Is it possible to get a tentative flight itinerary to apply for Taiwan visa without paying?

Upvote:3

Traditional flight ticket or any booking for that matter, was a two step process. Where the first step is "reservation" and the next step is "booking". The reservation stage is where you were able to get a flight itinerary which confirms the following details.

  • ITA (Airport) codes from which the flight takes off and lands.

  • Flight timings - confirming that a flight, was infact available through that route.

  • Flight number for that trip usually something like "AI121" or similar.

So the visa application needs you to provide a flight itinerary with the above details. This was just a print out from the travel agent and you were done. The travel agent charges a fee around $10 for this .

With the advent of online booking. the process is now just one step. Direct booking because the websites make money only when a "booking" is done. But the visa consulates have chosen to ignore this and still insist on a flight itinerary even though it is difficult to get hold of one .

So how do you get a flight itinerary for visa application ?

  • Call the flight agent and get one .

  • Make one yourself on word document . Though this has been rejected at times by Spain and US consulate

  • Get one from any one of the online service providers. like. I have used this a couple of times and they are good.

  • Buy a refundable ticket. Though these can be super expensive. Especially when it is on short notice.

Upvote:7

Travel agents are able to hold flights without committing to the ticket. Most will hold flights and issue itineraries without charging you, while you firm up your plans. Pop in to a local travel agency and see if they can help you out. Either be honest, ask if they can do you a favour, and bring cake... or do the whole 'can we hold seats while my plans are tentative... I'll let you know tomorrow' thing.

Upvote:9

I applied for my Taiwanese visa (Working Holiday) providing a printout of a tentative flight itinerary by just going to an airline website, selecting some dates and printing out something that looked itinerary-like (ie. has a flight number, dates, and locations). They just want a record of your tentative plans, and aren't going to hold you to it. Something like Expedia would probably suffice (I think I used the KLM website when I did mine)

You just need a printer and you'll be okay, there's no need to go to a travel agent.

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