Question about interview and flights-

[Charles]

... in response to FWIW, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

You don't need a visa to go to Poland, but I believe I read somewhere that Ukrainian citizens may need a visa.  In the past they did not need a visa and could enter Poland on a Ukrainian passport but I believe I read somewhere that this will change soon or has already changed.  You may want to check on that depending on your planned travel.

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Ukraine Passport for Poland?, posted by Charles on Oct 17, 2002

Citizens of Ukraine will need a visa to travel to Poland.

- Dan

[Tom40]

... in response to FWIW, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

Personally I think honesty is the best policy, that’s just me. Plus you’re saving 100’s of dollars by purchasing a round trip ticket. How can she not respect this, and if things don’t work out then you have gotten her tickets already, and this I think would make her feel secure that she has a way home.

I told my lady and she completely understands, and she told me it makes perfectly good since to buy round trip tickets if it is cheaper.

I think she would kick me up side my head if I spent more, if I could have spent less.

Just my 2 cents

[Tom40]

... in response to FWIW, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

Mark here is the information that tells you no visa is need, the fact sheet was updated Feb. 2002

http://travel.state.gov/poland.html

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need visas for stays up to 90 days for tourist, business, or transit purposes. Americans should ensure that their passports are date-stamped upon entry. Persons planning to stay in Poland for longer than 90 days or who will be employed in Poland must obtain a visa in advance. Polish law requires every traveler to be able to show means of support, if asked. For persons above 16 years of age, this has been defined as 100 Polish zloty per day or the equivalent in foreign currency or other negotiable instruments. For further information on entry requirements, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Consular Section, at 2224 Wyoming Ave N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 232-4517 or 232-4528, or the Polish consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. The Polish Embassy can also be contacted via its web site at http://www.polishworld.com/polemb.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to No Visa Need for Poland, posted by Tom40 on Oct 16, 2002

I figured it was out there.. but I was too lazy to look it up. (Sometimes it's easier just to ask :-)

Thanks!

[Oscar]

... in response to FWIW, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

Yes, the Delta rep said that the one way IS more expensive than the roundtrip.. He could not tell me why..

I will tell her about her ticket being round trip..  I do not think it is a good idea to lie about things, especially to a girl I am looking at marrying!  Not a good way to start things off IMO.. I know that once I explain, she will be fine with it.. She trusts me and I her..  We discuss everything.

So it sounds like you won't be booking your flights then until you get the visa, right?  Unfortunately, that means the highest fares, correct??  I am going to talk to Delta again and see about booking the flight and how much more it would be to change it (maybe $150?) compared to the cost of a one day advance fare compared to a 2 weeks advance fare..

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: FWIW, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

No... I'm booking as soon as I get my interview date.

I'm just planning on an extra day in Warsaw.

If my interview is on a Tuesday, I'll book a flight out on Wednesday. A hotel room is cheap compared to a change ticket fee (in my case times three)

If the flights don't leave Warsaw except for the morning or early afternoon, I'll plan on two days to make sure.

As for whether to tell her she has a return ticket or not... in my case its a moot point. I'll have all three tickets, and be responsible for them. I always am in my family, since I am so used to flying.

This definitely falls under the "You're the man" category in our family...

(It's an interesting point you raise, Ken. But I think each woman is different. If I told Victoria that I bought her a return ticket so she wouldn't feel trapped, she would either laugh at me, or possibly be upset for my lack of faith...)

[Oscar]

... in response to Re: Re: FWIW, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

Here's the scoop, right from the horses mouth.. at least as far as Delta is concerned-

A 7 day advance fare is right now about $688 plus tax from Warsaw to Utah.  Children 2-11 are 75% of an adult fare.

If you wait to buy the ticket the day the visa is issued, and plan to leave a day or two later, the fee is $1278!  Almost $600 more! Plus the kids fare which will also be about $500 to $600 more as well!  So total- an additional $1200 or so!  

If you buy tickets in advance and then have to change them to another day or flight, it is a $100 fee PER ticket AND you will pay the prevailing fee for the flight (meaning the most expensive!).

So it seems to me that the wisest way to play it would be this-  Wait until you have your interview date set up.  Wait until perhaps 15 days before the interview to buy your tickets, being sure to watch and see if the visa's are still being given out the same day, as they are now (things may have changed by then!).  If they are, I think I would book for the second day after the interview.

Now the REALLY safe way to play it would be to use your skymiles and book the flight the same way.  If you have to change them at the last minute, there is NO fee to change them and NO additional charge in any way.. BUT there must be reward seats available (so there is STILL some risk)..

That's about the best I can come up with!  

[KenC]

... in response to Re: Re: FWIW, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

Mark,
Our situation was different from your's.  I had not committed to marriage prior to Lena coming to America. I just want to keep options open for both of us.  I know it is not typical.
KenC

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: FWIW, posted by KenC on Oct 16, 2002

Every situation is different.

BTW, I'm amazed that you waited until you had Visa in hand before buying tickets.

Didn't that cost a fortune???

[KenC]

... in response to Yes, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

Mark,
I don't remember it being that terribly expensive.  Something like $800-900.  You have to also remmeber that Lena got a student visa and the process is much different.  She had Tver State University submit her aplication in conjunction with a Moscow University.  She didn't even go to Moscow.  The Embassy contacted her representatives for her interview.  After a successful interview she had to return to the Embassy later in the day to pick up her visa.  Most aplicants for student visas were turned down the day she went.
KenC

[Oscar]

... in response to Yes, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

If you end up having to CHANGE your tickets for any reason, not only will you pay the $100 per ticket to do so, you will also pay the new prevailing ticket fare, which could be very expensive.. it's like booking your flight with a one day notice, just as expensive PLUS the $100 fee per ticket!  At least that is what the Delta rep told me..

[MarkInTx]

... in response to But Mark-, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

FF Miles (at least on American) doesn't charge you any change fee for changing. (Or, they don't charge me, but I'm pretty high up on the status level, so I don't know if that holds true for everyone)

It is subject to availability. but I don't get charged for changing.

[Oscar]

... in response to I'm using FF Miles, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

.

[KenC]

... in response to FWIW, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 16, 2002

Mark/Oscar,
I don't think you HAVE to provide a round trip ticket on a K-1.  The round trip ticket may give her concern, but on the other hand, it may be reassuring to her that she COULD return if she wanted.  It might all be in the presentation of the round trip ticket to her.  You really don't want her to feel trapped with you in America.  Do you?
KenC