... It was 12 years ago, I was on a trip to NZ via HNL, Canadian Airlines messed up something in HNL and rather than a direct flight to NZ, I was routed through SYD, and they didn't bother to inform me that I needed a visa.. however, they did give me an op-up and a free one night stay in HNL
Anyways, mid-way through my HNL-SYD flight, FA comes along and tells me that they just got word from the ground staff that I don't have an Australian visa and I shouldn't have been put on this flight. And this is just to let me know in advance, and they can't do anything about it
I was lucky that this was just pre 9/11 and things weren't so bad.. I did get asked all sorts of questions by Australian immigration.. but they eventually let me go once they figured out it was the Airline's fault... the leniency was probably an exception and I don't expect this to be case these days though.
Apr 6, 2012, 9:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AC 75K, SPG P, CX SL
Posts: 548
Anyone has any experience with AP doing the passenger Australian electronic visa application?
AP booking agent applied for the Australian visa for our family RTW later this year and told me that we all got approved... however, there was no confirmation number given or any other indication that it was sent and got approved.
Should I expect some sort of confirmation?, Australia is pretty serious about their Visa policy.
I'm just a bit paranoid, as it seems Airlines make regular mistakes, and most of the times it's the traveler who ends up in a pickle... It was 12 years ago, I was on a trip to NZ via HNL, Canadian Airlines messed up something in HNL and rather than a direct flight to NZ, I was routed through SYD, and they didn't bother to inform me that I needed a visa.. however, they did give me an op-up and a free one night stay in HNL
Anyways, mid-way through my HNL-SYD flight, FA comes along and tells me that they just got word from the ground staff that I don't have an Australian visa and I shouldn't have been put on this flight. And this is just to let me know in advance, and they can't do anything about it
I was lucky that this was just pre 9/11 and things weren't so bad.. I did get asked all sorts of questions by Australian immigration.. but they eventually let me go once they figured out it was the Airline's fault... the leniency was probably an exception and I don't expect this to be case these days though.
AP booking agent applied for the Australian visa for our family RTW later this year and told me that we all got approved... however, there was no confirmation number given or any other indication that it was sent and got approved.
Should I expect some sort of confirmation?, Australia is pretty serious about their Visa policy.
I'm just a bit paranoid, as it seems Airlines make regular mistakes, and most of the times it's the traveler who ends up in a pickle... It was 12 years ago, I was on a trip to NZ via HNL, Canadian Airlines messed up something in HNL and rather than a direct flight to NZ, I was routed through SYD, and they didn't bother to inform me that I needed a visa.. however, they did give me an op-up and a free one night stay in HNL
Anyways, mid-way through my HNL-SYD flight, FA comes along and tells me that they just got word from the ground staff that I don't have an Australian visa and I shouldn't have been put on this flight. And this is just to let me know in advance, and they can't do anything about it
I was lucky that this was just pre 9/11 and things weren't so bad.. I did get asked all sorts of questions by Australian immigration.. but they eventually let me go once they figured out it was the Airline's fault... the leniency was probably an exception and I don't expect this to be case these days though.
Apr 6, 2012, 10:28 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mostly Canada and the World
Programs: Several
Posts: 484
I fly quite often to Australia - every few months.
I have had AC and AP both apply for my Australian Visa and have not had any problems - except once. Now I always do it myself.
The one time AP did it for me I had a problem... I was connecting in Hong Kong to Perth and when I checked in they said I had no Visa - even though AP booked it for me. The one saving grace was that I had a print out of the confirmation. The agent went way beyond what she had to do and actually contacted the Australian authorities to sort it all out - which took the good part of 45 minutes!!
So - if you do get them to do it - ensure you receive a confirmation and print it out and take it with you. Otherwise I suggest you do it yourself online.
Cheers!
I have had AC and AP both apply for my Australian Visa and have not had any problems - except once. Now I always do it myself.
The one time AP did it for me I had a problem... I was connecting in Hong Kong to Perth and when I checked in they said I had no Visa - even though AP booked it for me. The one saving grace was that I had a print out of the confirmation. The agent went way beyond what she had to do and actually contacted the Australian authorities to sort it all out - which took the good part of 45 minutes!!
So - if you do get them to do it - ensure you receive a confirmation and print it out and take it with you. Otherwise I suggest you do it yourself online.
Cheers!
Apr 6, 2012, 10:59 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Programs: SPG Plat, Aeroplan 35k, Hyatt Gold, Hilton Diamond, TK Elite
Posts: 134
Thanks guys.. I didn't know you could do it yourself...
