Onward flight unpopular forum opinion

[aussiexpat]

I've seen many people worried about not having an onward flight and so many members on here tell them they must buy a cheap ticket somewhere, or use the rent a flight sites. This post is purely to try and relax some people who feel stressed

 

I travel here 3-4 times a year on visa exempt + 30 day extensions (live 6-7 months a year in Thailand). I have traveled with one-way ticket or return flight 60 days later to cater for the 30 day day extension, never had a problem.

 

This year, I traveled with one way ticket in January (stayed 4 months) and just arrived yesterday with return ticket 75 days after arrival.

 

I was shocked that the IO actually asked me a question yesterday for the first time in 14 years coming to Thailand, which went something like this

 

IO: how long you stay this time?

Me: I stay 75 days, 45 days visa exempt + 30 days extension. I always get extension to stay longer

IO: OK

 

All I got from this is that I'm glad they never asked me questions before as I gave far too much information for the question asked lol

 

Edited October 12, 2022 by aussiexpat

[FarAngMoh]

Isn’t it usually the airline that is more of a stickler about having the onward/return ticket, unless you have a residency type of visa?

[aussiexpat]

1 minute ago, FarAngMoh said:

Isn’t it usually the airline that is more of a stickler about having the onward/return ticket, unless you have a residency type of visa?

Either way, airline or immigration have never resulted in an issue with my one way or return flight ticket well past the 30 day visa exempt entry into Thailand

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, FarAngMoh said:

Isn’t it usually the airline that is more of a stickler about having the onward/return ticket, unless you have a residency type of visa?

That's correct.

If asked for onward flight it would be from the airline at departure not immigration upon arrival.

That would only occur flying without visa or reentry permit. 

 

Edited October 12, 2022 by DrJack54

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, aussiexpat said:

Either way, airline or immigration have never resulted in an issue with my one way or return flight ticket well past the 30 day visa exempt entry into Thailand

Who cares.

It does occur.

Seems more common with low cost airlines and even moreso with flights from nearby countries such as Vietnam etc. 

 

[aussiexpat]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Who cares.

It does occur.

Seems more common with low cost airlines and even moreso with flights from nearby countries such as Vietnam etc. 

 

"Who cares" I obviously do hence the post to stop newbies stressing and wasting money on a flight they don't need or booking a flight to their visa exempt date and then having to pay a change fee for their actual departure date 

 

Edited October 12, 2022 by aussiexpat

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

"Who cares" I obviously do hence the post to stop newbies stressing and wasting money on a flight they don't need 

Yes yes your continual posting on this topic and even now starting a thread is based on YOUR experience.

If I recall correctly you do not fly Jetstar from Oz.

 

In any event the advice posted by many is basically that it does occur (requirement for onward flight),  even though not in your personal experience.

 

 

 

 

[aussiexpat]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes yes your continual posting on this topic and even now starting a thread is based on YOUR experience.

If I recall correctly you do not fly Jetstar from Oz.

 

In any event the advice posted by many is basically that it does occur (requirement for onward flight),  even though not in your personal experience.

 

You've missed the point of this thread which is to give people a different perspective to you always promoting the opposite. In fact you've justified the reason for this thread as again you insist we should all get an onward flight, which is obviously not the case

 

Edited October 12, 2022 by aussiexpat

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

why do you even comment as we already know your view that we must get an onward flight!

There are options that are outlined to help travellers feel relaxed.

They include trying to obtain boarding pass and if onward flight is requested then step away from counter and book cheapest onward flight.

Another option is the "rent a ticket" websites.

Also suggest to airline that you are happy to sign a waiver.

Etc etc.

BTW it is not myself only suggesting these options when asked by posters.

Think I'm in pretty good company with an expert such as ubonjoe suggesting the same. 

 

[aussiexpat]

I qoute this from the OP

"This post is purely to try and relax some people who feel stressed"

I'm not here to argue with the "must have onward ticket" brigade so won't reply to these posters anymore

[NoDisplayName]

16 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

You've missed the point of this thread which is to give people a different perspective to you always promoting the opposite. In fact you've justified the reason for this thread as again you insist we should all get an onward flight, which is obviously not the case

 

You didn't need an onward flight, which is a wonderful anecdote to tell the grandkids.  I was required to show an onward ticket flying Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong, arriving visa exempt.  No tickee, no boardee!

 

From these two data points, how are we to determine which passengers will be asked for an onward ticket at the check-in counter?   Short answer -- we can't.  Best to be prepared.  $14 is cheap insurance.

 

Edited October 12, 2022 by NoDisplayName

[Paul Catton]

6 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

You've missed the point of this thread which is to give people a different perspective to you always promoting the opposite. In that case, why do you even comment as we already know your view that we must get an onward flight!

The point is most "Airline" regulations deem it necessary to validate your travel to the country they are conveying you to.

Thailand requires proof of onward travel from the validity of proposed stay being granted.

Visa's or an exemption doesn't give automatic entry. 

Days of being a  "Cavalier" on one way tickets traversing the globe ended back in the early 1980's.  

[Myran]

This is such a brave post. Literally getting chills and goosebumps over here.

[In the jungle]

I doubt this thread serves any useful purpose.

 

It is just going to go round and round in circles.

[Olmate]

How was.the cost compared to last visit if you could share? 

