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Here is my question-

Ok, when I get my girls interview date (Ukraine) in Warsaw, how would be the best way to schedule their flights out?  I mean, even though right now it seems they are still issuing Visa's the same day as the interviews in Warsaw, there is no guarantee of that and it could change at any time..  So how is it best to handle the flights?  Seems you couldn't do like 14 or even a 7 day advance because you are not sure when she will be able to leave exactly, right?  Do you have to wait UNTIL she is given her visa to book the flight??  If you wait till the last minute we are talking top fare right??  ;-(  
I am using Delta (because I have some skymiles saved up). I may use those skymiles but I just called and the flights the guy quoted to me from Warsaw to my place is pretty low- only $700 for her and a discount of $500 for her son, so I may just pay for them rather than use my skymiles!  I would assume the prices will get even lower in November..  
Also, is it better to book one way tickets, are they cheaper or just as or more expensive?  I thought I had heard once, something about that she HAD to have a roundtrip ticket on a fiance visa or something??

Any thoughts appreciated..

... in response to Question about interview and flights-, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

One way tickets in the US are more expensive than round trip generally so it is a waste to buy them.  Outside the US, one way tickets are properly/rationally priced in comparision to round trip.  

Therefore you may want to book your flights separately.  R/T legs for domestic, one way int'l.  The danger however is that a missed flight with separate tickets will probably require a complete new ticket purchase.

Glavs Travel (Neli) in NY was helpful in getting my tickets last spring.

... in response to One way tickets, posted by davet on Oct 17, 2002

.

... in response to The Delta tickets were more expensive on..., posted by Oscar on Oct 17, 2002

Domestic US carriers may follow that routine of higher priced one way tickets than round trip.  Aeroflot did not.  The Polish airlines serving Warsaw may not either. However I realize you are somewhat locked into Delta and want to use them.

... in response to Question about interview and flights-, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

I haven't read any of the replies yet, but here's what I did from Moscow.

I went to Lufthansa in person and bought One-Way tickets for my wife and step-son. The price was about half of what a round trip would cost. That surprised me from what other people said. They said it would cost the same or MORE for a One-Way ticket, than the round trip. It just wasn't what I experienced.

I traveled Lufthansa from Moscow to Atlanta on July 31, last year.

ChrisB

... in response to Re: Question about interview and flights..., posted by ChrisB on Oct 17, 2002

There may be some merit to booking late.  This summer I had non-refundable fares from Moscow to Simferopol that I had to change.  The new fares were 25% less than what I had booked months earlier.

... in response to Re: Re: Question about interview and fli..., posted by Charles on Oct 17, 2002

I bought these tickets after submitting our I-130s in Moscow. I calculated what I guessed would be a few days after an interview. It was a nightmare when I had to call from 900 miles East of Moscow, via the pay-by-the-minute phone line, to get the interview.

I ended up flying a half broken Aeroflot flight back to Moscow and demanding an interview date in person at the Embassy. There was no problem doing it that way, however, on the phone they wanted me to fax them and wait serveral weeks before anyone would write me a letter about it.

We got the approval on the interview date and visa at 5pm that day. The next morning we got on Lufthansa and started the journey to Atlanta.

I was sweating bullets over the whole visa issue thing. I had already paid the $150 to change the departure date for my ticket, and I didn't want to have to pay $150 each to change three, if we didn't get the visa on the day of the interview.

Chris

... in response to Re: Question about interview and flights..., posted by ChrisB on Oct 17, 2002

I've never seen that to be true -- though you would think it would be!

Was it a direct flight? Or did you change planes? Did you use a partner, or fly Lufthansa the whole way?

... in response to Wow..., posted by MarkInTx on Oct 17, 2002

All flights out of Moscow via Lufthansa bound for Atlanta, go to Frankfurt, Germany. It was supposed to be a direct flight with the one plane change in Frankfurt then to Atlanta.

However, due to the Embassy not giving us my step-son's visa package, we missed our plane out of Frankfurt. Just one minute after the plane pulled out from the gate, the phone call from the Consulate confirmed that the visa was issued but was lost in the Moscow Embassy.

We ended up going to Dulles in Washington and then on a United flight to Atlanta.

Lufthansa was very helpful and polite during the whole fiasco. And yes the one-way tickets were just about half price of the round trip fare. I purchased them myself from a Lufthansa desk in the Renaissance Hotel in Moscow.

Every Russian my wife spoke to about it, couldn't believe I could buy tickets without visas and using their IDs. I explained that it was because I was a US citizen doing business with a Non-Russian company.

