Non o 1 year visa, airline asking for onward ticket

[steelepulse]

A little while back my family and I returned to TH after a holiday.  My daughter has dual passports and I have a one year non O visa.  Airline asked me to show onward airline ticket and I told them that it isn't necessary with a non O and they insisted that it was indeed necessary as they had it "in their system" that Thailand requires this.  They then insisted that they take a photo of me for their records of which I refused.  After talking with their boss, they then backed down but did take a photo of my passport page as well as my non O visa.  I really don't think this is necessary nor required under Thai immigration law, but I had no choice at this point.

 

For my daughter they insisted to see her airline ticket out as she was coming in on a visa exempt status if using her foreign passport.  Is it true that now every citizen from the west that will arrive on a visa exempt entry has to show an out bound flight, even on first entry?  Once we showed my daughter's Thai passport than she was fine, but I didn't know that an outbound flight ticket was necessary if on a visa exempt entry/passport.

 

Was the airline ( PR= Philippine Airlines) and "their system" right or wrong here?

[Tanoshi]

Onward flight tickets have always been required if entering on Visa exempt.

 

You certainly don't need onward tickets if entering on a Non Imm O.

I think a little was lost in translation. You should have shown your daughters Thai passport at check in to prove her right to entry to avoid any disputes or misunderstandings.

[Somtamnication]

Airline screwed up.

[steelepulse]

No one I know that comes here on a regular annual basis has been asked by their airline to see a return ticket, even if traveling on different airlines to and fro or without a return ticket at all.

 

What really puzzles me is their need to take a mugshot, then changing their mind to only taking a photo of my passport page and my visa.  I have no idea why that is necessary for "their system" as I seriously doubt Thai immigration insists on these photos with a valid one year visa.

 

There was absolutely no communication error, the PR gate staff spoke perfect English in an English speaking country.

[BEVUP]

You guys maybe right but I think it is the airline themselves that demand an outward ticket to ensure your safety (probably so they don't have to pay )

Iv'e had this several times happen to me in Auss & even had to go to the trouble & fire up the computer to show them that it was in my emails

& that was after trying to tell the Id***t (due to his demanding rudeness) that there was no need on a "O" Marriage

[IgboChief]

Avoid PH Airlines at all cost, they are crap -- especially for a national carrier.

Now on that Ticket request: happens to me frequently, especially in West Africa. I have a few PR's so the Airport security (never the Airline though) thinks I was flying out (instead I actually fly home). They do not understand the Non-O status (as it does not read PR, nor do they understand that Caucasians live in WA/SEA). Depends now on the people: some ask nicely and then I respond nicely and explain -- and next time we just shake hands and talk family. However sometimes they want to learn it the hard way and I have to ask them for their qualification and why they did not do their homework. Both ways work: the particular officer never asks me that question again.

 

 

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

PR is the worst airline I have ever flown with some hassle on most flights worst terminal in Asia, crap Business class lounge even with inedible food. I try to avoid them.

Example. I once had a paper ticket that was issued and paid at a Ticket office with a credit card. Day of flight I didn't have the card with me (Yes I guess that was my fault) but the ticket is printed with my correct name matching my passport not online purchase! Reluctant to do this because the last time I used a credit card in the PI, swiping at checkout from a 4 star Makati Hotel my card was immediately cloned but finally the solution was they gave me a refund, then sell me the same seat with another card. (BTW they have this thing in the PI where everyone has to "be involved and important". Every agent in the airport, even security guard nearby, flipped though the original paper ticket so many times the flight coupon fell off!)

Now I'm on the plane. A lady comes on say to say the Passenger Security/Terminal fee has not been paid. I look at the ticket documents and it is not a scam. They should have dealt with this at the counter but OK, it is almost time to go and luckily I had some US cash so I just bung her about the Peso equivalent in dollars not expecting any change. It seems I can get out of this long hassle. Suddenly the gal runs back in a rush with a receipt for the extra payment, and some small change but she says "We need a copy of your passport, give it to me I'll take it to the office copy it and bring it back" This is literally when they are making final announcements and I put my foot down. What happens when they close the airplane door and I end up in BKK with no passport? I told her politely I'll get off the plane but I am NOT surrendering my passport. They knew this would cause a delay I think so whoever is at the other end of her mobile/ radio supervisor relented. I know this guy who lives in Angeles City he told me the PI is always like this and you have to be bossy with them. Unlike Thais this seems to work in his opinion.




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[DLang]

Airline just covering their a$$. Normal. Nothing to get indignant and upset over. 

 

Your personal behavior was quite embarrassing. I suspect due to an issue of Asians having authority over you that you don't like. Maybe get that in check before flying with an Asian airline into Asia. 

[Crossy]

It's not just the Phills.

 

I've been asked on a number of occasions by Indian check-in staff when on the return half of a ticket despite my having my work permit and multi-year extensions of stay. Invariably ok on talking to a supervisor.

 

The low-end staff are minimally trained for the common situations and simply didn't know.

 

Never been asked for mug shots or passport copies (I do keep both in my travel kit, one never knows).

 

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

I'm Asian American.


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[Suradit69]

3 hours ago, steelepulse said:

Was the airline ( PR= Philippine Airlines) and "their system" right or wrong here?

Right or wrong based on what?

Their request for evidence of an onward flight was unnecessary since you had a visa, but an airline could set its own rules.

Airlines often ask for evidence of an onward flight to protect themselves before boarding someone without a visa. but that too is up to them. Some do and some don't.

 

[jojothai]

4 hours ago, steelepulse said:

No one I know that comes here on a regular annual basis has been asked by their airline to see a return ticket, even if traveling on different airlines to and fro or without a return ticket at all.

