Denied boarding in Istanbul

Roxielyn

My fiancé was denied boarding today. He is a German Citizen but lives in Sofia, Bulgaria and has been out of the Schengen area since June 30th. They didn’t explain why just told him he couldn’t board his second flight. He was sent in circles from counter to counter all pointing fingers to another help desk. We tried to call CBP, US embassy and they all said the airline should be able to help and the airline didn’t want to and the employees were so rude they would just walk away from him. Has anyone experienced this and found a reason why this happens or a way to fix it?
thanks in advance

mrymsza

Hi Roxielyn my partner is scheduled to fly from Istanbul to USA tomorrow so I'll let you know if I hear anything. Have you gotten any updates about this? Makes me nervous for his flight tomorrow...

Roxielyn

mrymsza no, we had to book a flight back to Bulgaria for him. No one was helpful and I spoke with countless people trying to get an explanation and no one had a reason why he was denied boarding. This really broke me as a person. I hope things work out for you two.

WilliamBoerjesson

We had a group of people being denied boarding in Croatia, because of the lack of proof of their stay. In Croatia now they have to ask for entry stamps, and save boarding passes together with hotel bookings and other recipes to prove their stay. I always suggest to the people we help that they start by checking out channel out, and especially this video on binders and how to structure yours. They just need to see proof of you being out of Schengen enough to allow you to board, and sometimes they don't see that and they are not willing to take a chance. I hope everything works out for you in the end, and if there is anything we could potentially help you guys with, let us know. Send us a message through Facebook or instagram. Take care and good luck :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zlOJj_u4sk&t=1s

Roxielyn

WilliamBoerjesson Hi there, thanks for your reply. Yes we have both had binders since the beginning of the pandemic and have been able to travel to Aruba together. Also me Germany and him the US, so we are familiar with the necessary documents. That’s why this is so frustrating. He had his documents showing his last flight from Germany to Bulgaria also his lease for his flat and a letter from his landlord showing he has lived there for 5 years. He also had paperwork showing he was enrolled as a medical student at the university of Sofia and his schedule for proof he has been in Bulgaria. They still didn’t give him the time or day to even explain anything and we also called the embassy and CBP and the travel authorities. They all said he should be fine to board and they didn’t see any reason why he would be denied. I also contacted United airlines which would have been his next carrier and they said the same thing. We just couldn’t get answers and they also didn’t want to refund me for the trip and since we have to take specific flights to get him her it was a a lot more than usual. I am still writing to the airlines asking for explanation and they just send the generic basic letters. I’m just glad I booked the flight on my CC and my company reimbursed me the funds as long as I had a paper trail so I’m currently making sure I have enough. Also he’s in his 6 year of med school so we dont know when we will be able to see each other again. Especially not that the US is now on the red zone. Just really discouraging and I plan to move to the EU but not till next year when he graduates. Now I want to do it sooner than later.

WilliamBoerjesson

Roxielyn Im so sorry to heard this, and honestly I feel like I hear more of these ridiculous stories each day. Do you think it was because he didn't have an official stamp or proof of entering Bulgaria and spending the valid time?? I hope you'll be able to get the funds back and reschedule. Please let me know if theres anything I can help you guys with. Feel for you!! <3