single or return ticket?

[pablo 0]

I'm planning my first trip to thailand and will go some time in april.i have just split up with long time girlfriend and have recently been made redundant (things are pretty shit right now).i am planning on getting a 4 time tourist visa which would enable me to stay for up to nine months with a couple of visa runs thrown in.my question is should i get a single flight or a return.if i get a return ticket and decide to come back earlier than planned can i change the return date of the ticket while in thailand and what would it cost.i will be flying from manchester uk.

[js007 795]

When you buy your tickets, you usually have a choice. Check the particular rules for the class of ticket you're looking at. Some are fully refundable but may cost a bit more. Others are refundable for a fee. Some can be changed for free. Some can be changed for a fee. I always feel better buying refundable tickets, mainly because my life is so unpredictable.

 

J

[packhike 13]

I know every airline I've flown (all the major asian airlines yes everyone except for singapore and cathay) have allowed me to change my return ticket at no charge. Just change when in thailand but sometimes they can be booked ahead for quite awhile.

 

They call the return flight home the outbound flight and should be no problem

Edited February 26, 2008 by packhike

[stevemcm 1]

Pablo you cannot get a quad entry tourist visa only a triple you would be better off with a Non-immigrant O multiple entry visa. See the Hull Thai Consulate website for the information you require.

 

stevoh.

[valentinoxxx 4]

Get a single ticket. Bank on around 350. Otherwise you will have to purchase a twelve month validity return ticket with a no fee inbound change, which will be fairly expensive.

 

One way inbound from around 250.

 

Don't drink to drown your sorrows and DON'T sponsor ANY girls or tell them how much you have. They will be working on ways to get their hands on it and that will be how you lose your redundancy money. Then you'll have to return early.

 

 

 

Get travel insurance!

 

 

 

 

 

I know every airline I've flown (all the major asian airlines yes everyone except for singapore and cathay) have allowed me to change my return ticket at no charge. Just change when in thailand but sometimes they can be booked ahead for quite awhile.

 

They call the return flight home the outbound flight and should be no problem

 

You only had two choices and still got it wrong.

[marleyboy 140]

You can also buy an open ticket, valid for 1 year. Technically you can book your return once you are in Thailand.

One thing worth pointing out though............you are ''supposed'' to have a return ticket (or at least a ticket leaving thailand) when you enter Thailand. Saying that in over 20 odd years going to Thailand I have never been asked to show proof of this, nor do I know anybody who has! Also in these days of E-tickets, if you did get asked......just tell them you have anE-ticket!!!!!!!!

[CheshireTom 1,377]

You can also buy an open ticket, valid for 1 year. Technically you can book your return once you are in Thailand.

One thing worth pointing out though............you are ''supposed'' to have a return ticket (or at least a ticket leaving thailand) when you enter Thailand. Saying that in over 20 odd years going to Thailand I have never been asked to show proof of this, nor do I know anybody who has! Also in these days of E-tickets, if you did get asked......just tell them you have anE-ticket!!!!!!!!

 

It's actually the airlines responsibility to repatriate you if you are turned away at immigration. therefore, when you check-in they should be checking that you comply with the requirements for entry i.e. confirmed onwards travel arrangements. So you have been asked, its just that you didn't realise it.

[BBB 3]

I know every airline I've flown (all the major asian airlines yes everyone except for singapore and cathay) have allowed me to change my return ticket at no charge. Just change when in thailand but sometimes they can be booked ahead for quite awhile.

 

China have always charged me £80 to change my ticket, flying 18th March and this time its going to cost £150 if i decide to alter my return date.

[biggles 509]

Yes, you are told you should have a return ticket BUT if you have a valid visa for thailand you will not have a problem with the either airline or immigration. On my third multiple entry O visa, 13 trips on them and never had a problem.

[valentinoxxx 4]

You can also buy an open ticket, valid for 1 year. Technically you can book your return once you are in Thailand.

One thing worth pointing out though............you are ''supposed'' to have a return ticket (or at least a ticket leaving thailand) when you enter Thailand. Saying that in over 20 odd years going to Thailand I have never been asked to show proof of this, nor do I know anybody who has! Also in these days of E-tickets, if you did get asked......just tell them you have anE-ticket!!!!!!!!

 

Otherwise you will have to purchase a twelve month validity return ticket with a no fee inbound change, which will be fairly expensive.

 

I guess that you missed it.

[Eneukman 1]

Since I retired here, I've only been asked about an onward ticket out of Thailand once. That was in Vietnam. I just pointed to the visa in my passport as proof that I didn't need an onward ticket.

