Not using return flight -- will no show affect AOS?

[Ninahi 53]

I had high hopes of receiving AP before the holidays so when I booked my flight to the US I set my return date for Dec 22. However, I did not receive AP on time and as I tried to make changes to my returning flight, one leg of the journey cannot be changed: so I have a valid flight reservation for one leg of the journey. I am trying to cancel the reservation, but because of timezone differences might not be able to.

I called USCIS and the representative told me that as long as I don't leave the country without appropriate travel documents (AP), having flight reservations will not affect the status of my AOS. However I'm concerned a no-show will come bite me in the posterior, I read somewhere that Homeland Security would have a record of my reservation even if I do not board the flight. Is this true at all, does anyone know?

I really want to just trust the USCIS on this one, but can't help worrying that despite not boarding the flight nor leaving the country there will be false record that shows that I may or may not have left the US while adjusting my status and without advance parole.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Cancel your flight to be sure

[FarrahIdir 46]

I'm sorry your going through this. I would cancel it just in case

[Ninahi 53]

The problem is that I might not be able to cancel it. I will try to call them as soon as their customer service opens, but not sure if the cancellation will be done in time. I am most certainly trying!

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Even if you can't cancel it in time make sure you contact them to make sure your name was not (accidentally left) on the passenger manifest list.

Get an email confirmation from the airline as proof that you did not fly if possible.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Ebunoluwa

[Unidentified 2,930]

The problem is that I might not be able to cancel it. I will try to call them as soon as their customer service opens, but not sure if the cancellation will be done in time. I am most certainly trying!

Call the airline and try to cancel it or at least make sure they remove you from the passenger list. If you're still on the passenger list they may still report you as having left the country which, if not fixed, can cause an automatic denial of your AOS.

[Ninahi 53]

Thank you for your responses. I spent hours on the phone and was able to successfully change my return flight to a much later date, I have spoken with my travel agent, the airline and the USCIS and everything should be alright now.

So now we just hope that nothing hiccups along the way!

[Dave&Roza 748]

Thank you for your responses. I spent hours on the phone and was able to successfully change my return flight to a much later date, I have spoken with my travel agent, the airline and the USCIS and everything should be alright now.

So now we just hope that nothing hiccups along the way!

I am glad you were able to reschedule the flight, but I would now cancel it. I did a RT ticket for my then fiancée and the return trip was for 89 days after her arrival. Once we were married and I filed the AOS, I canceled the return trip as there will always be a leg left unused unless you find a very cheap one-way to return to the US. Since the RT was $1000 cheaper than the one-way, I did not feel that I lost any money--in fact I felt that I saved $1000. YMMV.

Dave.

[Ninahi 53]

I am glad you were able to reschedule the flight, but I would now cancel it. I did a RT ticket for my then fiancée and the return trip was for 89 days after her arrival. Once we were married and I filed the AOS, I canceled the return trip as there will always be a leg left unused unless you find a very cheap one-way to return to the US. Since the RT was $1000 cheaper than the one-way, I did not feel that I lost any money--in fact I felt that I saved $1000. YMMV.

Dave.

Thanks Dave! Our plan is to move back to Finland within a few years, so we are bouncing these round trips until then. But I totally understand what you're saying, one way tickets are so much more expensive! I'd also recommend buying refundable round-trips and just cancelling the returns. Usually you get at least miles back, if not the full amount.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Thanks Dave! Our plan is to move back to Finland within a few years, so we are bouncing these round trips until then. But I totally understand what you're saying, one way tickets are so much more expensive! I'd also recommend buying refundable round-trips and just cancelling the returns. Usually you get at least miles back, if not the full amount.

So you're postponing this trip until when you move in a few years? Why not just cancel it and book a new one when it's moving time?