UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[yuna628 9,676]

Went from approved to issued today, we are both very happy. Very lucky.

Looking forward to being home, hopefully for a fun 4th of July with family.

Starting to look at plane tickets now, find it strange that return is cheaper than one way in most cases.

They aren't funny about you getting a one way at the border are they?

You're immigrating, one way should be perfectly normal.

Returns are always cheaper than one-way. We want to do one-way though, and he'll be using up his FFM's with BA to cut a nice deal. If you have any from flying back and forth internationally stocked up, now might be a good time to make use of them.

[BryterMoon 30]

You're immigrating, one way should be perfectly normal.

Returns are always cheaper than one-way. We want to do one-way though, and he'll be using up his FFM's with BA to cut a nice deal. If you have any from flying back and forth internationally stocked up, now might be a good time to make use of them.

Thanks,

Thats true about the one way! I expect they expect it, with a K1! Just wasnt sure, as of course, ive never done this stuff before

Wish i had stocked up better with air miles, used different cheap flights over the back and forths.

[bonzaigirl 13]

Hoping against hope that this whole visa printing/ security issue will be sorted out by the time I have my interview on July 20th, I went and booked my flight to the USA yesterday! I've been looking at available flights via American (who I have flown with almost exclusively these past 15 years thus have loads of miles), and the timing is rubbish. The earliest I could have possibly expected to get my visa (pre-printing fiasco) would have been approx July 27th, right in the peak holiday season! The next two weeks are blacked out for using the least amount of airmiles (AAeconomy), and I would have to use more miles than normal for the AAanytime awards. Come to August 10th, and the miles required drop to more normal levels, plus the 10th is exactly 3 weeks after my interview. Even better the flight I looked at gave me a great seat in Main Cabin Extra for no extra charge (LHR to NYC), and also a great premium seat on the connecting flight to Pittsburgh where I will meet my partner.

Booking a normal flight without miles would have cost around £1200 or more (and I would have to book a return as one ways were more expensive, meaning I would have to remember to cancel the return flight once in the USA). My flight, one way, with seats in Main Cabin Extra (premium economy) cost me all of 45,000 miles and, get this, £127.77! Yes, just £127.77 for taxes and airport fees! Also, if there are any issues with me getting my visa on time, the flight can be changed. Therefore I thought it wise to book now, rather than wait until I had the visa as by that point I would be booking in the middle of the peak summer season and all the decent seats and flights would have all gone.

For those traveling over to their loved ones this summer, look at enrolling on a frequent flyer programme if you aren't already on one, and using airmiles if you have them (or can get them), especially if you are a K1 visa holder on a one way flight. If I were to purchase the flight without using airmiles, it would cost me well over £1000 more. This has saved me a LOT of money!

I wish you the best of luck Hope that the visa issues will be sorted out soon Earning miles really helps a lot. I would've used my miles coming to LA, as I've procured a lot since I only fly BA/AA coming to the US but my then fiance who visited me in London, so we could fly to LA together and at the same time have a holiday, booked Virgin Airlines. Although, my miles came in handy when I booked 4 return tickets to Edinburgh and it was all for 170 pounds. So it was a really good deal Plus we had fun in Edinburgh before coming back to London to resume packing up my bits and pieces. :D

[bonzaigirl 13]

Went from approved to issued today, we are both very happy. Very lucky.

Looking forward to being home, hopefully for a fun 4th of July with family.

Starting to look at plane tickets now, find it strange that return is cheaper than one way in most cases.

They aren't funny about you getting a one way at the border are they?

Congratulations to you I received my visa 11 or 12 days after my interview before the Visa Issue problems started. So you will get yours soon. I kept jumping up from my seat everytime I get an email notification hoping to see that it's a DX email telling me that my visa is with them. Best of luck to you and your fiancee

[BryterMoon 30]

Congratulations to you I received my visa 11 or 12 days after my interview before the Visa Issue problems started. So you will get yours soon. I kept jumping up from my seat everytime I get an email notification hoping to see that it's a DX email telling me that my visa is with them. Best of luck to you and your fiancee

Thank you very much. We are both eager to be reunited.

[ChasUno 101]

Went from approved to issued today, we are both very happy. Very lucky.

Looking forward to being home, hopefully for a fun 4th of July with family.

Starting to look at plane tickets now, find it strange that return is cheaper than one way in most cases.

They aren't funny about you getting a one way at the border are they?

Congratulations on your issued status!

As Yuna said above, you'll be fine with a one way ticket as you're entering the USA on a K1 visa. They will know that a K1 is an "intend to marry and adjust status to permanent residency", therefore they might actually query you more if you have a return ticket!

