People between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Because of the arrangements I have to make for my kitty Bean, I'll likely be calling the airlines direct to book. I'm hoping that the costs won't be as steep...and I'll make a return for sometime cheap like October because I find that lessens the fare somewhat.

Magpie.

[Damian&Kelly 16]

I found that buying it on a weekday (preferably Tuesday-Thursday) and flying on a weekday is cheapest. also if you are a gambler and want to wait, buying it 2 weeks exactly from the day you want to fly is the cheapest... now buying it closer to the time could be even cheaper but I never took that chance.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Try this software to look at flight options. Changes the "sales city" to LON or something like that. Play with it until you figure it out. It's useful to see who flys where/when, prices etc. http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch/prego

There's lots of options so explore it. Like "choose flights graphical" after you've done a search visually shows you the segments and layover times which is useful if you have to do immigration then catch another flight

Fares normally go up somewhere near the end of May because of summer vacations. Book a return somewhere in the fall like Magpie said on a weekday Tues-Thurs to find a better fare.

[Rob&Dawn 1]

I know it's hard not to go ahead and purchase a ticket before the interview. I booked mine the day i got out of the embassy, really didn't want to gamble before i knew i was approved.

Exchange rates are changing and we're getting more $'s to the £ now, this is due to continue, so this will bring the flight costs down slightly.

[skeez&titanic 0]

yeah I was going to look at flights today for my fiance. It is cheaper if we book a round trip than a one way. So going to check on how to go about cancelling the trip back to england. Is there any one else doing that or is everyone booking a one way.

[*julez* 124]

My husband just let the ticket expire. But you could call the airline and let them know so they could re-sell the seat. Depends on whether or not you want to be that generous!

My husband booked his tickets before the visa was received too. He had a 3 week cushion between interview date and traveling.

[skeez&titanic 0]

So you think it is better to book a round trip think that is the way to go and then let it expire or call ahead of time.

[MonkeyJuice 3]

im still exactly 50-50! dammit!

im worried that the ticket prices are going to jump DRASTICALLY in the next month. (omg, i might be married exactly one month from today! ahhh!)

but, really, the money isnt the most important thing, and if it cost $2000 to get him here, (poor magpie), thats what we would do.

another exercise in patience. im horrible at being patient. EXCEPT, that i have been able to wait 5 years to be with jamie. almost done!!

I know. I'm on a student budget too, so I have to really skimp depending on what prices are. I'll just have to see how things go.

Magpie.

While reading this thread yesterday, and just for grins, Pat and I started pricing airfare for her trip to the states. We're hoping for a late May interview and she has to give a month's notice at work, so we're looking for travel near the beginning of July.

At first we priced a one-way from Manchester to Chicago on American Airlines. They have one non-stop each day. In our travels back and forth we found them to be the most reasonably priced for that route. This came out to be £745. Next we ran the same departure with a return in October.. (a return we will probably just throw away). This time the fare came to £454.

It pays to hunt around for airfare and try a round trip even if you are only planning one-way. Note, that one-way tickets might also subject you to additional security screening procedures.

Just my $.02

Bob (and Pat)

oooh where did you look for flights to Chicago? I booked mine on www.cheapflights.co.uk

I got it for 250 pounds (sorry no pound sign on my lap top as its a US one!) I bet you can get cheaper than 454.

[DairyFarmer 1]

If you join AA's frequent flyer club they send weekly emails showing discounts from your chosen location. Same for cheapflights.co.uk

We didn't book my original ticket until the courier picked up my passport to take to the Embassy. We thought we had ticked all the boxes and still got bit on the bum.

[mrs_sdp 0]

Hi All ...

I'm looking at flights to Chicago from Edinburgh through Aer Lingus. They're priced one way and a middle of the week flight towards the end of May (I have everything crossed for that date!) is coming in around £250.

