apparently Air Asia does not require proof on onward travel

[Wimbledon]

Its always best to jave a Backup plan so you dont take it greek style having to purchase some ticket you cant get refunded ! at an embassy in Europe ,they asked for my onward ticket in applying for tourist visa once .i told her that i was bussing it around Asia after thailand .So she made me have a hotel reservation then paperwork confirmed and she suggested Laos . i used a Laos hotel on site Airbrb however they can take 2 or more days in that country to confirm .So i went back with the reservation online paper and asked immediately if that would be a problem ,since Laos is a bit slow! Lol no problem , but all this is up to officials so you are in their hands

Edited November 17, 2013 by Wimbledon

[TheWeeknd]

I got asked for the first time recently when flying from Busan S. Korea to Osaka Japan. Airline was Peach, a budget JPN one.

I hadn't yet bought a ticket out of Japan. They asked me to sign a statement to make it my responsibility if Japan sent me back. No big deal or drama though.

[slipperylobster]

Not sure what are rambling about but as a very prolific traveler my self having boarded

hundreds of planes and gone to hundreds destinations, no one ever asked for any

kind of proof of onward travel ( not even sure what is it )

Sounds like you may have missed a few countries...such as the Philippines. They will, however, escort you upstairs (NAI Airport) where you may buy one.

Rubbish.

[slipperylobster]

It also occured to me that if you pass through immigration and they have your incoming flight number, they may be able to determine that you have purchased a round trip ticket (on their computer screen). I do not know if this actually happens, but it makes sense that they would not ask for proof of onward travel (if they could get that information). Also, you may be given the benefit of the doubt if you had made several previous trips. Speculating on this because I was just as curious as the OP.

Come to think of it, I was able to talk my way out of the Philippines once, buy saying I had made arrangements with my travel agency in Pattaya, and I only needed to show up. I gave them a business card with contact information. This was an impromptu song and dance, but they let me through.

One other thing, what about purchasing a bus ticket from Nong Khai to Vientiane? Very inexpensive and might even work.

[ubonjoe]

Immigration does not have access to an airlines passenger information.

A bus or train ticket will not work.

[TheNativeSon]

FACT: If you book a flight to Australia or New Zealand, via Air Asia, they will definitely ask you for an "onward" itinerary, or a return ticket to point of origin.

[slipperylobster]

I bought a round trip ticket to the USA last February. When I used my return ticket, I flew into the Philippines before coming back to Thailand. When asked where my return ticket (to the USA) was, I just shrugged and told the I lived in the Philippines for 18 years, as that was my home address. I showed my Permanent Residence "I" Card (It was expired), my bank book, and driver's license. The lady at the check in counter looked confused, and talked to some other people..and bam...I was ok.

As you can see...just one more issue, that many of these "experienced traveller posters" fail to recognize. Onward Travel/or return tickets...are important considerations.....

[iamariva1957]

I have traveled all over the world and never once been asked to proof onward travel. Thailand is such a place. I have come here many a time on flights that are months a part (like 7 months a part) and have never been denied being able to board the aircraft or had any trouble at passport control here in LOS... or anywhere else for that matter. I have been asked if I know that I will only get 30-days when entering... but I always tell them that I know that and that I have plans to travel out on short breaks when I am there. Actually the airlines cannot refuse you getting on the plane for visa issues. They like to leave that one alone and leave it to the Immigration people at the other end. More money in for them you see. Also their checking personnel are not always versed in the rules and regulations and can only read it on their monitor screens when checking you in. But now with online check in... all there is, is a disclaimer as a warning of a potential issue... if it is ever brought up at the other end. The worst thing they will do is have you sign a paper stating that you will not hold the airline responsible if you are stopped. I am speaking from experience and though it might just be my luck... I do not think that it is a real issue. Travel is far to easy now, and with the likes of Air Asia, etc... onward travel for short hops is known by all servicing this area

