US -> US transit at YVR
 

Yes, another one of us Americans wanting to take advantage of YVR-JFK :p

If the CX YVR-JFK flight leaves at 9:45pm, what's the latest I should land into YVR? I'm looking at a west-coast hop that eventually ends in SEA-YVR, either landing at 4pm or 7pm. The 7pm landing gives me more miles, which is half the reason for the trip ...

You should be fine with the 7pm arrival.

For those out of the loop, what's the deal with the CX flight?

The YVR JFK flight is a continuation of HKG YVR JFK. The pricing reflects sunk cost of the YVR JFK flight and CX is pricing it to put some butts into the empty seats.

However I have no idea how the process and timing for a US arrival into a Canadian airport and then a flight out to the US that is not US CBP precleared.

Are you planning something like USA-YVR-JFK?

Edit: Yes you are

No-go on one ticket.

USA-YYC-YVR-JFK will work.

You'll have to enter Canada as if it were your destination. That means collecting any luggage and going through customs. Figure about 30 minutes and you must exit security. Then you check bags and re-enter security. Allow another 30 minutes. You should allow yourself one hour ahead of the flight to be at the gate to be sure. Don't forget that when you enter Canada you'll fill our a card with Canada as your destination since you are not allowed to go US-US via Canada on one ticket as others have noted. Basically, this is not a worthwhile effort.

Worthwhile or not is in the eyes of the beholder for cheap west coast to NYC premium cabin flight.

I know of two high ups at Micro$oft who ticket SEA YVR or drive and then a separate ticket for YVR JFK. The real F ticket on CX is comparable to US domestic transcon F.

Separate tix ... one USA-YVR, the other YVR-JFK

Exactly. Also since CX can be booked with AA miles, YVR-JFK is often used a free one-way when booking ex-JFK international awards. It's perfect for SEA-NYC goers, and it has decent mileage availability for last-minute flights.


Thanks for the input. I decided to go with a direct flight instead (the fare I was looking for opened up between yesterday and today, and better timing instead of a redeye). This route is still on my to-do list :)