Expert: Roberto Gomes - 9/9/2004

Question
Roberto,
 Hello sir, I have a few rambling questions for you.  First, could you explain to me in basic terms what a passport and visa is for? I assume a passport is your record of leaving and entering the US (I am a citizen) and your ID in the foreign land.  Any thing else?  A visa I am much more iffy.  I first travelled overseas 2 yrs ago with my mom... she said getting me the Visa was a "pain in the butt." I went to CHina again a few weeks ago and she mentioned "this second time was much easier to get the Visa."  I dont quite understand.  She did all the paperwork both times so I did nothing. Does this mean everytime I travel I have to "apply?"  Withwhom?  DO they (who's "they?") ask a bunch of questions?  Let's say I want to go to Greece next year by myself.  Do I have to call the US or Greek government for some sort of ok?
  I thought it was much simpler= buy the tickets and go!  I guess not.

The other question: someone told me even after you get the tickets for an airline, you should call to "reserve and verify" your seat.  Well, I got the tickets in my hand, paid for... why do I need to "reserve" them?  I asked my friend who told me this and she said: "Tim, say the airplane has 200 seats, the airline will actually sell 205 tickets.  This way if someone cancels they have a booked plane.  So you see, you need to call them to tell them that indeed you are going!"  I told my friend you gotta be kidding me!  THat's the stupidest thing Ive heard in years!  Ok then, what happens if all 205 DO SHOW UP?  They all paid, they made plans, they got the tickets in their hands!  WHat do you tell those last 5 people?!  Am I missing something here?

Tim

Answer
Dear Tim,

A passport is a type of ID which is recognized by any nation as a form of an ID. There are different entry and exit forms used by different nations to reflect the duration of your stay in a specific country.

A visa is a form of permission for a non-citizen to travel to, enter, transit or remain in a particular country.  A visa does not guarantee entry. This decision remains the right of the immigration officials of the country concerned.  The immigration laws of most countries do not have provision for appeal.  Some countries ask visitors to present return tickets and evidence of funds sufficient to cover the intended stay.  Others have compulsory currency exchange regulations on entry.  Some refuse entry to visitors who do not comply with requirements regarding general appearance and clothing, or visitors who are HIV positive.

Visas are issued with a period of validity. Once it is expired you need to renew it. It may be easier or not on the second time, because you had (or not) a positive (or negative) history on your previous entry/exit record.

For your upcoming Greece trip, you need to ask the airline or your travel agent regarding the need of visa for US citizens. Please also take in mind if your itinerary involves a stop in a third country you will need to verify if such country asks for a visa. Some countries issue "transit visas" as well.

As far as flight overbooking, well this is a tough question.

Airlines around the world are allowed to overbook flights to allow for "no-show" passengers. However, if passengers are involuntarily bumped, airlines are required to do ask for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation. Most involuntarily bumped passengers are subject to the following minimum compensation schedule
(below are the US regulations; for other countries they vary):

- No compensation if alternative transportation gets the passenger to the destination within one hour of the original scheduled arrival.

- The equivalent of the passenger's one way fare up to a maximum of $200 for substitute domestic flights that arrive between one and two hours after the original scheduled arrival time or for substitute international flights that arrive between one and four hours after the original scheduled arrival time.

- If the substitute transportation is scheduled to get you to your destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally), or if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the compensation doubles to a maximum of $400 maximum.

This minimum compensation schedule does not apply to charter flights, to scheduled flights operated with planes that hold 60 or fewer passengers, or to international flights inbound to the United States. If a passenger can't be accommodated to their satisfaction, they may be eligible to request a refund for the remaining part of the trip, even if the trip were on an otherwise nonrefundable ticket.

Passengers considering volunteering to give up their seat on an overbooked flight are in a position to negotiate with the airline for valuable compensation. However, a passenger would be wise to volunteer only after doing the following:

- Determine whether the later flight has a confirmed reservation and whether the scheduled arrival time is acceptable.

- Determine whether the airline will pay for food, lodging, or other costs you may incur due to taking a later flight.

- Determine whether the compensation being offered for giving up your seat is worthwhile (hint: ask for more than what an involuntarily bumped person would get).

If you might experience such nightmare you can report it to the US Department of Transportation. Please check the following link:

http://dynamic.tasc.dot.gov/oigsurvey/overbooking.cfm

If you need any additional informatiom, please let me know.

Best Regards,

R. Gomes