Ongoing travel once in the USA

[higheden]

Am wondering what fellow travellers think is the best way to go ............

Ms 28 yrs with Mstr 3 yrs is flying BNE/LAX again in June, then onward travel to MSP.

Are we better to book QANTAS and AA flights which will route her via Chicago but give her the benefit of the One World umbrella or book her direct LAX/MSP on DELTA or Sun Country?

Curious if anyone has done this lately and what your thoughts are on the easier way to travel.

When we flew BNE/LAX/MSP in November we were treated rudely by airline staff when we requested our bags be checked all the way through, something we have done for years. (Collecting at LAX for customs and then putting them in to transit to MSP.)

Any thoughts or brainwaves???? Fare is high season because of the academic calendar so trying to minimise costs as much as possible.

Many thanks.
Higheden

 

[drmikki]

Have you considered using the new flights to Dallas? It would mean going BNE -SYD-DFW-MSP but has the advantages of avoiding LAX and doing a connection in Aust which means less hassle with the 3yo as the bags should be checked through to DFW. Then just a single change in DFW as opposed to changing at both LAX-ORD. And getting home the flight is direct DFW-BNE.... Not sure of prices but maybe worth a thought. Note I have never flown via DFW or ORD so can't compare the convenience of either

 

[drron]

Going via DFW does appear to be the best way-also just checked aa.com and fare there $US1461 each way as against QF at $A1661.Though coming back aa want to route you via LAX-but could try ringing the AA call centre in BNE.As usual the AA Australia site prices dont seem to compute-$A1557 and $A1486.

 

[drmikki]

Note that thanks to the idiosyncracies of the Qantas booking system the "red e-deal" fare is cheaper than the "sale fare" - so look in the 2nd column on the outbound fare listing, as it's cheaper than the first column!

 

[SYD]

Have you considered using the new flights to Dallas? ....

Note I have never flown via DFW or ORD so can't compare the convenience of either

My partner and I had a horror International to Domestic transfer lasy year at DFW (Mexicana to AA flight to LAX for QF connection to SYD). It tool nearly 2hrs to clear immigration (in non-US citizen line). We missed our connection, but managed to get the next flight and make the QF connection.

Having said that, friends passed through last month, Costa Rica to DFW to connect to AA to LAX and then QF to SYD and had no problems at all. About 20 mins to transfer.

It will be interesting to see how the QF service into DFW pans out over time. The return flights shouldn't be too bad if connecting from US domestic flights.

PS
Keep an eye out for the YUP fares on AA. Hubbing it through DFW/ORD you can get first class for not much more than discount Y sometime.

 

[hopes]

Re: Tranist at LAX

Im tranisting through LAX to Vancouver next month. Its a flight change from QF to Alaskan Airlines and so I don't think Im officially in the US. Can anyone give me some guidance as to what to expect? I have a 2 hour lay over but not sure whether I will clear customs etc.

Would welcome any advice.

 

[SYD]

Hopes: everyone needs to clear immigration and customs at LAX. Collect you bags and drop them at the transfers after customs. Check your ticket, but u suspect you will need to change to Terminal 3. Turn left out if TBI.

 

[hopes]

Hopes: everyone needs to clear immigration and customs at LAX. Collect you bags and drop them at the transfers after customs. Check your ticket, but u suspect you will need to change to Terminal 3. Turn left out if TBI.

Thanks SYD - Will this mean having a visa or whatever is required for the US - im only going to Canada. Am British and/or Australian - not that will make much difference I suspect.

 

[SYD]

Thanks SYD - Will this mean having a visa or whatever is required for the US - im only going to Canada. Am British and/or Australian - not that will make much difference I suspect.

First, apologies Higheden for diverting your post...

Yes, you will need to complete the online ESTA registration before you fly - I think they have just introduced a fee. They have done away with the paper green I-94 forms (as it is all electronic). But being the US of A, it always pay to double check these things.

Not sure about QANTAS, but the Australian United Airlines website is usually pretty up to date. www.unitedairlines.com.au

 

[drmikki]

Hopes, as mentioned above you need an Electronic authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program to enter the USA, even if transitting. This must be done before departure (I was asked for proof of ESTA at checkin otherwise wouldn't have been allowed to checkin) and it costs about $14.

Be aware that LAX formalities can be very slow, depending on which terminal and other flights that arrive at the same time. I flew AirNZ in, and there was a slight delay to the gate and then we ended up arriving at the same time as a couple of European flights, and we spent almost an hour in the immigration queue. The girl next to me was a Canadian citizen changing to an Air Canada flight and we were watching the clock as her boarding time got closer and closer.... I think we made it through about 5 mins after her flight was supposed to be boarding, and even then it was only because we got to jump the queue as they did a special call for AirNZ passengers. (I think they needed our baggage carousel to be cleared for another flight!) She had checked her bags through, but in LAX you need to pick up your bags and then take them to a transfer counter for them to make it to the next flight.

