Maximum SC's using YUP's

[drewbles]

Thanks everyone for the welcomes and suggestions.



I really have no particular plans outside of having to be in Reno for 5 days, I've done a lot of the major touristy things in the states before so I'm happy to go anywhere (at least once ).

After a bit of playing around I've got it down to $2.25/SC with a multi trip hnl-bgi, bgi-rno, sfo-aua and back to hnl. Are there any issues with multiple entries into the states like that? (you know after a couple days in various caribbean locations)

Thanks again everyone, looks like I have some searching ahead of me. And you guys can expect some dumb questions when it comes to booking these

I had no issues yesterday on my day trip to BGI but it was a little inconvenient. I went armed with wallet, passport, phone and iPad only so i was very light on luggage. Arrival at BGI i was met with quizical looks as to why i was there for 1 hour 10 minutes. It was more along the lines of "but you should stay and enjoy it here!" rather than me appearing shady. I was let into Barbados on the provision that next time i stay there's longer

Arrivals back at MIA was a nightmare (ill do a mini SC trip report later explaining that) but it was no big deal. Immigration agent noticed my place of birth in my passport and commented on how good the wines were from the region. We had a talk about the best aas in the state for the best wine. A really pleasant change from the usual attitude from the folks at USA borders.

That officially puts me a 3 separate entries within 90 days to the USA (3 stamps in passport) but no real issues. The concept of mileage runs is a little more understood by airlines and customs here. I had an involuntary re route and they asked why i was taking such an indirect route. When i mentioned i was on a mileage run, they laughed and said "well this gets you about the same number of miles@ and was the same number of SC's which they don't get here of course.

I'd spend some time in BGI if going there. It looked simply amazing from the air. I'm really kicking myself for not spending time there, but i will go back again and stay a while.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I'd spend some time in BGI if going there. It looked simply amazing from the air. I'm really kicking myself for not spending time there, but i will go back again and stay a while.

told you to do that, never mind there is always next time like you say.

I spent a couple of days at the Barbados Hilton 3 weeks ago - it was pretty nice

 

[Sprucegoose]

told you to do that, never mind there is always next time like you say.

I spent a couple of days at the Barbados Hilton 3 weeks ago - it was pretty nice

Any tips there dazz, looking at that myself

 

[11sjw]

That officially puts me a 3 separate entries within 90 days to the USA (3 stamps in passport) but no real issues. The concept of mileage runs is a little more understood by airlines and customs here. I had an involuntary re route and they asked why i was taking such an indirect route. When i mentioned i was on a mileage run, they laughed and said "well this gets you about the same number of miles@ and was the same number of SC's which they don't get here of course.

Not to familiar with the new US entry system. Do you have to go online for each entry or does one application cover a certain time period?

 

[drewbles]

Not to familiar with the new US entry system. Do you have to go online for each entry or does one application cover a certain time period?

ESTA covers you for multiple entries within a 2 year period from the date your application is processed. You can update details each time if you want, but i've never done it.

As a side note, i seem to only have my right 4 fingers scanned now and not the rest. Do they trust me more now all of a sudden? Or are they really keeping them on file (even though they claim they're deleted when you leave)?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

note that going to the Caribbean and back does not count as a new entry.

 

[11sjw]

It seems I'm not 'too' familiar with the 'o' key either. drewbles & dazz thanks for your answers.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Flying to PAP seems to be the most economical KUP place ex HNL but don't like the sound of the cholera outbreak in Haiti though.

If you only transit there it might be okay but not sure exactly how you catch the disease. :?:

 

[serfty]

OT: Side note

...
As a side note, i seem to only have my right 4 fingers scanned now and not the rest. Do they trust me more now all of a sudden? Or are they really keeping them on file (even though they claim they're deleted when you leave)?

This has been happing to me for some time;I hadn't really noticed until travelling this year with SWMBO when I was asked for 4 fingers and she was asked for 8.

 

[dfcatch]

ESTA covers you for multiple entries within a 2 year period from the date your application is processed. You can update details each time if you want, but i've never done it.

As a side note, i seem to only have my right 4 fingers scanned now and not the rest. Do they trust me more now all of a sudden? Or are they really keeping them on file (even though they claim they're deleted when you leave)?

Yes I only got the 4 fingers this morning, haven't had more than that for quite some time.

Also this was the first time without a green I94-W form.... All automated

 

[serfty]

... All automated

... except for the customs form?

 

[dfcatch]

... except for the customs form?

Details Serfty .....

I've never had grief with the customs form, but the I94-W is such a pain, especially when re-entering within the 90 day period. The airline invariably takes it from you when you depart. And then on re-entry sometimes it's fine and they just give you a new stamp, other times they get stroppy because you "were supposed to keep the old one" and send you off for secondary!

 

[medhead]

Flying to PAP seems to be the most economical KUP place ex HNL but don't like the sound of the cholera outbreak in Haiti though.

If you only transit there it might be okay but not sure exactly how you catch the disease. :?:

It's a water borne bacteria. Transmission is mainly from consuming contaminated food or water. So just drink beer and don't eat local fresh food, just the prepackaged imported stuff.

 

[drewbles]

note that going to the Caribbean and back does not count as a new entry.

Are you sure? I have a stamp with a new 90 day period on it. Was like. A normal entry to the US as far as i could tell, or am i missing something bindingly obvious

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Are you sure? I have a stamp with a new 90 day period on it. Was like. A normal entry to the US as far as i could tell, or am i missing something bindingly obvious

I really can't be bothered looking up the exact quote but basically going to the caribbean, canada or mexico and coming back to the US is not considered onward travel and the time you stay in those places still counts for your first entry.

I got 90 days on the stamp again too but I doubt they bother changing the stamp? Anyway - the rules are in there... if I had more energy I might go find the exact quote for you.

 

[dfcatch]

I really can't be bothered looking up the exact quote but basically going to the caribbean, canada or mexico and coming back to the US is not considered onward travel and the time you stay in those places still counts for your first entry.

I got 90 days on the stamp again too but I doubt they bother changing the stamp? Anyway - the rules are in there... if I had more energy I might go find the exact quote for you.

Officially you can't just go to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean just to get an "extra" 90 days.

If your visit to Canada etc. Is less than 30 days, and you don't visit any 3rd country, then you can (and are supposed) to reenter the US on the same entry permit number as your original entry (with the same 90-day expiration date).

In practice it depends on who you get at the border, and no doubt also depends on how close you are to the end of your 90 days .

I've had mixed results at various borders in the past, with YYZ clearly being the toughest and the crankiest.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for the tips! I really have no idea what I'm doing, only recently started flying a lot more. It's kind of addictive

It sure is addictive.

An interesting question that may need answering is do you need status because you are flying more or are you flying more just to get status? There may or may not be a difference depending on how you look at it....

 

[stark]

It sure is addictive.

An interesting question that may need answering is do you need status because you are flying more or are you flying more just to get status? There may or may not be a difference depending on how you look at it....

Mostly I want the status because I'm flying more for work and work is cheap and only pays for Y. But to be honest there's also the element of "because I can".

That said, I've found a more sane routing that takes to me to more places I want to go but for less status credits. Should make the holiday a bit more relaxing I think