TATL via Canada
 

I just booked a F award to Europe using YYZ on the out and YVR on the return. Thought I'd give BA F a whirl as people on this board speak highly of it.

Thing is, I've never flown in and out of Canada.

On the outbound, do I have to do any immigration into Canada or am I just a transit passenger. Is there a terminal change. I can't seem to find much gate info on the BA website.

On the return I overnight in Vancouver so I know I will have to do Canadian immigration and customs. Which is better to use, an American or British passport?

Flying YVR-DFW the following day, how does US immigration and custom work on that? Is it the full thing just as if I was flying in from London.

Sorry for the dumb questions. I've been to just about every country in the northern hemisphere but always manage to avoid Canada. Until now. :D

American. I had previously assumed that it would be easier with British since Canada is in the commonwealth, but this is not the case. Apparently neighbors beats out treaties. With a US passport you will be pretty much treated as a native returning home, but British citizens are treated as any other immigrant.


At YVR ou will go to the US departure terminal and clear US customs there. Then when you arrive at DFW it will be like arriving on a domestic flight.

What has any of this to do with American Airlines?

If you are starting in the U.S. you will have to clear Customs and immigration in Canada and bring your luggage to BA. So leave at least two hours.

AUS-DFW on American Airlines
DFW-YYZ on American Airlines
YVR-DFW on American Airlines
DFW-AUS on American Airlines.

125k Award travel itinerary AA+BA using AAmiles.

Using BA for the TATL leg of a AA award is something I presume that AAdvantage members do a lot, which is why I posed the question on the AA forum.

So I have to go land side in Toronto? Didn't realise that.

Thank you.

Yes - you remain in the same terminal (Terminal 3), but you will need to clear Canadian immigration and make your way over to the international departures area (where you will go through security).

Once thru security, you will have access to the BA Galleries Lounges (Club on the left, First to the right. The F side features table-service pre-flight dining, while (AFAIK) Galleries Club has a buffet. Unlike the old YYZ lounge, the Galleries Lounges are located very close to the BA gates (I used Gate 33 my last time through YYZ).


Map of T3:

http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Maps_T3.pdf

(The BA Galleries Lounges are upstairs. next to the KLM lounge that is marked on the map.

On your outbound trip, be sure that your checked-through luggage isn't put on the belt at YYZ for you to claim before you pass through the final stage of Canadian customs. Years ago I made this connection at YYZ many times... about half the time, my bag would put on the belt with everyone else's arriving from the US. The bags are supposed to be checked through, but don't count on it.

For your overnight transit in YVR, I'd recommend the Fairmont at Vancouver Airport. It's attached to the terminal and is a great hotel.

Most people answered your questions, but, here's a summary confirming things:

You do immigration in Canada. No terminal change. Because you are transiting immediately out of Canada, you should not need to claim your luggage (it should be checked through). If you were continuing onto another city in Canada you would have to collect your luggage. However, this doesn't always happen according to some posts I've read including one in this thread. Check with the AA agent / BA Agent to confirm this.

Agree with other posters - use your American Passport. My friends with British passports have been more frequently hassled than those with American ones.

You clear US Immigration in YVR before you leave; when you arrive in DFW it will be like a domestic arrival.