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What travel documents does Cathay Pacific require for a flight to Chiang Mai if entering Thailand with a visa exemption?

Visa Exemption Thailand Immigration Onward Flights Check-in Requirements Travel Documents

December 12, 2017

7 years ago

Álvaro **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Long shot question: I'm flying into Chiang Mai in a couple of days, flying with Cathay Pacific. They've rejected my online check-in because "must check travel documents in person at the check-in counter in the airport".

I have no visa (will enter with a visa exemption, 30 days for my nationality), and have a return flight for May 31th, because I'm going to travel through SEA.

I have booked a flight to HCMC some days after arrive at CM. It's a real one, not a fake nor a bestonward, it's a real confirmed and paid ticket, because I'm really traveling onwards.

What is what they're going to check when I go to the airport? Is it enough with the e-ticket for that onward flight out of Thailand?

BTW, my passport is valid until 2022, have enough empty pages, and I have a real hotel booking for the time I'll stay in CM.

Do you think they can ask for any other proof or anything?

TIA!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is concerned about the travel document requirements for their upcoming flight to Chiang Mai with Cathay Pacific, as they have received a notification to check in at the counter due to missing online check-in. They hold a visa exemption for 30 days, a return flight for May 31, a real onward flight to HCMC, and have confirmed hotel bookings. Comments from the community suggest that the airline is likely checking for proof of onward travel and that the user should be fine presenting their onward flight e-ticket, along with any other required documentation.

Terary **********

The computers flag requirements and bada-bing. It's probably nothing.

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ริค ***********

Cathay is the best. You have nothing to worry about. I have used them to fly Canada bkk 12 times. They never ask about visa in Thailand. They probably want to check your credit card you paid with to verify.

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ริค ***********

Look on cathay website

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ริค ***********

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Álvaro **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Rick, I've read all the e-ticket for 5 or 6 times, and there's no one line saying I must show the card. The same said the operator who atended me by phone.

I hope it's just the onward what they want to see.

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ริค ***********

I always bought direst from cathay. They always checked my credit card when I checked in. They never asked me for proof of onward travel. Maybe it’s new. I know immigration here in Thailand is getting very strict. I just got my one year extension. I had to go back 3 times and all 3 people said something different

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Álvaro **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Rick, thank you for the tip regarding the credit card. I've just phoned the company and had confirmed me that there's no need to show it - I bought the tickets straigh from the Cathay website, not agents. The operator confirmed me that is 99% sure they want to see proof of onward travel.

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Steve *******

@Rick *********

. Good to know but's it's not just down to the airline, quite often it's down to airport policy.

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ริค ***********

I also bought a one way ticket to bkk with cathay and I had no problems

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ริค ***********

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Randolph ****

just got to the airport the other day. same 30-day visa exempt. i just prepared my return flight and hotel booking print outs. the officer did not bother to see it. but if they check your flight back, you may show them flight of ouf thailand before that 30 day expires

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Álvaro **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Well, I hope it's just that what they want to check... I've both, and I think I'll print it on paper better than showing my mobile phone/email...

Thank you for your reply!

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Álvaro **********

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Andrew *******

It's almost certainly not a big deal - I'm quite sure it just means that they're checking that you have the stuff you do have (which they presumably don't know about). I guess it depends on the airline/airport, but I don't remember the last time I flew within SEA where I didn't need to go to the check-in counter (and occasionally show them a return ticket or argue about that a bit when I didn't have one).

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Álvaro **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm pretty sure that they just want to check if I have an onward trip or a visa... but I'm a bit worried because I called the company and couldn't confirm me anything, just "go to the airport and ask there".

Thank you for your reply!

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Álvaro **********

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Barry ******

Which airport are you flying from? Some airports don't have online checkin capability

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Álvaro **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Madrid, Spain. I've checked in online in the past with that company in that airport, that isn't the issue. It's something regarding my "travel documents"

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Álvaro **********

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Steve *******

They're checking for a visa or onward travel because your return flight isnt within 30 days. You should be fine with your flight to HCMC

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Steve *******

I hope everything goes ok when you check in. Good luck

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Álvaro **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for reassuring me, Steve :)

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Steve *******

Álvaro, you should be fine, when you check in you can confirm your onward flight

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Álvaro **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I think so, but I'm a bit worried because I have just 3 hours in the airport prior to flight departure.

As said, I've an onward flight to Vietnam, because I'm going to travel through SEA those months. I'll enter Vietnam with the 15-days visa exemption for my nationality.

Thank you for your reply!

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Álvaro **********

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