Be aware of this rule - one way travel
Apr 6th 2008, 9:59 pm
#31
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 70
Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
Hi all,
I booked one way flights for my family and I to Brisbane earlier this week, fully expecting to take advantage of the 45kg baggage allowance for migrant travellers.
Today I received a phone call to say that the airline has revoked this option because we have already entered Australia during our validation trip and therefore we are no longer subject to the luggage allowance.
I did argue that we have never entered as migrants only as visitors through the validation process but they still would not allow the extra weight. I just don’t know how I’m going to get my wife’s 800 pairs of shoes on the plane now
Has this happened to you, if so, did you get it resolved?
Phil & family
I booked one way flights for my family and I to Brisbane earlier this week, fully expecting to take advantage of the 45kg baggage allowance for migrant travellers.
Today I received a phone call to say that the airline has revoked this option because we have already entered Australia during our validation trip and therefore we are no longer subject to the luggage allowance.
I did argue that we have never entered as migrants only as visitors through the validation process but they still would not allow the extra weight. I just don’t know how I’m going to get my wife’s 800 pairs of shoes on the plane now
Has this happened to you, if so, did you get it resolved?
Phil & family
Hi Phil, Yep, we booked our flights with Singapore Airlines recently, they told us you only get the allowance with an 'unused Migrant Visa', so not entitled to the extra allowance:curse:, we went on our reccy & valadated last march
...stela
Apr 6th 2008, 10:35 pm
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 46
Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
So this begs the question of using a new passport!! If you went out on a reccie and validated your visa but since then your passport has/is nearly expired, what then? Can this work? Anyone tried it??
I knew there was more to my existence than I gave myself credit for!!!
I knew there was more to my existence than I gave myself credit for!!!
Apr 7th 2008, 3:01 am
#33
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,819
Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
So this begs the question of using a new passport!! If you went out on a reccie and validated your visa but since then your passport has/is nearly expired, what then? Can this work? Anyone tried it??
I knew there was more to my existence than I gave myself credit for!!!
I knew there was more to my existence than I gave myself credit for!!!
Apr 7th 2008, 9:26 pm
#34
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Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 46
Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough - given that the original visas are stamped in the old passport, does the Aus Embassy transfer a "used" visa into your new passport (we need a new british passport as old one is expiring in a few months!) or would it appear as "new" visa in the new passport and therefore to the airline you are entering as a migrant for the first time?
Apr 7th 2008, 9:31 pm
#35
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
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Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough - given that the original visas are stamped in the old passport, does the Aus Embassy transfer a "used" visa into your new passport (we need a new british passport as old one is expiring in a few months!) or would it appear as "new" visa in the new passport and therefore to the airline you are entering as a migrant for the first time?
The only way to get a new unvalidated visa is to apply again, which is probably more expsnsiee than paying for the excess baggage!
Apr 7th 2008, 9:56 pm
#36
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Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 46
Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
Or are you implying link between wordings on the sticker stating "initial entry no later than xx" and that the agent on the desk at the airline counter will read this and figure out this is an old visa in a new passport therefore no extra baggage allowance?
I agree that its not a new visa and it is pointless reapplying.
Apr 7th 2008, 11:11 pm
#37
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: where else but Queensland
Posts: 474
Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
We found out the day before we left that we didn't get the 40kg as we were on temp visas so just dumped a load at FIL's. However, our hand baggage ended up being VERY heavy due to this, so we left a couple of bags with the rellys who had taken us to the airport while we checked in and tried not to stagger with them when we were getting on the plane! Big naughty but with a 2 & 3 yr old we were desperate to take some of the stuff.
Apr 7th 2008, 11:45 pm
#38
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2004
Location: Birkdale QLD
Posts: 7,642
Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
Instead of asking for extra baggage allowance, how about packing only the minimum you need. Ship or post anything else that you can wait a few weeks for. If you really need more than what is allowed free, then be prepared to pay. Singapore Airlines, though they normally give migrants 40 kilo allowance, they aren't obligated to. They can refuse you if you haven't got it in writing and the flight's fully loaded.
There are shops in Australia you know. It might just be cheaper to buy stuff here than to pay extra for the baggage.
Think of the whole baggage thing as part of the cost of migration.
Mrs JTL
There are shops in Australia you know. It might just be cheaper to buy stuff here than to pay extra for the baggage.
Think of the whole baggage thing as part of the cost of migration.
Mrs JTL
Apr 7th 2008, 11:52 pm
#39
Frequent Flyer Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: Be aware of this rule - one way travel
This is important for the airlines because if they fly you to Oz and on entry you don't hold a valid visa the airline is responsible for the cost of sending you back to the point of origin.
