Travel itinerary vs confirmed flight?
Mar 2, 2013, 8:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: France
Programs: Krisflyer, Flying Blue, Skywards
Posts: 62
Travel itinerary vs confirmed flight?
I'm confused. Usually when I buy an air ticket, I access the airline's website and purchase my ticket, submitting my payment details and all. I get a confirmation e-ticket.
However, for a visa that I will be applying for, it requires that I have a travel itinerary, yet it advises me not to actually buy the ticket until the visa is issued (processing could take as long as two weeks to two months). So how does this work? I don't see anywhere on the airline reservations page(s) where I can say "Hey I just want to reserve this, but I'm not paying!"
Help please?
However, for a visa that I will be applying for, it requires that I have a travel itinerary, yet it advises me not to actually buy the ticket until the visa is issued (processing could take as long as two weeks to two months). So how does this work? I don't see anywhere on the airline reservations page(s) where I can say "Hey I just want to reserve this, but I'm not paying!"
Help please?
Mar 3, 2013, 1:04 am
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
Some folks don't factor in the risk of not getting the required visas when planning their trips. Therefore I consider the "warning" from the visa application site of your said destination a good advice.
Mar 3, 2013, 3:25 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: France
Programs: Krisflyer, Flying Blue, Skywards
Posts: 62
Thanks for the reply.
Refundables are close to double the price of a restricted ticket so was hoping there would be a solution.
The visa requires evidence of a travel itinerary, yet, not an actual ticket.
The visa requires evidence of a travel itinerary, yet, not an actual ticket.
Mar 3, 2013, 4:10 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
I think what lin821 means is buy a refundable ticket, cancel it after you get the visa, and then buy the ticket you want.
Is there any risk of the visa being rejected?
Is there any risk of the visa being rejected?
Mar 3, 2013, 4:15 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, UA PLAT, EK GOLD, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 438
Travel itinerary vs confirmed flight?
Book thru travel agent and submit itin. They'll usually hold a booking for a day or two
Mar 3, 2013, 5:05 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, UA PLAT, EK GOLD, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 438
Travel itinerary vs confirmed flight?
Of course u can book without visa. U can book anything u want. U only have to have the visa for check in.
Mar 3, 2013, 6:22 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
OP - Please post the details of the trip you are posting. There's a wealth of information on FT, but nobody can really help you if you only pose an abstract question.
1. Origin country
2. Destination country(ies)
3. Connecting country(ies)
4. Nationality
5. Country of residence
6. Do you anticipate any special problems with a visa?
1. Origin country
2. Destination country(ies)
3. Connecting country(ies)
4. Nationality
5. Country of residence
6. Do you anticipate any special problems with a visa?
Mar 3, 2013, 8:34 am
#9
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
Do you have difficulty in finding and/or submitting a travel itinerary for your proposed trip without purchasing the actual tix?
Mar 3, 2013, 9:40 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, MR Bonvoy Bonzaiiiii, National EE
Posts: 622
I use a travel agent for work, and often call to book a ticket and tell them to hold off on ticketing until I get approval from my Boss. They send off an itinerary, and I use that to apply for visas.
This will work just fine. Also something to keep in mind is that many airlines now let you cancel within 24 hours of booking of any ticket, refundable or non-refundable.
This will work just fine. Also something to keep in mind is that many airlines now let you cancel within 24 hours of booking of any ticket, refundable or non-refundable.
Mar 4, 2013, 9:29 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: France
Programs: Krisflyer, Flying Blue, Skywards
Posts: 62
Thanks all!
Mar 4, 2013, 8:09 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
My ticket to ACC a couple years back had a provision in the fare rules which allowed for a complimentary refund in case the visa was rejected. If the OP's fare permits such it could save a lot of hassle with the buy/refund process.