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[Matt and Evieve 1]

you should not buy a ticket until you have your VISA IN HAND.

Yea, I know but it will be more than 2months from now. So, we put a good interval. So, I think it's okay.

[Matt and Evieve 1]

The prices I just posted are the prices with taxes already. I just told Matt about this situation but he said we will go for the bulk booking cause from his experience (bulk booking), the airlines were responsible for transferring the luggage when there's connecting flights and if booked separately, when I reach to New York, I will be going to a diff exit which will lead me to go out of the airport cause they will ask if u have a connecting flight ticket, since the ticket is separate, I had none. And I had to go all the way to Domestic Airport since I'm travelling New York to Boston already by myself and do everything again, lining-up and check-in. Whereas, if booked in bulk, they will see in the tickets that I have a connecting flight, so they will direct me to a way or shuttle (Idk how JFK airport works) and they will take my baggage and they will be responsible for check-in. These were explained by Matt. I hope I made it clear. The difference is $17.8 and I think it's worth the hassle right?

[Matt and Evieve 1]

So, we just booked the ticket! Huraaaay! We took the risk since it's just cheap and if there'll be a change of date, we will just add $50 and fare difference. Just the same if we'll book it 2days from flight. Hoping the target date works!!!

God bless you all! And thank you so much for all your replies!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

you should not buy a ticket until you have your VISA IN HAND.

I agree..or at least until you know the results of the culture. I believe it is at least a $150 change fee or more if you have to change the ticket...that is if you can even change it. Some of those sites dont allow you to change them. I hope everything works out for you Evieve.

[Matt and Evieve 1]

Thanks Scott and Mhay! But ofcourse, Matt called the call center first to confirm everything before we did the booking and we were told it is $50 if we are going to change the date. Regarding with the culture, I, myself saw the digital xray that was shown by the doctor and there were no lines or scars, it's just that they have to ruleout the small blurry or whitish part of the upper-right lung. It wasn't something to be alarmed. So, Matt and I decided to take a leap of faith in booking my ticket. We hope and pray that this is the will of God so everything will work out into good.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Did Matt get that in writing? Sometimes places tell you that just to get you to buy....not saying those sites are that way, but if you read the small print there are bigger change fees. Which site did you guys use? Not trying to rain on your parade, I just want to make sure that you guys were given the right information....almost every site I looked at, it would cost big $$$ to change a ticket...more than just waiting to buy a ticket at a later date.

I really do hope it works out for you guys though...

I know I wanted to buy a ticket for my wife...I would have saved nearly $400, but it was too early for me to take the gamble. It was through China Airlines and it was $250 to change and then there was no guarantee we would have gotten the date that we wanted. That is why I waited until after the interview to buy the ticket...my wife didnt fly for 3 weeks after the interview so I was good to buy the ticket...but it could have ended up bad if it took longer than the norm to get the visa from Air21. Just food for though. Good luck!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Ok i bet the change fee for cheapoair.com is only $50 BUT you also have to pay change fees to the airlines. Here is from their terms and conditions: http://www.cheapoair.com/Desktopmodules/main/generaltermsandconditions.aspx

CHANGES TO FLIGHTS ALREADY PURCHASED

Any and all changes made to the itinerary are restricted as well as subject to airline fare rules, whichever is more restrictive; all our tickets/hotels/cars/packages/cruises do not allow any date or name changes after the booking is completed. CheapOair.com does not guarantee, and shall not be responsible for, any bookings or reservations made or confirmed to you in the event that the original itinerary has been changed pursuant to customer's request.

