Do I need an onward ticket when checking in for a one-way Qatar Airways flight to Bangkok?

May 30, 2024
5 months ago
Dave **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone recently checked in at the Qatar Airways desk at Heathrow for a flight to Bangkok with a one way ticket?? If so, were they requiring a return ticket? How did you get around that problem?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Passengers checking in for Qatar Airways flights to Bangkok with one-way tickets have reported varying requirements regarding onward tickets. While some were not asked for a return ticket depending on their visa type (especially those with a non-immigrant visa), others mentioned being requested to show proof of onward travel. To address this, travelers suggested options such as purchasing a cheap flight to a neighboring country or using services like onwardticket.com to obtain a dummy ticket. Generally, the consensus is to be prepared with some form of onward travel documentation to avoid potential issues at check-in.
Myles *******
Fyi u will probably be flying BA for first leg, well I was the other day to Doha. Never been asked for onward ticket but BestOnwardTicket is your friend if u want to be safe
Michael *******
It’s not discretionary - the system flags it during check in if you are on a one way ticket why take the risk of being bumped get an onward flight to be safe, you can always cancel it
Ed ********
Not a return ticket but they require an onward ticket
Derren ********
I traveled to Bangkok 5 times in last 2 years each time with no onward/return ticket with various airlines. Starting destinations were London and once Barcelona. I was only asked to show a return once ( Etihad ) so I booked a dummy ticket on my phone ($16) while talking to the check in guy. Took about 2 mins, he waited for me to “find” my ticket.
Dave **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Derren *******
thanks Darren! That’s good to know!
Rene ********
@Derren *******
please provide the site for this. Ta
Derren ********
@Rene *******
The site I used was
********************
- you can get a dummy ticket for free but apparently they can’t always be verified. The guy at the check-in desk actually typed in the reservation number to his computer, I assumed to verify it was a genuine ticket. 
Rene ********
@Derren *******
thank you, useful
Lee ************
Onward ticket.com
Greg *********
@Lee ***********
not sure that works. Hate to take a chance
Jim ********
Just go on skyscanner and book a one way ticket to Phnom Phen. Pick any random date
John *******
With Qatar My return ticket was over 60 days, had to quickly buy a flight to Vietnam on 59th day, otherwise they would not let me board
Tony *************
They always ask for a ticket out, Vietnam is nice
Nigel *******
Yes they asked for my visa (tourist 60 day) but not my return which was with a different airline
Nigel *******
Was one month ago
Greg *********
With the exempt being changed, can I now have a return flight back to US for say 50 days?
Nigel **************
@Greg ********
it has not been confirmed yet. Need to wait for Royal Gazette announcement
Greg *********
@Nigel *************
I did search online and it says moved to 60 days. Google search
Nigel **************
@Greg ********
it is not legal yet! Trust me.
Kevin ******
@Nigel *************
correct, while the internet is buzzing with the news, it’s not yet in Royal Gazette.
****************************************
Nigel **************
@Kevin *****
So many people are reading all this stuff and wrongly assume it is now in operation legally. It is still only a plan..... keeps happening with these kinds of announcements.
Greg *********
@Nigel *************
even Google said it was. That's the media for you.
Nigel **************
@Greg ********
Until these new plans are announced in the Royal Gazette they are not confirmed or legal. 😉
Kevin ******
@Nigel *************
right…they read it and think it’s in effect.
Brandon ************
It depends on what type of visa or no visa you're flying with. If you have a non immigrant visa then proof of leaving Thailand isn't required. If you're flying as a tourist then they can ask for proof of a ticket out of Thailand. Either buy a cheap ticket to a neighboring country or google "onward travel ticket" for services that offer these.
Dan *******
@Brandon ***********
the airlines are obligated to ask these questions as they are fined significantly for visa breaches. You need to dot your I’s and cross your T’s when travelling.

The onus is always on the traveller however the airlines are severely penalised for the travellers error.

So they will and should scrutinise someone that becomes a red flag to them.
Dave **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thanks Brandon! Am going with no visa! Quite often they don’t ask, just wondering if it’s worth the risk! I know Emirates ask, just not sure about Qatar!
Anne *******
@Dave *********
, don't risk it. A friend has just been rejected at the Thai border and had to fly back to South Africa.
Kevin ******
@Dave *********
you won’t need to show them a return ticket though occasionally one is asked to show proof of an onward journey.
Andy **********
@Dave *********
it's hit and miss with any airline, as to whether you will be required to have a flight leaving Thailand within the number of days you're stamped in for, if you're worried just book a cheap flight to a neighbouring country, or just chance it!! If they won't allow you to check in, when you arrive at Heathrow, just step away from the check-in desk, and book a flight there and then, they would accept that no problem.
Dave **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is my third this year!
Jan ******************
@Dave *********
We had a guy who was denied boarding with Qatar Airways in London a couple of months ago on visa exemption even though he had a return flight within 30 days, because he had done two previous visa exemptions this year.. You could definitely risk they would ask you for an onward ticket on visa exemption.
Tony *************
@Jan *****************
is there a limit to enter on visa exemption? I usually go 3 to 5 times a year.
Peter *********
@Tony ************
no not by air
Jan ******************
@Tony ************
This statement from the Thai Embassy in London could be the reason for this incident. There’s no official statement from the Thai immigration regarding this. Formally it’s two entries by land in a calendar year and no official restriction for air entries, but at one point you’ll be pulled aside and questioned and told to get a proper visa according to your travel pattern. Things have been more strict after Covid, three entries in a year would not be an issue, but if you maximise each entry with extension as well and stay 180 days in total on visa exemption in a calendar year, you might risk to meet the point where they will ask you to get a long stay visa for future stay in Thailand.
Tony *************
@Jan *****************
yeah I've noticed that the immigration officer doesn't seem very happy and sometimes asks "no visa" yeah sometimes I extend 30 days but no more. I live in the Philippines and take my vacation in Thailand and when I go Sweden I always fly from Thailand, they have non-stop flights. So basically I don't see any wrong doing, I'm not doing any visa runs to maximize my stay. But understand what it can look like to them.
Jan ******************
@Tony ************
Seems quite common now that at one point this will happen.
Brandon ************
@Dave *********
even immigration can ask, though it's quite rare. Better to have a backup plan
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