Arriving in Lax flying to YVR

[Flying mermaid]

I am busy planning Miss FM's honeymoon (not sure why me, but apparently she feels I will do a good job).

Anyway some months ago I booked J awards for them Mel-lax and now am looking at adding paid segments.

So some questions

1. I gather from reading on here that electronic processing now exists, but you have to have entered on the passport before. This would be true for Miss FM, but not her fiancé, so I assume they would both go to manual processing?

2. Is 3 hours enough - the Qantas flight gets in at approx 6:35 and the flight to Vancouver is at 9:45. I know it can take 4 hours to get through immigration and of course I have zero confidence in Qantas running on time, but they only have two weeks, so not really time to stop in LAX and the next flight is quite late, so I am really tempted to book the 9:45 one.

3. It is an award flight with a paid segment (different tickets) so QF should check that through to YVR, but bags still need to clear customs. I think if Qantas does that, they can be dropped off at TBIT is that true?

4. The YVR flight appears to leave from T6 - so they will have to go through immigration again - does that take long. It seems an unbelievably tortuous process - what is wrong with transit!

5. If Qantas does run late and the bags have been checked through, is there protection for the next flight, or is that all out the window with the recent changes?

Any other info gratefully received.

 

[Pushka]

Well, knowing your tastes in travel I'd be getting you to do my honeymoon also

Wont they simply be in transit in LA if flying to Vancouver?

 

[Flying mermaid]

Unfortunately her fiancé is quite proud and gets very cross if I pay for too much, so I am a bit restricted..... I have found a fabulous 2 day train trip from Vancouver to Jasper, which I have told her she has to do, even if I sneak her a bit of money that he doesn't know about.

As I understand it, transit doesn't exist in the USA - you have to clear immigration and customs even if you are flying straight back out. I have just been reading something that indicated that you don't go through immigration in terminal 6 it is done in Vancouver - all a bit strange...

 

[Pushka]

Vancouver is set up quite differently I understand. Processes Immigration into USA as well as out of Canada. If there is are cruise ships in Vancouver for Alaska it gets very chaotic.

I think I wouldn't sneak any money given his feelings.

 

[Flying mermaid]

All seems a bit strange -trying to get my head around it. It will certainly make it quicker if the second set of processing is in Vancouver.

I have adopted a strategy of Birthday and Christmas presents for paying for things - I think we are up to 2019 by now . Also Miss FM has convinced him that award flights don't count because points are free. I am trying to be good, because I do respect his feelings.....

 

[RooFlyer]

I am busy planning Miss FM's honeymoon (not sure why me, but apparently she feels I will do a good job).

Anyway some months ago I booked J awards for them Mel-lax and now am looking at adding paid segments.

So some questions

1. I gather from reading on here that electronic processing now exists, but you have to have entered on the passport before. This would be true for Miss FM, but not her fiancé, so I assume they would both go to manual processing?

2. Is 3 hours enough - the Qantas flight gets in at approx 6:35 and the flight to Vancouver is at 9:45. I know it can take 4 hours to get through immigration and of course I have zero confidence in Qantas running on time, but they only have two weeks, so not really time to stop in LAX and the next flight is quite late, so I am really tempted to book the 9:45 one.

3. It is an award flight with a paid segment (different tickets) so QF should check that through to YVR, but bags still need to clear customs. I think if Qantas does that, they can be dropped off at TBIT is that true?

4. The YVR flight appears to leave from T6 - so they will have to go through immigration again - does that take long. It seems an unbelievably tortuous process - what is wrong with transit!

5. If Qantas does run late and the bags have been checked through, is there protection for the next flight, or is that all out the window with the recent changes?

Any other info gratefully received.

1. Yes; Miss could do electronic if she wanted, but obviously they want to stay together. Sometimes the electronic gates aren't used at all for some flights don't know why. When they enter the immigration area there are lines on the floor and agents pointing. They should ask if uncertain where to go.

Definitely must fully enter the USA even if only transiting.

LAX is a lot better than it used to be. You/they can check on current average wait times here. Note that's only immigration; add more for collecting bags and customs.

