walla

Has anyone booked flights before their visa was issued. Local travel aganets advised you can not book flight without them seeing your visa. How does this work if you book over the internet??
Any advise appreciated.

Cheers

Gazza

I booked a one-way flight on the net with Singapore airlines. No questions were asked about visas etc.
You'll need to fax evidence of the visa if you're looking to get double baggage allowance however.

Gaz

JackTheLad

Don't think its a problem. We used up our airmiles to book one way flights before our visas were issued. We had to do it, cos the first available 'airmiles' flights were 3 months forward. If we waited until the visas were issued, we wouldn't be leaving till September.

As far as flight only sites are concerned, its your business to make sure you have a valid visa, be it a holiday, business or *permanent* visa. They'll happily book you on the flight and take your money, no proof of visa required.

JTL

walla

Thanks for this. Will spend the weekend seeking the best price. Bond is being paid Monday, House completes Friday and so can start planning flights and leaving do (wopee!!!!!!!!!!!_
Will keep everyone posted.

P.S. Fancy going via USA - anyone any advise on flights, prices etc??

nosuchluck

I'll let you know tomorrow Walla1 as we are going to book our flights for September, although we haven't yet got our visa, agent says shouldn't be long as our case officer has had confirmation that our bond has been lodged!
kind regards
Rach x

walla

Thanks Rach


Sound like we are pretty much at same stage. I spoke to our case officer after a scare with our application and she assured me once bond was lodged grant letter would be with us within a couple of weeks. I am eager to book flights and the reason I posted question about booking without evidence of visas is that kids have hols booked over July and Aug so I can't send passports off till 20th Aug. I don't really want to wait to book flights then as we are detrmined to be out there back end of September.

Keep me posted.


Cheers

nosuchluck

Our bond was lodged on the 14th June, so we should hear any day regarding sending our passports off!
Best of luck with your application
Rach x

Al H

I have booked loads of flights over the net and no you don't have to confirm that you have a visa. However, these days you often get an e-ticket - which means no paper ticket, only the confirmation that you print out yourself. I always feel happier when you have a proper ticket in your hand but have nver had a problem with an e-ticket.

As for going via the US, try a few sites such as
www.expedia.co.uk
www.opodo.co.uk
www.telme.com

I know you can go on United via the US (Los Angeles) and probably get a stop over in the Pacific if you want. Thier site is at

www.ual.com

As for prices these will vary from site to site and from minute to minute (literally) as demand changes and things get booked up. One site is not always cheaper than another. You need to look at all of them. I waited an hour to book a flight to the US earlier this year and the price went from £600 to £1000 (at least I wasn't paying). So if you find a good price with flights and connections that look good then take it - it might not be there tomorrow (a bit like the exchange rate at the moment!)

Alastair

matt&sue

booked our flights on monday airline needs a copy of your visa if you want the extra baggage allowance flying to perth 18 august with singapore air

donna

Hi Rach
Would you post the best deal you got for flights as we are going in sept and i cant decide whether to book now or wait until we have a completion date.
thx donna

nosuchluck

Hi Donna
went to Austravel today, couldn't book though as haven't got our visas and couldn't get the double baggage allowence BUT as soon as the visas are in our passports we will be booking with them, Singapore Airlines with 3 hour stop £1200 with one way insurance, thats for 2 adults and 1 child (11). By the way, we were told that if you did a stopover for any length of time you would have to pay departure tax and wouldn't get double baggage allowence, hope this helps
Rach x

donna

Thanks Rach
Singapore seems to be coming up quite regulary,will certainly give them a try
donna

sj oldfield

Singapore quoted £341.00 for most of August. We are hoping to fly on the 27th. Gonna be cheeky and see if they will upgrade us as it will be Tobe`s birthday!!!

However feel a bit wary about booking them, as Lisa lodged her bond quite a while ago, but still hasnt got her visa. She flies 25/08/04 (I think)

walla

Hi All

Best price so far is with Singapore with a 2 day stop over, £1800 inclusive of taxes, 17th Sept out of Heathrow. 4 adult prices.

Wala

andy thomas

I rang them and they said just show your visa at check in. Think I'll ring them again

4 days and counting