Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
#16
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
BA's problem is that if you are not accepted in Dublin at the end of the trip they are fined as well as having to pay to fly you back to the US. Its Dublin which is your destination, its their procedures you need to focus on, you are only transiting the UK (at Heathrow).
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
Passport control
All passengers arriving on international flights must pass through UK immigration control at Heathrow
This from the official Heathrow site, it might help make your mind up what to do?
All passengers arriving on international flights must pass through UK immigration control at Heathrow
This from the official Heathrow site, it might help make your mind up what to do?
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 264
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
Here's the deal, you have a non-refundable BA ticket, so what, exactly, do you want us to do? Advise you to lie to an immigration officer at Heathrow? I would argue, and I believe most people here would, that honesty is the best policy. Since you can't change your tickets, that is a sunk cost. All you can do is print out supporting documention for why you expect to be welcome in Ireland and evidence of substantial funds to support yourself for a month or so and evidence of substantial funds to buy a ticket to leave if you are not allowed to remain (that's essential).
Basically, show them the recommended procedure from the DFA, show them you have the money to leave if the DFA doesn't welcome you, and show them your honesty and be clear and complete, without excess words but without dodging questions.
Basically, show them the recommended procedure from the DFA, show them you have the money to leave if the DFA doesn't welcome you, and show them your honesty and be clear and complete, without excess words but without dodging questions.
#19
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
No, I do not intend to lie.
Yes, I have funds to buy a return ticket if necessary, but I hope it is not necessary.
Lansbury, I believe you, but I'm confused about why London to Dublin is a domestic flight when Dublin is in the ROI. I would understand if it was Belfast.
Yes, I have funds to buy a return ticket if necessary, but I hope it is not necessary.
Lansbury, I believe you, but I'm confused about why London to Dublin is a domestic flight when Dublin is in the ROI. I would understand if it was Belfast.
#20
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
Air Lingus has flights direct from most cities to Dublin. Are you nowhere near a city that has a flight? It sounds like it would be ultimately so much easier for you if you could figure out a way to get refunded, even partially, for the tickets you already have, and then get to an airport with direct to Dublin flights, and get an RT ticket if that would give you more peace of mind and definitely prevent any questioning at either end.
If your cats can go directly to Dublin, why can't you? I may be missing something and if so I'm sorry....
If your cats can go directly to Dublin, why can't you? I may be missing something and if so I'm sorry....
Last edited by Downton Gabby; Apr 12th 2014 at 11:25 pm. Reason: Addition
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 264
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
No, I do not intend to lie.
Yes, I have funds to buy a return ticket if necessary, but I hope it is not necessary.
Lansbury, I believe you, but I'm confused about why London to Dublin is a domestic flight when Dublin is in the ROI. I would understand if it was Belfast.
Yes, I have funds to buy a return ticket if necessary, but I hope it is not necessary.
Lansbury, I believe you, but I'm confused about why London to Dublin is a domestic flight when Dublin is in the ROI. I would understand if it was Belfast.
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
London to Dublin is classed as an International flight but from the USA you will still have to clear customs and passport to transit through Heathrow, this is what I think others are saying could be a stumbling block for your situation.
#23
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
London to Dublin is a domestic flight ONLY for Irish or British passport holders. Because of the CTA. If you aren't British or Irish then you have to clear immigration.
Last edited by rebeccajo; Apr 13th 2014 at 12:12 am.
#24
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
Air Lingus has flights direct from most cities to Dublin. Are you nowhere near a city that has a flight? It sounds like it would be ultimately so much easier for you if you could figure out a way to get refunded, even partially, for the tickets you already have, and then get to an airport with direct to Dublin flights, and get an RT ticket if that would give you more peace of mind and definitely prevent any questioning at either end.
If your cats can go directly to Dublin, why can't you? I may be missing something and if so I'm sorry....
If your cats can go directly to Dublin, why can't you? I may be missing something and if so I'm sorry....
I was just told (two minutes ago) by an Aer Lingus rep that they, at least, do not care if you buy a one-way ticket. They are partners with BA. The Aer Lingus rep actually said "don't cancel your ticket, they will not give you problems". Of course we all know, the ONE TIME someone has problems, it had better not be you.
I'm thinking of getting a cheap Flybe ticket from Dublin to wherever (refundable if possible). Not sure where though.
Last edited by Speedwell; Apr 13th 2014 at 12:23 am.
#25
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
I've been through immigration at Heathrow lots of times, but only on trips ending in the UK itself or in the Schengen zone. The last time I went to Ireland I did fly United through Chicago, and didn't have any trouble at Dublin even though I told them I was going to see my husband (in Northern Ireland, and this was during the processing of his US green card).
I'm probably worrying over nothing.
Last edited by Speedwell; Apr 13th 2014 at 12:31 am.
#26
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
(How the heck do you combine quotes into one post? Sorry, folks.)
#27
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
I see, that makes sense. So my husband would be considered a domestic flight ordinarily, but he will accompany me through immigration in Heathrow in case they need him or his passport (or even his UK passport). Or whatever they tell us to do.
I've been through immigration at Heathrow lots of times, but only on trips ending in the UK itself or in the Schengen zone. The last time I went to Ireland I did fly United through Chicago, and didn't have any trouble at Dublin even though I told them I was going to see my husband (this was during the processing of his US green card).
I'm probably worrying over nothing.
I've been through immigration at Heathrow lots of times, but only on trips ending in the UK itself or in the Schengen zone. The last time I went to Ireland I did fly United through Chicago, and didn't have any trouble at Dublin even though I told them I was going to see my husband (this was during the processing of his US green card).
I'm probably worrying over nothing.
CTA travel skipping immigration is for those people booked from the UK and going into the Republic. Period. THAT is a true domestic CTA flight. I've been wracking my brain trying to remember when I was allowed to go through this way and it was a flight from Belfast to London. It was a long time ago - probably ten years. We only did passport control. Technically I should not have been allowed through but I wasn't the only blue passport waving myself through.
I do not understand how an answer from Aer Lingus is helpful to you. Are you on Aer Lingus from Houston?
#28
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
Check with the airline that they will allow you to board with a one way ticket. Get it in writing.
Or...re-arrange your fights. Change planes in the US at an airport that flies directly to Ireland.
Or...re-arrange your fights. Change planes in the US at an airport that flies directly to Ireland.
#29
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
Press the tab to the right of the 'quote' tag...it has a square inside it. Press it on every post you wish to quote...then press the quote button.
#30
Re: Help! Scared and confused about using one-way ticket
Yes, ma'am, first thing Monday morning.