theoldgit

i could not have a refund , because i paid by debit card .

Wonder why they wouldn't give you a refund because you paid by debit card, surly that should make no difference?

I have had a few dealing with AA Customer Services, which in the main have been positive.

I booked a 0 Baht fare to Bali and a couple of weeks before departure I noted a typo in my girlfriends name on the booking, thinking she could be denied boarding or at least be required to book another ticket I called their Customer Services for advice, with the expectation that they would refuse to alter the ticket, however they corrected the name on the ticket without question and free of charge.

Like you we had flights cancelled for outward and return flights to Krabi, I suspect fewer people flying, and were put on alternative flights the same day. The flight times were not that convienient so I called to change them, they were very helpful on the phone and changed the flights without charge, admit I would have been miffed if they had wanted to charge in these circumstances.

Had booked flights to Singapore, again 0 Baht but we paid the taxes, had a change of plan so didn't go. Thought I would try and get the taxes back, sent three emails to the relevant department all of which were ignored, spoke to the girl on the desk at Suvarnabhumi Airport when we were passing through, she smiled and told me that it's a waste of time trying to get a response by email, she processed the refund on the spot and it was credited to my credit card in about a week.

I think it's the luck of the draw dealing with them, but it seems emails are a waste of time and a phone call might get results.

I agree with "elliss" I would think long and hard before I used them for a flight to meet onward travel.

I suspect there will be some good deals on offer from Thai Tiger Airways when they get going, hopefully with Air Asia offering some good headline fares in reply, I don't think AA will go down without a fight.

First of all have a read through this website, it's the company that the UKBA use to receive all the visa application, they do not process the applications. http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/applying.aspx

First a couple of basics, you say you want to take her to the UK, as your return ticket is via the UK, so you will be continuing onto the US, will she be returning to Thailand, or going to the US with you?

She needs to apply for her visa, details on the website, and has to convince an Entry Clearance Officer that the trip is reasonable, affordable and she will leave the UK, either back to Thailand or to the US.

She completes a form, either paper or online, the form is pretty self explanatory, and takes to Regent House, where they will capture her biometric details. When she goes to Regent House she needs to provide the supporting documents, these will include a covering letter explaining the reason for the trip, proof that the trip is affordable and evidence to prove that she will return to Thailand after the trip, for example a letter proving her employment. The website actually details what supporting evidence is required.

If you are paying for the trip, then you should provide a letter of sponsorship saying why you are doing so and providing evidence that you can afford to do so, as well as evidence of your relationship, if in fact that is the case.

This is only a brief outline of the procedure, if you have any more questions ask on here and someone will try and help you.

Just one more thing, you talk about seeing a White Christmas in the UK, they don't have them very often and when the do the whole country grinds to a halt, as happened last year.

Good luck

K-Web shopping card. Anybody used this to book flights?

I've just booked a flight to Singapore with Silk Air, how do you get round the problem of being able to show the credit card used for the booking at check in, as this is now stipulated for most airlines.

You would certainly encounter a problem using you Kasikorn Webcard with Silk Air, this is a lift from their website

The credit card holder will be required to present the credit card used for this purchase upon check-in. Hence, virtual or single-use credit cards are not allowed.

I suggest you contact Silk Air for advice.

The problem is that whilst all airlines will accept online bookings, some insist on seeing the credit card at check in and some don't, there really needs to be a consistant approach.

I think you, as an American, have zero chance of getting her a visa to go to the UK. It is hard enough for an Englishman to get a UK visa for a Thai girlfriend at the best of times.

As an American he doesn't have to get her a visa to go to the UK, she gets her own. A Thai woman with an American boyfriend will probably have a greater chance of getting a visa to visit the UK than if she had a boyfriend in the UK, there is more chance that the ECO might believe she is trying to stay in the UK.

OP, in the circumstances you describe I see no reason why she shouldn't get a visa for a stay in London. You say she has a decent job in Thailand, so as long as she can prove it, that could be considered a good reason to return, and as "gotlost" has pointed out she has proof of previous travel.

As for the other remarks, I think the posters are just bored.

Be aware that some airlines demands to see your Credit Card during Check in.

