Not sure if this has come up recently, but we received quite a shock when we checked in for a flight from the US (Orlando) to Puerto Plata on AA. At the ticket counter as we were checking in the agent told us that, since we did not have DR Residency, we had to purchase a return ticket to the US. A supervisor checked that somewhere and confirmed the requirement. We have traveled the same route four (4) times in the last year and can prove we never had to purchase a mandatory return ticket. We don't have residency and often returned in less than 30 days from POP to Miami. So, unless it's a brand new regulation, AA was negligent in not enforcing the regulation before yesterday and was egregiously negligent in not telling us at the time of booking of the requirement that a return ticket was required. So, future travelers beware. They did promise a refund after our request for one but this Kabuki dance isn't fun when traveling.
- Thread starter King in the North
- Start date
Shock - Required Return Ticket if no residency
This HAS come up recently, and it has always been a gamble depending on the airline and the vigilance of the person doing the check-in whether the rule is enforced. Some airlines won't allow you to buy a one-way ticket. As has been suggested before, some people buy a refundable return ticket and then cancel the return flight.
This has been a regulation for many years. Nothing new about the regulation. The only thing new is sometimes airlines are asking for the return ticket.
The airline could face severe penalties and repatriate the people without return tickets if that is discovered when they arrive in the DR and get turned back.
Still very, very rare.
The government has promised to enforce the laws as written.
The airline could face severe penalties and repatriate the people without return tickets if that is discovered when they arrive in the DR and get turned back.
Still very, very rare.
The government has promised to enforce the laws as written.
Not a shock.
COPA Airlines always enforces. AA busted me once about 4 years ago. I discovered that the AA kisoks arent programmed for this. So just check in to the kiosk and no worries. Also there are some sites that can give you a real reservation number for like 24 hours for like less than 10 dollars.
COPA Airlines always enforces. AA busted me once about 4 years ago. I discovered that the AA kisoks arent programmed for this. So just check in to the kiosk and no worries. Also there are some sites that can give you a real reservation number for like 24 hours for like less than 10 dollars.
Agreed.
This has been in place for several years. I had to purchase a return ticket in Ft. Lauderdale (to SDQ) back in April 2012. Without a return ticket Spirit Air was not going to allow me to board the flight.
It's been sporadic for years... I was never allowed to check-in online nor at the auto kiosks in the US returning back to the DR as our tickets showed the one leg only, nowhere online or in the auto kiosks did it show we were residents & useing the return portion of the ticket. On occasion even when heading straight to the check-in counter (too much luggage) we were always obliged prove to be residents.. It's happened countless number of times over many years..
Actually they issue a real fully refundable ticket for a future date under your name and then they cancel it after 48/72 hours. Extended validity time is possible for a fee.
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Rubio, that is exactly what I thought they might do for that small fee.
And no way to catch up on that scam save one thing:
Keeping track of when that person actually left and paid an exit fine. That record is kept in the computer systems, but so far no action has been taken.
And no way to catch up on that scam save one thing:
Keeping track of when that person actually left and paid an exit fine. That record is kept in the computer systems, but so far no action has been taken.
Everyone I know that has flown AA, Delta, Air Transat, West Jet, Spirit, and Frontier in last 6 months has been asked for a return ticket. No longer seems to be sporadic enforcement.
I checked in the AA website with a one way ticket from JFK to SDQ and there was no mention of a return ticket in English or in Spanish.
Then I checked in the Jetblue website for the same flight and this came up (both times) before it showed me the options.
As has been said, this requirement has always existed. Some airlines should do a better job at letting the travelers know of its existence. The OP could have a case here agains AA (I'm not a lawyer, please consult with a lawsuit lawyer if you're planning to proceed).
Then I checked in the Jetblue website for the same flight and this came up (both times) before it showed me the options.
As has been said, this requirement has always existed. Some airlines should do a better job at letting the travelers know of its existence. The OP could have a case here agains AA (I'm not a lawyer, please consult with a lawsuit lawyer if you're planning to proceed).
The only mention of this on the AA website (under International Travel) is this: "Some countries require proof of return or onward travel, a visiting address and sufficient funds for your stay". As others have said this rule has always been there (I worked for AA) but it was always hit or miss if it was enforced.
This is another example of the risks associated with participating in the "wild west" lifestyle. Most who operate here know the basic rules and understand that many of these rules on not enforced or are only sporadically enforced. It has to be expected that at sometime one could get caught up in a sporadic enforcement. Whether it is continuing to drive after the foreign license validity period, staying longer than 30 days on a tourist card, arriving with only a one-way air ticket, or whatever other workaround you engage in, sooner or later and usually unexpectedly the status quo changes and you have to deal with a new reality. Some choose not to gamble while checking in for a flight or at immigration on arrival and have a return ticket to show if asked for one. Others who take their chances have been forced to whip out the credit card and buy a ticket last minute.
The level of risk one chooses to accept is a personal decision. And despite the often repeated mantras, "That will never happen here", or "Nothing will change", Things usually do change to some degree eventually. A preconceived backup plan for the unexpected should be second nature for frequent visitors here - a good lawyer/influential contact on speed dial, knowledge of an available return ticket option you could purchase quickly if needed before heading to the airport with only a one-way ticket, having a second source for required meds if your usual pharmacy unexpectedly doesn't have what you need etc. Being prepared to compensate for the unexpected is a must when opting to short circuit the known rules here in the DR.
The level of risk one chooses to accept is a personal decision. And despite the often repeated mantras, "That will never happen here", or "Nothing will change", Things usually do change to some degree eventually. A preconceived backup plan for the unexpected should be second nature for frequent visitors here - a good lawyer/influential contact on speed dial, knowledge of an available return ticket option you could purchase quickly if needed before heading to the airport with only a one-way ticket, having a second source for required meds if your usual pharmacy unexpectedly doesn't have what you need etc. Being prepared to compensate for the unexpected is a must when opting to short circuit the known rules here in the DR.