Will US immigration know what a MR is?
 

I am on my way to deciding that I want to do a Mileage Run from London.

Not really for the miles or the status but just because I've convinced myself that I'd love to give it a go and experience a weekend of nothing but air travel.

I know what I'm prepred to pay and it all seems perfectly possible, exciting - and completely crazy!

Looking at LHR-LAX-ORD-LHR leaving Saturday morning and getting back into my own bed Sunday night. This involves an overnight flight LAX-ORD.

So my question - as a UK citizen I have to fill in a Visa Waiver form to get into USA and this requires an address for my first night.

So will those nice ladies and gents at immigration who stamp my passport throw me in jail - to the back of the queue to fill the form in properly - or smile sweetly and let me pass?

Write in the address field: Transit to flight XX

There aer a number of threads here, in Travel Security and TravelBuzz that indicates that immigration is very understanding of us "weird" mileage runners.... :)

If you get one who does not know.... just explain you are "Doing it for the miles"... you will probably just get a look, or smile... and be on your way... :)

Good luck!

They often ask for the boarding pass if you do this.

How would this routing mean you are back in your own bed sunday night?

I presuming

LHR-LAX Saturday
LAX-ORD Saturday night
ORD-LHR Sunday night

Arrive LHR monday morning.

UA has a 6am ORD flight that gets into LHR at 9:55p.

JP

Never mind MRs. I know a number of legitimate visitors to the US who are British, white, 'older' ie above age 55 years , affluent, employed or retired, both men and womean, who have been denied entry and sent back to the UK.

or taking the AA90 which leaves ORD 9am and gets in LHR 10.30pm

I just write in transit to city, country.

Should be no problem at LAX and most major international airports. I had more than half a dozen turnarounds/transits at LAX within a few weeks last Dec/Jan and no problem at all. Similarly in April I had 4 at LAX in the space of a few days - no problem.

white ?? oh come on now !

If they are legitimate visitors under the visa waiver program (or even with visas), was any reason(s) given?

Las October I flew LGW-JFK and back within 24 hours just to watch a hockey game, 2 weekends in a row. JFK isn't as laid back as say LAX, but no issues at all.

Yep.

Brief review of those threads:

1. always be honest, you'll be in for a surprise otherwise.

2. show some FF statements as "evidence" since you could get a hard time but being honest and explaining the objective like a professional would, you will get you through no problem.

3. Make sure your story is straight, don't be afraid to admit what you were up to.

FWIW, it's really US customs desk who'll care. At airports, they're an odd group... I do fit the profile of a "high-risk traveler" being young and going abroad a lot and I've flown back from Brazil, Mexico and China and they'll look at my customs sheet and universally just waive me through. SFO, JFK, LAX.. doesn't matter.

The VWP places complete discretion for allowing entry in the hands of the immigration officer at the point of entry. They can deny entry without giving a reason, and in signing the form you have waived your right to appeal.

I knew 2 women, who have working visas - they are university lecturers, and occasionally come to the US to give talks. They have entered the US before, but apparently the last time the INS officer didn't like their reasons for coming and turned back one woman, and on another occasion, held one in a cell for a couple of hours at ATL airport. She was eventually allowed entry on the condition that she not give any more talks... even though she has a visa allowing her to do so. She was so shaken that she swore never to step foot into the USA again.

On another occasion, and one which is still pending, a friend, who is caucasian, aged 54, was travelling frequently to S Carolina via JFK to see his fiancee. They have even bought a house. But last June, he was denied entry at JFK because the INS officer said that he had been taking advantage of his visa=free status and that he has to apply for a proper visa if he intends to return to the US. He was escorted back to the plane and returned to the UK. So he married his fiancee in UK in Sept, and applied for a permenant residence to the US. Meanwhile, the UK has granted residency to his wife, while he is still waiting for his visa to be approved.

What was ridiculous was this... his wife suffered some severe cramps due to food poisoning and had to have emergency surgery. In fact where she is located (in their house in the USA), it is impossible for anyone to just pop in to check on her. My friend had to call the Sheriff's office in that town, because he couldn't call 911 from UK. The Sheriff's office broke the door down and took the wife to the hospital. With the sheriff's letter, doctor's letter, and various other departments' letters, my friend went to the US consulate to ask for a temporary visa to see his wife due to the severity of the situation.

Guess what? He was turned down! He was told that they have no guarantee that he would return to the UK when she is better !

He is still waiting for his Green Card.... and his wife is in the US and travels frequently to the UK whenever work permits her to.