Plane ticket India to USA

[ELW 5]

I’m thinking ahead as usual , though we of course won’t buy a ticket till after a successful interview.

My guy’s never flown before, so I was wondering how you all got your plane tickets India to USA? I had a bad experience with a travel agent in India once (took our money, gave no ticket – though finally we got the money back through the police). So I certainly don’t want that to happen to my guy too. From what I hear, plane tickets are less expensive buying in India. Also I thought it could get confusing if I buy online for him, like how to send the physical ticket (maybe Orbitz will ship it to him? Or he can pick it up at airport on day of journey?).

Any suggestions? He’s based in Hyderabad – anyone know any trustworthy travel agents there or nationwide trustworthy travel agents? CHEAPEST ticket possible is the name of the game here. Thanks!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

How about contacting one (or more) of the following airlines directly (all fly from HYD):

• Singapore Airlines (as you live on west coast, the pacific route may be better)
  
• Lufthansa (definitely flys, Pras used it)
  
• KLM
  
• Air India (kind of last-resort)
  

note: I'm basically using the "as-close-to-nonstop, clear customs/immigration at LAX" approach.

[ELW 5]

Thanks! I will research it. Though, we want to go via JFK for the EAD stamp. The money he could earn in a temp job for 2-3 months will outweigh any inconvenience...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I bought it on britishairways.com.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I got the following data from the airline sites last year for one-ways (rounded to nearest Rs. 100):

• British Airways, Chennai-Detroit: Rs. 39,400 (customs/imm @ Chicago)
  
• BA, Chennai-DCA (customs/imm @ JFK): Rs. 38,300
  
• BA, Chennai-Dulles (customs/imm @ Dulles): Rs, 36,900
  
• British Airways, Mumbai-Detroit: Rs. 37,000 (customs/imm @ Detroit)
  
• Lufthansa, Hyderabad-Detroit: Rs. 37,800 (customs/imm @ Detroit)--which was the one taken
  

[ELW 5]

Hey those prices are pretty good!

But my guy doesn't have a credit card... how to pay? Could he go direct to an airline office and book it with cash or check? Or would I be able to buy it online with my credit card and have them send the ticket to him in Hyderabad? (I believe it is more expensive buying in USD then in Rs)

Edited March 17, 2007 by ELW

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hey those prices are pretty good!

But my guy doesn't have a credit card... how to pay? Could he go direct to an airline office and book it with cash or check? Or would I be able to buy it online with my credit card and have them send the ticket to him in Hyderabad? (I believe it is more expensive buying in USD then in Rs)

I confirmed that when trying Orbitz (which displays in US$--no price there was less than $1,000; at last year's exchange rate, about 20% higher than the Rs. price).

In Pras' case, I believe she did buy with cash from airline office.

Edited March 17, 2007 by CherryXS

[ELW 5]

Thanks for the tips!

[chri'stina 190]

When Sujeet moved here, he had never been on a plane either.

Back when he moved here, the best deal we found was on www.makemytrip.com. The deal soley with flights between India and the US, and have offices in India and the US.

But now when Sujeet goes to visit India, Expedia is where we find the best deals and flights. He's leaving for India again this Friday for 2 1/2 weeks. We found a good ticket through Expedia that goes from Tampa to JFK to Mumbai. He won't have to stop in any 3rd country, which is nice.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

When Sujeet moved here, he had never been on a plane either.

Back when he moved here, the best deal we found was on www.makemytrip.com. The deal soley with flights between India and the US, and have offices in India and the US.

But now when Sujeet goes to visit India, Expedia is where we find the best deals and flights. He's leaving for India again this Friday for 2 1/2 weeks. We found a good ticket through Expedia that goes from Tampa to JFK to Mumbai. He won't have to stop in any 3rd country, which is nice.

Do you mean nonstop (Delta only) JFK-Mumbai, or single-aircraft trips (such as Air India--which makes a stop at Heathrow where one can attempt to "refresh")?

[chri'stina 190]

Yeah, Delta JFK to Mumbai is what Sujeet is taking.

The only thing I am a little worried about is that on his way back, he only has 1 hr & 45 mins at JFK. He arrives and departs in the same terminal, thank God, but if it takes long at customs he might miss his plane back to Tampa. He will be getting there around 7am, and I have no idea if that is a busy time of day for international flights. I hope not!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Arrival Timetable (unfortunately, requires plenty of sifting as domestic flights are also there) Edited March 19, 2007 by CherryXS

[chri'stina 190]

Arrival Timetable (unfortunately, requires plenty of sifting as domestic flights are also there)

Thanks for the link!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

As a consolation, it will be somewhat easier if/when Sujeet naturalises (I'm a little leery about being pretzelised for 15 hours), as it would open Gatwick-Heathrow transits (sometimes, these are economical--but much hassle if you need a UK visa; for me, that was never a problem even BEFORE I got my GC)

[Nikita2Charles 32]

I always get great fares to INdia through airline consolidators( travel agency)

Edited March 20, 2007 by Nikita2Charles