[pomchop]

never been asked and flown in on dozen or more different airlines, big and small, on no visa, tourist visa, etc,  from close by and far away....

up to you

[aussiexpat]

I give up. This thread was supposed to give some people some hope that they don't need to waste money buying throw away tickets or fake tickets. So be it, follow the know it all Asean forum members always insisting on buying onward tickets or you'll be banned from entering Thailand lol

 

Meanwhile I'll continue to enjoy my 6-7 months a year in Thailand with no onward ticket as a non-issue

 

[Lemsta69]

55 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

"Who cares" I obviously do hence the post to stop newbies stressing and wasting money on a flight they don't need or booking a flight to their visa exempt date and then having to pay a change fee for their actual departure date 

 

every time I've flown SYD-BKK visa exempt I've been asked for onward flight at check-in.  I believe you live on the Goldy so you'd be ex-BNE.  I guess they're a bit more relaxed up there.  you got lucky, buy a lottelee ticket.

[Lemsta69]

1 hour ago, FarAngMoh said:

Isn’t it usually the airline that is more of a stickler about having the onward/return ticket, unless you have a residency type of visa?

correct. airlines get fined if they deliver pax that don't meet the destination country's entry requirements. plus they're responsible for repatriation etc so it makes sense for them to pre-screen pax at check-in. 

 

my understanding is that there is an IATA database they look up that tells them what the requirements are.  many reports here of members being asked for onward tickets. myself most recently as December last year ex-SYD on TG. 

 

it's unclear why some people don't get asked and some do so there's no point speculating. YMMV as they say in the States.

[CFCjeff]

Ok so if the airline or immigration refuse me  boarding or entry i will tell them  aussiexpat said i didnt need an onward ticket.

[Mickeem]

Several days ago I had to show my onward flight at Stansted to board a Emirates flight without  a visa

 

As for the immigration reception at BKK and 1 hour interrogation regarding past extended stays during the European winter months I will leave for another topic

 

 

[gargamon]

People are so dense about this topic.

 

I've flown in with a return scheduled 6 months later. Occasionally the airline requires a return/onward ticket within a shorter time period. If that happens, I leave the counter, book a flight on Expedia where you have 24 hours to cancel for most flights(indicated when you select a flight), and return to the counter and proceed. After I'm through there and at the gate, I cancel the Expedia flight. No costs, no problem. And if immigration asks, you now have the canceled Expedia ticket to show. 

 

I do show up to the airport an hour earlier to allow enough time to do this if necessary.

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, gargamon said:

I've flown in with a return scheduled 6 months later. Occasionally the airline requires a return/onward ticket within a shorter time period. If that happens, I leave the counter,.....

 

This was advised in my post at the start....

 

"There are options that are outlined to help travellers feel relaxed.

 

They include trying to obtain boarding pass and if onward flight is requested then step away from counter and book cheapest onward flight"...

 

Making folk aware of that option. Obviously requires internet connection. 

 

Edited October 12, 2022 by DrJack54

[gargamon]

37 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

This was advised in my post at the start....

 

"There are options that are outlined to help travellers feel relaxed.

 

They include trying to obtain boarding pass and if onward flight is requested then step away from counter and book cheapest onward flight"...

 

Making folk aware of that option. Obviously requires internet connection. 

 

You missed my point. I don't care if it's the cheapest onward flight, as it will be canceled shortly anyway. It's a valid, temporary ticket that satisfies all the requirements and costs absolutely nothing. You do need a credit card, of course.

 

And as I said in my first post, some people are dense...

Edited October 12, 2022 by gargamon

[DrJack54]

Just now, gargamon said:

You missed my point. I don't care if it's the cheapest onward flight, as it will be canceled shortly anyway. It's a valid, temporary ticket that satisfies all the requirements and costs absolutely nothing. You do need a credit card, of course.

Didn't miss the point at all.

This topic has been done to death.

There are various options that suit various folk.

Your post is nothing new. 

[Sparktrader]

3 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

"Who cares" I obviously do hence the post to stop newbies stressing and wasting money on a flight they don't need or booking a flight to their visa exempt date and then having to pay a change fee for their actual departure date 

 

I got asked 2 or 3 times. I wouldnt been able to travel otherwise.

 

Your 1 person experience doesnt mean they never ask. Its pot luck.

[Sparktrader]

1 hour ago, CFCjeff said:

Ok so if the airline or immigration refuse me  boarding or entry i will tell them  aussiexpat said i didnt need an onward ticket.

Yes. His advice is not reliable. 

[KIngsofisaan]

Do you honestly think every single person that comes into Thailand is going to have the same experience as you?  

 

Good grief!

[Lemsta69]

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

People are so dense about this topic.

 

I've flown in with a return scheduled 6 months later. Occasionally the airline requires a return/onward ticket within a shorter time period. If that happens, I leave the counter, book a flight on Expedia where you have 24 hours to cancel for most flights(indicated when you select a flight), and return to the counter and proceed. After I'm through there and at the gate, I cancel the Expedia flight. No costs, no problem. And if immigration asks, you now have the canceled Expedia ticket to show. 

 

I do show up to the airport an hour earlier to allow enough time to do this if necessary.

if that works for you then more power to you.  I'll likely forget to cancel the ticket because so excited to be back in Thighland ergo rent-a-ticket is my go-to. doesn't mean I'm dense, diff'rent strokes and all that.

[bear9]

Traveling without an onward fly ticket is just silly when the airline requires it considering how cheap onward fly tickets are.

 

Actually you can do it for free you just pay more to book a fully refundable flight which I’ve done before than cancel the flight when you get to Thailand.

 

When the check in desks tell you you need an onward ticket most people don’t want the bother and time of doing this as sometimes it can take 2 attempts to go through.

 

Its poor planning not to already have something planned in advance before the airline tells you you need it.