Cbr - Syd - Lax

[Harriet Vane]

Hi everyone. I love reading the forum, and I'm delurking to ask a question about our December holiday to the States. I'm a comparative travel newbie.

Our return ticket is booked on Qantas SYD - LAX. We've booked and paid this part already. We were planning on driving over to Sydney and back, as the fares we looked at were a bit outrageous. Today I found a Qantas Red e-Deal for CBR - SYD that was cheap, so I booked it. Now we're flying there (as we'll have only one lightish suitcase) and driving back (I'm planning to do a lot of shopping in the States, and most flights back are Dash 8s, with their limited luggage rules).

My questions are:

Is it possible to get the CBR - SYD flights on the same itinerary as the SYD-LAX flight, or are we stuck with two? Both have been paid for and e-tickets issued. Does having them on separate itineraries matter?

If they're separate, how would this affect any possible changes? I'm a bit paranoid, but if Qantas for some reason (and I assume this is unlikely) brought the flight time from SYD - LAX forward, would we pay booking changes/extra charges for the domestic leg change arising from it? The ticket rules mentioned changes and price consequences, but I'm wondering how this fits with if the international Qantas flight is changed.

Also, can we check our luggage from CBR through to LAX, or do we need to retrieve it at Sydney? Can we check in for the international segment at CBR, or do we need to do that in Sydney?

I'm a recent transplant from Brisvegas, so the whole domestic-leg-prior-to-international-travel thing is new to me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mal]

Welcome to AFF!

Pretty much what you've done will work fine. A few pointers:

You can ring Qantas, and ask them to put an informational segment into both bookings to basically 'tie' the two bookings together. Helps if there are any big issues but not totally essential.

When arriving at CBR airport, tell them you're going to Lax via SYD and have your two e-ticket printouts ready. Ensure your bags are checked through to LAX and you should be able to get both boarding passes. Also ensure you have your passports ready and know the street address of where you are staying the first night in the U.S at (for US immigration reasons)

Technically in the case of Qantas changing your SYD-LAX (or CBR-SYD) sector, you are on your own with your other booking (ie have to get it changed yourself). However, normally you will receive an email/call from Qantas saying your flight has changed. At that point, call Qantas (or chat to them if they call) and they should be able to sort out your other flight at the same time.

Transfer from Syd Domestic to International is a breeze if you've got your bags checked through. Get off your flight in SYD, then follow the signs to the International Transfers desk. They will scan your boarding pass, then you go downstairs and catch a rather scenic bus trip which feels like you're taking a grand tour of the airport They'll drop you off at the International terminal - up the escalators and you'll see the customs entry there. (This is assuming a 737 for this trip - if it's a Dash 8, it's slightly more complicated but you should be able to follow the International Connections sign - never done this from Terminal 2 though at Sydney)

I think that's your questions answered - if you've got any more questions post back.

 

[Harriet Vane]

Thanks, Mal!

My only other question would be about the VWP, which is probably a bit off-topic. I'm married to a Yank, and we're going over for the first time (for me it's the first time ever, for him the first since he moved here five years ago). I can't see it being a problem, but I've heard horror stories about LAX immigration officers and what can I say, I'm a worrier. I'll take some evidence of ties (return ticket, obviously, and a letter from work) but I'm just being paranoid, right?

 

[simongr]

Not sure what your concern is re VWP. As an Oz citizen you can use the VWP without worry. Are you concerned that they will think as you will be with your husband that the immi officer might refuse you entry on the assumption that you wont leave the country?

 

[Harriet Vane]

simongr, that thought had crossed my mind. We've lived over here for years and he'll have a citizenship application in the works here, we both have work, our flat etc. Logically, I can't see it being a problem, but it only takes reading one or two horror stories (admittedly not from Aussies, and generally from people who've perhaps overused the VWP) for the panic to set in.

 

[NM]

If you go through the "Visitor" channels, and he goes through the "US Citizen"channel, then the immigration officer won't even know you are married to a US Citizen unless you tell him. Assuming you are there for a vacation, just fill in the form appropriately, and when asked why you are there say something like "for a holiday and to visit friends and relatives".

Of course don't lie, and don't obviously cover up the relationship. If asked if you are travelling alone, you could say something like "No, I am here with my husband. He is a US citizen so using the line over there. I am an Aussie so I have to use this line".

Although you could probably accompany him through the US Citizen channel, I expect that may raise more questions than going through the Visitor channel on your own. He should get through quicker and can be collecting bags from the belt while waiting for you.

 

[Craigo]

Transfer from Syd Domestic to International is a breeze if you've got your bags checked through. Get off your flight in SYD, then follow the signs to the International Transfers desk. They will scan your boarding pass, then you go downstairs and catch a rather scenic bus trip which feels like you're taking a grand tour of the airport They'll drop you off at the International terminal - up the escalators and you'll see the customs entry there. (This is assuming a 737 for this trip - if it's a Dash 8, it's slightly more complicated but you should be able to follow the International Connections sign - never done this from Terminal 2 though at Sydney)

Just a minor correction - all CBR-SYD flights, including the Dash-8s, come into Terminal 3. If you're coming in on a Dash-8, you'll get a bus to Gate 15.

 

[Dave Noble]

Just a minor correction - all CBR-SYD flights, including the Dash-8s, come into Terminal 3. If you're coming in on a Dash-8, you'll get a bus to Gate 15.

You haven't done it for a while have you ? ... Most CBR Dash 8 flights at SYD now arrive and depart from gate 17. Gate 17 is set up such that there is no longer a need to take a bus to and from the aircraft

Dave

 

[Craigo]

You haven't done it for a while have you ? ... Most CBR Dash 8 flights at SYD now arrive and depart from gate 17. Gate 17 is set up such that there is no longer a need to take a bus to and from the aircraft

Dave

No, I haven't done the Dash-8 thing since Easter. Still was a Gate 15 bus arrival then.

 

[Harriet Vane]

Thanks, NM. Yes, we're just there for a holiday and to spend Christmas with his family. We'll be staying for just under a month. I suspect I am being unnecessarily paranoid, though!