For any itinerary where changes may be permitted an exchange fee is charged by us as mentioned below, plus Airline penalties and any fare difference. Please contact our call center to determine the total cost of exchanging your ticket. Our Ticket Exchange fees (not including airline fees and not including fare difference)- Domestic Travel - Departure beyond 10 days - 100 USD, Domestic Travel - Departure within 10 Days - 150 USD, International Travel - Departure beyond 10 days - 200 USD, International Travel - Departure within 10 days - 300 USD

Here is what onetravel.com says:

http://www.onetravel.com/Desktopmodules/main/generaltermsandconditions.aspx#changes

CHANGES TO FLIGHTS ALREADY PURCHASED

Any and all changes made to the itinerary are restricted, all our tickets/hotels/cars/packages/cruises do not allow any date or name changes after the booking is completed. OneTravel.com does not guarantee, and shall not be responsible for, any bookings or reservations made or confirmed to you in the event that the original itinerary has been changed pursuant to customer's request.

For any itinerary where changes may be permitted an exchange fee is charged by us as mentioned below, plus Airline penalties and any fare difference. Please contact our call center to determine the total cost of exchanging your ticket. Our Ticket Exchange fees (not including airline fees and not including fare difference)- Domestic Travel - Departure beyond 10 days - 100 USD, Domestic Travel - Departure within 10 Days - 150 USD, International Travel - Departure beyond 10 days - 200 USD, International Travel - Departure within 10 days - 300 USD

Cancellations: All airline tickets are fully non-refundable. In certain cases where the Airline may allow cancellations, a credit may be available for future ticket purchase and travel on the same airline. Usually the credit is valid for a very limited time, which you should ask the agent. All such bookings where the cancellation may be permitted must be cancelled prior to departure of your first flight segment by calling our customer service agent. We do not guarantee any cancellations. A cancellation fee of USD 50 must be paid at the time of canceling the booking. The credit will be held for a very limited time period, please ask the agent for the specific date by when you must use this credit or you will lose the credit amount. When you are ready to make the new booking, you will have to pay fare difference (if any), applicable airline penalties for that fare and OneTravel exchange fees. All such changes are governed by the airlines rules and regulations, OneTravel does not provide any representations or guarantees on changes or fees.

Domestic Travel = US and CANADA

No additional representation is made for our exchange fees except that an agent will assist you in locating your desired new flights and attempt to re-book the new flights based on availability and other factors.

There is much fine print to read. If Matt didnt get it in writing, then I would not depend on what the call center told him.

Edited March 6, 2011 by Scott and Mhay

[Scott and Mhay 57]

both sites are nearly identical. For a cancellation IF ALLOWED it is only $50 though for both sites.

[Matt and Evieve 1]

Thank you for the info again, Scott and Mhay! Matt talked to the operator.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

ok..which site did he use or did he go to the airline directly (normally the best bet)? Either way, what is done is done... take care and good luck!

Edited March 7, 2011 by Scott and Mhay

[Matt and Evieve 1]

Yea, we can just hope and pray now that it is God's will for me to fly on May 17. Thanks for taking time!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Hopefully you get your interview within a week of your culture results....you didnt have an interview date before you did your medical did you? That is taking a HUGE leap of faith!

[Matt and Evieve 1]

I didn't have interview date yet but someone told me that they can set the interview on the following day. The doctor also told me that if my interview will be after April 27, which I'm predicting to be April 28 - May 6, I am good to go. Yea, that is really a HUGE faith!!! Just what we did last year also. We book a date that we thought we could make it, it was way months ago, and we didn't thought we will be able to make it for the trip, so huraaaay, God give it to us! Let's see if this is God's will too. I really hope and pray it is.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Typically the only way that your interview would be the next day is if you already had an interview date and the medical made you miss your interview date. You are still in the NVC right? All I can say is WOW...that is a big gamble! You will need a Case Complete by the second week of april to have a chance at getting a May interview. It is doable, but I wouldnt have bought the ticket just yet. I would have waited for the interview date at a minimum....but that is just me.

[Matt and Evieve 1]

We are expecting a CC by the end of the month actually. We have congressional assistance. And about interview, ofcourse, I asked the St. Luke's about them scheduling the interview. It's okay! Whatever may happen, we feel at peace that we purchased the ticket. Thanks!