Chris

... in response to Question about interview and flights-, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

Oscar:

# 1 - You do NOT need a visa for Poland (Oops, I guess that was Mark asking that --smile--).

# 2 - You do NOT have to get a R/T ticket for your fiance - though it will probably be no more expensive to get R-T than 1-Way.

# 3 - If you fly Delta's FF program - the ease of changing your return date depends on the partner that you fly. From Warsaw - I would guess it will be Czech Airlines or Air France (Delta doesn't service Warsaw directly)? I know I made several changes to return dates when I was flying out of Kyiv on both Swissair (now defunct) and Austrian Airlines - but those partnerships with Delta are now broken. Anyway - the SkyMiles program issues you the ticket - and the *originating* leg is pretty important - but you have up to one year to fly the return leg. All the partners I have flown are VERY flexible about allowing you to change the return date (and it is no additional fee).

As I was writing this, it occurred to me that you are probably talking about getting a FF ticket for your fiance (rather than travelling yourself) - in which case the originating leg is from Warsaw outbound. That does, indeed, complicate things. If you have enough Delta SkyMiles - you can use the double-up program (redeem twice the number of miles) and it eliminates all black-out dates and open up many options that you would not have on their normal FF ticket.

Bottom line is you probably need to speak with a Delta international agent and explore the various options/compromises to see which may work best for you.

Flight fares will probably not drop much more (if at all) during the upcoming 4 months. In May, they will again begin to increase.

If my meandering post did not answer your question - please ask again and I'll give it another try.

- Dan

... in response to Re: Question about interview and flights..., posted by Dan on Oct 16, 2002

Yes, Delta confirmed to me that one way flights ARE more expensive, go figure! Couldn't tell me why..

Yes, you are correct, it is Czech Air that is Delta's partner in Warsaw now..

I loved Swissair and am sad they are no longer around..  GREAT Chocolate they served on their flights! ;-)

As for the rest of it, see my post below..  I called and talked to a Delta rep..

... in response to Question about interview and flights-, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

7-day advance buys you the cheapest fares, whereas for domestic flights, cheapest fares require a 21-day advance purchase.  So when your fiancee gets her visa in hand, book a flight for a week later.  And buy her a roundtrip ticker...you may need it or she may need it.  That's a possibility you have to face.

Stevo

... in response to Seems to me that..., posted by Stevo on Oct 16, 2002

So her choice would be to sit in Warsaw alone for a week or take the train all the way back to Ukraine and then go to the airport a week later??  Naw.. it makes the most sense to fly out from Warsaw the day after you get the visa.  I'm just trying to figure out how the best way to do that is..

... in response to Question about interview and flights-, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

I would explain to your fiance the fare differential in using the round trip ticket so there is no misunderstanding.  Remember that even if you get "same day" visa service that she won't be able to fly out until the next day since you don't get the visa until late in the afternoon.  You might want to consider a later flight on the following day in the event there is a short delay.  With the status uncertain, you may want to buy a ticket since the FF tickets are very difficult to change.

... in response to Question about interview and flights-, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

In my experience, round trip tickets are CHEAPER than one-ways.

In case of FF miles, they are the same.

Might as well get the R.T.

But DON'T tell her. Or she might get offended assuming that you have a back-up plan in place in case she "doesn't work out". (I read that once. A guy's fiance saw the round trip ticket for her and got really pissed!)

I don't know about you, but I'm planning on spending the night in Warsaw, anyway. I'm planning on three days there. I'll get in the day before... be there with her the day of.. and then we'll fly home the day after.

BTW... here's a stupid question: Do I need a visa for Warsaw?

... 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.

... 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

... 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

... 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.

... 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!

... 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..

... 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...)

... 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!  

... 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

... 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???

... 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

... 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..

... 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.

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

.

... 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

... in response to pros and cons, posted by KenC on Oct 16, 2002

No, I certainly would tell her it's a roundtrip ticket and explain why..  I know she will be fine with that, that's no problem.  (I am not going there for her interview so I have to make her travel arrangements from here).

But again, do guys buy their tickets in advance and then if they have to change them, pay a $150 fee or something, or do they wait to buy them once they know when the visa will absolutely be issued?  If you wait until the day before, flights might be full!
And I was told by Delta that I had to SEND her the tickets by Fed-ex, that they did not have any place there to print out Delta tickets there??  Can that be right???  Seems crazy to me!

... in response to Re: pros and cons, posted by Oscar on Oct 16, 2002

Oscar,
Can't help you with your question. We waited until visa was in hand before booking any flights.
KenC