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Quote:

Originally Posted by emcampbe (Post 20302461)

Maybe, maybe not. I've looked at EK fares to India, ex-US and YYZ, and have never found them as the cheapest option, and never even close to it. Maybe its my routing. ex-US I've certainly seen QR cheaper. But never EK.

On the other hand, don't think the OPs situation is really any different than the broader debate on fare differences at border airports. Yes, leaving from SEA instead of YVR, or BUF instead of YYZ, to just about anywhere (except Canadian destinations, and around specific holidays like US thanksgiving) is going to be cheaper. Its been like that forever, and likely not going to change anytime soon.

However, to do a fair comparison with the itin leaving from SEA instead, would probably be best to actually compare prices SEA - destination and then take the ferry down. I bet AC's price drops considerably if starting from SEA instead of YVR, and especially YYJ.

and if in victoria you can take this great float plane to SEA. well to the lake their then they bus you to the airport. You clear customs in Victoria. sometimes there is a special 180 return. so much better than the ferry

Quote:

Originally Posted by todare (Post 20302579)

and if in victoria you can take this great float plane to SEA. well to the lake their then they bus you to the airport. You clear customs in Victoria.

Floatplanes preclear USCBP in Victoria? How is that possible when even YYJ doesn't have that capability?

Yes I do it all the time. Kenmore Air i think. the US customs guy gets you on the way to the dock. Been doing it for years. Look it up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by todare (Post 20303976)

Yes I do it all the time. Kenmore Air i think. the US customs guy gets you on the way to the dock. Been doing it for years. Look it up!

You do not preclear in Victoria as there are no USCBP agents in Victoria. Kenmore transmits the pax manifest to USCBP ahead of time, according to their own website:

http://kenmoreair.com/Page.aspx?cid=5041

The need for Kenmore Air to get CBP's OK on all transmitted passenger information before boarding international flights and the potential for flight delay if any of the transmitted information is missing or inaccurate are the reasons for Kenmore Air's 45-minute check-in requirement for international flights. This time is required to enable CBP to respond to any last-minute changes to our flight manifests, such as no-show passengers. Without extending our check-in time, we would have inadequate time to meet CBP's reporting and vetting requirements, with the potential that flight departures could be significantly delayed.