What do you tell U.S. immigration when you do a mileage run?
 

Edit: This was moved from the Air Canada | Aeroplan forum, so written from a Canadian perspective initially, but applicable to all. :D

I know it's getting to be that time of year for some of the elites who are contemplating mileage runs for Aeroplan. While I won't be in that position for a while, I am very curious as to what you've told U.S. immigration officials when they see you're only gone for a day (or less if it's a same day turnaround)? Do they look at you suspciously, or kind of nod understandingly/amusingly?

you dont tell them anything. you use Nexus.

Why would anyone be MR'ing? I dunno, i've never done a MR across the border for this real reason!

You tell them you need the points to qualify for next level to get upgrades for next year. Here is my return ticket. Dont lie.

Or get Global Entry. Problem solved.

You might find some useful discussion in this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/canad...r-when-mr.html

Thanks. I visit the U.S. maybe once a year so didn't think of that. That certainly simplifies things. I'm imagining the complex runs that can be done like that now.

+1

Last fall when I did 3 mileage runs before I had my NEXUS, US customs asked the usual where are you going, how long/why. I told each of them it was a MR and they laughed, one guy saying "you're the 3rd one this morning"

LOL :D

Uh, the truth?

The problem is the truth is so bizarre and messed up, most of them don't believe you.

If they ask me for further information, I'm usually let go after about 3-4 more clarifying questions.

The toughest one I had was an immediate turn in BDA in Sept. I only had 1 hr between landing and departure. In that time I had to clear BDA immigration, US immigration and security.

BDA immigration guy gave me a hassle, said there was no way I'd get through US immigration in time and asked if I was prepared to pay for a hotel room. I said no. He said "then I might deny you entry". I replied "Please do, and put me back on the flight I just came in on. I have a BP anyhow." :rolleyes:

He finally let me through and I made my flight with about 10 mins to spare.

You absolutely tell them the TRUTH, that you are flying to get the extra miles to qualify for status. They might laugh at you, they might ask you why you bother but you tell them the truth.

There is nothing wrong or illegal about flying through the USA for milage or status.

However, lying about the purpose of your trip can either

A) land you in secondary or
b) get you banned from the USA for 5 years.

rankourabu and sean peever are CORRECT - do not lie.

And as I noted above, you might also get an officer who laughs and says "oh, you're now the 4th person this morning" (I do many same-day trips anyway and some of them just roll their eyes. They know exactly what they are looking for and by the way, they see status on your BP and if you are E-something, they know you fly frequently)

As this is a mileage run topic and not an Air Canada or Aeroplan one it's been relocated to the more suitable forums for such queries, the Mileage Run Discussion forum for further input.

tcook052
Air Canada Forum Moderator

I have told them many times (before I got GE) what I was doing and most of them were aware this was happening and I was never asked any follow-up questions.

Lol :D^