RTW and US (JFK) Immigration
Nov 20, 2004 | 12:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: HKG
Programs: CX, BA
Posts: 239
RTW and US (JFK) Immigration
Needed to goto London hence decided to do a quick 4 day RTW flew from HK-LHR-JFK-HKG (for miles + 15k bonus offer). Was grilled at JFK immigration as to why I had just come from LHR and immediately flying back out to HK (and also resulted in a whole series of other questions). Had to end up explaining to the officer that a RTW was actually cheaper than a full fare business class ticket to LHR from HKG etc
Anyone had similar issues with US immigration recently?
Anyone had similar issues with US immigration recently?
Nov 20, 2004 | 12:26 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Madrid, Spain & Santiago, Chile
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,181
Originally Posted by Gambler
Anyone had similar issues with US immigration recently?
Nov 21, 2004 | 11:54 am
#8
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Join Date: May 2000
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Originally Posted by Gambler
...Had to end up explaining to the officer that a RTW was actually cheaper than a full fare business class ticket to LHR from HKG etc
.....
.....
Last edited by Guy Betsy; Nov 21, 2004 at 11:57 am
Nov 21, 2004 | 3:22 pm
#9
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGLfL
Posts: 12,771
I wonder if you change an open segment to a confirmed reservation if the systems think you have changed your booking and then SSSS you?
Nov 21, 2004 | 3:42 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,032
Last year i had my Swiss mileage account number in my record. SSSS on every singe flight. Then i had it changed to my AA EXP number. No more SSSS.
So it looks like the frequent flyer number is important for the software deceiding if you are dangerous or not.
So it looks like the frequent flyer number is important for the software deceiding if you are dangerous or not.
Nov 21, 2004 | 6:36 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by Unterwegs
Last year i had my Swiss mileage account number in my record. SSSS on every singe flight. Then i had it changed to my AA EXP number. No more SSSS.
So it looks like the frequent flyer number is important for the software deceiding if you are dangerous or not.
So it looks like the frequent flyer number is important for the software deceiding if you are dangerous or not.
Solution: Book with your AA EXP number. At gate, after security, then change to your SWISS number.
Nov 22, 2004 | 6:49 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: HKG
Programs: CX, BA
Posts: 239
Originally Posted by Guy Betsy
Er... no it's not. Depends if you have a good travel agent and he/she knows all the tricks of the trade!
I would be interested to know as it may come in useful if I need to purchase a 'companion ticket' for my other half but with all the flexibility of J. If this "trick of the trade" is too big a secret to reveal publicly then please msg me.
Last edited by Gambler; Nov 22, 2004 at 6:54 am
Nov 22, 2004 | 9:55 am
#14
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Originally Posted by Gambler
GB - you mind expanding further on this? For a ticket originating out of HK (i.e. not travelling via BKK or TPE) there are effectively ways to purchase a full fare (J) ticket to LHR for substantially less than the published fare?
I would be interested to know as it may come in useful if I need to purchase a 'companion ticket' for my other half but with all the flexibility of J. If this "trick of the trade" is too big a secret to reveal publicly then please msg me.
I would be interested to know as it may come in useful if I need to purchase a 'companion ticket' for my other half but with all the flexibility of J. If this "trick of the trade" is too big a secret to reveal publicly then please msg me.
Nov 22, 2004 | 11:11 am
#15
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Having purchased my 2004 AONE5 with cash (wire transfer) in Cairo, I fully expected SSSS treatment, but, thankfully, was never selected.