Opinions pls

[newbster 4]

Hey guys,

I know we've covered this one before, but I'm still trying to decide whether it's safe to buy airline tickets from Manila to Denver already.

My fiance and her daughter passed their USEM interview Monday Oct 1. I'd like to buy the tickets to leave Friday Oct 19 (3 working weeks later basically). Is that safe? I know there is a rare occasion where it could take longer than that but everyone that I've read about lately gets their Visa in 2 weeks or less.

Opinions? Anyone heard of Visas taking longer than 2 weeks lately?

Thanks

[Hank_ 9,174]

Its a gamble... but then you know that. Odds are, if there are no issues, you will be fine.... always an IF.

I had our return flight tickets booked before my wife even had her interview, of course they were for roughly 2 months after the interview so I wasn't very concerned.

Edited October 2, 2012 by Hank_

[Tintin and Mike 127]

When in doubt just buy their tickets here. I know for Philippine Airlines that passengers (if the purchaser is not with the departing party) are required to show the copy of front and back of CC you've used to purchase it.

Congrats and welcome to US soon!

[X Factor 1,112]

It can backfire. Is she located in the Manila area? If so 2Go will be able to deliver it quickly.

[newbster 4]

It can backfire. Is she located in the Manila area? If so 2Go will be able to deliver it quickly.

No, Cebu. USEM says 2-6 days to deliver from Manila to Cebu by 2GO. But they won't give any estimate about how long it'll take to get the Visa processed and out their door of course.

FYI I just checked with Orbitz and they told me that U.S. carriers (US Air, Delta, United) will all charge a $250 per ticket change fee to change the dates if she can't travel that day (so I'd be out $500 in change fees). They also said that Asian carriers generally have cheaper fees, but some don't allow ticket changes but do allow refunds on tickets. I'm not sure all of that helps me decide anything but I thought I'd write it here in case it helps someone else.

Edited October 2, 2012 by newbster

[newbster 4]

How long does it usually take USEM to get it out the door? Do we know that? If it's a day or 2 then I will just wait to see what they do. I can't wait too long though as ticket prices have already gone way up and flight options way down just in the last week that I've been checking them.

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

Congratulation to Leslie.. I hope you guys could find a good deal for her ticket.. My husband bought my ticket 9 days prior to my flight which cost 1,060$ and 120$ for comfort seat on my main flight. Keep calling USEM for any updates of her visa..

God bless..

[Hank_ 9,174]

How long does it usually take USEM to get it out the door? Do we know that? If it's a day or 2 then I will just wait to see what they do. I can't wait too long though as ticket prices have already gone way up and flight options way down just in the last week that I've been checking them.

My wife's visa was not issued by the embassy for 9 days, then it was released to 2GO.

Edited October 2, 2012 by Hank_

[newbster 4]

Congratulation to Leslie.. I hope you guys could find a good deal for her ticket.. My husband bought my ticket 9 days prior to my flight which cost 1,060$ and 120$ for comfort seat on my main flight. Keep calling USEM for any updates of her visa..

God bless..

Thanks.

I bought the tickets. It cost about $50 for 2 tickets from Cebu to Manila Friday night Oct 15 on Tiger Airways. Then it cost $1600 for 2 tickets from Manila to Seattle on Delta the morning of Sat Oct 20. Then it cost $200 for 2 tickets from Delta to Denver on Southwest Airlines. The total for 2 tickets is $1850. Now I just have to hope that the embassy gets the Visas released by next Friday Oct 12 which should let it arrive in Cebu I hope by Friday Oct 19. If not I have to pay $250 per ticket change fee......

Hank's Visa took 9 days to be released from embassy which is cutting it very close. I hope it doesn't take that long.

[Tahoma 2,292]

It's time to consult my crystal ball.

[YourHumboldtBud 2]

Donna and I flew United Airlines out of PI. I had purchased my ticket many months in advance,but Donna's a little over 2 weeks before scheduled flight. I ended up purchasing a ticket for Donna with the lowest price that was scheduled to leave 2days before my scheduled departure! We ended up going to the ticketing office in Makati off of Ayala, and ended up paying $75 to rebook her flight to my original departure date. Hopefully this helps...

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

Thanks.

I bought the tickets. It cost about $50 for 2 tickets from Cebu to Manila Friday night Oct 15 on Tiger Airways. Then it cost $1600 for 2 tickets from Manila to Seattle on Delta the morning of Sat Oct 20. Then it cost $200 for 2 tickets from Delta to Denver on Southwest Airlines. The total for 2 tickets is $1850. Now I just have to hope that the embassy gets the Visas released by next Friday Oct 12 which should let it arrive in Cebu I hope by Friday Oct 19. If not I have to pay $250 per ticket change fee......

Hank's Visa took 9 days to be released from embassy which is cutting it very close. I hope it doesn't take that long.

I think you got a good deal for their tickets.. I pray that she'll get her visa before her flight.. I flew by delta and Poe was Seattle.. I got my visa 10 days after my interview (including weekends and holiday) through pick up. I kept calling USEM for the updates of my visa. And when I was able to tracked my visa online at 2go website I called 2go constantly (2-3 times a day) til I got my visa in hand.. is she getting her visa through pick?

[newbster 4]

I think you got a good deal for their tickets.. I pray that she'll get her visa before her flight.. I flew by delta and Poe was Seattle.. I got my visa 10 days after my interview (including weekends and holiday) through pick up. I kept calling USEM for the updates of my visa. And when I was able to tracked my visa online at 2go website I called 2go constantly (2-3 times a day) til I got my visa in hand.. is she getting her visa through pick?

Yes she is getting through pickup in Cebu. I forget which city you were in Kathy?

Also I have another question that maybe someone can help with.

Is it possible to change your Visa delivery/pickup options after the interview is done? In other words let's say that embassy doesn't release her Visa by 5 days before her flight. Can I phone the embassy and switch to an Embassy pickup delivery option for the Visa then she can just go to USEM in Manila on the day she flies out from Cebu through Manila to pick up the Visa in person at USEM? This would save the 2-6 days that 2GO takes to deliver it......anyone know?

Thanks

[southcalhog 43]

My Now Wife is from Cebu. She had her interview this Past April 16th. She Passed and it took her 7 Days to receive her Visa. She Picked it up in 2Go Office in Mandue City which is part of Cebu which is 2Gos Main office. Me myself I waited until she had that Visa in her hand before I actually Made a reservation. We had been looking and checking Flights but not until we go that Visa did i make a Reservation. ANYTHING could come up but more than not you guys will be ok! Good Luck and Welcome to the USA!

[newbster 4]

My Now Wife is from Cebu. She had her interview this Past April 16th. She Passed and it took her 7 Days to receive her Visa. She Picked it up in 2Go Office in Mandue City which is part of Cebu which is 2Gos Main office. Me myself I waited until she had that Visa in her hand before I actually Made a reservation. We had been looking and checking Flights but not until we go that Visa did i make a Reservation. ANYTHING could come up but more than not you guys will be ok! Good Luck and Welcome to the USA!

Oh that's interesting. She was going to pick it up at Robinson's near Fuente Osmena Circle. I wonder if there is a delay for it to reach that office from the Mandaue City office? I'd hate to lose a day there.....