This applies to Bangkok airways.

And Qatar Airways, they specifically point out on their website that virtual cards cannot be used to make a booking as the card needs to be shown at check in.

I have used my Kasikorn Web Card to make bookings with Air Asia, and didn't have a problem flying.

I used my Kasikorn debit card, in atm's and shops, a few weeks ago in the UK and Europe and never once had a problem. A couple of retailers queried the fact that my card isn't chip and pin but swiped it anyway and it worked every time.

Just like Bridge and Mr.Thai Visa - who went through uni, got qualifications in law, probably had to do more study, and then have to pay for legal insurance and registration and all that other stuff that probably runs into thousands of dollars. As a result of all that training their knowledge of the legal requirements is second to none... Why should they then turn around and offer their services for nowt? They are not a charity!

Lightstar - I hope you don't mind me picking on just one point from your post, and it's really a point of clarification.

Is it a fact that "Mr Thai Visa" went through Uni and got qualifications in law as you state, he certainly has never made that claim on this forum and neither does he make that claim on his website? He certainly is registered with OISC at level one, which involves taking a test to prove proficiency in Immigration issues, and means he is allowed to offer advice in the UK.

Bridge does mention his legal qualifications, maybe the requirements are different when advising on Immigration issues for Australia.

Regarding the point about doctors, in the UK there is a website called NHS Direct, it's a site where people can get medical advice free and may help if you have a minor problem, though it would advise you to visit a doctor if the case might be complicated, this is rather similar to the scenario here.

I am not on the side of any advisor or agent here, I have received advice on this forum and, occasionally, been able to offer it within my limited expertise. I am grateful for the advice offered, albeit pretty briefly, by TVE, as you rightly say he is not a charity, and by Bridge and Integrity Legal for their respective countries.

One final point, and this only refers to the UK, I have always advised people who need an agent to advise on UK Immigration and Visa issues to seek an agent who is OISC registered, and will continue to do so, though there is no requirement to be registered when offering such advice in Thailand. There are many cowboys out there, these are usually the one's lurking about Visa Application Centre's, but there are also a number of agents who are just as qualified and experienced offering a good service but have not registered with OISC because there is no requirement to do so, but that doesn't make them cowboys and doesn't mean their advice is any less reliable, believe me you don't need a degree in law to pass the OISC test.

Yes you girlfriend and your daughter can travel independently from you, you say she already has her permit.

She might be prepared to answer a few questions about you and the visit on arrival at the Border Control, she could well be asked.

Read and inwardly digest OP, certain airlines have certain rules, some airlines demand credit/debit card used for payment at time of booking when checking in at airport, even though payment has been received by airline they still demand the credit/debit card to be produced at time of checkin..is it something to do with big brother watching you.......

An easy thing to do is to read the terms and conditions of each airline to avoid complications...

I agree with the above quote, this area really can be a minefield and not something your girlfriend wants to worry about before her flight.

As an example, this is what Qatar Airlines say about the issue on their website, and I am sure many others have similar rules.

We accept Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club. Please note that we do not accept virtual credit cards since the physical card needs to be presented at check-in for verification.

The card used for payment must be presented at time of check-in or when collecting the tickets. Qatar Airways reserves the right to deny boarding or collect a guarantee payment (in cash or from another card) if the card originally used for the purchase cannot be presented by the cardholder

at check-in or when collecting the tickets.

The bold font is the used on the Qatar website

Well my misses just got refused because she failed a telephone interview in english that they sprung on us with no prior notice and I would say her level of english is very decent.

When you say she failed a telephone interview and her level of English is good, are you suggesting they tested her English over the phone, or, as I think is more likely, the ECO wasn't satisfied with the answers given to questions about her application?

It means your passport is ready for collection

Does it?

If you read the post properly the OP couldn't open the message, and has no idea who it was from, hence the advice to check the tracking facility.

I asked the same question recently, because it'r cheaper to renew in the UK, and was advised to use my old and new passports to enter Thailand, and then go to the Immigration HQ at Chang Wattana to get the permits transferred, free.

It's probably because you haven't given enough information, like when are your travel dates?

