Scheduling flight to Warsaw

[Rickster]

I have a scheduled exit interview at the Warsaw Consulate for November 27th.  I have called about airline flights and was told I must purchase a one-way ticket for my fiancee...at a price of about $140 more.  Has anybody else had any experience with this?  When I asked about just purchasing a round-trip ticket they said I would run the risk of having my fiancees ticket cancelled once they realized she wasn't on the flight going out.  Maybe I could purchase a round trip ticket starting from Warsaw...that way they don't know she isn't going to be flying back until we are here.  Any thoughts on this or on the most economical flights would be appreciated.  I checked on some cheap flights on bestfares.com but when I called the number they said the airlines associated with those cheap flights were near bankruptcy and did not recommend using them.  Many thanks...Rick

[tfcrew]

... in response to Scheduling flight to Warsaw, posted by Rickster on Oct 20, 2001

Go with Mark or Brian C, but definitely get a r/t.
It is cheaper in the long run and provides a way back just in case something unavoidable comes up.
Karl

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Scheduling flight to Warsaw, posted by Rickster on Oct 20, 2001

I don't see why airlines have to always charge more for the one way ticket than round trip.  I have already purchased a couple of round trip tickets in the US and not showed up for the return flight just within the last 2 months.  I got no complaints from the airlines about it.  If they do complain, I'll just tell them I'll use another airline next time.  How do they know she's not going to show up until she doesn't?  

I guess the difference here is that they must think she has the potential to overstay illegally.  Tell the airline you're obliged to have her return ticket to Europe if she's coming on a fiance' visa and she can just take a train to the Ukraine or wherever.  Maybe they'll buy that BS answer.  You could also just tell them you'll pay the change fee to switch the flight to her country if the airline flys there and you have to send her back.  Tell them Russian/Ukrainian women sometimes just go crazy in the US and have to be sent back right away.  Whatever works and save $140.  

LOT, the Polish airline was usually the cheapest, so I guess you mean they're going out of business.  That sucks, because they were much cheaper than a the other airlines on a lot of flights to Europe.  I never wanted to fly them though.

[Rickster]

... in response to Re: Scheduling flight to Warsaw, posted by BubbaGump on Oct 20, 2001

Polish airline was not the one that bestfares.com suggested might go belly up, I forgot the name but it was someone I didn't recognize.  I checked into LOT and their one-way trip is actually about $90 cheaper...just the opposite of what I discussed with the folks at bestfares and flycheap.  I agree with you that LOT seems to be the best option.  I have heard that this Polish airline is very good.  Thanks

[mdante99]

... in response to Polish airline research, posted by Rickster on Oct 20, 2001

Polish Airlines is fine. Nonetheless Lufthansa and Finnair which I think are much better and stable airlines; their tickets can be obtained at prices comparable to LOT.

Mark

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Polish airline research, posted by Rickster on Oct 20, 2001

I used Yahoo travel to check for the cheapest flights then go directly to the airline website to book the flight.  Yahoo charges $10 more to book the flight.  LOT was always showing up as the cheapest to go to Belarus and Warsaw but I ended up not going.

[Stan B]

... in response to Polish airline research, posted by Rickster on Oct 20, 2001

and so did my fiancee and we both thought it was more enjoyable than AA. Better food, service and friendlier help. But I must say the attendents on my last AA flt were a lot nicer, as they are glad to have the business and thus their jobs.

[CFonde]

... in response to I've flown LOT, posted by Stan B on Oct 20, 2001

I flew LOT Polish Airlines in August to St. Petersburg, Russia from JFK. My experience was that LOT is a first class airline, and very worthy of consideration for flying to Europe/Russia/Ukraine, etc. I routinely check their website and consistently find their fares among the best in the industry.

I DID have a VERY frustrating experience though, that involved LOT, but was really the fault of Delta Airlines. I have a fully documented, entertaining & humorous story that I posted on another RW board. It's VERY long & interesting reading, and if anybody would care to receive it, just e-mail me at (CFonde at home dot com), and I'll gladly send it.

~Chris

[slimjimco]

... in response to Scheduling flight to Warsaw, posted by Rickster on Oct 20, 2001

I have been told to purchase the RT.  (Hope you don't use the second flight.)

[mdante99]

... in response to Scheduling flight to Warsaw, posted by Rickster on Oct 20, 2001

Drop me a note; I may be able to help you.
My Lithuanian wife operates a travel agency; www.travelandtrips.com

Mark