Transiting at YVR from Int to Dom flights
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Programs: AA Platinum 1MM, AC SE*100k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,353
Transiting at YVR from Int to Dom flights
Just got off the flight from SDY-YVR and transiting for my connecting flight from YVR-YYZ... I know there is a shortcut so one does not need to exit international and walk the 2 miles to Domestic and line up in domestic check-in. I have done this a few times escorted by AC Concierge. but on this flight, there was no one there, and it appears the only way is to clear custom, exit customs into airside and make the long trek all the way to Domestic and line up at domestic with the masses to clear security.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
Was there no one waving yellow cards, shouting "DOMESTIC CONNECTIONS"?
Right at the entrance the to immigration hall, there's also a sign to your right for domestic connections.
Finally, even if you miss all that, there's a separate transit path (still with a security checkpoint) if you follow the additional signage for domestic connections.
Right at the entrance the to immigration hall, there's also a sign to your right for domestic connections.
Finally, even if you miss all that, there's a separate transit path (still with a security checkpoint) if you follow the additional signage for domestic connections.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
As cow said, you have to find an airport employee with the yellow connection cards. Keep in mind that if you want to use Nexus, you’ll need to head with the “regular” YVR-destined folks to use a Nexus kiosk then double back to the OSS connection CBSA desk.
The process is a bit of a mess...
The process is a bit of a mess...
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Someone was waving a blue card and shouting "Canadian Connections" when I arrived on the most recent AC 4 from NRT. The problem is, she was standing in front on a line next to the Nexus line. She sent me to Nexus. Then my choices were exit into the terminal and go back through C security or stay to the right, elevator upstairs, long walk down hallway, through 2 lane non-Nexus security up there and then down escalator to the area near the information booth and main security airside.
On this particular day, a concierge was there with a BP for my onward flight. He took me on the airside bus (great plane porn BTW) to the domestic terminal, entering the door at gate 29, across from the MLL.
The problem was, he did not know NRT was not one of the destinations where the bus is yet allowed for inbound pax. The other problem was the extremely poor filtering and info process at arrival to immigration at YVR. It felt like no one took this idea for a test drive before they put that person and their sign in front of the line.
On this particular day, a concierge was there with a BP for my onward flight. He took me on the airside bus (great plane porn BTW) to the domestic terminal, entering the door at gate 29, across from the MLL.
The problem was, he did not know NRT was not one of the destinations where the bus is yet allowed for inbound pax. The other problem was the extremely poor filtering and info process at arrival to immigration at YVR. It felt like no one took this idea for a test drive before they put that person and their sign in front of the line.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Programs: AA Platinum 1MM, AC SE*100k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,353
Thanks... I did not get a yellow or blue card, and no one was there shouting connections.. I went through Nexus (which was probably my mistake), and had the long walk to domestic security line. Live and learn...next time
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
Right. If you had a yellow card, you would’ve simply doubled back after using the Nexus kiosk, presented your receipt to the connections CBSA officer, and headed for the bus.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
#9
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50K (*G), Westjet Gold
Posts: 788
For an airport of its size, YVR's INTL-DOM connection process is terrible. Last time I was there, Customs took 5 minutes, but lining up to transfer the bag took another 10 and the no nexus, no priority connections security checkpoint took another 20+. After a long flight from Asia, not exactly the nicest welcome. I wish it was more like YYZ which can be much faster!
#12
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
You don't need to find a staffer waving a card; they find you. As you descend the stairs or escalator into the main immigration hall (past the waterfall & spindle whorl), there will be several people in bright blue YVR vests intercepting you with CANADA printed on the cards. If you missed them, maybe glance up from your phone. These staff meet all eligible flights.
You need not use the NEXUS lane, although it's definitely an option for those members. There's a separate bank of the regular PIK kiosks to the far right of the hall reserved for the Int to Dom (ITD) customers. They generally have no lineup and are as quick as using the dedicated NEXUS line. If you have NEXUS, you have the freedom to choose between the fastest line.
The process remains faster than exiting normal or taking the Level 4 corridor at the right exit of the baggage claim hall.
For those claiming the process is "a mess", think about the growth that AC and YVR have experienced the past few years. Spend some time at the airport learning about the construction underway to complete the ITD process within the terminal without the need for buses. Offer any helpful suggestions on how you'd have foreseen the situation, and/or how you'd improve upon it. ITD passengers save an average of 24 minutes in connection time (latest figures to January 2019), but perhaps those averse to messes might wish to spend that time in a nice zen-like walk along the old route through customs and a subsequent bag drop and rescreening.
Totally your choice, either way.
You need not use the NEXUS lane, although it's definitely an option for those members. There's a separate bank of the regular PIK kiosks to the far right of the hall reserved for the Int to Dom (ITD) customers. They generally have no lineup and are as quick as using the dedicated NEXUS line. If you have NEXUS, you have the freedom to choose between the fastest line.
The process remains faster than exiting normal or taking the Level 4 corridor at the right exit of the baggage claim hall.
For those claiming the process is "a mess", think about the growth that AC and YVR have experienced the past few years. Spend some time at the airport learning about the construction underway to complete the ITD process within the terminal without the need for buses. Offer any helpful suggestions on how you'd have foreseen the situation, and/or how you'd improve upon it. ITD passengers save an average of 24 minutes in connection time (latest figures to January 2019), but perhaps those averse to messes might wish to spend that time in a nice zen-like walk along the old route through customs and a subsequent bag drop and rescreening.
Totally your choice, either way.
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
As this is a YVR-specific thread rather than an Air Canada or Aeroplan specific topic this thread has been relocated to the Cnadfa FT destination forum for further discussion.
tcook052
AC forum moderator
tcook052
AC forum moderator
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
Passive aggressive dismissiveness aside, the process is indeed a mess despite whatever physical constraints currently exist at YVR. When frequent flyers are unable to identify airport staff meant specifically to help them connect and when using a government border control process involves literally walking against an incoming flow of passengers, the process is a mess.
Hopefully the professionals will continue their efforts to improve the ITD process at all major airports in Canada. In the meantime, places like FT are a great resource for people to learn from others’ experiences and be better prepared for future travels.
Hopefully the professionals will continue their efforts to improve the ITD process at all major airports in Canada. In the meantime, places like FT are a great resource for people to learn from others’ experiences and be better prepared for future travels.