Should I buy my tickets now?

[clarkthegiraffe 10]

Hi everyone,

So I just took a look at the plane tickets to Brazil around the date when everything should be done, based off of current CSC times and the estimates I've been given. I paid $1200 for plane tickets last year and I'm finding valid round trip tickets for $550. I was thinking I could buy them dated after the expected processing date, so I could be safe.

I need plane tickets before July, as we I am applying for my permanent Brazilian visa (so we can go back to visit) and they need to see your itinerary at the consulate. It's easy to get, but there's so many visa applications, consulate visits, and terminology being thrown around that my head is a total mess.

Considering my whole family already thinks I'm crazy, I'd rather get a feel of what you guys here think. Is it worth taking a shot in the dark to save over $1000?

[Pitaya 2,577]

The general forum recommendation is to not make any expensive, non-refundable plans until you have your passport in your hand, and the passport contains your visa.

[Cody and Daisy 373]

No.

Golden rule of VJ- never buy tickets before your visa is in hand.

You don't know what could delay it or if you'll be in AP for a while.

So many do this and have to cancel flights or plans or change everything.

Just don't do it.

[Morganalmonshid94 84]

They are just estimated times so no everyone is going to jump all over this post telling you it is a mistake to do, what happens if you get placed in AP after the interview that lasts weeks or months that you did not expect or some delay in another way happens . Everyone wants to save money of course but you might not actually be doing that if some unforeseen obstacle pops up .

[clarkthegiraffe 10]

Thanks for the quick responses, everyone! It's good to know, I'll definitely hold off. It may have seemed like an obvious question but I just want to make sure, hopefully others can see this and do the same

[Moustafa/Crystal 65]

Is this ticket for you to visit Brazil?

[VOL 425]

Hi everyone,

So I just took a look at the plane tickets to Brazil around the date when everything should be done, based off of current CSC times and the estimates I've been given. I paid $1200 for plane tickets last year and I'm finding valid round trip tickets for $550. I was thinking I could buy them dated after the expected processing date, so I could be safe.

I need plane tickets before July, as we I am applying for my permanent Brazilian visa (so we can go back to visit) and they need to see your itinerary at the consulate. It's easy to get, but there's so many visa applications, consulate visits, and terminology being thrown around that my head is a total mess.

Considering my whole family already thinks I'm crazy, I'd rather get a feel of what you guys here think. Is it worth taking a shot in the dark to save over $1000?

$1200 for a short flight from USA to Brazil sound very high to me. It should run around $500 on average for roundtrip

[Boiler 45,510]

$1200 for a short flight from USA to Brazil sound very high to me. It should run around $500 on average for roundtrip

Quick google came up with 5,000 miles.

[VOL 425]

Quick google came up with 5,000 miles.

I can go from Dallas to Manila from around $750 to $1200 on average round trip and it about 10,000 miles.....

[Illiria 980]

The general forum recommendation is to not make any expensive, non-refundable plans until you have your passport in your hand, and the passport contains your visa.

In fact USCIS themselves tell you not to book anything prior to having the process completed.

[Jawaree 717]

No.

Golden rule of VJ- never buy tickets before your visa is in hand.

You don't know what could delay it or if you'll be in AP for a while.

So many do this and have to cancel flights or plans or change everything.

Just don't do it.

Ditto.....unless you can truly afford to lose that much

[Saffer 27]

I took a gamble and bought my ticket a month before my interview but I made sure it had a free date change just in case. Tickets generally get the cheapest 6 to 4 weeks before flying and then right before the fly date you may be able to snag a last minute deal.

Edited May 25, 2015 by Saffer

[Velvety 4]

Thats really expensive. Flights FROM Brazil to the US have gotten wayyyyyy cheap. We're talking $800+ reais round trip. So just hold off. Check out viajando barato pelo mundo . com . br

[asdf123 7]

I can go from Dallas to Manila from around $750 to $1200 on average round trip and it about 10,000 miles.....

Hi there,

If you do not mind sharing can you please tell me what airline is offering $750 round trips flight to manila ?

I been using orbitz, expedia and delta and I never have been able to get a ticket for less then 1100....

Thank you in advance.

[CowBoE 429]

The only thing that is certain in this visa processing is that...nothing is certain.

It's always best to not book (unrefundable) trips in advance without some confirmation.