MR to DEL question
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: PBI and FRA
Programs: AA EXP 4MM, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Hertz 5*,
Posts: 199
MR to DEL question
My wife will make EXP on 5 July assuming she does a MR of between 15 and 18K sometime between now and then. I've looked and looked for decent fares and the only thing I've found was PBI-ORD-DEL and back for around $900. Not great but a lot better than say anywhere in Europe which has all priced out just under $2K for fewer miles.
Here's the problem. We're traveling to Russia 11 May to 22 May and our passports are gone right now getting visa's. Were also gone the beginning of June. That leaves her the first week in May (after we get our passports back) and the end of June. The fare I found to DEL is the first week of May but we wouldn't have time to get her a visa for India. Has anyone done a MR to DEL without a visa? Is it possible to turn around there without clearing immigration? From what I've read it appears that it's not possible but I'm wondering what might happen if she just showed up without one since she'd be on a flight back about 4 hour's after she arrived.
thx.
Here's the problem. We're traveling to Russia 11 May to 22 May and our passports are gone right now getting visa's. Were also gone the beginning of June. That leaves her the first week in May (after we get our passports back) and the end of June. The fare I found to DEL is the first week of May but we wouldn't have time to get her a visa for India. Has anyone done a MR to DEL without a visa? Is it possible to turn around there without clearing immigration? From what I've read it appears that it's not possible but I'm wondering what might happen if she just showed up without one since she'd be on a flight back about 4 hour's after she arrived.
thx.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
I don't think that AA will let you board without a visa.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by millionmiler
I don't think that AA will let you board without a visa.
Yup.. they do check for visa... I think the computer tells them too
BTW where did u find the fare?
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Originally Posted by kenfry
BTW where did u find the fare?
I guess if AA checks then DEL is a no go. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find anything else that's anywhere near that price per mile, which came out to around .05/mile.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lahaina,HI USA AA PLT 9 Million Miles+, Hyatt Courtesy Card, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz No. 1 Club Gold, Starwood Platinum,OnePass Gold Elite,+++
Posts: 478
With all the great sales to Japan, why wouldn't you look at Tokyo or Kyoto?
My wife and I went to Kyoto two weeks ago and it was fantastic. ^
My wife and I went to Kyoto two weeks ago and it was fantastic. ^
#6
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Don't know if this will work for you or not, but it is the only thing that I can think of.
India has a consulate in Chicago. You should be able to take a passport in there to secure a visa. I have never done this there (or for an Indian visa at all), but for other countries it normally seems to take about an hour. A phone call should tell you whether they can issue a walk-in visa, how long it normally takes, and their hours of operation.
AA will not let you on the plane in PBI for India without the visa, so you can't do this on a long connection, but you could book a R/T PBI-ORD and another ORD-DEL. ORD-DEL is available on your May 2-4 dates for $828 ($100 less than from PBI). She could fly to ORD early on May 1, go to the consulate, get the visa, then get the plane to DEL the next day.
I wouldn't do this (I already have sufficient stress in my life), but it could work.
The Indian Consulate might have other suggestions. They want tourists to come to India. Don't tell them how long you plan to stay.
India has a consulate in Chicago. You should be able to take a passport in there to secure a visa. I have never done this there (or for an Indian visa at all), but for other countries it normally seems to take about an hour. A phone call should tell you whether they can issue a walk-in visa, how long it normally takes, and their hours of operation.
AA will not let you on the plane in PBI for India without the visa, so you can't do this on a long connection, but you could book a R/T PBI-ORD and another ORD-DEL. ORD-DEL is available on your May 2-4 dates for $828 ($100 less than from PBI). She could fly to ORD early on May 1, go to the consulate, get the visa, then get the plane to DEL the next day.
I wouldn't do this (I already have sufficient stress in my life), but it could work.
The Indian Consulate might have other suggestions. They want tourists to come to India. Don't tell them how long you plan to stay.
#7
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Originally Posted by RayinMaui
With all the great sales to Japan, why wouldn't you look at Tokyo or Kyoto?
My wife and I went to Kyoto two weeks ago and it was fantastic. ^
My wife and I went to Kyoto two weeks ago and it was fantastic. ^
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Originally Posted by gemac
Most of those great fares to Japan seem to have minimum stay requirements (usually 6 days).
#9
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Originally Posted by Ltgfrk
Yes, that's the problem with the Japan fares. I need her to be gone as little as possible in order to minimize the time I spend alone with my 3 and 5 year old!
That's lotsa quality time with the youngins.
