LIAT airlines won't let us buy a one way ticket to Puerto Rico POE--where can we get written proof that its allowed for K-1 holders?

[Unidentified 2,930]

...but in this case--where we told them he had a visa--it seems to be. they STILL were trying to tell us that one must have a u.s. passport or green card to enter the u.s. on a one-way ticket, which is false.

Well I looked at their website and it does say as a requirement: "Passengers must also be in possession of a copy of their itinerary as proof of their onward or return journey."

Guess the easiest would have been to just book a round trip and after arriving in the US cancel the return part of the trip. LIAT is not a very big airline, feels more like an island hopper so it could well be that they don't have much experience with K1 or any other visa.

[trublubu2 62]

Hi @Maria&Seve,

After booking the flight online and placing it on a 24-hour hold, we had a copy of the itinerary--and thus went to the airport to check out the fare class and rules before purchasing...and that's when I found out that there was a gross ignorance about this subject among the ticket agents--the ones who count as they are the ones that will check you in or deny you boarding.

Also, we'd lose the money on the fare (we'd only get the fees back, not the actual fare itself) unless we booked the most expensive fare class they had--but that is only good for a year, is non-transferable, and one has to pay a change fee and the difference of whatever the price is at the time of re-booking--hence why I said I think it's a scam.

Liat IS a big deal for the Caribbean, not just an "island hopper"--AND THEY KNOW IT. That airline is how my mother would take us to go see our family in Dominica before the majority of the U.S. airlines decided to actually expand their flights past a few islands where we could make the connection to Liat to finally reach home. I highly doubt they know little to nothing about visas.

Well I looked at their website and it does say as a requirement: "Passengers must also be in possession of a copy of their itinerary as proof of their onward or return journey."

Guess the easiest would have been to just book a round trip and after arriving in the US cancel the return part of the trip. LIAT is not a very big airline, feels more like an island hopper so it could well be that they don't have much experience with K1 or any other visa.

[InsanelyOne 8]

Good morning,

Long story short (because I've got to get to work) LIAT airlines clearly hasn't heard of the K-1 visa program. We asked at the Barbados LIAT airlines ticketing and the first lady said no, only round trip, we explained how it worked, she's printed a Wikipedia article on k-1. She got her supervisor when we maintained aone way was possible and he came and said,that yes, once you have a valid USA visa of any type, LIAT airlines will be okay with it and let you travel.

As week later at the Dominica LIAT airlines ticket counter, the agent said no, it must be a round trip ticket, and won't listen to what we told him about the K-1 or what the Barbados LIAT airlines supervisor said. However, the Dominica LIAT airlines supervisor is ging to call Puerto Rico to see what she can learn and get back to us.

QUESTION: Is there somewhere to get written proof to show these airlines that a K-1 visa is a valid document for travel to the U.S., the same as a visitor's visa or USA passport would be? Please let me know because my fiancé has to deal with LIAT airlines not only in Dominica, but Antigua also, and then Southwest airlines in Puerto Rico.

Thanks in advance to all who can help--I'll check back once I get to work.

First off, the airlines can make up whatever rules they want regarding who can travel on their planes. The only written proof you could provide to the LIAT representative would be a copy of their own rules.

The reason the airlines have these rules in the first place is because they are liable to fly the passenger back if the passenger is refused entry to the US.

The K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa with immigrant intent. Pretty much all airlines require non-immigrant visa holders to have a round-trip ticket. e.g. Visitors most certainly have to show a return ticket.

The K-1 visa is the exception to the rule. But that said, if the airlines policies don't reflect the odd nature of the K-1 visa you are out of luck.

You have tried time and again to explain this to LIAT but it's falling on deaf ears.

I'm not sure what recourse you have.

I wish you luck.

[trublubu2 62]

@InsanelyOne,

thanks for the tips and ideas--per your suggestion, i went and got Liat's rules, made a .pdf and sent to my fiance to print out, and i spoke to an army buddy of mine who's an immigration lawyer now to see what she thought.

i used to be a travel agent, so that's why i'm on such a quest to find something with the protocol to follow--i understand what can go wrong and what they can do with an incorrect interpretation.

i appreciate the well wishes and advice.

First off, the airlines can make up whatever rules they want regarding who can travel on their planes. The only written proof you could provide to the LIAT representative would be a copy of their own rules.

The reason the airlines have these rules in the first place is because they are liable to fly the passenger back if the passenger is refused entry to the US.

The K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa with immigrant intent. Pretty much all airlines require non-immigrant visa holders to have a round-trip ticket. e.g. Visitors most certainly have to show a return ticket.

The K-1 visa is the exception to the rule. But that said, if the airlines policies don't reflect the odd nature of the K-1 visa you are out of luck.

You have tried time and again to explain this to LIAT but it's falling on deaf ears.

I'm not sure what recourse you have.

I wish you luck.

Edited October 21, 2015 by trublubu2