 

What really puzzles me is their need to take a mugshot, then changing their mind to only taking a photo of my passport page and my visa.  I have no idea why that is necessary for "their system" as I seriously doubt Thai immigration insists on these photos with a valid one year visa.

 

There was absolutely no communication error, the PR gate staff spoke perfect English in an English speaking country.

Agree that PR is a poor airline.

One of the first things you should find out in the Philippines is that they speak English but that does not mean they understand it well, or that they can read and write it well.

I worked there enough times to assure you that is the case.

 

There are the better educated that can, but not across the board.

 

You also should know that they often answer a "yes" even when they mean "No".

[stevenl]

Airline was wrong to demand onward flight for you, and correct to demand this for your daughter. No new requirement either, has been required for a long time now.

[Tony125]

I have seen this happen in USA. Before I retired in Thailand had a friend retire and then come visit me for a month (1 year extension of stay with multi re-entry permit) was flying back to Bangkok on 1 way ticket , counter girl at airlines told him he need a return ticket or ticket out of Thailand. I asked to see her supervisor who explained to her that he didn't need a flight out as he lived in Thailand. Counter help are not always that well informed on rules no matter the country.

[Bangkok Barry]

5 hours ago, steelepulse said:

No one I know that comes here on a regular annual basis has been asked by their airline to see a return ticket, even if traveling on different airlines to and fro or without a return ticket at all.

 

What really puzzles me is their need to take a mugshot, then changing their mind to only taking a photo of my passport page and my visa.  I have no idea why that is necessary for "their system" as I seriously doubt Thai immigration insists on these photos with a valid one year visa.

 

There was absolutely no communication error, the PR gate staff spoke perfect English in an English speaking country.

 

They probably realised they were wrong and took a photo of the passport to save face. Saving face isn't limited to Thailand - it's an Asian thing.

[YetAnother]

7 hours ago, steelepulse said:

Airline asked me to show onward airline ticket and I told them that it isn't necessary with a non O and they insisted that it was indeed necessary as they had it "in their system" that Thailand requires this.

so,airlines are trying to unravel thai immigration requirements....that could get ugly

[PeCeDe]

To be fair the agent at the airline ticket counter is under a lot of pressure to get things right, a mistake can be very costly and maybe cost them their job.

 

I used to travel a lot in the US with a multi entry one year professional visa, and one time travelling out of Fresno the counter agent asked for my passport, looked at the visa and immediately ripped it out of my PP putting it in a pile for US Imm., I protested and eventually had to call management, who thankfully sorted out the problem, turned out the girl mistook a single entry for my multi entry and she'd never seen one like mine before.

 

Lesson being, know what is supposed to happen at every single stage of your journey and make absolutely sure it does happen, if there's a problem don't be afraid to escalate immediately. It's very difficult to correct an error once it's made.

[IgboChief]

39 minutes ago, PeCeDe said:

To be fair the agent at the airline ticket counter is under a lot of pressure to get things right

And for that reason, nobody has any problem to explain the details and to show the visa and stamps when being asked kindly and professionally. (Which has been always the case with any airline staff I ever met in my life -- the skytrax ranking is a pretty good reflection of what to expect in my experience).

 

Immigration/Airport Security is a different kind of bunch though and I will have many more field days to explain to Nigerian officers, that they have no power to restrict me entering the KoT. Let's be all professional and the world would be a better place.

 

[PeCeDe]

I feel the angst. Escalating problems in some countries may not always be the wise way forward.

 

3 minutes ago, IgboChief said:

And for that reason, nobody has any problem to explain the details and to show the visa and stamps when being asked kindly and professionally. (Which has been always the case with any airline staff I ever met in my life -- the skytrax ranking is a pretty good reflection of what to expect in my experience).

 

Immigration/Airport Security is a different kind of bunch though and I will have many more field days to explain to Nigerian officers, that they have no power to restrict me entering the KoT. Let's be all professional and the world would be a better place.

 

 

[gk10002000]

10 hours ago, steelepulse said:

No one I know that comes here on a regular annual basis has been asked by their airline to see a return ticket, even if traveling on different airlines to and fro or without a return ticket at all.

 

What really puzzles me is their need to take a mugshot, then changing their mind to only taking a photo of my passport page and my visa.  I have no idea why that is necessary for "their system" as I seriously doubt Thai immigration insists on these photos with a valid one year visa.

 

There was absolutely no communication error, the PR gate staff spoke perfect English in an English speaking country.

Nothing was necessary, they were just not taking charge and were trying cover their asses.  One of their managers or bosses probably mumbled something at some meeting and these drones were not going to stick their neck out or show loss of face without getting something.  Next time ask to see what their system shows.  Show me the screen, the printout, the checkmark, etc. 

[BEVUP]

17 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

Right or wrong based on what?

Their request for evidence of an onward flight was unnecessary since you had a visa, but an airline could set its own rules.

Airlines often ask for evidence of an onward flight to protect themselves before boarding someone without a visa. but that too is up to them. Some do and some don't.

 

You especially & others may want to read post 5 

[jimn]

I know its going off topic but a couple of bad examples do not make Philippine Airlines bad. I have flown with them on a number of occasions from Bangkok to Manila and every time excellent service. Prime example coming back to Bangkok last December I was caught in a horrendous traffic snarl up in Manila for 5 hours and only arrived 20 minutes before take off. Undeterred they checked us in and rushed us through to the plane with 5 minutes to spare and the luggage got there too. Just felt I had to stick up for them a bit.