Originally Posted by
cfischer
5 month stopover? Nobody will ask about admission to Canada. There would be plenty of time to get the necessary paperwork. I have flown such tickets (for the purpose of getting another cheap flight ex Canada later) and never had to show anything for Canada when checking in overseas
I don't think it's likely that UA would ask. In fact, I think the only reason they would ask would be if they suspected HCT. But they'd be within their rights to do so.
Assuming OP is eligible for admission to Canada, I stand by my original statement -- take the flight as described and then fly home afterwards. I can't think of a Canadian city that UA serves that wouldn't have enough interesting things to do to fill a weekend.