qantas visa advice not correct

[kiwitripper64]

I was wandering through our booking to the Philippines on QF and went on to their travel advice page. There is a page which gives advice on VISA requirements and I had a look. According to QF ( via 3rd party VISALINK) we need visas to visit the Philippines.
One issue is the questions you are asked during submission. We put in tourist and then are asked single entry or multi visit. We put single entry. The final question is how long do you want the visa to be valid and the ONLY option is 3 months. They then say you need a visa and they can arrange for this, presumably for a fee.
But when I checked the Philippine govt site, Australian and a whole lot of other countries do not need a visa for stays of less than 30 days.
Beginning August 1, 2013, Australian passport holders are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa if they intend to stay for Thirty days (30) days or less for pleasure or business purposes, provided they have a return or onward travel to another country and their passports are valid at least six months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines

So the QF site is technically correct as they ONLY discuss the 3 month visa. But they do not mention a 30 day option which is free, and at the start they say you require a visa. The advice is a bit dodgy and I did not look to see how much VISALINK charges fro the 3 month visa

 

[kpc]

When we went to Boracay 2 years ago, we did not need visas to enter the Phillipines on Aussie passports

 

[Spongbob]

We always rely on Govt websites for visa information, not airlines etc.

 

[DC3]

... when I checked the Philippine govt site, Australian and a whole lot of other countries do not need a visa for stays of less than 30 days ...

Yes, a good warning to others to check Government travel information.

I don’t even bother reading any airline visa advice and rely only on the requirements specified on the Government website of the country to be visited.

 

[kiwitripper64]

We always rely on Govt websites for visa information, not airlines etc.

So do we. My point is Qantas are offering this "advice" on their site and I am sure it is catching some people out.

 

[RooFlyer]

So do we. My point is Qantas are offering this "advice" on their site and I am sure it is catching some people out.

Yep, steer people towards a fee service, for which no doubt QF will get a cut.

 

[Himeno]

Question is where is Qantas getting their advice from?

They should be getting it from Timatic (AU > PH entry quoted below)

Information as of 31DEC19 / 0052 UTC
National Australia (AU) /Embarkation Australia (AU)
Destination Philippines (PH)
Philippines (PH)

Passport required.
- Normal passports and other documents accepted for entry
issued to nationals of Australia must be valid on arrival.
Passport Exemptions:
- Nationals of Australia with an emergency passport.
Admission and Transit Restrictions:
- Passports must be machine readable to enter.
- This does not apply to emergency and temporary passports.
- This does not apply to passengers with a visa issued by the
Philippines.

Visa required, except for Nationals of Australia with a
passport for a maximum stay of 30 days.
Visa required, except for Former nationals of the Philippines
(Balikbayans) with proof of former Philippines nationality,
for a maximum stay of 1 year.

Visa required, except for Spouses and children of nationals of
the Philippines traveling together with the national of the
Philippines, for a maximum stay of 1 year.

Visa required, except for Passengers with an APEC Business
Travel Card
valid for travel to the PHL for a
maximum stay of 60 days. The card is valid for the countries
listed on the back of the card.
- OR
Visa Issuance:
Visa required, except for Nationals of Australia with a
passport can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 59
days. They can apply to extend their stay.
Minors:
- Foreign minors younger than 15 years traveling accompanied
by parents

are they just seeing "Visa required" and ignoring the ", except for Nationals of Australia with a
passport for a maximum stay of 30 days."?

 

[Dr Ralph]

I don't think you should be relying on VISA advice from Qantas.

 

[DC3]

Question is where is Qantas getting their advice from? ...

Exactly. And not just visa information.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There was a problem last year - fixed now - that the QF visa provider didn't recognise China's transit without visa (TWOV) option. This would have proved a costly exercise for many

 

[kiwitripper64]

Where is red roo to help?

 

[Pushka]

Where is red roo to help?

Long gone.

 

[DC3]

Where is red roo to help?

Red Roo got put down. Did too good a job.

 

[oz_mark]

The documentation page says to use the IATA travel centre to determine requirements, and Visa Link if you need to get one.

Travel documents, passport, identification, visas | Qantas AU

Find out the various forms of identification you might need before flying, as well as special requirements for travel to/from South Africa.

www.qantas.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The documentation page says to use the IATA travel centre to determine requirements, and Visa Link if you need to get one.

Travel documents, passport, identification, visas | Qantas AU

Find out the various forms of identification you might need before flying, as well as special requirements for travel to/from South Africa.

www.qantas.com

I think that’s even worse!

A tiny link to the IATA page, but a *huge* ‘do you need a visa’ service immediately underneath that says you do need a visa for a whole range of places that you don’t.

For the UK it says ‘check visa requirements’, but other places it’s just plain wrong.

It’s misleading.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

BTW - the IATA visa link is still incorrect for China TWOV, not recognising that the clock starts ticking on the entry permit from 00:01 the day after arrival (It correctly states the clock starting at 00:01 if your stay is within 144 hours, but not correctly if your stay exceeds 144 hours, but still within TWOV validity).

 

[Himeno]

BTW - the IATA visa link is still incorrect for China TWOV, not recognising that the clock starts ticking on the entry permit from 00:01 the day after arrival (It correctly states the clock starting at 00:01 if your stay is within 144 hours, but not correctly if your stay exceeds 144 hours, but still within TWOV validity).

The China TWOV issue is understanding. It's very complex and varies greatly depending on where in China you are transiting. Some cities allow 72 hours, others allow 144 hours. Some base the clock on scheduled flight arrival time, some base it on 0001 of arrival day, others base it on 0001 the following morning. The Central government allows the system and states which passport holders can make use of it. The details as to length, or if it that city/province accepts it at all, is up to the local governments.
I've used it 4 times. Each time on BA from LHR to PEK or PVG, then out to elsewhere in Asia on MH, CX/KA or JL. Each time BA has been confused in a different way. Once the computer flagged it as not allowed at check in which required phone calls and an override. That was sorted out, then it needed to be fixed again at the gate during boarding.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The rules are complex... but that’s no excuse for an official visa service to get it wrong!! It should say ‘seek further advice’ rather than ‘visa required... buy here’

 

[V Singh]

There is useful common sense lesson here. Research & Review authorized sources for travel document requirements(Passport Validity, Visa, Travel Insurance etc both for Destination & Airline) for entire duration of ones travel plans, before any travel. Ignorance could lead to Disappointments, Unnecessary Expenses & Delays. So know the rules.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Research & Review authorized sources for travel document requirements

You'd think an airline and it's recommended visa services would be those sources