[iamariva1957]

Also... I got my double entry Thai Visa from the consulate in LA with a round trip ticket that read August (departing) to May (returning). No issue and no questions and no I did it myself this time. At check in I was not asked about it and never once did the check in staff member even look at the Thai Visa on page 9 of my US passport! So it might just be the way things actually work rather than the way they are supposed to work. Furthermore it is the individual's responsibility to abide by the local laws... not the airline to play policemen. The worst thing is that they will have you sign off on their disclaimer so that you cannot hold them responsible if you are refused entry due to the length of your return ticket, as I have already said. The trouble some of you have had in Japan and the Philippines is beyond me as I have traveled to both many time and actually I had no out-bound ticket when I entered the Philippines. In Japan I just walked straight through with no problem... maybe because of my US Passport? That could have been the deciding issue for both. I have no idea.

[slipperylobster]

Seeing is believing..

This should clear up the issue. I took the liberty of researching the information from Air Asia website...so it is right from the horse's mouth. Notice it calls for..

1. Valid Passport

2. Visas (when required)

3. A return/onward ticket

"The general rule for international travel is that you must ensure your passport is still valid for at least another six (6) months at the end of your travel date, the applicable visa(s), and a return or an onward journey ticket. The system can't block you from purchasing the ticket as it won't be able to track the requirements you need to travel."

http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do?id=147&name=What+travel+documents+do+I+need%3f+Do+I+need+a+Visa%3f

I am not going to do this for each and every airline...but I bet they are all the same.

Whether you have been asked for a return ticket/onward travel is a different story.... Good for you, but no dice.

[ubonjoe]

Just use this website that gives info from a IATA database. http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/#

[Gazza]

4 months ago I flew BKK-KL-BKK with Air Asia. Got my 30 day VE stamp.

No-one asked to see an onward ticket even though I had one for Hat Yai - KL (one-way) which cost me approx 1500b. No big deal but does give peace of mind. You never know when they will have a 'purge' and have to do things by the book.

[Ulic]

I have been asked more than a few times. Several times on a layover. One of those in Copenhagen on my Toronto to

Bangkok flight, and another in KUL on my way to Tahiti. I had a one way ticket to Auckland and a 24 hour layover there.

Air Malaysia pulled me out of the boarding line after my Phuket to KUL leg and said New Zealand customs had flagged me

and requested the proof. Most people have round trip tickets and are totally unaware. The other times when leaving Canada

I just showed my triple entry visa and there were no issues but one should be properly prepared. One other thing, if you are

caught out at the airport and you decide to buy a second one way, fully refundable (VERY EXPENSIVE) ticket out to satisfy the

gate agent which you then intend on cancelling and getting the refund. Most important, make sure the second ticket is not attached

to the fist as part of the itinerary. Once you start the trip you may not be able to cancel the second leg for a refund. It needs to be kept

as a separate one-way ticket.

[slipperylobster]

I have been asked more than a few times. Several times on a layover. One of those in Copenhagen on my Toronto to

Bangkok flight, and another in KUL on my way to Tahiti. I had a one way ticket to Auckland and a 24 hour layover there.

Air Malaysia pulled me out of the boarding line after my Phuket to KUL leg and said New Zealand customs had flagged me

and requested the proof. Most people have round trip tickets and are totally unaware. The other times when leaving Canada

I just showed my triple entry visa and there were no issues but one should be properly prepared. One other thing, if you are

caught out at the airport and you decide to buy a second one way, fully refundable (VERY EXPENSIVE) ticket out to satisfy the

gate agent which you then intend on cancelling and getting the refund. Most important, make sure the second ticket is not attached

to the fist as part of the itinerary. Once you start the trip you may not be able to cancel the second leg for a refund. It needs to be kept

as a separate one-way ticket.

