VA 1 & VA2 express pass card customs

[Azanker]

Hi Guys,

Questions for you all.

I'm planning to fly from Adelaide to LAX via Sydney in Jan and return in march.

From what i know customs can be a bit of a challenge. Who and where would one obtain an express pass card customs card from and is really required.

Second question, on the way home we are transferring from Delta (flying in from vegas) at terminal 5 then to terminal 3 to check in before heading to the Tom Bradley International Terminal... Do we check the bags through from Vegas or are we required to walk them across the cark park to terminal 3 before heading to TBIT..

I'm set to fly either Business or Premium both ways.

I'm currently VA Gold

Any adivce on flying these routes would be great.

thanks

 

[Steve Dyer]

Howdy

I just did this Journey (EX BNE) but the same really. You won't get a express card inbound to the US as they think it is against some 1st amendment right or some rubbish however when I arrived into Tom Bradley International (TBI)the last few times on VA7 (which i know is marginally earlier than VA1) I was able to use the electronic immigration and collect bags and be in the Delta Sky Club for my connection in about 30 minutes - easy.

The return journey is as easy. Check the bags through from LAS to Adelaide - burn your last few USD at the pokies in the airport and then when you get to LA, the walk to TBI(as you will have your boarding pass) is no more that 7 minutes. the new star alliance lounge at TBI is excellent and the out door terrace with fire places at the back of the lounge is great! It can be a bit noisy but a great place to do so calls home pre departure.

I did the journey this time in J for long haul and i must admit i found the experience better than the last few time. Food was better, wine was better and I was able to get more sleep with the new mattress that have in J. (6 hours on the way over and 10hrs sleep on the return) the staff we efficient and very polite and each time they noted my WP Status

You will get an express card on the way back into Sydney which will be handy.. It does save time.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

SYD Airport express path card for Au departures is good, they take it off you though at a bit past security in SYD.
Only given if you are flying J or F.
This is for Au departures.
If you are flying J or F, ADL check in should give out cards, Express Path and Au Outgoing Passenger Card.
No OLCI for any VA domestic flights linked to a VA international flight.
I have done VA domestic to NZ international at SYD.
Going to US, at the departure gate at SYDi, they also do a security check. This is in addition to departures security check.
Edit: flying J the check in girl or guy in ADL should give out cards as a matter of course.
Lounge access in VA lounge in ADL (or QP in ADL as NZ do in ADL don't ask me why) and Etihad in SYD.

 

[guerre64]

Check in lady at MEL yesterday forgot to give me an Express for my VA7 flight to LAX and I completely forgot that I needed it at BNE, but luckily I still had an unused one from a previous trip in my travel wallet. I'm assuming it's okay to actually ask for one if it's not offered at check-in??

 

[pythonisman]

Check in lady at MEL yesterday forgot to give me an Express for my VA7 flight to LAX and I completely forgot that I needed it at BNE, but luckily I still had an unused one from a previous trip in my travel wallet. I'm assuming it's okay to actually ask for one if it's not offered at check-in??

Yep you can always ask for one at either the check in counter, transfer desk or worst case just walk up to the counter / service desk in the city you're clearing customs in and ask for one, I've done that a couple of times.
Not in a rude pushy way or anything but I just hold up my BP and they're always happy to oblige. My recent experience is the same as Steve Dyer's above; VA7 landing in J had almost noone in front of me in immigration which was a godsend..!

 

[straitman]

Only given if you are flying J or F.

Or if you have airline status.