Flights from Delhi to Leh. Please help!!

bri6068 · Jul 2nd, 2008, 09:26

I'm an American who is going to India on vacation in August. Part of our itinerary includes a round trip domestic flight from Delhi to Leh (Aug 11- Aug 14). HOWEVER, I've had a hell of a time trying to book a seemingly simple transaction. I went to Air Deccan and tried to do the transaction online but the VISA and Mastercard kept erroring out (about 10 times I tried; 3 different days). I called them and they said that it keeps erroring out b/c it is an American issued Credit Card. Another website (Cleartrip.com) said the same thing. Jetairways was rediculously prices so I'm steering clear from them.

Is there any website I can go to that will allow an American with an American issued Credit Card to make a transaction?

Thanks!!!

brian a · Jul 2nd, 2008, 16:25

There doesn't seem to be any way to buy tickets outside of India at present. (though keen to learn of any?!) Can anyone suggest a reliable agent within India who would take a credit/debit card payment to book tickets for someone outwith India?

Thanks, Brian

kullukid · Jul 2nd, 2008, 19:14

Book them through your travel agent at home who booked your flight to India.
Also it can/usually does take 2 or 3 days to acclimatise once you reach Leh & you won't feel like doing anything apart from laying about resting with occasional dizzy spells if you try walking far or go up steps, so i would question whether this is worth doing for 3 days.

KK

Marius · Jul 2nd, 2008, 19:18

I had the same problem. I was able to make my reservations for Delhi to Leh with makemytrip.com. I did find out after I had already made my reservations that I might have been able to make them directly with Air Deccan. I was leary to do so, because it asked for my credit card's "PIN number" on the online reservation form. No way was I going to do that! Turns out that it is not your card's PIN number as we know it here in the states, but your zip code. So I would try that first, and if that does not work, try makemytrip.com. Here is the direct link: http://airdeccan.makemytrip.co.in/ Good luck!

One more thing. Before I found the direct reservation link on makemytrip.com, I had tried to get help with their "Live Chat". They tried to charge me triple the listed fair on Air Deccan's site, claiming that it cost more for foreigners, which is not true. Some airlines do the two-tier pricing structure for nationals and non-nationals, but not Air Deccan. The price they were quoting me was almost the same as the cost of my flight from the states to India! So just be aware of this.

bruce · Jul 2nd, 2008, 22:08

bri,

Just a word of caution. I decided to go with jetair rather than airdeccan due to customer service issues. Airdeccan is a low cost provider that fills a big niche in India but it is also notorious for delays and cancellations. I rather pay an extra $100 and enjoy my vacation rather than waste a day (or more) in airports standing in lines.

This is likely not a big problem for locals. But time is much more valuable when you are on a vacation. IndianAir might be a more cost effective alternative.

Cheers

bri6068 · Jul 3rd, 2008, 07:01

Thank you all very much for your input.

Marius, can I just say that you are a Godsend! Thank you very much. I went to the Makemytrip site like you suggested and much to my surprise, the transaction worked!!! I too had the PIN number experience and it freaked me out a bit. I even called Airdeccan directly but they said that I could not use my International Credit Card. I tried many sites and each time I had no luck. I was right about to give up. Now, I'm going to Leh thanks to you. Thanks again!!!

Marius · Jul 3rd, 2008, 08:52

I'm so glad to hear that it worked out for you, and you're welcome! I can recall the frustration of trying to make my own reservation for Leh (and Dharamsala). Now just hope the flight doesn't get cancelled (which I understand happens more than usual because of weather) or too overbooked!