Anyways, I tried to re-apply on the ETA site and the online system says that I already have a valid visa in their system that will expire at the end of the year, so I think I'm good
Anyways, I tried to re-apply on the ETA site and the online system says that I already have a valid visa in their system that will expire at the end of the year, so I think I'm good
Apr 6, 2012, 11:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM
Posts: 605
Upon arrival in SYD we had to visit the office where they fixed their files.
Took about 20 minutes.
If it involves computers, AP agents can do it wrong. In the future I would lead them through the steps..
Apr 7, 2012, 9:44 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
(with conditions)...http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/austr...plication.html
Apr 7, 2012, 9:53 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Programs: SPG Plat, Aeroplan 35k, Hyatt Gold, Hilton Diamond, TK Elite
Posts: 134
Or you can just PM me and I'll get it for you free of charge... (with conditions)...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/austr...plication.html
(with conditions)...http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/austr...plication.html
This time AP did it free of charge and by the looks of it, did it right
Apr 7, 2012, 10:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YUL
Posts: 2,283
Anyone has any experience with AP doing the passenger Australian electronic visa application?
AP booking agent applied for the Australian visa for our family RTW later this year and told me that we all got approved... however, there was no confirmation number given or any other indication that it was sent and got approved.
Should I expect some sort of confirmation?, Australia is pretty serious about their Visa policy.
I'm just a bit paranoid, as it seems Airlines make regular mistakes, and most of the times it's the traveler who ends up in a pickle... It was 12 years ago, I was on a trip to NZ via HNL, Canadian Airlines messed up something in HNL and rather than a direct flight to NZ, I was routed through SYD, and they didn't bother to inform me that I needed a visa.. however, they did give me an op-up and a free one night stay in HNL
Anyways, mid-way through my HNL-SYD flight, FA comes along and tells me that they just got word from the ground staff that I don't have an Australian visa and I shouldn't have been put on this flight. And this is just to let me know in advance, and they can't do anything about it
I was lucky that this was just pre 9/11 and things weren't so bad.. I did get asked all sorts of questions by Australian immigration.. but they eventually let me go once they figured out it was the Airline's fault... the leniency was probably an exception and I don't expect this to be case these days though.
AP booking agent applied for the Australian visa for our family RTW later this year and told me that we all got approved... however, there was no confirmation number given or any other indication that it was sent and got approved.
Should I expect some sort of confirmation?, Australia is pretty serious about their Visa policy.
I'm just a bit paranoid, as it seems Airlines make regular mistakes, and most of the times it's the traveler who ends up in a pickle... It was 12 years ago, I was on a trip to NZ via HNL, Canadian Airlines messed up something in HNL and rather than a direct flight to NZ, I was routed through SYD, and they didn't bother to inform me that I needed a visa.. however, they did give me an op-up and a free one night stay in HNL
Anyways, mid-way through my HNL-SYD flight, FA comes along and tells me that they just got word from the ground staff that I don't have an Australian visa and I shouldn't have been put on this flight. And this is just to let me know in advance, and they can't do anything about it
I was lucky that this was just pre 9/11 and things weren't so bad.. I did get asked all sorts of questions by Australian immigration.. but they eventually let me go once they figured out it was the Airline's fault... the leniency was probably an exception and I don't expect this to be case these days though.
I'll update the thread when I have a chance
Apr 8, 2012, 9:25 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: All Accor Plat, 1865 Voyager, AE E35K, HH Gold,Hyatt, Hrtz Gold, Marriott Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 1,669
AP said they would get us one when we booked our reward tickets. Is there a way to check that they did? What happens if they didn't do it?
Apr 8, 2012, 11:34 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Programs: SPG Plat, Aeroplan 35k, Hyatt Gold, Hilton Diamond, TK Elite
Posts: 134
http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
However, you can go through the application process, if your visa is already in the system it will indicate it and will show you the expiry date too, you can then abort the process. If it doesn't exist, you can proceed with the application.
The only benefit of going through AP is that you don't pay the $20...
Apr 8, 2012, 12:30 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
Since AP doesn't give you a confirmation number (at least they told me clearly that they are unable to give me one), there is no direct way to check it on:
http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
However, you can go through the application process, if your visa is already in the system it will indicate it and will show you the expiry date too, you can then abort the process. If it doesn't exist, you can proceed with the application.
The only benefit of going through AP is that you don't pay the $20...
http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
However, you can go through the application process, if your visa is already in the system it will indicate it and will show you the expiry date too, you can then abort the process. If it doesn't exist, you can proceed with the application.
The only benefit of going through AP is that you don't pay the $20...
Like I said, PM me and I can check it out for you if indeed you have a valid ETA or not.
Apr 8, 2012, 6:36 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: All Accor Plat, 1865 Voyager, AE E35K, HH Gold,Hyatt, Hrtz Gold, Marriott Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 1,669