2. 3 hrs should be OK. LAX has improved a lot, but a large delay in arrival would of course be problematical as they are not on same tickets. Is there no other alternative a bit beyond 3 hours to let then not need to stress if things are a bit tight time-wise? Who are you thinking of flying them with? American? WestJet has some Qantas code-shares; Alaskan isn't bad, but via Seattle and SEA-YVR probably in a turbo prob. Air Canada good in J. (I've done 'em all!!)

3. Not sure about the checked through thing with new rules but yes, if the bags are checked through, once they clear customs they turn right, go up a small ramp and then drop the bags off, and then they walk outside and walk to the next terminal (there are shuttles circulating but walking probably faster and the exercise is good!)

4. NO. There is no exit US immigration, but they will need to clear security again. They will clear Canadian immigration on arrival at YVR.

5. I don't understand the relationship with the transpac ticket and the LAX-YVR ticket to know if they will be checked through. Who ae they flying with LAX-YVR?



On exiting Canada, no exit immigration. If they are travelling back to the USA, then they will clear US immigration & customs at Vancouver. Need to arrive at the airport a bit earlier to do this. Then its essentially a domestic flight to the US - just get off the plane and collect bags as normal.

on leaving the US, there is no exit immigration again. Just turn up at TBIT, check in, clear security and wait in the lounge.

 

[Flying mermaid]

1. Yes; Miss could do electronic if she wanted, but obviously they want to stay together. Sometimes the electronic gates aren't used at all for some flights don't know why. When they enter the immigration area there are lines on the floor and agents pointing. They should ask if uncertain where to go.

Definitely must fully enter the USA even if only transiting.

LAX is a lot better than it used to be. You/they can check on current average wait times here. Note that's only immigration; add more for collecting bags and customs.

2. 3 hrs should be OK. LAX has improved a lot, but a large delay in arrival would of course be problematical as they are not on same tickets. Is there no other alternative a bit beyond 3 hours to let then not need to stress if things are a bit tight time-wise? Who are you thinking of flying them with? American? WestJet has some Qantas code-shares; Alaskan isn't bad, but via Seattle and SEA-YVR probably in a turbo prob. Air Canada good in J. (I've done 'em all!!)

3. Not sure about the checked through thing with new rules but yes, if the bags are checked through, once they clear customs they turn right, go up a small ramp and then drop the bags off, and then they walk outside and walk to the next terminal (there are shuttles circulating but walking probably faster and the exercise is good!)

4. NO. There is no exit US immigration, but they will need to clear security again. They will clear Canadian immigration on arrival at YVR.

5. I don't understand the relationship with the transpac ticket and the LAX-YVR ticket to know if they will be checked through. Who ae they flying with LAX-YVR?



On exiting Canada, if they are travelling back to the USA, then they will clear US immigration & customs at Vancouver. Need to arrive at the airport a bit earlier to do this. Then its essentially a domestic flight to the US - just get off the plane and collect bags as normal.

on leaving the US, there is no exit immigration again. Just turn up at TBIT, clear security and wait in the lounge.

Ok thanks - that answers most of my questions. The award ticket is with Qantas and they are flying an AA codeshare to YVR. MY understanding is that Qantas will check through if it an award ticket combined with a revenue ticket, but a) I don't know if the checkin person in Melbourne will have the same understanding and b) it might all have changed by next July. The next AA flight is at 7:50 pm - there is a non direct flight but it takes 8 hours, so don't really gain anything.

Possibly I should abandon AA and look at other carriers. That might be a good idea, as 3 hours could end up stressful. If QF runs on time it would be OK, but an hour late, which really isn't much at all would really stuff things up.

They will I'll be going to Las Vegas as their final stop, so maybe I should reverse everything and take them to Las first then Niagara, then Rockies and then fly into Lax to fly home. Hmm back to the drawing board tomorrow.....

 

[serfty]

...
3. Not sure about the checked through thing with new rules but yes, if the bags are checked through, once they clear customs they turn right, go up a small ramp and then drop the bags off, and then they walk outside and walk to the next terminal (there are shuttles circulating but walking probably faster and the exercise is good!)
...
5. I don't understand the relationship with the transpac ticket and the LAX-YVR ticket to know if they will be checked through. Who ae they flying with LAX-YVR ...

Re 3:

Now after depositing bags and assuming the have the YVR BPs, you stay indoors - exit unto the landside arrivals hall and turn right. Then head down to the new TBIT transit security via the corridor at the end of the hall where they should be through in two minutes.

