ChocolateFactory

I booked an award ticket on TG XXX-BKK-MCT for a friend of mine who is a Thai national.
My friend will probably "miss" the flight to MCT, but it would be great to get on the flight to BKK. ;-)

We'd like to avoid the Omani e-visa fee.
About MCT/Oman, Expertflyer says:

But when I google, I only find that there is no visa on arrival anymore, only the e-visa. So which one is it? (Or actually, will the checkin staff only see what I see on Expertflyer?)

Or should we just go for TWOV?

Might be the easiest option?
Is there a risk the airport staff won't let him check in/short check his bag if they think the itinerary doesn't make sense?

Ldnn1

Are you aware the 10 day e-visa is now available for only 5 OMR (about 13 USD)? I'd suggest getting that to avoid any arguments.

TWOV couldn't help you anyway unless you have an onward ticket to show.

ChocolateFactory

Oh, it is? Thanks! I thought it would be 50$ or so.
But I guess even with the e-visa, this part would still apply:

So in that case we might as well go for TWOV?
For TWOV, I thought we'd just book a refundable ticket. Should be safe to cancel as soon as my friend has the BKK boarding pass in hand, I guess?

Ldnn1

Well it would be safer to do the refundable onward ticket with the e-visa - then you don't have to risk any misunderstanding of the check-in agents about TWOV eligibility, albeit the TWOV option *should* be ok. But I've just seen you mention short-check of bags - how long is the layover in BKK? Unless it's very long/overnight then I think it's very risky to do this with checked bags as I have no idea what TG's policy is on short checking. Moreover if they did refuse to short check, then you wouldn't be eligible for TWOV unless TG were also willing to through check all the way to your 'fake' onward ticket destination!

On your final point, note that 'boarding pass in hand' does not necessarily mean OK to fly. Your friend may be able to check in online and get a mobile/online BP or one from a kiosk at the airport 'in hand' (i.e. before seeing a human agent at the airport) but he won't be able to board the plane unless and until an agent has ok'd his visa status in the system. That's the point at which you could then refund the onward ticket. That check would ordinarily be done at the check-in desk.

ChocolateFactory

It's a 6-8 hour layover at BKK, hope that's enough time for them to allow short-checking.
I guess we'll just do e-visa + refundable onward ticket then to be on the safe side. At least if it's really just 13 USD.