Buddhamountain · Jul 10th, 2008, 21:57

thanks for the info! another questions, from what airport is Deccan flying to Leh ? Is this the major airport to where you fly in from overseas? I know, I could look it up on the net but thought this might be quicker .. thanks so much

Jul 2nd, 2008, 09:26	#1
bri6068 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 14	Flights from Delhi to Leh. Please help!! I'm an American who is going to India on vacation in August. Part of our itinerary includes a round trip domestic flight from Delhi to Leh (Aug 11- Aug 14). HOWEVER, I've had a hell of a time trying to book a seemingly simple transaction. I went to Air Deccan and tried to do the transaction online but the VISA and Mastercard kept erroring out (about 10 times I tried; 3 different days). I called them and they said that it keeps erroring out b/c it is an American issued Credit Card. Another website (Cleartrip.com) said the same thing. Jetairways was rediculously prices so I'm steering clear from them. Is there any website I can go to that will allow an American with an American issued Credit Card to make a transaction? Thanks!!!

Jul 2nd, 2008, 16:25	#2
brian a Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 1	or any agent in India that can be used There doesn't seem to be any way to buy tickets outside of India at present. (though keen to learn of any?!) Can anyone suggest a reliable agent within India who would take a credit/debit card payment to book tickets for someone outwith India? Thanks, Brian

Jul 2nd, 2008, 19:18	#4
Marius Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 18	I had the same problem. I was able to make my reservations for Delhi to Leh with makemytrip.com. I did find out after I had already made my reservations that I might have been able to make them directly with Air Deccan. I was leary to do so, because it asked for my credit card's "PIN number" on the online reservation form. No way was I going to do that! Turns out that it is not your card's PIN number as we know it here in the states, but your zip code. So I would try that first, and if that does not work, try makemytrip.com. Here is the direct link: http://airdeccan.makemytrip.co.in/ Good luck! One more thing. Before I found the direct reservation link on makemytrip.com, I had tried to get help with their "Live Chat". They tried to charge me triple the listed fair on Air Deccan's site, claiming that it cost more for foreigners, which is not true. Some airlines do the two-tier pricing structure for nationals and non-nationals, but not Air Deccan. The price they were quoting me was almost the same as the cost of my flight from the states to India! So just be aware of this. Last edited by brownboy66 : Jul 2nd, 2008 at 19:52. Reason: merged sequential posts

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Jul 2nd, 2008, 19:14	#3
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 977	Book them through your travel agent at home who booked your flight to India. Also it can/usually does take 2 or 3 days to acclimatise once you reach Leh & you won't feel like doing anything apart from laying about resting with occasional dizzy spells if you try walking far or go up steps, so i would question whether this is worth doing for 3 days. KK

Jul 2nd, 2008, 22:08	#5
bruce Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 32	bri, Just a word of caution. I decided to go with jetair rather than airdeccan due to customer service issues. Airdeccan is a low cost provider that fills a big niche in India but it is also notorious for delays and cancellations. I rather pay an extra $100 and enjoy my vacation rather than waste a day (or more) in airports standing in lines. This is likely not a big problem for locals. But time is much more valuable when you are on a vacation. IndianAir might be a more cost effective alternative. Cheers

Jul 3rd, 2008, 07:01	#6
bri6068 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 14	Thank you all very much for your input. Marius, can I just say that you are a Godsend! Thank you very much. I went to the Makemytrip site like you suggested and much to my surprise, the transaction worked!!! I too had the PIN number experience and it freaked me out a bit. I even called Airdeccan directly but they said that I could not use my International Credit Card. I tried many sites and each time I had no luck. I was right about to give up. Now, I'm going to Leh thanks to you. Thanks again!!!

Jul 3rd, 2008, 08:52	#7
Marius Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 18	I'm so glad to hear that it worked out for you, and you're welcome! I can recall the frustration of trying to make my own reservation for Leh (and Dharamsala). Now just hope the flight doesn't get cancelled (which I understand happens more than usual because of weather) or too overbooked!

Jul 10th, 2008, 21:57	#8
Buddhamountain Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vevey/Switzerland Posts: 5	thanks for the info! another questions, from what airport is Deccan flying to Leh ? Is this the major airport to where you fly in from overseas? I know, I could look it up on the net but thought this might be quicker .. thanks so much

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