#10
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Originally Posted by FWAAA
That's lotsa quality time with the youngins.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: London, UK
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, UA Prem Exec, BA blue
Posts: 155
Originally Posted by Ltgfrk
My wife will make EXP on 5 July assuming she does a MR of between 15 and 18K sometime between now and then. I've looked and looked for decent fares and the only thing I've found was PBI-ORD-DEL and back for around $900. Not great but a lot better than say anywhere in Europe which has all priced out just under $2K for fewer miles.
Here's the problem. We're traveling to Russia 11 May to 22 May and our passports are gone right now getting visa's. Were also gone the beginning of June. That leaves her the first week in May (after we get our passports back) and the end of June. The fare I found to DEL is the first week of May but we wouldn't have time to get her a visa for India. Has anyone done a MR to DEL without a visa? Is it possible to turn around there without clearing immigration? From what I've read it appears that it's not possible but I'm wondering what might happen if she just showed up without one since she'd be on a flight back about 4 hour's after she arrived.
thx.
Here's the problem. We're traveling to Russia 11 May to 22 May and our passports are gone right now getting visa's. Were also gone the beginning of June. That leaves her the first week in May (after we get our passports back) and the end of June. The fare I found to DEL is the first week of May but we wouldn't have time to get her a visa for India. Has anyone done a MR to DEL without a visa? Is it possible to turn around there without clearing immigration? From what I've read it appears that it's not possible but I'm wondering what might happen if she just showed up without one since she'd be on a flight back about 4 hour's after she arrived.
thx.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SMF
Programs: AA EXP 4MM
Posts: 811
Originally Posted by Ltgfrk
My wife will make EXP on 5 July assuming she does a MR of between 15 and 18K sometime between now and then. I've looked and looked for decent fares and the only thing I've found was PBI-ORD-DEL and back for around $900. Not great but a lot better than say anywhere in Europe which has all priced out just under $2K for fewer miles.
Here's the problem. We're traveling to Russia 11 May to 22 May and our passports are gone right now getting visa's. Were also gone the beginning of June. That leaves her the first week in May (after we get our passports back) and the end of June. The fare I found to DEL is the first week of May but we wouldn't have time to get her a visa for India. Has anyone done a MR to DEL without a visa? Is it possible to turn around there without clearing immigration? From what I've read it appears that it's not possible but I'm wondering what might happen if she just showed up without one since she'd be on a flight back about 4 hour's after she arrived.
thx.
Here's the problem. We're traveling to Russia 11 May to 22 May and our passports are gone right now getting visa's. Were also gone the beginning of June. That leaves her the first week in May (after we get our passports back) and the end of June. The fare I found to DEL is the first week of May but we wouldn't have time to get her a visa for India. Has anyone done a MR to DEL without a visa? Is it possible to turn around there without clearing immigration? From what I've read it appears that it's not possible but I'm wondering what might happen if she just showed up without one since she'd be on a flight back about 4 hour's after she arrived.
thx.
#13
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If everything is in order, getting a visa for India takes about half a day (for US residents) if you go to the consulate in person.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Originally Posted by efamous
Hey, I only have the vaguest idea of South Florida geography from when I used to go visit my aunts as a kid, but if you can get to MIA early on the morning of the 2nd returning on the 4th, aa.com is showing MIA-KIX for $551 + tax ($640 all in). Pretty damned good price IMHO for 15,000+ miles, especially if it gets her EXP, and double mileage for being PLT. That fare's unfortunately not available from PBI. Hope this helps.
FWIW, I want her to make EXP on the 5th of July because we're flying ELP-ORD-LHR-BCN. She'll qualify for EXP on one of those flights and then on the return we'll have a shot at using the eVIP for the UG. We also have 7 hours in ORD and I want to be able to use the FL at ORD. Seven hours of drinking Guinness is a lot of fun.
#15
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Originally Posted by Ltgfrk
Thanks! I booked it. It's only an hour to MIA.
FWIW, I want her to make EXP on the 5th of July because we're flying ELP-ORD-LHR-BCN. She'll qualify for EXP on one of those flights and then on the return we'll have a shot at using the eVIP for the UG. We also have 7 hours in ORD and I want to be able to use the FL at ORD. Seven hours of drinking Guinness is a lot of fun.
FWIW, I want her to make EXP on the 5th of July because we're flying ELP-ORD-LHR-BCN. She'll qualify for EXP on one of those flights and then on the return we'll have a shot at using the eVIP for the UG. We also have 7 hours in ORD and I want to be able to use the FL at ORD. Seven hours of drinking Guinness is a lot of fun.