From London to DR...

[its_vix]

Hi all,
I'm in need of some help.

I'm hoping to go back to DR on a more permanent basis in September. Once I get there I'll be applying for my residency.

I'm having real trouble finding decent flights. (last time I went i paid ?250 for a one way.)
I know there are issues with one way flights (had that last time) and flights going through USA from England (Visa waiver).
I don't mind buying a return flight but I would want the return for summer 2012. Any idea how I could get this for a reasonable price (i.e. ?500 for the return or ?250 for a one way?) ?

I'd really appreciate any advice - it's driving me mad!

Thanks,
Vicky

 

[dogstar]

Buy two seperate oneway tickets, coming here cheep ticket, going there a refundable ticket. When you get here turn in the refundable, it may take a month to get the check.

 

[its_vix]

yeah, that's an option although i'm having trouble finding a cheap one way! The cheapest ticket I've found is a return (2 weeks later) with thompson - for ?430. Not what I'd have hoped for because I won't be able to use the return and without that, it's an expensive one way!

thanks for your reply!

 

[whirleybird]

You don't specify which part of the DR you intend to fly into which might make some difference. One-ways are a rare commodity and most usually available at changeover from Summer to Winter timetables and visa versa (end of April/ end of October). Chances of getting a return flight with a return date in excess of 28 days is almost certainly impossible.

I think, like the rest of us, unless extremely fortunate, you will need to buy a return ticket and just waste the return portion - I always tell them that I am not returning in case that seat can be of use to anyone else who needs to fly back to UK.

One of the best places to search is Search and book flights online [charterflights.co.uk] or give them a ring on 0208 714 0010.

Let me know if I can be of any further help.

 

[whirleybird]

Buy two seperate oneway tickets, coming here cheep ticket, going there a refundable ticket. When you get here turn in the refundable, it may take a month to get the check.

That sounds great in theory but are you taking into consideration that its_vix is wanting to fly from London (ENGLAND) to the DR?

 

[its_vix]

Thanks whirleybird. To be honest - I don't mind where I fly to. I've been living in Jarabacoa, so Santiago is closest but very hard to find flights from the UK. Santo Domingo or Puerta Plata are the next easiest... but I'm that desperate, I don't care!

It's crazy how things have changed so quickly. The first time I went I bought a return to JFK for ?225 and then hopped on a very cheap flight from there to DR. I can't even do that now due to the visa issues.

 

[whirleybird]

What visa issues?

 

[drstock]

It is almost impossible to get one way tickets from England to DR. The only way you could possibly save a bit of money is by getting a one way ticket from one of the European airlines (Air Berlin, Jetair or Condor) but you have to be lucky to find a cheap ticket from the UK to the European airport they leave from. I once got the Eurostar train London to Brussels and Jetair to Puerto Plata via Punta Cana. It wasn't worth the hassle!
As others have said, most people buy a return ticket and don't use the return part.

 

[Matilda]

Fly with iberia to Santo Domingo via Madrid. 890 pounds with annual flexible return. You may be able to get cheaper as only looked at one page.

IBERIA.COM United Kingdom. Airline Tickets and Airline Reservations from Iberia

They do one way too. Or I found Jetair fly from Brussels for 249 euros one way to Puerto Plata

Cheap tickets :: Jetairfly.com : boekings-engine

Matlda

 

[its_vix]

What visa issues?

If you travel through the USA with an end destination being a Caribbean island, AND you're staying there more than 3 months, you must apply for a US visa (because the visa waiver will expire)... it's complicated and I've read some posts about it on here.
If you're a resident it's ok, but if not it causes problems.
Not sure what happens if I'm going to apply for residency!

 

[its_vix]

Fly with iberia to Santo Domingo via Madrid. 890 pounds with annual flexible return. You may be able to get cheaper as only looked at one page.

IBERIA.COM United Kingdom. Airline Tickets and Airline Reservations from Iberia

They do one way too. Or I found Jetair fly from Brussels for 249 euros one way to Puerto Plata

Cheap tickets :: Jetairfly.com : boekings-engine

Matlda

Thanks - how do you go about searching for annual flexible returns? I'm surprised I can't do that with BA or other big airlines!

 

[DMV123]

The other option is to buy a ticket out of the DR but not to Europe. Buy a ticket to fly on Spirit air, refundable then cancel it after you are here in the DR.

 

[Matilda]

Thanks - how do you go about searching for annual flexible returns? I'm surprised I can't do that with BA or other big airlines!

Read the terms and conditions as you go through the booking process

 

[Willtravel]

Jarabacoa

Thanks whirleybird. To be honest - I don't mind where I fly to. I've been living in Jarabacoa, so Santiago is closest but very hard to find flights from the UK. Santo Domingo or Puerta Plata are the next easiest... but I'm that desperate, I don't care!

It's crazy how things have changed so quickly. The first time I went I bought a return to JFK for ?225 and then hopped on a very cheap flight from there to DR. I can't even do that now due to the visa issues.

We hope to visit Jarabacoa and Costanza with the intention of eventually moving to Jarabacoa. Is it possible for you to give me information (and pictures) on living there?

 

[Kipling333]

Simply not correct

If you travel through the USA with an end destination being a Caribbean island, AND you're staying there more than 3 months, you must apply for a US visa (because the visa waiver will expire)... it's complicated and I've read some posts about it on here.
If you're a resident it's ok, but if not it causes problems.
Not sure what happens if I'm going to apply for residency!

I do not know where you got that strange information but it is not right ,,,visa waivers do not expire after 3 months ,,,they now have a life of 2 years and then they sed you an email and you apply for a renewal .

 

[its_vix]

Hi kipling - can you tell me where you found your info? It sounds interesting. The embassy info on the visa waiver programme states:

If your ticket terminates in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands of the Caribbean, you must be a legal resident of the area in order to qualify for visa free travel. If you are not and your stay will extend beyond 90 days from the date on which you first entered the United States, you will require a visa. Legal Permanent residents include diplomats, students or temporary workers at companies located in these areas.