For all those looking at purchasing a flight, and also for some that have already accrued miles on different airlines, don't forget that many airlines have merged and/ or have alliances with other airlines. I know the following:

American Airlines and US Airways are now a joint company. They were allowing the combining of miles accrued on both airlines. American is also partnered with British Airways (One World Alliance I think it's called), and often a number of BA run flights will come up on AA flight searches.

Virgin and Delta are also affiliated. I'm not sure if you can share miles from one to the other.

I've heard that depending on where you want to fly to, Norwegian Airways are now offering very good transatlantic deals.

Depending on how many miles you might already have, don't forget that you can actually purchase miles to bring you up to the level where you get a free flight (plus taxes). Also, if anyone you know has miles on the same FF programme that they don't need, miles can be transferred over from one account to another as a 'gift'.

With American Airlines, for the end of July/ beginning of August, there were very few flights available at AAeconomy awards level (30K miles) + taxes/ fees. The times weren't brilliant (early morning flight, long connection time - sometimes the next day!) and they were only offered on partner airlines (not AA flights). Moving up to the next level - AAanytime, every date was available with plenty of good flights/ times from both AA and US flights. Up to August 9th, they required 65K miles plus taxes. From 10th August, which is when I booked, this level dropped to 45K though it did go back up again later on that week. Likely to go up and down depending on how busy those future dates are expected to be. The taxes and fees for both AAeconomy and AAanytime worked out at around £127.77 for a one way flight.

I went for AAanytime because for once I thought I'd spoil myself, especially as I'm flying over for my big day - I'M FLYING OVER TO GET MARRIED TO THE MAN I ADORE AND START MY NEW LIFE WITH HIM IN THE USA! Seems a good enough reason to make the flight extra special! Also, the AAanytime award level gives priority boarding AND complementary seats (if available) in Main Cabin Extra, which is their version of Premium Economy, and also complimentary access to all 'preferred seats' in the economy class. Main Cabin Extra might only be one step up above economy class, but I'll sure feel that I'm travelling in a style fit for a king the way I will be feeling!

Edited June 26, 2015 by ChasUno

[BryterMoon 30]

Thanks, my fiance and i are at the point of getting me home no matter the cost, asap. I'd even fly Air France! (Terrible experience with them in the past).

Just can't wait to be on the plane home. What a feeling that will be.

[swji89 41]

Virgin and Delta are also affiliated. I'm not sure if you can share miles from one to the other.

Well what I do know is that you can certainly earn Delta miles on Virgin flights booked through the Delta website so presuming you can spend them on them too!

[swji89 41]

We did! and so did a couple other VJer's I talked too. The example form will be just fine as long as you have the supporting docs

Sorry just spotted this! Brilliant stuff, I'll tell my fiancee to not tick either box and write

   N/A (K1 VISA PROCESS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE)

[-Shana- 152]

Just to weigh in on the return flight - I booked a return flight and no one mentioned anything at the border inspection. I cancelled it a week or so after I landed and got refunded a grand total of £26 . I wasn't expecting anything so, hey, free money!

Edited June 26, 2015 by -Shana-

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

At POE with a visa in hand, they don't care anything about your airline tickets. It is when you are entering on VWP as a tourist, the return ticket might give them some assurance you plan to leave on time. You will not be entering on VWP so your travel arrangements are not even part of the equation really.

On the I-134, if you don't want to say N/A fiancé, etc, she can tick "intend" write a sentence like "I will provide financially for all needs my fiancé and future husband will have in the United States." That pretty much covers the bases.

[BryterMoon 30]

I may be jumping the gun here a little, as I was only tagged as issued yesterday.

But, does anyone have a contact number for the courier service that will deliver my passport? I've paid the extra for home delivery. Just was interested to see where or if they have my passport yet.

My confirmation email for payment for Visa/delivery is unclear on who sends it,but I'm pretty sure it's DX.

Any help would be great.

Thanks!

[MSCastillo 27]

Updated 25 June 2015

London has begun printing nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. We are working as quickly as possible to clear the backlog of pending visa cases and hand your passport to the courier company for delivery. The approved courier will send a tracking message once it receives your passport. You should wait for that message. During this time, we cannot provide status updates by email or phone.

It says on the page they'll message you as soon as they have it hopefully that will be soon!

Edited June 27, 2015 by MSCastillo

[BryterMoon 30]

Thanks!

Just very eager to get home. ?

[MSCastillo 27]

oh i don't blame you there! time can't go by fast enough!