starlette

^Thank you so much for your responses. I am just a bit nervous about it as it's the first time I will be using the British passport outside the EU. And I'm just a newbie at travelling to third countries as a dual citizen overall. I'd hate to travel all that way, only to be turned away over confusion due to dual citizenship. But it should be a fairly common thing nowadays, I imagine?

starlette

Also... may I ask...

If I am booking my tickets, I will specify my British passport number. Will this present a problem at check-in on the way back to Singapore? For instance, should my return trip list my Philippine passport??

c1mth0g

Basically, the rule of thumb is to show the airline officials the passport you are intending to use to enter your final destination (they don't want to have to pay to transport you back if you are refused entry).

If there are exit checks (eg Singapore), use the same passport that you entered the country on. Exit checks are generally there to make sure no one has overstayed - they will want to see your entry stamp etc.

(This can mean that you have to switch your passport several times - eg UK passport at check-in, Philippines passport at immigration, back to UK passport when boarding the plane.)

I've used different passports to check-in for different segments of the same itinerary, so it should be no problem for you to use a different passport to check-in on the way back.

Having said that, in some situations (like yours), you may be able to get away with checking in with your UK passport on your flight to Singapore. The airline just needs to know that you are qualified to enter Singapore. If Singapore allows UK passport holders in without a visa and does not require proof of onward travel, then the airline is happy to see your UK passport. Just make sure you actually clear immigration in Singapore with your Philippines passport.

On the US side - just show them the stamps on your Philippines passport if they wonder why you have no stamps on your British passport.

tentseller

There is no passport check for transit passengers at NRT just a security screening of you person and carry on's.

c1mth0g

Although the airline will generally want to see your passport when boarding (use the passport you are going to enter your destination country).

starlette

^That all seems quite straightforward, thank you both for the advice!

So... I guess this kind of thing has been done many times before and I have nothing to worry about?

ajax

This kind of thing has been done many times before and you have nothing to worry about.

starlette

^Phew! Thanks.

I may be changing my itinerary a wee bit and might fly Delta SIN-NRT-LAX-CVG.I will only have an hour to transit LAX to make my connecting flight to Cincinnati. I imagine LAX immigration should be familiar with dual citizenship and this kind of travel situation? Any additional advice would be much appreciated.

For instance, might I be asked about who I am traveling with? I want to be honest of course, but will traveling with my American boyfriend present any complications? What would be the least 'sketchy' way to answer? I'm just afraid of saying the wrong thing. Our actual purpose for travel is to attend a friend's wedding.

Thanks again to all the posters who have responded so far.

okazon69

This will likely be the biggest problem you encounter during the entire trip. Count on missing your connecting flight, especially if you have to go from one terminal to another. Two to three hours would be much more reasonable.

starlette

My only other option would be to fly through Seattle for a 3 hour layover. Better? But would they be just as used to international dual citizenship travel?

tentseller

1 hr transit in LAX arriving from NRT is impossible.

TPAC flights arrives at one terminal and domestic departs from another. You need to clear immigration, customs, TSA security check. Baggages are slow even with my priority tags. The Alien entry line is long and everyone needs full processing.
One hour was pushing it even flying BE and having Nexus/Global entry.

I would take a 3 hour transit via SEA over LAX any day.

Another option is SIN NRT DTWorMSP CVG. DTW or MSP is such a better airport getting off a TPAC flight.

König

You give too much significance to your dual citizenship status. You will come to the USA as a citizen of UK, and my bet is that they will not even ask you any questions about your other passport.

starlette

I only worry about it because in the past I have entered the US as a Philippine citizen. Does it not make a difference?

König

If the spelling in both passports is the same, they may ask about your previous entries. Simple explanation might be enough because you are not even required to carry your Philippines passport with you. If the spelling is a bit different, you may not even be asked your previous entries. Either way, I do not think you will have a problem or be sent to secondary because the dual citizenship is a well-known concept in CBP circles.

starlette

I see. Well, that's a relief. My name is not spelled differently on my Philippine passport, but it does include my mother's maiden name as my middle name. So the naming conventions are different. In any case, I trust that explaining my dual citizenship should be enough explanation. Thanks for the info!