Originally Posted by
GUWonder (Post # 4)
For customs, a travel party may at times be considered a travel party together even if on split or separately ticketed reservations. Even with separately booked reservations, the IP address, payment, ticket numbers and such on bookings could give the appearance of traveling together.
My general suggestion for such circumstances is to be forward and straight with the truth when talking to CBP if it comes up but not to worry. This kind of thing is anything but uncommon, especially if you are both planning to fly out of the continent together on time for there not to be an overstay for the foreign travel companion and have no interest in seeking a change of immigration status on or after arrival to the US.
Originally Posted by
seawolf (Post # 7)
There's no reason to split the reservation. You are overthinking this.
I agree. Splitting the reservation now may give CBP the impression that you have something to hide.
Do that if and when one of you needs to change the return flight.
If you are not in the same family or household (?), I believe the general practice is for each traveller to complete his or her own customs declaration, regardless of whether they have travelling companions.