As long as it's all one booking you should be covered in case of missed flights, but if they are separate bookings I would be trying to get a later flight to Canada, as you won't be covered if you miss the flight. Additionally, if separate bookings you probably won't be able to check your bags through and therefore you would have to join another queue for that...

 

[Sprucegoose]

Have you considered using the new flights to Dallas? It would mean going BNE -SYD-DFW-MSP but has the advantages of avoiding LAX and doing a connection in Aust which means less hassle with the 3yo as the bags should be checked through to DFW. Then just a single change in DFW as opposed to changing at both LAX-ORD. And getting home the flight is direct DFW-BNE.... Not sure of prices but maybe worth a thought. Note I have never flown via DFW or ORD so can't compare the convenience of either

Avoid LAX at all costs!!

Anyone got any experience entering through DFW? It's an oil/business town, so I hope that culture permeates immigration as well.

 

[Blackadder]

Darwin is a oil/buiness town??? (sorry couldn't resist )

LAX can be a Zoo at times but waht do expect for a major gateway.
DFW has had a mixed report as far as a customs/immigration entry point from what I have seen posted on FT, lack of size/facilities tends to be the major issue.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I know I don't blame you, I would have as well!!

Actually DRW is heading that way as well, but you knew what I meant.
Suitably corrected now

 

[Maca44]

Avoid LAX at all costs!!

Anyone got any experience entering through DFW? It's an oil/business town, so I hope that culture permeates immigration as well.

I do try and avoid LAX at all costs mainly because of the customary extended delays with entry procedures. For this reason I usually fly into SFO, but a couple of months ago tried QF11 (only because wanted to try the A380) into LAX, and was through customs and Immigration in no time at all, so now I just don't know. I think it is pot luck.

 

[dfcatch]

I do try and avoid LAX at all costs mainly because of the customary extended delays with entry procedures. For this reason I usually fly into SFO, but a couple of months ago tried QF11 (only because wanted to try the A380) into LAX, and was through customs and Immigration in no time at all, so now I just don't know. I think it is pot luck.

My last 2 QF11 trips had vastly different results.

First - was through immigration, customs, and in the T4 lounge within 20 mins of disembarkation.

Second time (from 80A), disembarked after Team Asia (China, Korea and Japan), and took nearly 2 hours to clear immigration. Missed my connection to SFO as a result.

It's tough because QF107 gives much nicer connections onward from LAX but the A380 is hard to go past.

Higheden - FWIW I have the same dilemma when considering my next flights to Toronto.

1/ Just take QF107, get there early and connect straight through.

2/ Take QF11 and a later AA connection via ORD.

2b/ Take a separate but nicer later AC connection direct to YYZ.

3/ Fly via DFW with a single onward connection.

I think it will depend on how refreshed I need to be and how long my trip is. With junior - it's always going to be tough.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I do try and avoid LAX at all costs mainly because of the customary extended delays with entry procedures. For this reason I usually fly into SFO, but a couple of months ago tried QF11 (only because wanted to try the A380) into LAX, and was through customs and Immigration in no time at all, so now I just don't know. I think it is pot luck.

Agree Maca, once we arrived and the Mexican airline had gone into administration, so the only plane in TBIT at that time was QF93. That's where being near the front does help.

The yanks are waking up to the value of visitors and the hysteria of the measures in place to plug holes as a result of 911 is returning to just the normal paranoia.

 

[dfcatch]

Agree Maca, once we arrived and the Mexican airline had gone into administration, so the only plane in TBIT at that time was QF93. That's where being near the front does help.

The yanks are waking up to the value of visitors and the hysteria of the measures in place to plug holes as a result of 911 is returning to just the normal paranoia.

But the government has no money, so that's why you'll never see immigration actually manning counters in any numbers.

 

[Sprucegoose]

But the government has no money, so that's why you'll never see immigration actually manning counters in any numbers.

But they are introducing new technologies to speed things up. It is now more of a political issue than before there.

Importantly, and as a first step is the acknowledgement that they now appreciate the value of tourism more than previously. Amazing what a GFC can do!!

 

[dfcatch]

But they are introducing new technologies to speed things up. It is now more of a political issue than before there.

Importantly, and as a first step is the acknowledgement that they now appreciate the value of tourism more than previously. Amazing what a GFC can do!!

Fair point - but you'll forgive my lack of faith in CBP actually able to improve things. Perhaps expanding Global Entry would be a good start.

Sorry for drifting off-topic.

Higheden, personally in your situation I would stick with a single booking on QF/AA on a single PNR.

If a connection is missed, you have a much better chance of being re-routed or accommodated on a later flight than by mixing carriers too much.

I've never had a problem with having my bags tagged all the way through when checking in at BNE/SYD/MEL/CNS.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes way off topic.

Don't be put off by rude airline staff. If you are entitled to it, and they can't or won't do what you need then get the manager.

No excuses here.

Agree with earlier comments at one PNR will protect your entitlements, it's like comprehensive insurance.