YVR US-bound flights that DON'T go through preclearance?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 19
YVR US-bound flights that DON'T go through preclearance?
My experience has been that US immigration people at YVR pre-clearance give me more hassle than anywhere else I've experienced. For my next trip, I want to go through US immigration in the US.
I know there's a few US flights that don't go through pre-clearance in YVR - or at least, there used to be (YVR-HOU red-eye special comes to mind.. and I think there was an ATL one?).
Is this still the case? How do I otherwise tell before booking it if a flight goes through pre-clearance?
I know there's a few US flights that don't go through pre-clearance in YVR - or at least, there used to be (YVR-HOU red-eye special comes to mind.. and I think there was an ATL one?).
Is this still the case? How do I otherwise tell before booking it if a flight goes through pre-clearance?
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
Cathay Pacfic, YVR -> JFK.
...plus Philippine Airlines to LAS as already mentioned.
With a few rare exceptions mentioned, you need to pretty much always assume your flight goes through pre-clearance.
Another option is to drive to BLI airport and feed into Alaska's network from there, or fly Allegiant Air. (Delta used to serve BLI, but they may have pulled out...)
...plus Philippine Airlines to LAS as already mentioned.
Another option is to drive to BLI airport and feed into Alaska's network from there, or fly Allegiant Air. (Delta used to serve BLI, but they may have pulled out...)
Last edited by gglave; Nov 24, 2009 at 3:10 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AE
Posts: 10,566
My experience has been that US immigration people at YVR pre-clearance give me more hassle than anywhere else I've experienced. For my next trip, I want to go through US immigration in the US.
I know there's a few US flights that don't go through pre-clearance in YVR - or at least, there used to be (YVR-HOU red-eye special comes to mind.. and I think there was an ATL one?).
Is this still the case? How do I otherwise tell before booking it if a flight goes through pre-clearance?
I know there's a few US flights that don't go through pre-clearance in YVR - or at least, there used to be (YVR-HOU red-eye special comes to mind.. and I think there was an ATL one?).
Is this still the case? How do I otherwise tell before booking it if a flight goes through pre-clearance?
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
#6
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665
Don't jump to conclusions. If you arrive by plane from out of the US into a US airport customs and immigration line you should be subject to the same sort of examination. They don't have special rules and if you're flagged in one computer terminal, you're flagged in all.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,580
Come from outside countries without US preclearance, to a US port of entry, you will likely have to stand in lines/queues for non US citizens/residents. If that is the case, you may have to wait a lot longer to reach the US immigration agent, than if you stand in the same line trying to clear US immigration at YVR.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
My experience has been that US immigration people at YVR pre-clearance give me more hassle than anywhere else I've experienced. For my next trip, I want to go through US immigration in the US.
I know there's a few US flights that don't go through pre-clearance in YVR - or at least, there used to be (YVR-HOU red-eye special comes to mind.. and I think there was an ATL one?).
Is this still the case? How do I otherwise tell before booking it if a flight goes through pre-clearance?
I know there's a few US flights that don't go through pre-clearance in YVR - or at least, there used to be (YVR-HOU red-eye special comes to mind.. and I think there was an ATL one?).
Is this still the case? How do I otherwise tell before booking it if a flight goes through pre-clearance?
#9
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EWR
Programs: UA .5M, Vistana 1-Star owner
Posts: 992
YVR PreClearance
YVR PreClearance hours aren't officially listed but basically 05:00-20:00 & only CX & PR leave for the US outside those hours from Concourse D (PR is D65) instead of E.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 157
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
I get what the OP means. Back when I was YXU based, I opted for YXU-ORD every time to avoid the hassle at YYZ. I remember one time coming into ORD the guy waved me into the U.S. Line and when I cleared (no fuss whatsoever) the CBP guy said "Welcome home" and I said "But I'm Canadian!" He shrugged and said "Close enough." ORD is a terrible airport but customs there was a dream.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,801
I you want to add historical routes, CX to SFO (2nd N. Am destination after YVR, operated 742) and PR to EWR (M11).
Not quite in the same category but AS started YVR-SNA n/s. Was precleared but since SNA is not a int'l port of entry or custom rights airport, the n/s route got scrubbed after the first flight.
Not quite in the same category but AS started YVR-SNA n/s. Was precleared but since SNA is not a int'l port of entry or custom rights airport, the n/s route got scrubbed after the first flight.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665
The same officials from the US do clearance and pre-clearance and have to work with the same rules. If you arrive in the US for clearance there can be very long lines if overseas flights have arrived recently. Prepare for long waits unless you have Global Entry (they don't seem to use NEXUS in US airports). YTZ has no preclearance and Porter flies to BOS and EWR where there are often long waits. Porter is trying to get pre-clearance.