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Posted
Hey everyone,

I have a little dilemma and was hoping someone could give me some input.

I have to fly into Madrid for my study abroad orientation by the morning of Sept. 5. I've already tried to book a flight over there but have run into a few obstacles. First of all I was told by a friend that you can no longer buy a one way ticket into Spain unless you are a resident. Since I won't be returning to the US until June 2004, I havent found a place that can book a roundtrip ticket with a return date that far in the future. Furthermore i've heard that Airline fares go up significantly after March 31st because of a seasonal fare change or something to that effect. Does anyone have any advice? I have no problem with flying out of the way a little bit or anything like that. There must be something that a student can do besides purchasing a roundtrip ticket with a return date that is 2 months too early and therefore will need to be changed at a huge penalty!!

thanks a lot in advance,

Dave
 
Posts: 5 | Location: New Orleans, USA | Registered: 25 January 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Posted Hide Post
Hi Dave. I just talked to my Spanish dad, who is a travel agent in Spain, and he told me that that part about only being able to buy a ticket de ida (flying into Spain) is not true, that people who aren't residents, and people from America especially, do that all the time. So no worries apparently. I would call a travel agent in your area also and just make sure. It never hurts to go in and just ask them questions and tell them that you will come back later. Also, another idea is to simply buy an open ended ticket. Hope that helps, Joy
 
Posts: 541 | Location: Madrid (but from Boston) | Registered: 16 December 2002Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Posted Hide Post
Queensita thanks for your advice.


I checked it out further, and i AM permitted to fly one way BUT if i am getting/traveling on/will have a student visa then i must have a round trip ticket. I will have a visa, so I basically need a round trip ticket. If anyone can give me some additional help id appreciate it.

thanks

dave
 
Posts: 5 | Location: New Orleans, USA | Registered: 25 January 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Posted Hide Post
Hey Dave!
I had the same problem when I went to study aborad for a year in 200-2001. What I did was I bought my ticket through STA. They allow you to change the date of your flight for $20, and you can do it any of their partner offices, of which ther is one in Madrid, right off Sol, called Asetej Viajes. I bought a ticket goign boston to Madrid in september with aa return date in march. Then I just went to Asetej in like january and changed the return trip from march to june, for which they charged me about $20. The website fro STA is www.statravel.com. They probably also have a branch near you. Ive always had good luck with them.
Also, im not sure if this is still true what with added security and all, but when I have applied for visas to Spain in the past, although I had to state my return date, I never had to show proof of my ticket or anything. I did have to do this for when applying for an Italian visa, but Ive applied for three Spanish student visas now, and never once had to show a ticket. So, I think you could still do the one way route, if you wanted.
Hope this helps!
Michelita


"I have climbed the highest mountain, I have run through the fields...And I still haven't found what I'm looking for..."
 
Posts: 82 | Location: MADRID!!! | Registered: 08 January 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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