Travel Advice

[Vaughn]

Right now we have more questions than answers, so I thought I'd turn to RWD members who might tackle this one.
 
We have my niece visiting. She's on a Business Visa (which was contrary to the plan for her to gain a Tourist Visa). She has decided to stay longer, but within legal limits of the visa. Changing her ticket is not an option as her flight departs JFK in mere hours and she would have to rebook before takeoff, and cannot. So we're faced with simply buying a new ticket. A one-way ticket costs $792. A Round Trip ticket, however, can be had for $694. I know - no big deal - but if she were to buy the round tripper - and with her visa not expiring until next February - would she encounter any trouble boarding her flight with the intent of never using the return portion? In other words, eat the return portion simply to capture a bit of savings?

[viking]

My understanding is the outbound portion is the key element. Yes, she can dump ( unfortunately) the return with no problem.

[Muzh]

Which airline you are dealing with? It is my understanding that the majority of the airlines will change the date of your ticket. NOW, depending on what she bought, like a non-refundable ticket, she may have to pay around $150 to make the changes and she'll have a year to use the ticket.

Regarding the visa, since it is a business visa, she can submit a letter from her "business" interest in the US that she needs additional time and apply for an extension.

[Faux Pas]

Right now we have more questions than answers, so I thought I'd turn to RWD members who might tackle this one.
 
We have my niece visiting. She's on a Business Visa (which was contrary to the plan for her to gain a Tourist Visa). She has decided to stay longer, but within legal limits of the visa. Changing her ticket is not an option as her flight departs JFK in mere hours and she would have to rebook before takeoff, and cannot. So we're faced with simply buying a new ticket. A one-way ticket costs $792. A Round Trip ticket, however, can be had for $694. I know - no big deal - but if she were to buy the round tripper - and with her visa not expiring until next February - would she encounter any trouble boarding her flight with the intent of never using the return portion? In other words, eat the return portion simply to capture a bit of savings?

I'm not sure I understand the dilemma Vaughn. What about the ticket she has for boarding in a few hours? The cheaper route would seem to be to once she lands to go to the desk and pay the fee to change dates, usually no more than a couple hundred versus the $694?

[Gator]

I have flown many, many times to the FSU.  At the gate the agent examined: 1) my ticket for the boarding flight, 2) my passport, and 3) my visa for entry upon the plane's arrival.   They did not care about my return flight.
 
Even if someone asked a question, your SIL could say she will get a new visa when she returns to Russia.

[Vaughn]

Which airline you are dealing with? It is my understanding that the majority of the airlines will change the date of your ticket. NOW, depending on what she bought, like a non-refundable ticket, she may have to pay around $150 to make the changes and she'll have a year to use the ticket.

Regarding the visa, since it is a business visa, she can submit a letter from her "business" interest in the US that she needs additional time and apply for an extension.

Aeroflot, but purchased through Travelocity. Travelocity was very professional on the phone, and dealt with Aeroflot. The "change fee" is $164, added to a $455 value of the unused ticket. Problem is, the change must be made before the flight departs, which is in minutes from now. She still has no idea when she actually will depart in the future. Why? This is the part that might make some bride seekers think twice when chasing the younger FSU woman.
 
Katya is 21, very attractive, and holds a red diploma in Business from Kazan State University. She originally wanted to simply visit us - and that's what's changed. She now is about to enroll in a 4 week intensive course in English. Depending on how that goes, she may enroll for an additional 4 weeks, and another, and another. THERE's the dilemma: we have (and she has) no idea when she'll be returning to Russia, except that it must be before February. That's fine with us - she is my wife's sister's daughter, and a pleasure to have around the house. Her cousin (my stepdaughter) is now back to work fulltime so they max out the social scene when the day is done. They've already toured Manhattan and made a 4 day trip to Miami Beach.
 
Truthfully, she has no business interest here, yet was granted a business visa, much to my surprise.
 
Faux Pas, the heart of the dilemma is that I'm dealing with a young girl who has no concrete plan, except to improve her level of English quickly, then to return home at some unspecified date in the future. And since a RT ticket in the future seems to be cheaper than a one-way, I was wondering if she would face any trouble in using the first half of a RT ticket, then discarding the second.  It seems, from advice here, this is the way she'll go.
 
 

[Muzh]

Vaughn:

You can request an extension on her visa on those grounds (going to school) alone. The extension usually is for 6 months.

[GoodOlBoy]

Better check with the airlines on this Vaughn.

Years ago, I did a round trip ticket from Moscow to Miami, because it was much cheaper than a one way ticket.

I can't tell you which airline it was.

Back then I was using them all (Alitalia, Delta, American, Finnair, Air France, etc.).

Anyway, after I got home there was a charge (penalty) on my AMEX CC for NOT making the return flight.

Good luck.

GOB

[Belvis]

So we're faced with simply buying a new ticket. A one-way ticket costs $792. A Round Trip ticket, however, can be had for $694. I know - no big deal - but if she were to buy the round tripper - and with her visa not expiring until next February - would she encounter any trouble boarding her flight with the intent of never using the return portion?

A strange concern about a Round Trip ticket. As far as I have understood she has already abandoned  her return portion to Kazan in the old ticket. Anyway, she will have no trouble boarding her flight with the intent of never using the return portion. Moreover, she may claim some refund for the unused portion.

[Faux Pas]

Vaughn

I "think" for the return trip (flight back) she can pay the $164 and extend the date to an estimated date. Certainly she couldn't change the flight on the way over but, the return can still be changed (I believe up to and until it departs) She can likely even change it again for another $164 bucks. This is generally true even for non-refundable tickets. They won't return any money but she can retain the $455 credit until she uses it

[JayH]

No problem to simply forget the Second part of the round trip.(from airline point of view)
It can be difficult to use the Second part if the first is not used.it used to be possible-- but it is a lot trickier now-- and will vary from airline to airline.