Questions on POE

[dystopia 112]

Hi! K1 visa issued, now we're ready to purchase flight tickets. Need advice on how to go about purchasing tickets:

1. Can the USC Petitioner purchase tickets online in the States for the beneficiary flying from Manila? Will this be a problem? Is there anything they might require from beneficiary at the airport re: credit card used online?

 

2. We saw this flight at a reasonable price: MNL -> HKG ->(United) SFO -> (United)AUS

SFO is the POE. But only 1.5hr layover in San Francisco. Is this enough time to go through immigration and jump to the next flight? Are they checking out her bags at SFO for the POE even if it's the same airline? Not sure if she's checking out bags and checking in again for the connecting flight. Thank you for your help!!

[wagner17 24]

1. Has not been an issue for me.

 

2. For some people POE is quick, for others it can 2 to 3 hours.  For us the delay was caused because there were a lot of people ahead of us in secondary.

 

Yes, luggage  has to be picked up your  and transferred because your luggage has to go through immigration too.

Edited June 4, 2017 by wagner17
Spelling

[Greenbaum 12,259]

2 hours ago, dystopia said:

Hi! K1 visa issued, now we're ready to purchase flight tickets. Need advice on how to go about purchasing tickets:

1. Can the USC Petitioner purchase tickets online in the States for the beneficiary flying from Manila? Will this be a problem? Is there anything they might require from beneficiary at the airport re: credit card used online?  Yes the USC can purchase the tickets from the states.  Once booked he'll need to send you the booking record number or the link to print the tickets. This all can be done online.

 

2. We saw this flight at a reasonable price: MNL -> HKG ->(United) SFO -> (United)AUS

SFO is the POE. But only 1.5hr layover in San Francisco. Is this enough time to go through immigration and jump to the next flight? Are they checking out her bags at SFO for the POE even if it's the same airline? Not sure if she's checking out bags and checking in again for the connecting flight. Thank you for your help!!  She will have to go through immigration first, then get her luggage and pass through customs, then recheck her luggage with the ongoing airline, then off to the gate to board her next flight.  1.5 hr is not enough time.  Allow at least 3-4 hours to be safe and at that there is no guarantee and at that, immigration is probably where she will be held up if there is any snafu's.  Most travelers get completed within the 2-3 window but.... your dealing with the government.

 

Edited June 4, 2017 by Greenbaum

[MarcosiMedzi 42]

This is also a question in my mind. In the DS-160 theres a question who will sponsor the ticket. Now my fiance is thinking to send me the money and then I will buy the ticket here because he does not want to work with computer stuff.. Is this okay?

[dystopia 112]

Thank You, @Greenbaum and @wagner17!!  

[Teachers 12]

I agree with Greenbaum's advice, excellent as always.  There is simply no way to count on being through immigration and customs in under 2-3 hours.  One might get very lucky.  But it is unlikely.

 

There are some good web sites for shopping for fares, such as Kayak.  By checking every few days, one can get a sense of a good fare.  Once one knows what a good fare is, one can buy with confidence.  There is nothing wrong with buying with cash.  But buying with a credit card from the U.S. can give some consumer protections in case things go wrong.

 

If the ticket is already purchased, I would not change it.  United has 6 non-stops a day from SFO to AUS (Austin).  If your fiance misses her flight, United would just switch her to the next flight, assuming there is room.

 

Also, realize that arrival times across the Pacific (in either direction) are quite wind/weather dependent.  If she arrives 1-2 hours early (due to good tail winds), she might well make the original connection.  If she arrives late (due to lack of tail winds), she could land after the scheduled connection takes off.

 

Tom

[dystopia 112]

1.5hrs layover at POE might not be a good idea after all. We'll search for a better flight. Thank you all for the good advice! 

[Hank_ 9,174]

17 hours ago, dystopia said:

Hi! K1 visa issued, now we're ready to purchase flight tickets. Need advice on how to go about purchasing tickets:

1. Can the USC Petitioner purchase tickets online in the States for the beneficiary flying from Manila? Will this be a problem? Is there anything they might require from beneficiary at the airport re: credit card used online?

 

2. We saw this flight at a reasonable price: MNL -> HKG ->(United) SFO -> (United)AUS

SFO is the POE. But only 1.5hr layover in San Francisco. Is this enough time to go through immigration and jump to the next flight? Are they checking out her bags at SFO for the POE even if it's the same airline? Not sure if she's checking out bags and checking in again for the connecting flight. Thank you for your help!!

 

1)  Yes.  Many airlines require a seeing the CC or a copy.  Most email a copy of the CC and the DL for additional ID to keep the airlines happy.   Some drive to the airport to have the CC verified by the airlines in advance.

 

2)  1.5 hours may be tight.  Process is 1st - clear Immigration (turn in DO NOT OPEN ENVELOPE).. Welcome to America.  2nd - retrieve your luggage to clear customs.  3rd - check the luggage back in for your continued flight.       This is one of those times were more time = less stress.

Edited June 5, 2017 by Hank_

[dystopia 112]

14 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

 

1)  Yes.  Many airlines require a seeing the CC or a copy.  Most email a copy of the CC and the DL for additional ID to keep the airlines happy.   Some drive to the airport to have the CC verified by the airlines in advance.

 

2)  1.5 hours may be tight.  Process is 1st - clear Immigration (turn in DO NOT OPEN ENVELOPE).. Welcome to America.  2nd - retrieve your luggage to clear customs.  3rd - check the luggage back in for your continued flight.       This is one of those times were more time = less stress.

Thanks, @Hank_!! We found a better flight! Way cheaper too when she booked it in PH, and paid at the bank. Thanks everyone! 

[Hank_ 9,174]

I have seen that before where the checking flights from here is cheaper than when checking them from the USA.

 

Safe Travels to  your Fiancee.