Booking a flight to U.S. before Visa is issued?

[DaRoq 36]

I called Philippine Airlines and they told me they are not allowed to book a flight for a Philippines passport holder until the visa is issued. Has this been your experience as well? I really need some tips on how to do this because there are only 8 days between the expected delivery of the visa and my return flight. I'm afraid that there might not be any seats available by that time.

Thanks

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

Have you already been approved? your timeline is confusing since is shows dates that have not happened yet. If the interview is set for the date on your timeline, you can't be sure everything will go OK.

As for buying a ticket, DON'T do it until you have at least passed the interview, or better yet, have visa in hand. There are quite a few things that can happen even after the interview to slow up the visa, it can be randomly selected for review which would add several weeks to when the visa is sent.

Sorry, but it is a ####### shoot to buy the ticket without visa in hand, especially if you have only a few days before you plan to leave.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

You can always go through another airline carrier. Do you have to be on a specific date or plane? But I agree with the people above. You don't want to buy the plane ticket until the visa is approved.

[glenmar 34]

I used Orbitz to book my wife's flight to the US from Manila. I didn't have any problems booking the flight on Philippines Air a month and a half before she got the visa. I don't recommend others book flights early but it did work for us.... By the way we were put in AP twice after I booked the flights...but we still made it.

[DaRoq 36]

Have you already been approved? your timeline is confusing since is shows dates that have not happened yet. If the interview is set for the date on your timeline, you can't be sure everything will go OK.

As for buying a ticket, DON'T do it until you have at least passed the interview, or better yet, have visa in hand. There are quite a few things that can happen even after the interview to slow up the visa, it can be randomly selected for review which would add several weeks to when the visa is sent.

Sorry, but it is a ####### shoot to buy the ticket without visa in hand, especially if you have only a few days before you plan to leave.

You're right - she hasn't even been to the interview, much less approved. I know the best practice is to wait until the visa is in hand, but I was hoping someone could give me some insight on how to work within my current circumstances. Here are the things PAL told me they require before they can book a flight for a passenger holding a Philippines passport:

Visa #

Visa exipration date

Visa place of issue

Passport place of issue

Passport holder name

Passport holder DOB

Passport holder place of birth

Passport expiration date

Is there a way to get the visa info after it's issued rather than waiting until the Passport/Visa is received from 2GO? If not, then I'll just have to wait and take a different crapshoot at that time.

Thanks for your input

[CristiFur 15]

I booked a flight for my Fiance and her daughter last year before the interview and I don't remember if they were asking for Visa# Anyways you should hold off on purchasing tickets until Visa in hand. I booked early, before their interview and even though they passed on the day of the interview her daughters Visa was not released till 4 weeks after the interview so it was very close, we had 5 days to finish everything before the flight.

[Dustin and Janen 86]

This will cost you more money, but it would help insure you guys fly back together.

You book one way ticket for yourself (instead of round-trip). And buy a "throw away" ticket to somewhere like Hong Kong or Thailand (look for promo fares). PAL might require that you buy the ticket from them, but I know Cebu Pacific has great promos. Just look for the cheapest since you won't be going there. (Or even better if the second leg of your round trip ticket could easily be changed?)

Then after she gets her visa, you can book both your flights with PAL at the same time and ensure you're on the same flight and in the same seats.

I haven't done this, but I've seen similar things suggested here before.

[DaRoq 36]

I've already booked a roundtrip flight for myself and have an aisle seat reserved. What I'm really trying to do is reserve a seat for her next to mine. I guess I'll wait until after the interview and go from there. If it comes down to it, I'll reschedule my flight to match hers. Or she might even fly back alone.

[Netsikai 20]

Yes wait for her passport and visa to be delivered before booking a flight to USA...you can never tell the outcome of the US embassy Manila interview even if the IC said ur approved after the interview without the visa on hand...September Pal flights are cheaper since it is off season month already...Good luck.

[scottgema 6]

I booked Gema's flight already and we have not had the interview yet because I am using miles to book and they vanish a month and a half out. If we dont have it in time I will pay the $100 rebooking fee and pick another mileage saver date.

In any case I used UNITED and they asked for her passport info only not her VISA info.

[Rahstyles 10]

get to the airport early tell them you need a seat together with your girl.. and complain about it.. and they will find a way to seat you together... they reserve a few seats before the flight

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Go online and book the ticket for her through Philippine Airlines.

[DaRoq 36]

I booked my flight through Expedia and was planning to do the same for her, but was worried that she might be questioned about it at check-in. But I guess if she has the Visa in hand at that time there is nothing they can really say. Especially if it was booked by Expedia.

My main concern is being on the same flight and sitting together. PAL only has one flight that day.

Thanks!