Indian eVisa. Thai Airways IT disappointing. Does an Indian visa preclude transfer?

[The Fugitive]

Booked a one-way flight on Thai Airways/Lufthansa from Khon Kaen to UK via Suvarnabhumi, Delhi and Munich. Found out that a transit visa is required for Delhi. However, as that appeared to need an in-person application at Indian Embassy, I decided to instead apply for a 30 day double entry Tourist eVisa for a bargain $10 USD. Pleased to report this was granted within 24 hours. Checked in online for all flights. Thai Airways website asked me to enter my Indian visa number and expiry date. Had hand luggage only so went directly to security and onto the gate. Departing Suvarnabhumi on Thai Airways I was stopped by gate staff. I was told unless I could show them an Indian visa I couldn’t board. Apparently, the visa details I entered into their website don’t link through to airport staff.

 

At Delhi I followed the International Transfer signs. At the transfer desk I was asked why I had no exit stamp from Suvarnabhumi? I explained ‘Egates’. Did I have a visa? Next, ‘What are you even doing here’? They told me I could have stamped into India and then gone to departures and got stamped out. After several phone calls about my lack of Thailand exit stamp and the fact I had a visa I was reluctantly directed through to security.

[JimmyJake]

In any country, if you need a visa, you don't use the international transit--You need to go out through immigration, get stamped into the country and then back through departures.  You were very lucky they let you through without that hassle.  

 

Guessing wherever you bought that ticket gave you separate tickets for each airline.  Better to buy tickets direct from an airline and check the transit requirements before buying.

[Daves not here]

India immigration has gone nuts these days.  ++ if you are Canadian.

[The Fugitive]

2 hours ago, JimmyJake said:

In any country, if you need a visa, you don't use the international transit--You need to go out through immigration, get stamped into the country and then back through departures.  You were very lucky they let you through without that hassle.  

 

Guessing wherever you bought that ticket gave you separate tickets for each airline.  Better to buy tickets direct from an airline and check the transit requirements before buying.

Thanks for your information. I was short of passport pages but managed all four flights/three transits without any stamps.

 

My route was put together by SkyScanner and booked with 'Mytrip' as one booking. Transits at Suvarnabhumi and Delhi were both highlighted as 'Self-transfers'.