K1 Roundtrip to USA

[italiano19 0]

Ok I have a question,

My fiancee and I are waiting on her visa interview in Colombia. She has never flown on a plane and I do not want her to go through the major headaches she would have to deal with especially since she doesnt speak any english. My idea is this:

I wanted to know if I would be able to purchase tickets for us both from orbitz.com roundtrip from VA to Colombia and Colombia to VA. I know this is confusing but check this out.

1) Purchase roundtrip ticket from orbitz.com

2) GO to Colombia to pick her up and have an empty seat on the plane all to myself. (VA to COlombia)

3) On our way back her ticket was already purchased so we will be next to each other the whole flight back to the US with K1 in hand (COlombia to VA)

I am trying to do this because if I was to give her the money to purchase a one way ticket there is no guarantee we will be seating next to each other or if a opening is even available (US based stops)

THank you

[christeen 966]

Unfortunatly that is not possible since airlines require that you take the first leg of the trip in order for the return to be valid. In other words, if you buy two tickets and she does not take the first flight from the USA, then the return will automatically be invalid.

Best to just be certain that you book her on the same flight as you coming back to the USA, you can call the airlines ahead of time to get seats together or at worst case, trade with people on the plane (however I have only had to do that one time in 9 years, usually the airline is able to put us together). You might be able to get a better deal for her ticket by buying a RT and only using the first portion coming the the US...she would not use the return which is fine... whatever is cheaper

Unfortunatly that is not possible since airlines require that you take the first leg of the trip in order for the return to be valid. In other words, if you buy two tickets and she does not take the first flight from the USA, then the return will automatically be invalid.

Best to just be certain that you book her on the same flight as you coming back to the USA, you can call the airlines ahead of time to get seats together or at worst case, trade with people on the plane (however I have only had to do that one time in 9 years, usually the airline is able to put us together). You might be able to get a better deal for her ticket by buying a RT and only using the first portion coming the the US...she would not use the return which is fine... whatever is cheaper

And FYI, they usually fill the second seat, it is not registered to you and when the person is a no-show they give the set to standby people

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Unfortunately no this won't work. If your fiancee doesn't use the first half of the ticket she "gives up" her seat (or so is my understanding).

Depending on your airline this is the standard response:

"If you do not turn up for your outbound flight, most airlines now automatically record this as a 'no-show' and cancel any onward or return flights. In some cases it may be possible to keep the return flight - call to confirm the airline's policy."

An idea might be to book a one-way for you to get to her, and then book your two one-way's together. Tickets purchased together are usually seated together so this will solve that problem.

Good luck with your choice!

Edited January 10, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[NatPatBen 3]

When my then-fiance and I flew back from Jamaica after receiving the passport with visa, I had them change my seat assignment so that we could sit next to each other. It wasn't an issue, but the flight wasn't 100% full.

If the flight is 100% full, you may have trouble, but otherwise, it should be fine.

[baron555 934]

Ok I have a question,

My fiancee and I are waiting on her visa interview in Colombia. She has never flown on a plane and I do not want her to go through the major headaches she would have to deal with especially since she doesnt speak any english. My idea is this:

I wanted to know if I would be able to purchase tickets for us both from orbitz.com roundtrip from VA to Colombia and Colombia to VA. I know this is confusing but check this out.

1) Purchase roundtrip ticket from orbitz.com

2) GO to Colombia to pick her up and have an empty seat on the plane all to myself. (VA to COlombia)

3) On our way back her ticket was already purchased so we will be next to each other the whole flight back to the US with K1 in hand (COlombia to VA)

I am trying to do this because if I was to give her the money to purchase a one way ticket there is no guarantee we will be seating next to each other or if a opening is even available (US based stops)

THank you

Excellent plan.

[leith@Ievgeniia 8]

there may be loophole.. the fatty fatty seat. airlines will sell a 2nd seat 4 u to use if you say your fat and cannot fit in one seat.

if 2 seats are important to you....you might try this..but it will not help you on return flight

mmmmmmm well that might not help u at all...

sorry

[payxibka 10,045]

Excellent plan.

Except if he does #2, then #3 will fail....

[italiano19 0]

I thank you all for your assistance and I do believe I have found a way thanks to Christeen and Vanessa&Tony

The new idea is this:

1) Purchase a one way ticket to Colombia from orbitz.com

2) Purchase both of our tickets on the return from COlombia to Washington,DC through COPA Airlines and purchase Washington DC to VA tickets through orbitz.com all of this done ahead of time of course...If all else fails can rent a vehicle for our return trip.

Thanks again everyone.

[Old Dominion 26]

Of course, make no reservations until the visa is in hand, as per the advice of the Dept. of State.

[christeen 966]

I thank you all for your assistance and I do believe I have found a way thanks to Christeen and Vanessa&Tony

The new idea is this:

1) Purchase a one way ticket to Colombia from orbitz.com

2) Purchase both of our tickets on the return from COlombia to Washington,DC through COPA Airlines and purchase Washington DC to VA tickets through orbitz.com all of this done ahead of time of course...If all else fails can rent a vehicle for our return trip.

Thanks again everyone.

Good Luck!!! Have a safe trip... But do not purchase until visa is in hand!!!