 

Alan

[joekicker 53]

Couple of things. By law you have to have a return ticket or funds to support yourself, and this is rarely a problem at Thai immigration.

 

Airlines, however, often charge WAY more for two one-way tickets than for one return - and right now tickets in Thailand are generally more expensive than tickets bought abroad. It may cost $125 (or whatever) to change the ticket you have, but it may cost much more than that to buy two one-ways.

 

Theoretically, you can buy a one-way ticket onj the Internet from Thailand outward, but they will charge Thai-agent prices anyhow.

 

So investigate the cost benefits carefully.

[vidman 2]

3 years ago i got nabbed by emirates for having a return ticket dated well past my visa. i explained about going to singapore etc but they had a major debate about letting me fly. Eventually some supervisor got me to sign about 3 disclaimers and let me board.....so nothing is impossible!!!

[Eneukman 1]

Emirates also asked me about a visa when I returned to Thailand from Glasgow in June.

 

Alan

[neil324 0]

Emirates also asked me about a visa when I returned to Thailand from Glasgow in June.

 

Alan

 

Did you have a visa?

Just wondering what they would do if you did'nt, they don't mention anything at the booking and paying stage. I'm going for 3 months, most likey with a 60 day tourist visa, which can be extended by various options, but maybe would seem insufficient to the check in clerks.

Have flown twice with them for 3 month trips and never been asked before.

[jacko 8,814]

The concern for the airline is that you will be 'rejected' by immigration, which means they are liable to a substantial fine and be held responsible for taking you off their hands.

 

I believe Thai immigration only require proof of 'flight' or way out of Thailand, when you arrive without a visa (ie 30 day stamp).

[neil324 0]

The concern for the airline is that you will be 'rejected' by immigration, which means they are liable to a substantial fine and be held responsible for taking you off their hands.

 

I believe Thai immigration only require proof of 'flight' or way out of Thailand, when you arrive without a visa (ie 30 day stamp).

 

I was aware of that. Just concerned about Emirates stance on it and if it was maybe changing in some way.

[valentinoxxx 4]

Couple of things. By law you have to have a return ticket or funds to support yourself, and this is rarely a problem at Thai immigration.

 

Airlines, however, often charge WAY more for two one-way tickets than for one return - and right now tickets in Thailand are generally more expensive than tickets bought abroad. It may cost $125 (or whatever) to change the ticket you have, but it may cost much more than that to buy two one-ways.

 

Theoretically, you can buy a one-way ticket onj the Internet from Thailand outward, but they will charge Thai-agent prices anyhow.

 

So investigate the cost benefits carefully.

 

 

Not really true at all.

 

Compare the cost of a unrestricted return ticket from the UK to Thailand and the other way around.

 

Tickets often appear cheaper from abroad, but in reality those are heavily restricted. As little as 14 day validity duration, non refundable. no ability to change date or high costs involved in doing so.

In contrast, flights from Thailand are much less restricted.

 

Buying two one way tickets allows you bypass the maximum 12 month validity restriction on return tickets(which tend to be expensive anyway).

 

I purchase my tickets in advance so that I can lock in Super Peak date travel.

[joekicker 53]

Not really true at all.

 

Compare the cost of a unrestricted return ticket from the UK to Thailand and the other way around.

 

Almost no one who posts on this board buys these, at least according to their posts. Almost everyone buys the cheapest ticket they can find, all of which have some sort of restriction(s). The restrictions are pretty well always acceptable - fewer miles awarded, only good for a few months, whatever.

 

You are right that unrestricted return tickets are at or very close to twice the cost of unrestricted one way, no argument. In fact, that is where most mongers would lose out buying one way, because the cheapest restricted tickets are always return.

[jacko 8,814]

Not really true at all.

 

Compare the cost of a unrestricted return ticket from the UK to Thailand and the other way around.

 

Tickets often appear cheaper from abroad, but in reality those are heavily restricted. As little as 14 day validity duration, non refundable. no ability to change date or high costs involved in doing so.

In contrast, flights from Thailand are much less restricted.

 

Buying two one way tickets allows you bypass the maximum 12 month validity restriction on return tickets(which tend to be expensive anyway).

 

I purchase my tickets in advance so that I can lock in Super Peak date travel.

This statement is untrue....ticket prices are set to the market they are sold in. The UK being one of the highest. I have had personal experience of this when I found that the cost of rerouting the ticket I had in my hand, was more expensive than buying a one way from the place I was at, same airline....(ticket Caracas to London, I wanted to get back from Buenos Aeries) I was also amazed how reasonable the fares were in Venezuela on BA.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

This statement is untrue....ticket prices are set to the market they are sold in. The UK being one of the highest. I have had personal experience of this when I found that the cost of rerouting the ticket I had in my hand, was more expensive than buying a one way from the place I was at, same airline....(ticket Caracas to London, I wanted to get back from Buenos Aeries) I was also amazed how reasonable the fares were in Venezuela on BA.