Moira x

[skparker 0]

yeah I was going to look at flights today for my fiance. It is cheaper if we book a round trip than a one way. So going to check on how to go about cancelling the trip back to england. Is there any one else doing that or is everyone booking a one way.

we have ALWAYS used AA and always get direct flights from chicago to manchester. For his final flight to come to chicago, we used AA and used roundtrip...NOT one way. one way is 2-3x more expensive sometimes. So we picked a cheaper date to return (departure and return dates are usually cheaper between tues-thurs....sometimes even monday). he came here on the 26th and his return was 31st (but we had a voucher from a previous flight and used it but had to send it to dublin...so when we called to cancel...the flight was actually that same day--so we couldnt cancel! stupid time change...they didnt warn us)

so the way you would go about doing this with a round trip ticket....is pick a return date....and 24 hours before your flight takes off....call them and say you cant make the flight....we have before with AA and it was a nonrefundable ticket and they gave us a voucher for one way for $301.70! i have ran into some slightly rude people when i called AA but i ran into a very pleasant guy when i got the refund. using the vouchers is a bit of a pain in the butt though....since he was taking off in manchester we had to send the voucher to dublin (for some reason)...either way you have to call AA to set up using the voucher...either way it saved us over $300 so we werent bothered.

but, def. use roundtrip....one way is just $$$$$

[krystiandjon 0]

im still exactly 50-50! dammit!

im worried that the ticket prices are going to jump DRASTICALLY in the next month. (omg, i might be married exactly one month from today! ahhh!)

but, really, the money isnt the most important thing, and if it cost $2000 to get him here, (poor magpie), thats what we would do.

another exercise in patience. im horrible at being patient. EXCEPT, that i have been able to wait 5 years to be with jamie. almost done!!

I know. I'm on a student budget too, so I have to really skimp depending on what prices are. I'll just have to see how things go.

Magpie.

While reading this thread yesterday, and just for grins, Pat and I started pricing airfare for her trip to the states. We're hoping for a late May interview and she has to give a month's notice at work, so we're looking for travel near the beginning of July.

At first we priced a one-way from Manchester to Chicago on American Airlines. They have one non-stop each day. In our travels back and forth we found them to be the most reasonably priced for that route. This came out to be £745. Next we ran the same departure with a return in October.. (a return we will probably just throw away). This time the fare came to £454.

It pays to hunt around for airfare and try a round trip even if you are only planning one-way. Note, that one-way tickets might also subject you to additional security screening procedures.

Just my $.02

Bob (and Pat)

oooh where did you look for flights to Chicago? I booked mine on www.cheapflights.co.uk

I got it for 250 pounds (sorry no pound sign on my lap top as its a US one!) I bet you can get cheaper than 454.

If you're going to Chicago, Aer Lingus does one way tickets for CHEAP from Dublin...I know its extra work, but its normally only 20 pounds to fly to Dublin. I looked the other day and they were about 200 euro for June...

[Marty J 0]

I keep hearing people say that round trips are a lot cheaper.

I've been keeping my eye on flights from Dublin (or Belfast) to Tulsa (or Dallas, or Memphis) for the past few months, and not once have I seen a round trip cheaper than a one-way.

What gives?

Edited April 6, 2009 by Marty J

[skparker 0]

I keep hearing people say that round trips are a lot cheaper.

I've been keeping my eye on flights from Dublin (or Belfast) to Tulsa (or Dallas, or Memphis) for the past few months, and not once have I seen a round trip cheaper than a one-way.

What gives?

i guess it depends where you are traveling....but more so what airline you are taking.

anyone know if anyone from here has started a AOS thread for us UK folks??

I had a question about this (if anyone knows yet)............

i read "Your spouse may also be required to have a medical sometime during the AOS process. The medical must be done by a CIS accredited doctor. Your CIS office should give you a list of CIS accredited doctors in your area, if not check with your local office to get one. The medical exam can cost anywhere from $100-200 dollars, many physicians will not take a check, but only accept cash. Be prepared of the cost before your spouse gets this done. It would be wise to collect their vaccination information before going to the appointment as the doctor will need to have record of them. At the appointment your spouse will be tested for TB, AIDS and Syphilis. If they do the skin test for TB, they will be required to return to the CIS doctors office to have the site checked before they finish the exam paperwork. Note: Some CIS Offices allow you to schedule your appointment when you want, as long as it is done before the AOS appointment, check with your CIS office to see how they handle CIS medical exams before filing your AOS paperwork. "

soooo besides the $1,010 we are filing...we also have to pay for MORE effin doctors stuff??? please someone tell me that this is a late april fools joke?? hasnt my fiance done enough silly doctor stuff?? and seriously.....TB, aids, and syphilis?!? shouldnt people get tested BEFORE they travel abroad? especially with TB....

just my $.02

[Marty J 0]

I'm pretty sure if you're adjusting from K-1, you don't need to have a full medical again. Your fiancé will need his vaccinations transcribed by a civil surgeon though.

Edited April 6, 2009 by Marty J