I consider your post as more informative on what could possibly happened. The "seasoned travellers" who have never, ever had been asked, might have never tried to fly without a round trip/onward travel. I currently fly about 8 flights a year, and have been doing that for forty years(career military), so i have a great amount of personal experience. Many times I have not been checked, only because I had purchased a round trip ticket. You will absolutely be asked for proof of return when you leave the USA for a foreign destination. If you have not, then somebody screwed up, or they somehow know that you live overseas. When you arrive in the Philippines on a one way ticket, especially Manila, (I now choose to fly into Clark) you will definitely be asked for a onward or return ticket as well. Purchasing a round trip from Thailand to the USA can sometimes be cheaper, but before you get on your flight coming back to Thailand, they will be asking you for about your plans to return.. Like I metioned in a previous post, proof of residence abroad (Philippine Immigration I-Card ) took care of that. I now live in Thailand, but I believe your best visa and or extension for staying here expires each year. Cambodia might have something similar to the Philippines.

[ubonjoe]

I have flown out of the US many times on a one way ticket but have had a visa to show if asked. You do not have to have a return ticket just proof of onward travel or a visa for your destination country if required.

Edited November 17, 2013 by ubonjoe

[slipperylobster]

So many ideas here, so I just noticed the OP started this thread as "apparently Air Asia does not require proof on onward travel"

All the input has been helpful, circumstances and travel arrangements, visas, residency overseas, all play a part.

The correct answer is "Yes" they do...for international travel. However it specifically states "In General". So exceptions are possible.

Visas alone (as their are many kinds) do not exclude the requirement....for example, a single entry. I know this to be true.

Requirements again from air asia,

1. passport

2. Visa (if required)

and !!!

3. Onward/Return trip

This is not my opinion, it is well document on the Air Asia site. No room for debates. If you get through without this, good.

[Mario2008]

A visa does exclude the recruirement for a ticket out o the country within 30 days of arrival. The ATA database, which member airlines can check, states so and is also what is being checked by aililnes. Travelling on a one-way ticket they ask to see my visa and all is well.

[fdbob]

Officially (read: OFFICIALLY) you must have proof of outbound-travel arrangements by air if you use the visa-exempt option.

Immigration or airliner not asking for it doesn't mean anything. Point is, if (read: IF) you are getting refused entry because of the lack of outbound-travel arrangements, the airliner has to take you back to your original destination.

If people say: I've been traveling hundreds of times and have never been checked; possible, but at some point, Thai immigration will pick-up the enforcement of the regulation.

For the OP: I went to KL and BDO last week and upon return from KL to DMK (yesterday) AirAsia didn't check for any flight-arrangement neither did immigration.

. Was only asked once by Thai Airways in Perth when I pointed out I had a1year visa it was fine.

[movsrus]

Air Asia may not require an on-going reservation to travel but both Kuwait Air and Cebu Pacific did when I flew from BKK to the Philippines on my last two trips. Kuwait would not even accept the copy of my Travelocity reservation but made me wait at the check-in counter until they could verify it in some kind of data base.

[bgrvian]

A little off subject, but book a one way ticket in the USA or book last minute and buy at the airport guarantee's a SSSS stamp on your boarding pass, which means spending about 30 minutes at security being checked for everything possible related to drugs and weapons. Last minute, one way, pay in cash, no checked luggage and you'll probably miss you flight due to security delay.

[slipperylobster]

A visa does exclude the recruirement for a ticket out o the country within 30 days of arrival. The ATA database, which member airlines can check, states so and is also what is being checked by aililnes. Travelling on a one-way ticket they ask to see my visa and all is well.

However....this does not hold up. For example, when leaving the USA in particular, they will still ask for the return, as in my case. Granted, it was not Air Asia, but EVA.

[lopburi3]

An onward ticket - not a return ticket.

[moe666]

Never been asked myself until last year by Cebu pacific desk person on a Palawan to Bkk flight. It took about 10 min. for me to explain to her I didn't need a onward bound ticket as I had a extension of stay good until Feb.2013. I showed her the extension and the re-entry permit but she wasn't getting it at first just took a while.

