I've read on a Thai-language website that Air Asia will give you a refund (less a small fee) if you book a flight from KL to the UK before applying for a visa and the visa is subsequently refused. I can't find this information on the Air Asia website. (In fact, the website states the opposite.) Does anyone know if this is true?

Thanks in advance.

If their own website states that they wont give you a refund then I would surmise that they wont give you a refund!

The UKBA's advice is, and always has been, not to buy a ticket until one knows one has the visa.

I had trouble with A thai aorline,I put A dispute in with the credit card.I received some money back around 25-30%.I believe when these airlines get your money,it's very hard to get it back.Rhats only my opinion.

The scheduled airlines with their fully refundable or switchable fares - more expensive of course - are appropriate to your situation if you can't wait. Some of the Middle East airlines have cheapish fares that have only limited penalties for cancellation though (I'm thinking about £75 from memory).

I would have thought an airline doesn't allow you to fly unless you have a visa. Though I can't honestly say how often I am asked.

When I was going from Australia to live in New Zealand in 2000 I flew with Qantas and they checked my visa because I only had a 1 way ticket but they insisted I have a return ticket. They said this was because I was only a permanent resident of Aus. I said that if I was a permanent resident of Aus then I was automatically a permanent resident of NZ. They didn't agree so I had to buy a return ticket then and there to get on the flight.

No surprises that when I got off in NZ I was told it was a load of tosh and I only needed a 1 way ticket. Took me 4 months to get the refund of my return ticket.

I think it is something about the airline must ensure a flyer has a visa otherwise they get a fine.

Edited January 2, 201115 yr by Wallaby

I would have thought an airline doesn't allow you to fly unless you have a visa.

Correctish. Most airlines will refuse to carry passengers on international flights unless they are happy that the passenger will be allowed in at the other end; i.e. they have a visa or do not need one.

Though I can't honestly say how often I am asked.

When checking in in for an international flight they want to see your passport. This is to check the above. So you are effectively asked every time.

I think it is something about the airline must ensure a flyer has a visa otherwise they get a fine.

Indeed.

In the circumstances you describe, the extra ticket was purchased due to the airlines incompetence, so you were entitled to a refund. Purchasing a ticket before receiving the visa is not only the individuals choice, but also against the advice of most embassies and most airlines; so no refund is due, except at the discretion of the airline (unlikely, especially in this case as Air Asia do say that they will not refund in these circumstances!).