POE question

[AMZJ 61]

So I have started to look at flights (no I'm not buying any until I have the visa). I'm just looking at what sort of price I'd be looking at and what would be my cheapest most time effective option. But when you come in on a K-1 would it take a lot more time to go though customs? What about connections etc? It's just something I was thinking about so I can get an idea of which airport is more possible as the prices can vary drastically.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Time at POE when you come on an immigration visa seem to depend on which POE, what time of day and even what CBP officer. Have a look in the POE reviews online to see what is the average process time for your chosen POE.

If you want to save money, book all flights with one ticket, it's usually cheaper plus if you get delayed during customs, they'll re-book your connecting flight to a later time for free. If you book your flights on separate tickets, it's usually more expensive but you can be more flexible.

Edited January 22, 2016 by mallafri76

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Leave yourself with 3-4 hours for a connection. It's better to wait a few extra hours, then to miss your connection and have to rebook. You don't need the grief of rebooking.

[AMZJ 61]

Thanks to everyone. I was thinking about flying in and then getting a bus from my POE incase it goes wrong as the bus is cheaper and goes a few times a day. I'm hoping to POE in either NY or Chicago but it depends what is cheaper once I have visa in hand.

[gavw72 23]

Where are you planning on flying out of in the UK & where's your final destination?

My outbound requirements & destination eventually determined the ticket I bought.

[AMZJ 61]

Ideally I'd of liked to fly to Cincinnati, but I have been looking at booking the flights separate. I could fly into surrounding airports too but I'm going to look at all flight / Bus options. I considered doing Chicago because it's a close place to POE. JFK or Newark would probably be a lot cheaper but it's also a lot further if I miss a connection. At least in Chicago my fiance could get there if he absolutely had to. Even if it works out cheaper to get a room over night and a flight the next day.

[DJ6372 111]

As already stated I would give yourself 3-4 hour lay over

Really it's up to you how you want to work it

My time at POE was maybe 5 mins longer than normal entry, but then I stood in line for an hour LAX!!!

[AMZJ 61]

As already stated I would give yourself 3-4 hour lay over

Really it's up to you how you want to work it

My time at POE was maybe 5 mins longer than normal entry, but then I stood in line for an hour LAX!!!

I will aim for that. Thanks

[gavw72 23]

I booked a return as it worked cheaper & my experience was to research the best flight price coming back. Cheapest option back to the UK was New York to London 2 months after arriving (I will be cancelling the return leg). Whichever date/route out I chose the return leg was always the same.

I had loads of options to go at, I figured that I could stand a few extra flight hours, layovers, etc as I wasn't just there for a few weeks! I eventually dropped on a flight with one stop but had to mess about with different options to get a 4hr layover in Atlanta. As I'm booked on the one ticket if I do miss the connection then I'm on the next flight.

So I'm booked Manchester to Little Rock via Atlanta on 12th March & New York to London on 5th May direct (to cancel). I did a basic search on Skyscanner then booked through Travelup.co.uk anywhere that allows a multi-city search will throw up all the options.

The lucky ones are the ones who can simply go Gatwick to New York with Norwegian Airlines (about £220 on a one way).

Your UK airport will obviously determine the best price - just looked at Cincinnati in September (return from NY in October) & were about £500 from London / £400 from Manchester. One way prices were £880+ from London / £680+ from Manchester.

All good fun & it'll keep you busy for hours playing around with it, plus for me the better flights & prices popped up about the time I was ready to book.

Edited January 22, 2016 by gavw72

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Consider this:

Where you land first is POE. You get in the visitor line as usual. How crowded is the general hall? For example at our Houston airport on a summer afternoon, there are a gazillion flights landing from resorts in Mexico, Bahamas, etc. it's crowded. On a winter night, not too bad.

Most will take you to a secondary room for processing your packet you turn over. Read the POE reviews on VJ to find a description of various airports.

