YVR connection AU>US with single/separate tickets

[bernardblack]

I am being offered a routing MCY-SYD-YVR on QF, optionally followed by YVR-DFW on AA as a redeye after a six-hour layover in the Transborder Terminal. I actually want to get to DEN, so a separate YVR-DEN on UA/AC would be preferable, or maybe a quick hop to SEA then overnight and a flight to DEN next day.

With intl-to-US at YVR (not on AC), does one enter Canada or is there a sterile funnel to US Preclearance?

Am I correct that separate tickets would force me into Canada in any event? Or is there like a transit desk where I could arrange for my bag to be transferred?

Is YVR Preclearance more or less a problem than nonstop to LAX/SFO/DFW for US entry now? And does entering/not Canada first, affect that? (I would be on ESTA, short visit, family at home, low-risk overstay assessment.)

 

[stu961]

I am being offered a routing MCY-SYD-YVR on QF, optionally followed by YVR-DFW on AA as a redeye after a six-hour layover in the Transborder Terminal. I actually want to get to DEN, so a separate YVR-DEN on UA/AC would be preferable, or maybe a quick hop to SEA then overnight and a flight to DEN next day.

With intl-to-US at YVR (not on AC), does one enter Canada or is there a sterile funnel to US Preclearance?

Am I correct that separate tickets would force me into Canada in any event? Or is there like a transit desk where I could arrange for my bag to be transferred?

Is YVR Preclearance more or less a problem than nonstop to LAX/SFO/DFW for US entry now? And does entering/not Canada first, affect that? (I would be on ESTA, short visit, family at home, low-risk overstay assessment.)

Have done YVR-DFW, YVR-SEA-DEN, YVR-SLC-DEN and numerous YVR to USA in general and countless Int into YVR and out of but I've never done SYD-YVR-DFW in "one go". So I can't answer your question re sterile funnel to US preclearance with known fact but gut feeling is you'll have to enter Canada, collect bag and then proceed to US preclear. All of which is very straight forward and I've never had delays entering or exiting YVR. On exiting customs (gnd floor) you'll see immediately on your left lifts to take you up to departures. The lift takes you to the US departures section of YVR so you don't need to walk more than a few metres to check in and preclear.

 

[SYD]

Is YVR Preclearance more or less a problem than nonstop to LAX/SFO/DFW for US entry now? And does entering/not Canada first, affect that? (I would be on ESTA, short visit, family at home, low-risk overstay assessment.)

Further to the above, re pre clearance at YVR is easy peasy - since you’re not one of many planes disgorging all their PAX into US immigration. It’s just a trickle of peeps heading towards their flights. The downside is there isn’t much their once through.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There is a ‘US-connections’ transfer at YVR… taking you straight from international to USA pre-clearance. But it’s for select airlines, and likely requires bags checked all the way through.

More information is available on the YVR airport website, and individual airlines to determine if they are eligible.

 

[stu961]

Further to the above, re pre clearance at YVR is easy peasy - since you’re not one of many planes disgorging all their PAX into US immigration. It’s just a trickle of peeps heading towards their flights. The downside is there isn’t much their once through.

Yup, No OW lounge after preclear full stop. Guess you could not preclear immediately, go to Plaza Premium Lounge and preclear closer to flight! AC lounge is fine (if UA biz or AC biz or VA gold or above flying AC) but not designed for 6 hours layovers. Plus AC doesn't like to check in bags more than 4 hours before flight!

 

[stu961]

There is a ‘US-connections’ transfer at YVR… taking you straight from international to USA pre-clearance. But it’s for select airlines, and likely requires bags checked all the way through.

More information is available on the YVR airport website, and individual airlines to determine if they are eligible.

Did you find the "more information" is available? Best I could find is "Connection procedures can vary depending on your airline, where you are arriving from, and where you are headed. Please check with your airline to learn more about your steps through YVR."

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Did you find the "more information" is available? Best I could find is "Connection procedures can vary depending on your airline, where you are arriving from, and where you are headed. Please check with your airline to learn more about your steps through YVR."

That’s all i got too!