 

Due to the much higher proportion of fuel costs in the ticket price nowadays the benefits of booking economy tickets in BKK as opposed to UK has taken a bit of a hit. However, Biz Class tickets can still represent a bargain ............... e.g. Qatar Airways can still be had for 78,000 Baht incl for BKK-MAN-BKK whereas booking in the UK (MAN-BKK-MAN) is circa 1,700 UKP. Taking into account the mileage accumulation (I am a Gold Card holder and stick to the one airline) brings the real price of the flight booking ex BKK down to around 950 quid.

[jacko 8,814]

Due to the much higher proportion of fuel costs in the ticket price nowadays the benefits of booking economy tickets in BKK as opposed to UK has taken a bit of a hit. However, Biz Class tickets can still represent a bargain ............... e.g. Qatar Airways can still be had for 78,000 Baht incl for BKK-MAN-BKK whereas booking in the UK (MAN-BKK-MAN) is circa 1,700 UKP. Taking into account the mileage accumulation (I am a Gold Card holder and stick to the one airline) brings the real price of the flight booking ex BKK down to around 950 quid.

Agreed Tom, Biz Class can show a substantial difference depending on which end you book it from. It became our company policy, where someone was expected to make many round trips from the US HQ, to leave the first ticket return to US open, and buy all other tickets at the other end. (This was Eastern Europe, North Africa, South America)...

 

I think the 78,000 baht Qatar tickets will be scarce soon, I see a lot about 120,000+ taxes for later in the year. They are already that ex UK at about £2050. (http://booking.qatarairways.com ) I am a little unhappy at being forced into a corner and flying China Airlines in October.....

Edited August 9, 2008 by jacko

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Agreed Tom, Biz Class can show a substantial difference depending on which end you book it from. It became our company policy, where someone was expected to make many round trips from the US HQ, to leave the first ticket return to US open, and buy all other tickets at the other end. (This was Eastern Europe, North Africa, South America)...

 

I think the 78,000 baht Qatar tickets will be scarce soon, I see a lot about 120,000+ taxes for later in the year. They are already that ex UK at about £2050. (http://booking.qatarairways.com ) I am a little unhappy at being forced into a corner and flying China Airlines in October.....

 

Jacko,

 

I booked a 78k Baht ticket online today through Blue and White Travel in BKK for travel to MAN on Tuesday evening.

 

I was a bit dubious but have cross-checked the booking on www.checkmytrip.com and the booking is confirmed in the airlines system. I arrive in MAN on Wednesday morning and fly back on Friday morning. It makes for an expensive couple of days.

[jacko 8,814]

Jacko,

 

I booked a 78k Baht ticket online today through Blue and White Travel in BKK for travel to MAN on Tuesday evening.

 

I was a bit dubious but have cross-checked the booking on www.checkmytrip.com and the booking is confirmed in the airlines system. I arrive in MAN on Wednesday morning and fly back on Friday morning. It makes for an expensive couple of days. I have not had much luck with this Blue and White Travel website, I gave up on it as yet another Thai website that is of no use, like may others here. All I get is...

 

We're sorry.

Our system has found some problem while process your request below.

910 - Booking System Problem.

 

Can not OpenConversation with corp. id.

Edited August 9, 2008 by jacko

[valentinoxxx 4]

This statement is untrue....ticket prices are set to the market they are sold in. The UK being one of the highest. I have had personal experience of this when I found that the cost of rerouting the ticket I had in my hand, was more expensive than buying a one way from the place I was at, same airline....(ticket Caracas to London, I wanted to get back from Buenos Aeries) I was also amazed how reasonable the fares were in Venezuela on BA.

 

No statement of mine is untrue.

 

Some tickets appear cheaper from UK to Bkk than from Bkk to the UK, because the UK tickets are generally more heavily restricted.

 

Hence the 450 pound THAI and EVA tickets out of the UK. One month duration and very expensive for date changes, if possible at all.

You don't tend to find them in Thailand. They tend to be six month or twelve month durations. Three months at a push. More expensive, but useful to me. I've already changed my outbound dates four times with no charge being levied.

Try that with anything less than a full price ticket originating from the UK.

 

Anyway, ticket prices are going through the roof. Might be cheaper for me to fly Club Class soon. :) Approx. 800 pounds for a 12 month ticket. Instead of five or six casual trips, it might be worth just staying longer each time. Already doing up to three months per trip.