From there they can walk airside from TBIT to T6.

Re 5: T6 could be AA, AS, DL. (I think the latter is unlikely.) If AA then it could be from the EaAgles nest.

 

[RooFlyer]

Unfortunately her fiancé is quite proud and gets very cross if I pay for too much, so I am a bit restricted..... I have found a fabulous 2 day train trip from Vancouver to Jasper, which I have told her she has to do, even if I sneak her a bit of money that he doesn't know about.

As I understand it, transit doesn't exist in the USA - you have to clear immigration and customs even if you are flying straight back out. I have just been reading something that indicated that you don't go through immigration in terminal 6 it is done in Vancouver - all a bit strange...

BC is my second back yard . If they do the Vancouver-Jasper train, then a drive from Jasper down the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise and Banff (terrific honeymoon-friendly chateaux at both) is a must (or they can continue on the train, but they'll see more driving).

They then would end up in Calgary (my second home town); if that's the end of their trip, they could fly back to LAX from there, or fly to YVR and then LAX.

Vancouver is a great place, but what time of year are they going?

See my other answer re Terminal 6 departure. They'll go through security, but no USA exit immigration - but then normal Canadian entry immigration.

 

[RooFlyer]

Re 3:

Now after depositing bags and assuming the have the YVR BPs, you stay indoors - exit unto the landside arrivals hall and turn right. Then head down to the new TBIT transit security via the corridor at the end of the hall where they should be through in two minutes.

From there they can walk airside from TBIT to T6.

Re 5: T6 could be AA, AS, DL. (I think the latter is unlikely.) If AA then it could be from the EaAgles nest.

Thanks serfty - I didn't realize you could reach all the way to T6 airside (I'm usually off to Terminal 2 and Air Canada). That will save them quite a bit of time, not needing to clear security from the curbside (high volume) again. Question just arises if they can have bags etc checked all the way through and get BPs.

 

[Flying mermaid]

BC is my second back yard . If they do the Vancouver-Jasper train, then a drive from Jasper down the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise and Banff (terrific honeymoon-friendly chateaux at both) is a must (or they can continue on the train, but they'll see more driving).

They then would end up in Calgary (my second home town); if that's the end of their trip, they could fly back to LAX from there, or fly to YVR and then LAX.

Vancouver is a great place, but what time of year are they going?

See my other answer re Terminal 6 departure. They'll go through security, but no USA exit immigration - but then normal Canadian entry immigration.

BC sounds terrific - Mr FM and I will have to do it. They wil be there in July. My plan is to for them to do the train from Vancouver to Jasper, then they hire a car and stay in the Banff area and explore that (I don't think their budget will run to chateaux ). Then fly from Calgary to Niagara for a few days, then fly to Vegas (fiancé is desperate to see Vegas), then lax and home. I would have liked them to go by train from Jasper to Toronto, but just not enough time. Miss FM is a teacher so restricted on holiday duration (although she get a lot of them).

I know this is going to sound silly, but I had never noticed there wasn't an exit immigration when leaving the USA!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re 3:

Now after depositing bags and assuming the have the YVR BPs, you stay indoors - exit unto the landside arrivals hall and turn right. Then head down to the new TBIT transit security via the corridor at the end of the hall where they should be through in two minutes.

From there they can walk airside from TBIT to T6.

Re 5: T6 could be AA, AS, DL. (I think the latter is unlikely.) If AA then it could be from the EaAgles nest.

thanks - that sounds very easy, but I am thinking rather than worry about whether Qantas will check through, or arrive on time, maybe I should look at Air Canada - given they have to go through immigration and pick up bags, it might not be that much of a hassle to just check in again for the Air Canada flight.

Thanks for all the help and Roo Flyer too - feel I know what I am doing now.

 

[Flying mermaid]

There is an air Canada flight at 2pm, which would give heaps of flexibility for late arrival of aircraft and it is a direct flight, so I think that is what I will book for them - bit painful if they arrive on time, but means no stress.

