@Brad ******

to be honest it's been a blessing. I used to go to the USA all the time. Well its easy right?

But after when immigration went onto overdrive I started venturing outside the EU and English speaking countries.

Who knew the rest of the world was so amazing? 😁😁

@Brad ******

the policy has been in place since . I haven't been to the US since 2003 as result and I have a British passport.

@Sue *********

I know a few Brits who were rejected by US Immigration when Obama was President.

US Immigration has always been a nightmare.

I for example couldn't go visa free under Biden because I visited Cuba in 2019.

To be honest I'm not fussed. The USA is hugely overrated and US Airlines are dreadful.

@Jennifer ******************

I never realised how important this was as I have a British passport, so.immigration has never been an issue. I haven't been to USA since 2003.

However when entering Armenia and Georgia in 2024, I had big problems because I look a lot younger than my age.

They couldn't work out if the passport was fake or the photo was fake.

However it was having so many stamps from other countries, especially the EU swung it. They assumed if the EU was okay with my passport and me then it was okay with them!

Getting a new passport this year. Thankfully I travel a lot so it'll full up fast.

Supply and Demand.

Flight ticket prices are never based on distance. They are based on demand!

Yeah the "just drive into Mexico and stay there" visa has gone.

Not only do they have a computerised centralised border control system, they also check ID on most long distance public transport and the overstay amnesty visa has ended.

If you can't afford to get a Thai retirement visa, then you certainly can't afford to get TR in Mexico, and I don't think you could afford to live in either country!

@Luit ****************

I always have a legal onward flight because my travel is planned and paid for 6 months in advance

What you don't seem to understand is that only 2 airlines do this and they don't ask everyone for an onward ticket.

I am always asked no matter what class I fly and despite having a British passport.

If everyone was asked by every airline then fine.

But they aren't.

Oddly it's usually us non white folk always asked

I know many white folk who have never been asked once.

So yeah I'm entitled to call Qatar (in particular) bad.

PS I have a British passport. I don't need to buy any visa for Thailand. I get 60 days visa on arrival.

@Leo ********

Many countries do fine airlines for bringing passengers who don't have the right entry documentation. But that is in country's which check such things like the UK, USA etc.

Thailand immigration never does but I guess in theory they could check. But then if you showed the airline a fake onward ticket surely they would be fined anyway, so why don't they check??

Plus not all airlines to Thailand do this. I've flown to Thailand many times. Only Qatar have this policy, and in SE Asia only Air Asia and Vietnam Airlines have asked.

@Luit ****************

Because they don't actually check your reservation is real, so what is the point?

I always have a real onward flight. Many don't. I know of people buying fake onward tickets, free cancellation tickets, random bus tickets.

The whole thing is a pointless charade by these airlines.

Also I'm sorry but if you've paid to fly Qatar BC then you may well not have a return flight because you're flying on urgent business!

I just flew Qatar Business Class Venice - Doha - Bangkok and they insisted on seeing a valid flight booking leaving Thailand and the flight number too!

Qatar and Air Asia are the worst for this. Emirates never asked in January and Thai Immigration have never asked even once!