[MPuccinelli]

Hello all, first post. Okay, this is both a check-in and a customer service problem, but since the problem began with checking in, I decided to put it here.

First, some background. I've been working in Kosovo since last February, as a contractor supporting the US Army. In late July, I flew back to Portland, Oregon, for a wedding. When I checked in for my flight back to Kosovo, the ticket agent wouldn't allow me to do so because she believed that Kosovo required a visa for extended stays and I didn't have one. I knew this wasn't true - Kosovo didn't/doesn't require a visa - because I had flown in and out of there several times already. But I couldn't convince the ticket agent of that. I'll admit, I pretty much lost my cool and almost my temper at the airport.

Anyway, I had to change my itinerary; by switching to Lufthansa and bypassing United, I was able to get on a flight back to Kosovo the next day. But since I changed my ticket, I had to pay a $350 fee.

When I got back to Kosovo, I immediately filed a claim for reimbursement through United's website. I've been going back and forth with United ever since then - see the attached PDF for details. I even managed to find a couple blurbs on the websites for the US State Department and the Kosovo government specifically stating no visa is required, but that wasn't enough to get United to reimburse me.

Today, I received a response to my most recent claim, which I filed on Jan 23rd. Here's the full response:

I understand that you did not consider United's first response satisfactory. I am sorry, but must decline reimbursement for any additional expenses incurred. Please know that it is our sincere desire to move forward in our business relationship with you, and we realize that you have a choice of carriers. As we have nothing else to add, we will consider this matter closed and will no longer correspond regarding this issue, but invite you to contact us again if we may address a different travel-related issue.

I'm furious at this point. United Airlines apparently believes that it knows better than the State Department and the Kosovo government.

I've already filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. If anyone here has any other suggestions, they'd be more than welcome.

[jimworcs]

I woud take this to Small Claims Court. They are arrogant and rely on customers just giving up. I hope you don't.

[jimworcs]

I looked it up and got this. I wonder ifthey have some wriggle room if your business was considered more than "basic"....Or if your say was going to last more than 90 days.

Kosovo Business Travel Requirements for US Citizens:Email Requirements
A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days. Traveler must be in possession of a passport valid for 6 months beyond stay and a round-trip airline ticket. Visitors may be required to produce documentation to demonstrate the purpose of their visit. A visa may be required if trip purpose is other than basic business meetings.
1Passport Requirements:
Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, and with at least one blank visa page available for visa stamp(s).
2Proof Of Departure:
Confirmed round-trip or onward ticket.
3Special Instructions:
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. There is currently no Consular representation in the United States. For information regarding entry requirements, please visit The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
Click here to register your trip with the US Embassy in Kosovo

The US State Department strongly encourages American citizens planning international travel to register with the US Embassy(s) in the countries they plan to visit. (Learn more).

[MPuccinelli]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

I looked it up and got this. I wonder ifthey have some wriggle room if your business was considered more than "basic"....Or if your say was going to last more than 90 days.

Hi, thanks for your reply. Can I get the link to the page where you found that info? It kind of conflicts with information I pulled from the State Dept website:

U.S. citizens need a passport to enter Kosovo. No visa is required, but visitors might need documentation stating the purpose of their visit. Generally, visitors entering Kosovo are permitted to stay for up to 90 days. Persons who wish to stay beyond 90 days will need to register with the Directorate for Migration and Foreigners located in the Main Police Headquarters in Pristina. If you intend to work, study, or remain longer than 90 days in Kosovo, you should contact the Directorate for Migration and Foreigners prior to your arrival in Kosovo to obtain information about requirements for visitors in these categories.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...y_requirements

[jimworcs]

I hope you prevail....

http://kosovo.travisa.com/TVSVisaIns...tizenshipID=US

This is the site I found