My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but needs tickets

[AndrewinOH]

... in response to My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but needs ti..., posted by BruceJet on Nov 4, 2002

Understand that to make $40/month is quite a lot to these women. So, assuming you make, I don't know, lets say $2,000/month. A $800 ticket for her is like a $40,000 ticket to you.....would you ask for help? I think so. Also understand that three months is a quick time. I too believe that if you are going to spend the money, better you go to visit her rather than have her come here first, sight unseen. Just my thoughts. I am sure there are many other people with different opinions.

[mudd]

... in response to My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but needs ti..., posted by BruceJet on Nov 4, 2002

She sounds honest enough. Buy the tickets yourself, with your credit card and make sure she cannot take them back and cash them in, or change the destination. I am sure you have more money than her, and of course she knows this. half of the purchase price, im sure is a lot of money for her, and like you said, you have not met face to face, so maybe she is a little scared of spending so much money, and being disappointed.

[BruceJet]

... in response to Re: My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but need..., posted by mudd on Nov 4, 2002

Thanks for the suggestion, JSki,

What are the airlines that fly through these routes?

Thanks,

Sunny

[Jski]

... in response to Re: Re: FF Miles--Which Airline (Dnepro ..., posted by BruceJet on Nov 5, 2002

[This message has been edited by Jski]

Well I have a flight booked on American in January.  It was 40,000 and $41.25 in taxes. Its American from Wichita through Dallas, Chicago and London, then BA from London to Kiev.  The Kiev / Simferopol route is going to run me another $90. Not sure what Kiev- Dnepro would run, but not much more.

If United and US Air's programs are finally linked, that should be a DC solution, else maybe Delta?

All my miles are on American (and its partners) as that's about all I fly on for business trips overseas.  If all works out, I'll be using more to pay for her and her daughters tickets here, though I'll get her the 90K business class seats (Want her to enjoy the trip :-)

[Jski]

... in response to Re: My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but need..., posted by mudd on Nov 4, 2002

That would keep her from running with the tickets, but a refund wouldn't be likely.  The tickets would be non-transferable so if she doen't use them, they would still be in her name, no way for you to get credit for them from the airline.  She can always change the destination for $100 or so once its in her name.  Up to a year, though some non-refundables must be changed now before the outbound departure time or you lose them.  

$400 is probably a big chunk of change for her to come up with though.  Better than 3 months "official" wage isn't it?
Got any FF miles you could use for it?  40,000 buys a coach ticket from Oct 15 to May 15.

[greg]

... in response to My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but needs ti..., posted by BruceJet on Nov 4, 2002

huge amounts of Dollars without meeting in person. She got no savings or anything sooo how can she get a Visa? Do you have proof that she has a Visa? Tooo easy for her to take your money and run. $800 goes a long way in Russia. Be careful and Wise.

[Ryan]

... in response to My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but needs ti..., posted by BruceJet on Nov 4, 2002

You’re in sort of a tuff spot.  I would suggest the following.  First sense you have not met her personally I would make a trip over to the Ukraine and meet we then make the trip to the U.S. together after that.  Now you probably don’t like this idea.  So then you have to get creative.  You have to try and verify that the VISA actually exists for her how you do this with out insulting her is a tuff one.  Now you can also do this someone hire a friend of you own to somehow help her with her travel plans.  Maybe get hold of Jack and make some arrangements threw his agency to have her book her ticket threw then and they can verify the VISA first.  Use Jack or some other travel agency in Ukraine this will probably be your best bet.  I would have her contact a travel agency you pick in the Ukraine that you can trust (Use Jack) then they will verify the VISA first before you pay for the travel.  

Now for the requirements I thought in order for a woman to get a VISA she has to have a back account, a house or some assets, and also a good job but I am not sure on this as things change all the time in the country.  

I think contacting a travel agency in the Ukraine and setting something up is the best bet.  But I have the feeling that she will say that she can handle all travel ticket all she need is the money.  You’re in a tuff spot.  I cannot say anything really for sure.  You have to have a friend you can trust that is in the country help you.  Again contact Jack….

[Apk1]

... in response to Re: My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but need..., posted by Ryan on Nov 4, 2002

I had to laugh....TRY and verify the visa actually exists!

My wife made me email her a scanned image of every visa and plane ticket prior to each of my 3 visits to her...she took nothing to chance...not that she never doubted my sincerity...she likes to double check EVERYTHING!

I was able to get her plane tickets pre-purchased last year through my travel agent, they were waiting for her at the Aeroflot office in downtown Moscow, not far from where she worked.
I did this out of expediancy since her k-1 interview was successful and she had her visa in hand...I did not want to take the chance of a FedEX blunder, so this was the safest way. No one can pick up the tickets this way unless thier name is on the ticket, another safeguard...

If you have doubts about her...do as I did, ask for her work phone number...my wife was proud that I had learned a Russian phrase to ask for her by name....I never did call her there, I would not know what to do if they told me in Russian that she was down the hall in the toilet...  :-)

[Ryan]

... in response to Re: Re: My Ukraine Lady has US Visa but ..., posted by Apk1 on Nov 5, 2002

Yes like you I sent proof that I had my plane tickets and Visa to get into Russia to my friend.  I was not asked for this proof but I gave it anyway, I mean she is coming to the airport to meet me.  In return I have also asked for all flight proof that she will be in Moscow.  How did I do this, well I simply said that I need all this information to fill out important customs forms.  This is true as to get a VISA Russia want to know all information on travel while in the country.  The big issue here for everyone is trust, you must make every effort to establish trust in these types of relationships.  Establishing trust in not easy for us men with all the issues of scamming and so fourth.  I think this guy has a bunch of good advice on his issues and even with this he must be careful no to ruin any chance of establishing this trust.  It is all such a fin line we must walk.