[impulse]

There's a lot of times I don't get asked to prove onward travel.

Like when I fly R/T on the same itinerary. The nice lady behind the check-in counter has my entire itinerary on her screen.

That's more definitive than any e-ticket I could have easily falsified and printed.

[slipperylobster]

There's a lot of times I don't get asked to prove onward travel.

Like when I fly R/T on the same itinerary. The nice lady behind the check-in counter has my entire itinerary on her screen.

That's more definitive than any e-ticket I could have easily falsified and printed.

Thats a good example of not needing proof..... but Round trip tickets are self explanatory....aren't they?

As far as onward travel....that a bit more complicated. I leave New York, and they chase me down asking for proof that I am ever coming back. Then I say, hey, I got a visa to Thailand for 2 months so I don't need a return. The airline says, well, you cannot board. Then I say, well I have this ticket from Bangkok to the Philippines (onward travel). They look at me again and shake their heads...very nice, you are visiting two places this year....but I need to see your return trip. Thats when I flash the Philippine I-Card for permanent residency. Now their requirement for a round trip has been negated, and I have the onward travel to deal with in the Philippines. (The I-card is expired and I enter visa exempt for 21 days). That is where the problem occurs.

[slipperylobster]

Air Asia website says round trip/onward... they don't care or specify ..one or the other

[slipperylobster]

Air Asia may not require an on-going reservation to travel but both Kuwait Air and Cebu Pacific did when I flew from BKK to the Philippines on my last two trips. Kuwait would not even accept the copy of my Travelocity reservation but made me wait at the check-in counter until they could verify it in some kind of data base.

Yes. Indeed. And the OP never mentioned exceptions such as visa holders and long term residency in arrival country. The OP only implied that apparently Air Asia does not require proof of onward travel. Exceptions are many, I argue with no one. but fact remains....there is a requirement and there are exceptions. But I do believe the OP now is aware that one cannot simply fly to an international destination without the risk of having proof of onward travel. Airlines may differ in their approach, and I have stood in line trying to check in and would have people in front of me argue with the Check In Personnel about this. Many times these people have been sent out of line to go print out their itineraries. As usual, the self proclaimed experts will deny any knowledge or experience with this issue...and I am not sure if this is just denial, trolling, or whatever..

The OP contacted Air Asia and was given advice which contradicts their website. I tend to believe the website, as perhaps the employee was quoting a practice of looking the other way. but not aware of the website information.

[tartempion]

Also... I got my double entry Thai Visa from the consulate in LA with a round trip ticket that read August (departing) to May (returning). No issue and no questions and no I did it myself this time. At check in I was not asked about it and never once did the check in staff member even look at the Thai Visa on page 9 of my US passport! So it might just be the way things actually work rather than the way they are supposed to work. Furthermore it is the individual's responsibility to abide by the local laws... not the airline to play policemen. The worst thing is that they will have you sign off on their disclaimer so that you cannot hold them responsible if you are refused entry due to the length of your return ticket, as I have already said. The trouble some of you have had in Japan and the Philippines is beyond me as I have traveled to both many time and actually I had no out-bound ticket when I entered the Philippines. In Japan I just walked straight through with no problem... maybe because of my US Passport? That could have been the deciding issue for both. I have no idea.

Well if you hold a valid visa there is no need for a return ticket....Some countries do not require a visa neither depending on your nationality.

And again: if you do NOT have a valid visa AND you get denied entry to the country you travel to because you do not hold a return ticket the carrying airline

will have to arrange your return at their expense, therefore you might be denied boarding at port of origin.

Guess why I know?

I worked for an airline in a previous life.

[Mario2008]

The airline can also be fined for carrying a passenger who does not hold the required documents.

[wileycoyote]

Surely the onward travel documentation is a requirement for Immigration