So in secondary room, are their two people waiting to be served, or ten?

Then you have to pick up your luggage at baggage claim and pass by the customs dude. Will you get randomly selected to have your bags searched?

Next is recheck your luggage for your connecting flight. It's airside so not back into the big lobby.

Then find your gate. Is it the same terminal or do you have to get to a different terminal?

You can see all the variables for each step. That's why you pick something with a few hours layover. If you finish in 30 minutes, then go have some tea and pastries and relax near your next gate. If you miss your flight, go to your airlines and let them find you another flight. You don't have to make the arrangements, they will help you. There could be another plane heading to your destination in an hour. They can put you on a different airline and cover the cost.

Book it as one flight and it will be easier on you. No decisions to make. You will be helped. No creepy busses with scarey people on them. Where is the bus station? How will you get there? It may not be like the UK with fifty coaches lined up at the airport to take you somewhere. It could be 20 miles away.

Treat yourself. Don't make it hard just to save a small amount of money.

And that's my 2 cents.

[AMZJ 61]

Consider this:

Where you land first is POE. You get in the visitor line as usual. How crowded is the general hall? For example at our Houston airport on a summer afternoon, there are a gazillion flights landing from resorts in Mexico, Bahamas, etc. it's crowded. On a winter night, not too bad.

Most will take you to a secondary room for processing your packet you turn over. Read the POE reviews on VJ to find a description of various airports.

So in secondary room, are their two people waiting to be served, or ten?

Then you have to pick up your luggage at baggage claim and pass by the customs dude. Will you get randomly selected to have your bags searched?

Next is recheck your luggage for your connecting flight. It's airside so not back into the big lobby.

Then find your gate. Is it the same terminal or do you have to get to a different terminal?

You can see all the variables for each step. That's why you pick something with a few hours layover. If you finish in 30 minutes, then go have some tea and pastries and relax near your next gate. If you miss your flight, go to your airlines and let them find you another flight. You don't have to make the arrangements, they will help you. There could be another plane heading to your destination in an hour. They can put you on a different airline and cover the cost.

Book it as one flight and it will be easier on you. No decisions to make. You will be helped. No creepy busses with scarey people on them. Where is the bus station? How will you get there? It may not be like the UK with fifty coaches lined up at the airport to take you somewhere. It could be 20 miles away.

Treat yourself. Don't make it hard just to save a small amount of money.

And that's my 2 cents.

Defiantly lots to consider.

[AMZJ 61]

Some of the flights go though Dublin, as it's a pre-clearance country does that mean my POE would be Dublin or the next US stop? That confuses me...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Some of the flights go though Dublin, as it's a pre-clearance country does that mean my POE would be Dublin or the next US stop? That confuses me...

They have US immigration and customs people in Dublin. So yes it could be your POE where you turn in your envelope, get your visa stamped. I don't know if every flight to the US is part of the preclearance area. I have heard others say some are and some aren't.

[AMZJ 61]

They have US immigration and customs people in Dublin. So yes it could be your POE where you turn in your envelope, get your visa stamped. I don't know if every flight to the US is part of the preclearance area. I have heard others say some are and some aren't.

Ok just making sure as if I did get one going though I would want to make sure I have enough time. I have flown though Dublin before this summer just gone. Just wasn't sure if they could handle visas there or not.

[JFH 12,190]

I use Dublin a lot. All the direct flights to the USA go through pre clearance there but not if you are going with, for example, Air France Dublin - Paris - New York. I find it quite nice to do pre-clearance there. Not usually very busy and quite cheerful chaps on the desks.

Mostly I go through Oslo or Copenhagen. My trip last November was a steal. Copenhagen to Denver via Toronto at £122 return. I used air miles to get to Copenhagen. I deliberately booked a return that went Denver - Toronto - London - Copenhagen and took a carry on only. When I got to Heathrow I just waltzed off to the national express.

I have never paid more than £250 return going from Oslo.