 

[RooFlyer]

That's my regular flight. Terminal 2, along with the Air Canada lounge has been renovated as well and its not too bad; security not bad wait times (5-10 mins usually) but checking in, if they need to, will be a pain, as they will be directed to the wrenched machines. I think it will be a 'Air Canada Rouge' flight? Its AC's LCC but not too bad; I'm usually in J, so very tolerable

But also check WestJet. Its a LCC but pretty good and some flights have Qantas code-shares. If there was a flight that looked good, I wonder if you could call the QFF service centre and get the Oz-LAX flight amended to go all the way through to YVR (cost extra points of course)? That way definitely checked all the way through. WS is low-ish cost because they don't do lounges and 'loyalty' but in flight its not LCC like Jetstar.

Its no doubt one of the reasons you are doing this now, but don't let Miss FM +1 underestimate the tightness of accommodation in touristy places in Canada during their summer. I travel in and out of Calgary during my typical 2-3 week stay for work (its about the size of Perth; its not so touristy, but the gateway to the Canadian Rockies) and a couple of times have not been able to get a room - ANY room, via any means - when I left it to the morning of arrival. I then had to stay in Canmore, an hour out. If the words "we'll wing that part" crosses their lips, disabuse them of that notion!

 

[Pushka]

Its on my bucket list to go to Canada and Alaska but bloody DVT saw my '12 month in the planning' trip being canned 6 weeks prior. All accommodation was booked months ago and I watched prices steadily increase as time got closer.

 

[Flying mermaid]

That's my regular flight. Terminal 2, along with the Air Canada lounge has been renovated as well and its not too bad; security not bad wait times (5-10 mins usually) but checking in, if they need to, will be a pain, as they will be directed to the wrenched machines. I think it will be a 'Air Canada Rouge' flight? Its AC's LCC but not too bad; I'm usually in J, so very tolerable

But also check WestJet. Its a LCC but pretty good and some flights have Qantas code-shares. If there was a flight that looked good, I wonder if you could call the QFF service centre and get the Oz-LAX flight amended to go all the way through to YVR (cost extra points of course)? That way definitely checked all the way through. WS is low-ish cost because they don't do lounges and 'loyalty' but in flight its not LCC like Jetstar.

Its no doubt one of the reasons you are doing this now, but don't let Miss FM +1 underestimate the tightness of accommodation in touristy places in Canada during their summer. I travel in and out of Calgary during my typical 2-3 week stay for work (its about the size of Perth; its not so touristy, but the gateway to the Canadian Rockies) and a couple of times have not been able to get a room - ANY room, via any means - when I left it to the morning of arrival. I then had to stay in Canmore, an hour out. If the words "we'll wing that part" crosses their lips, disabuse them of that notion!

thanks for the advice - I will book them in J for that leg, so they will get lounge access. It is an idea as well to add a segment to their flight over - I hadn't thought of that (I am not very good with this award stuff, as I only use awards domestically, but the fiancé refused to let me buy airfares, so I had to use free points instead ). I will have a look at a few options.

It is concern about accommodation that is pushing me to do it now - I found that with Grand Canyon and Yosemite I needed to book a year in advance to get into places like Ahwahnee and El Tovar.

i had a look at the Fairmont hotels in Lake Louise and Banff and they are way out of their price bracket. I found the Rimrock resort and it looks is quite pretty and if they get the cheapest room with no views, they can afford it.

So yes will be booking ASAP and I want them to book the train ASAP as well. Then we will decide on Niagara - not too worried about Vancouver or Vegas in summer.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Its on my bucket list to go to Canada and Alaska but bloody DVT saw my '12 month in the planning' trip being canned 6 weeks prior. All accommodation was booked months ago and I watched prices steadily increase as time got closer.

We have always known we wanted to do this area, but now having looked at it for Miss FM it is a definite - has to come after Gorillas and South America though.

I know how disappointing it was for you, but at least a good outcome of it all was they managed to finally get a handle on what was going on with you and come up with a treatment plan.

 

[irv]

Lake Louise Inn was pretty good when we stayed, but that is 4 years ago. Can't remember the name where we stayed in Banff, will have a look as it was good as well, both very affordable.

 

[irv]

Mount Royal Hotel in Banff

 

[Flying mermaid]

Thanks for taking the trouble to look that up. I ended up booking them into the Rimrock for all 6 nights and they are going to hire a car. Getting the cheapest no view room wasn't too bad and you don't need a view when you can spend all day outside

Just about to book the Rocky Mountaineer and then I think those are the two critical ons done.