Overlapping Return Bookings & US Customs

[justinbrett]

I've got two trips planned next year.

In June, it's going to be SYD-HNL//DFW-SYD (I already have DFW-SYD as QF award J, internal US flights undecided)

In September/October, I'm doing a DIY RTW, SYD-JNB-LHR-SEA-HNL-SYD.

I'll book SYD-JNB one way with QF, and there's excellent deals with JNB-LHR-SEA as a one way. SEA-HNL is cheap on AS.

But the one way flights between SYD and HNL are quite expensive (just Y). I had a bright idea, I could just book SYD-HNL return, which is about half the cost - with everything else on their respective bookings.

I'm sure it's not a problem for QF - but will this cause issues with US immigration? I'm sure the first one will be fine, but when I land in SEA - if my flight home says I'm already in the US - is that a problem?

I'm actually flying to/from OOL via SYD (I am moving to the Gold Coast from Newcastle in a few weeks) - but used SYD above for simplicity as it's complex enough as it is.

 

[dajop]

I'm sure it's not a problem for QF - but will this cause issues with US immigration? I'm sure the first one will be fine, but when I land in SEA - if my flight home says I'm already in the US - is that a problem?

Won't US immigration be automatically notified of you departure when you board (and are on the passenger manifest for) the DFW-SYD flight, so this will then mark you having exited the country? I don't think (outbound) immigration look at the flights you have booked, rather the flights you take.

 

[justinbrett]

Won't US immigration be automatically notified of you departure when you board (and are on the passenger manifest for) the DFW-SYD flight, so this will then mark you having exited the country? I don't think (outbound) immigration look at the flights you have booked, rather the flights you take.

Yeah I was thinking this as well. I guess more of an airline issue, so might get asked for onwards flight when checking in at LHR (or perhaps JNB), but it would still be valid.

I'm sure it's fine, just seems a bit complex so thought I'd run it by the forum.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've got two trips planned next year.

In June, it's going to be SYD-HNL//DFW-SYD (I already have DFW-SYD as QF award J, internal US flights undecided)

In September/October, I'm doing a DIY RTW, SYD-JNB-LHR-SEA-HNL-SYD.

I'll book SYD-JNB one way with QF, and there's excellent deals with JNB-LHR-SEA as a one way. SEA-HNL is cheap on AS.

But the one way flights between SYD and HNL are quite expensive (just Y). I had a bright idea, I could just book SYD-HNL return, which is about half the cost - with everything else on their respective bookings.

I'm sure it's not a problem for QF - but will this cause issues with US immigration? I'm sure the first one will be fine, but when I land in SEA - if my flight home says I'm already in the US - is that a problem?

I'm actually flying to/from OOL via SYD (I am moving to the Gold Coast from Newcastle in a few weeks) - but used SYD above for simplicity as it's complex enough as it is.

What I understand is you’re going to nest tickets? Buy a SYD-HNL return, using the SYD-HNL for trip 1, and the HNL-SYD for trip 2?

That’s fine.

As dajop says, US immigration doesn’t record the actual flights you *intend* to depart on, just the ones you actually took. As long as you’re gone, you’re gone.

 

[justinbrett]

What I understand is you’re going to nest tickets? Buy a SYD-HNL return, using the SYD-HNL for trip 1, and the HNL-SYD for trip 2?

That’s fine.

As dajop says, US immigration doesn’t record the actual flights you *intend* to depart on, just the ones you actually took. As long as you’re gone, you’re gone.

Exactly right. I guess on reflection it's not an issue for customs. BA might be a little confused though if they ask for proof of onwards travel (which I'll have and it will be valid of course)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Exactly right. I guess on reflection it's not an issue for customs. BA might be a little confused though if they ask for proof of onwards travel (which I'll have and it will be valid of course)

BA will likewise be happy with your outbound to SYD from the USA. That satisfies their carriage/immigration obligations.