Transiting through SFO to BNE from YVR

[joeyjoejohnsonjojo]

Hi all,

Later this month I will be flying YVR -> SFO -> BNE, all on United Airlines on the same booking. The layover time in SFO is only 1 hour and 20 minutes. I'm aware of USA pre-clearance at YVR, and my understanding is that I will not need to go through immigration and customs in SFO, but I have a few questions:

1. Will I need to go through any sort of security in SFO? From what I read online I will arrive in SFO as if I was a domestic traveller, so do I then need to go through international security before going to my international flight?
2. Will the airline check my baggage straight through to BNE, or will I need to collect my luggage and recheck it at SFO? I've had to do this before at other US airports even for just a layover, but I assume I don't need to in this instance because wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose of the pre-clearance at YVR?
3. Is 1 hr 20m enough time in SFO for this transit?
4. Do I need to do anything special in YVR to make sure I get USA pre-clearance? Do I need to check in at a particular area, let staff know, or something else? Or will staff automatically get me to check in with USA pre-clearance?
5. Do I need an ESTA for this transit?

Thanks

 

[SYD]

Hi all,

Later this month I will be flying YVR -> SFO -> BNE, all on United Airlines on the same booking. The layover time in SFO is only 1 hour and 20 minutes. I'm aware of USA pre-clearance at YVR, and my understanding is that I will not need to go through immigration and customs in SFO, but I have a few questions:

1. Will I need to go through any sort of security in SFO? From what I read online I will arrive in SFO as if I was a domestic traveller, so do I then need to go through international security before going to my international flight?

No. You should arrive like any other domestic PAX and walk to your onward gate (or lounge if you have access).

1. Will the airline check my baggage straight through to BNE, or will I need to collect my luggage and recheck it at SFO? I've had to do this before at other US airports even for just a layover, but I assume I don't need to in this instance because wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose of the pre-clearance at YVR?

Yes, if it’s all one ticket.

1. Is 1 hr 20m enough time in SFO for this transit?

Yes (if all one ticket).

1. Do I need to do anything special in YVR to make sure I get USA pre-clearance? Do I need to check in at a particular area, let staff know, or something else? Or will staff automatically get me to check in with USA pre-clearance?

After checkin, head towards the USA departures area. You pass thru US immigration there.

1. Do I need an ESTA for this transit?

Absolutely, YES.

Thanks

Welcome to AFF!

 

[Quickstatus]

1 hr 20m enough time in SFO for this transit?

If the YVR flight is on time and maybe up to 45min late yes.

If the YVR flight is so late that you miss the BNE flight, then unfortunately the BNE flight is the last of the UA AUS flights to depart so you will have to wait till the next night.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The thing about transitting the US, is that ESTA is always needed.
So have to apply, snd pay the applicable fee, pain as it is, even just for a transit!