SJC-YVR-NRT; five hour layover in YVR. Which lounge would you recommend?
Aug 6, 2018, 2:11 pm
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 126
I have never flown through Canada.
When I fly internationally to the US, my GE number is on my ticket. I have never had any issues flying into the US with my GE number on my ticket.
Since this is a new country for me, I thought I would ask the experts.
When I fly internationally to the US, my GE number is on my ticket. I have never had any issues flying into the US with my GE number on my ticket.
Since this is a new country for me, I thought I would ask the experts.
Aug 6, 2018, 2:19 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
I'm a big fan of venturing out of the airport and visiting the city centre or Richmond, but understand if you feel a bit nervous doing so. The Richmond food scene suggestion is a great one - although I suspect your time of day might not allow all the best options (ie: night market). So yes, visit the Fairmont, pamper thyself, and stroll down the concourse to the Intl departure security line no sooner than an hour before your departure time. They have the CATSA Plus lines installed, which are fast, and you'll probably have access to priority screening. In my mind, a spa or lounge at the Fairmont is infinitely more comfortable than any of the MLLs available.
Aug 6, 2018, 3:07 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Air Canada Super Elite 2+ Million Miles
Posts: 2,478
Aug 6, 2018, 3:11 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
Security in Canada you have to show your physical card.
Aug 6, 2018, 4:27 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE-MM, BA Bronze, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,820
Definitely, definitely get the train into the city. It's really easy - there's only one train and it only goes in one direction. You can use a credit card (visa/mastercard) to tap on and off so you don't even need to buy a ticket. Hop off the train at Yaletown, City Centre or Waterfront stations and wander around for a few hours. Vancouver's a beautiful city with amazing scenery. It'll also make a huge difference to your jetlag to go outside for a while!
The train goes straight back to the airport (every second train goes to the airport on the way back; destination is labelled as "YVR airport", so you can't miss it!) and it takes ~30mins each way. You can do a solid 2 hours downtown (maybe more if you disembark quickly) without any risk to your connection.
The train goes straight back to the airport (every second train goes to the airport on the way back; destination is labelled as "YVR airport", so you can't miss it!) and it takes ~30mins each way. You can do a solid 2 hours downtown (maybe more if you disembark quickly) without any risk to your connection.
Aug 6, 2018, 4:32 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
It isn’t about the GE part - you don’t need a card for that. It is to gain admittance to the Nexus expedited line for security screening (CATSA). To even get into that line, you must show a Nexus or GE card. They won’t let you in that line without showing the card, even if your boarding pass shows PreCheck or a number or whatever. So bring your GE card.
Aug 6, 2018, 9:13 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K3M, Marriott(SPG) Lifetime Plat
Posts: 230
It isn’t about the GE part - you don’t need a card for that. It is to gain admittance to the Nexus expedited line for security screening (CATSA). To even get into that line, you must show a Nexus or GE card. They won’t let you in that line without showing the card, even if your boarding pass shows PreCheck or a number or whatever. So bring your GE card.
Aug 6, 2018, 10:16 pm
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 126
Aug 7, 2018, 10:55 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 126
Well a few updates. Getting to the Fairmont hotel was a breeze. Thank you everyone! Unfortunately they did not have any availabilities for a massage or even a manicure or pedicure until this afternoon, and my flight boards around 12:40. I did spend about an hour in the lounge area, and I did take a walk outside the terminal (although there were many smokers hanging out!). I was not able to go into the domestic terminals (it looks like there are a few spa options in the domestic terminals).
So I am hanging out in the Maple Lounge for now.
Thanks again everyone! You definitely helped lessen my anxiety for this adventure!
So I am hanging out in the Maple Lounge for now.
Thanks again everyone! You definitely helped lessen my anxiety for this adventure!
Aug 7, 2018, 2:00 pm
#40
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Hilton Diamond. Air NZ Elite
Posts: 8
For my last long international layover, I went to the Fairmont and did their Gym special, It was $35 for access and included gym gear and shoes as well. The fitnesss centre was very nice and the gym clothes were brand new and nice quality. I spent about 3 hours there although didn’t try out the pool. The showers were great though after working out. I then headed to the lounge to see what they had for food but I had dinner in another restaurant as there weren’t any good gluten free options in the lounge when I was there. Did spend about an hour after dinner though having an drink watching the sunset.
For my layover today I got in around 7:30 and had about 7 hours. So I made the choice to go walk around the waterfront area and have brunch in the city. Great choice to do if you have time. The train ride there was very easy and it was nice to get my 5k walk in outside as opposed to in a gym. Sitting in the transborder lounge right now. Very happy with both of my long layovers in Vancouver and if I ever fly through again for international I will do the same things again.
For my layover today I got in around 7:30 and had about 7 hours. So I made the choice to go walk around the waterfront area and have brunch in the city. Great choice to do if you have time. The train ride there was very easy and it was nice to get my 5k walk in outside as opposed to in a gym. Sitting in the transborder lounge right now. Very happy with both of my long layovers in Vancouver and if I ever fly through again for international I will do the same things again.
Aug 7, 2018, 2:16 pm
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Air Canada Super Elite 2+ Million Miles
Posts: 2,478
Well a few updates. Getting to the Fairmont hotel was a breeze. Thank you everyone! Unfortunately they did not have any availabilities for a massage or even a manicure or pedicure until this afternoon, and my flight boards around 12:40. I did spend about an hour in the lounge area, and I did take a walk outside the terminal (although there were many smokers hanging out!). I was not able to go into the domestic terminals (it looks like there are a few spa options in the domestic terminals).
So I am hanging out in the Maple Lounge for now.
Thanks again everyone! You definitely helped lessen my anxiety for this adventure!
So I am hanging out in the Maple Lounge for now.
Thanks again everyone! You definitely helped lessen my anxiety for this adventure!
great travels,
Aug 7, 2018, 3:08 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
For my last long international layover, I went to the Fairmont and did their Gym special, It was $35 for access and included gym gear and shoes as well. The fitnesss centre was very nice and the gym clothes were brand new and nice quality. I spent about 3 hours there although didn’t try out the pool. The showers were great though after working out. I then headed to the lounge to see what they had for food but I had dinner in another restaurant as there weren’t any good gluten free options in the lounge when I was there. Did spend about an hour after dinner though having an drink watching the sunset.
For my layover today I got in around 7:30 and had about 7 hours. So I made the choice to go walk around the waterfront area and have brunch in the city. Great choice to do if you have time. The train ride there was very easy and it was nice to get my 5k walk in outside as opposed to in a gym. Sitting in the transborder lounge right now. Very happy with both of my long layovers in Vancouver and if I ever fly through again for international I will do the same things again.
For my layover today I got in around 7:30 and had about 7 hours. So I made the choice to go walk around the waterfront area and have brunch in the city. Great choice to do if you have time. The train ride there was very easy and it was nice to get my 5k walk in outside as opposed to in a gym. Sitting in the transborder lounge right now. Very happy with both of my long layovers in Vancouver and if I ever fly through again for international I will do the same things again.
Aug 7, 2018, 3:22 pm
#43
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Hilton Diamond. Air NZ Elite
Posts: 8
Aug 7, 2018, 4:48 pm
#44
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
For many frequent flyers the lack of working wifi and live TV at 40,000 ft is a rare blessing to be unplugged from all the chaos, turmoil and stress on the ground! Do you really want to be getting notifications from the NYT reporting the latest episode of Trump Says the Darnedest Things?
Aug 7, 2018, 5:18 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,502
The GE card is for specific use on transborder crossing (Canada, Mexico).