Throw Away Ticket Needed?

[whodunit]

The date of my onward flight leaving the philippines will put me in the country for 34 days total.  Will I need a throw away ticket to be allowed to board the plane going to the philippines?

 

Thanks in advance.

[scott h]

Not sure I am following. You already have a ticket leaving the PI? if so why would you need a throw away.

[whodunit]

Not sure I am following. You already have a ticket leaving the PI? if so why would you need a throw away.

 

Yes I do, the airfare I have is round trip.  However it is my understanding the visa waiver period is 30 days and they won't let me board without either a tourist visa or a ticket to an onward destination before the 30 days is up.

 

Is this incorrect?

[BrettGC]

No mate, the ticket you have is ok, your departure ticket does not have to be within the initial 29 days.

Edited August 27, 2014 by BrettGC

[Dave Hounddriver]

I am told you can get the extension to 59 says at the airport before even going through immigration so you would have no worries, provided you have the 3,000+ pesos on you that you will need for that first extension.

 

Disclaimer:  I have not done it at the airport but many tell me they have.  Bottom line:  No need for a throwaway ticket in your situation.

[whodunit]

Okay, so bottom line, they will allow me to board the plane even though my return flight is after the visa waiver period?

[BrettGC]

Yes, you will need to extend your stay at the airport in The Philippines upon arrival. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

If you are really, really worried about it, then it is possible to go to the Philippine Embassy (or perhaps apply via mail or email?) to get an advance visa which will be good for your entire stay.

 

There is a very, very slim chance that some twerp at the check in counter will pull a braniac stunt and tell you that you cannot board as you are staying longer than 30 days.  Extremely unlikely though and I have never heard of it actually happening.

[MikeB]

Based on the anecdotal evidence of many others you should not have a problem but no one on any forum can tell you with 100% certainty what any American or foreign airline will do. When I was coming for visits I was asked pointedly a few times if my return was within 21 days (the entry period at the time). It always was so no further discussion. Why not call the airline and ask? 

[robert k]

It cost me 2,830 php to extend at the airport on arrival 10 months ago. Be sure to make them understand that you want to extend before they stamp your passport. Either they did not understand or they pretended to not understand because it was close to the end of their shift. I gathered my bags and strolled back to innigration and they corrected it, I was calm and the supervisor was cheerful. Added bonus was customs absolutely refused to look in my bags, I guess on the premise that you wouldn't make waves if you were trying to sneak something in. :thumbsup: Really I was just as happy to sit on a comfy bench at immigration until the long line for customs was gone. :)

 

Doesn't prove anything but my departure date was 42 days out and they let me board and nobody questioned, not AA or China Air.

Edited August 27, 2014 by robert k