Join Angela, Axel, Abel, Amos, Audrey and Asher as they welcome their new sibling home.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Ruh Roh

So, when I booked my flight for next week, I booked a one-way. Normally families buy round trip tickets, then just pay a penalty to have the return flight date changed, since you book without knowing exactly when you're going to be ready to return.

My agent from Golden Rule said the airline, Lufthansa, has been increasing their change penalties, and it's now to buy a one-way there, then when you know the date you're going to be able to return, purchase another one-way home plus the child's ticket.

But today a parent headed to Ukraine ran into problems at the airport when she wasn't allowed to board the plane without proof that she was only going to stay in Ukraine under 90 days. Not having anything to prove that, she was forced to purchase another ticket, which was exorbitantly priced.

I know several other families are getting ready to travel soon who have also purchased one-way tickets. Is there anyone else who has recently traveled who has run into similar problems? Anyone who is traveling to the same country as me, who has gone on one-way tickets and not had a problem?

6 comments:

  1. I'll be checking back to see if anyone has any thoughts for you! :-) Wondering the same thing myself. I would think that it would vary by country and what their VISA regulations are...not sure.

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  2. The last time I went to Europe I flew into Belgrade and left by car to Hungary and I ran into no problem at the Tel Aviv airport with my one way ticket. That was maybe 2 months ago.

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  3. I wish I had information for you, but we bought round trip tickets. We were told (when we booked) that it was $50 each ticket to change them...hopefully they will honor their word on that.

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  4. Don't they say that one way tickets are one of the number one red flags to terrorists? I believe that is the problem, right?

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  5. Yeah, that's part of it, but this has to do with the OTHER country, and nothing to do with the US. You have to either have a Visa, or proove that you're not staying more than 90 days. Other people are posting that they've traveled to Ukraine this week on one-way tickets and not had any problem at all, so I guess it just depends upon what kind of a day the people are having at the check-in counters, huh? LOVELY! I emailed my agent to have him go ahead and book my return flights so I have it with me.

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  6. When I started seeing comments about there being issues I thought of you, as you are leaving so soon!

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