They are currently doing pretty frequent test runs, but they are limited.

I think the full service starts later this month, there is already a pretty comprehensive thread running.

Which embassy? Passport from which country?

Previous posts were about UK Visas, that's why I provided the appropriate link.

To put your minds at rest you could check the status of the application on-line, open the link and click on "Track your application".

http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/

Without wishing to be pernickety, you don't apply for any type of visa, your Mother in Law does - sorry but it's an old chestnut of mine.

I would suggest she applies for a visa for a family visit, the requirements are the same but in the event the application is refused she would have the right of appeal.

Yep. 800 Baht total, that was 0 Baht for the ticket, 700 Baht Tax and 100 Baht for using a Credit Card to book, don't think there is any other way to book online.

I agree a pretty amazing offer and it's the second time we have managed it, we also went last November for same price.

You will have to pay additional at least 200 B for a 15 KG bag each way if you need that.

Or we could do what we did last year and carry 7kg each in the cabin for free.

PS - Not sure why you changed my name on the quote?

while I appreciate this is your pension, you are not alone in not getting a good rate of exchange over the past few (many) months. Most expats transferring money from the UK are in the same position all be it that some have more than others to play with.

But that is an another issue completely, and affects everybody who receives money from the UK and other countries.

This thread is about people who are being paid a UK state retirement pension and the fact that it can be paid directly into a Thai bank account, but at a rate far less than could be achieved if they would transfer in British Pounds.

I have researched the figures quoted using Kasikorn's rates, and it seems that it's not a very good rate at all, the figure in red is Kasikorns tourist cash rate on the day and the figure in blue is the telex transfer rate.

It's not very scientific as clearly Citibank would be purchasing the Baht in advance and not on the day it's paid, but there does consistently seem to be a poor rate. Also we have to bare in mind that whilst they say it's a free service they will be costing in their costs.

12.07 = 44.70 - 47.59 / 48.18

14.06 = 43.17 - 46.56 / 47.19

17.05 = 43.51 - 45.52 / 46.05

19.04 = 45.49 - 48.33 / 48.96

22.03 = 44.98 - 47.38 / 48.21

22.02 = 47.14 - 50.14 / 50.98

I am receiving a Civil Service Pension which is also paid in Baht into my Thai bank, I'm too lazy to do a comparatives rate for the six month period, but last months worked out at 47.57 Baht to the GBP.

I'm a couple of years off my State Retirement Pension yet, but I intend having it paid in Stirling into my Nationwide account in the IOM, alongside my Civil Service Pension, even factoring in their £20 fee, it's cost effective, and more so if I can afford to do it quarterly.

Paulchiangmai, I don't know your personal situation, but if you went down this route, it wouldn't pay to do it monthly, you would do slightly better if you transferred money every two months, and far better if you could afford to do it quarterly, with the added benefit of transferring funds when it suited you and the rate was ok.

You apply for whatever visa suits your needs, when you say "us" do you both need a visa?

If you apply for a six month visa, then that's you will get if you are successful.

Have a read through this link http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/ as well as the relevant posts in this forum, if you have any specific questions then ask away.

Was that Bali for 800 as in eight hundred baht? If so holy cow, I will be looking out for their next offer as that is so cheap its almost ridiculous.

Yep. 800 Baht total, that was 0 Baht for the ticket, 700 Baht Tax and 100 Baht for using a Credit Card to book, don't think there is any other way to book online.

I agree a pretty amazing offer and it's the second time we have managed it, we also went last November for same price.

Where?

Most, if not all of the Asean countries, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali are amongst the most interesting ones my girlfriend has visited, visa free, The Maldives is another option.

This is a regular topic so you might want to do a search, though I'm sure there will be loads of suggestions.

We are flying to Bali with Air Asia in a few days time, we paid 800 Baht each, all in, though we did book during one of their offers in November last year.

It's a case of signing up for their Red Alerts offers, hitting the computer as soon as the offers go on sale and of course being flexible and brave with you future travel plans.

We are going to Krabi in September for 260 Baht and this morning we booked to fly to Seoul for 2,500 Baht, though we have to get to KL first.