Air travel policy updates

[22Tink]

What a mess this whole thing is. I guess you’re even more stressed than I am

I feel your stress too! It is indeed a mess! After 5 hours and 53 minutes on hold I finally got to speak to a person only to be told that the new flight has no more premium seats that I'd already paid for on the cancelled flight. No refunds either. I used points so the difference is only about $150 but that's a few dinners or a night in a hotel! I don't mind sitting in economy but I'd like that money back! How are these airlines getting away with this? I may take your advice and start using an airline other than WestJet or Air Canada in the future!

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I do have to agree, the extra steps to think of now, really when it comes to ANYTHING ... it’s a lot.
It will be worth it though when we are strolling around Epcot in August...
Hope all the flights get straightened out and the tests too. For everyone.
Oh and I talked to the pharmacist at Shoppers drug mart today - he said the $40 rapid antigen test is accepted by the US, he’s done quite a few and nobody has come back saying they were refused entry.
The results take only 15 min... so now I wonder when to book it for? Does it have to be 72 hrs or can it be 48 hrs prior to flying to the US?
Constant questions.....
I will be stressed (and I don’t get stressed) until I’m sitting on that plane.
Better yet, open the land border so we can cancel our flights and drive

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Does anyone know how long our passport has to be valid for entry to the US?
I pulled out all our passports and while DH and mine expire in 2 years, my DS12 passport expires Sept 16 2021. Our travel dates are August 15-22.
I believe for the US your passport just needs to be valid for dates you travel... but does anyone know for sure?
We plan to start the renewal process for him soon anyway, but not sure if we have to hurry or if we can probably use his current passport for our August trip.

 

[CanucksRock]

I travelled with a passport to the US in February that was going to expire in March a few years back. No issues.
For Covid Test, it just has to be within 72 hours…so you can do day before, day of if you want.

 

[Sue M]

I feel your stress too! It is indeed a mess! After 5 hours and 53 minutes on hold I finally got to speak to a person only to be told that the new flight has no more premium seats that I'd already paid for on the cancelled flight. No refunds either. I used points so the difference is only about $150 but that's a few dinners or a night in a hotel! I don't mind sitting in economy but I'd like that money back! How are these airlines getting away with this? I may take your advice and start using an airline other than WestJet or Air Canada in the future!

I do like Alaska Airline. I think they have the best customer service. They have flights connecting in Seattle direct to Florida, and flown them to PV too. Just before Covid hit in fact. We were lucky to have a return flight March 9!
That‘s just not right, they canceled flight so you should absolutely get refund for the premium seats. I would take it up a notch and ask for a supervisor. Maybe they have a customer relations number or email. If they have a FB page I’d post it on there too!

I do have to agree, the extra steps to think of now, really when it comes to ANYTHING ... it’s a lot.
It will be worth it though when we are strolling around Epcot in August...
Hope all the flights get straightened out and the tests too. For everyone.
Oh and I talked to the pharmacist at Shoppers drug mart today - he said the $40 rapid antigen test is accepted by the US, he’s done quite a few and nobody has come back saying they were refused entry.
The results take only 15 min... so now I wonder when to book it for? Does it have to be 72 hrs or can it be 48 hrs prior to flying to the US?
Constant questions.....
I will be stressed (and I don’t get stressed) until I’m sitting on that plane.
Better yet, open the land border so we can cancel our flights and drive

lol, that would be one heck of a drive from BC to Florida Yes test can be 48 hrs or 4 hrs ahead! Just no more than 72 hrs.
I’ll be stressed too until I’m sitting on that plane, and you’re right, once I walk through those MK gates and down Main St (always our first park) it will be worth it.
I wish the BC Shoppers had $40 tests. Not fair!

 

[hdrolfe]

Does anyone know how long our passport has to be valid for entry to the US?
I pulled out all our passports and while DH and mine expire in 2 years, my DS12 passport expires Sept 16 2021. Our travel dates are August 15-22.
I believe for the US your passport just needs to be valid for dates you travel... but does anyone know for sure?
We plan to start the renewal process for him soon anyway, but not sure if we have to hurry or if we can probably use his current passport for our August trip.

You should be good on the passport date. It's 6 months for most countries but the US is an exception. (the list is longer, I just wanted to capture Canada on there)

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-905?language=en_USU) Countries That Extend Passport Validity for an Additional Six Months After Expiration:

Andorra	Angola	Antigua and Barbuda
Antilles	Argentina	Armenia
Aruba	Australia	Austria
Bahamas, The	Barbados	Belgium
Belize	Bermuda	Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina	Brazil	Bulgaria*
Burma	Canada	Chile

 

[amw]

Does anyone know how long our passport has to be valid for entry to the US?
I pulled out all our passports and while DH and mine expire in 2 years, my DS12 passport expires Sept 16 2021. Our travel dates are August 15-22.
I believe for the US your passport just needs to be valid for dates you travel... but does anyone know for sure?
We plan to start the renewal process for him soon anyway, but not sure if we have to hurry or if we can probably use his current passport for our August trip.

As long as the passport doesn’t expire during your trip, you are good to go to US. In fact, if you try to renew DS now — you would be more stressed about maybe not getting it back in time (since you have to send in the current passport for the renewal).

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

[

As long as the passport doesn’t expire during your trip, you are good to go to US. In fact, if you try to renew DS now — you would be more stressed about maybe not getting it back in time (since you have to send in the current passport for the renewal).

Didn’t think of that, thank you!
I’ll start his renewal this September as we hope to travel again by December.

 

[SirDuff]

As long as the passport doesn’t expire during your trip, you are good to go to US. In fact, if you try to renew DS now — you would be more stressed about maybe not getting it back in time (since you have to send in the current passport for the renewal).

When I renewed mine (I actually had about five years left - it was just full), they allowed me to keep my old passport while I waited for the new one. I think it cost $25-$50 (something like that). Is that not an option if you're in Canada? Probably have to go in person to do it (since they need to see the passport).

ETA - I was renewing a Canadian passport, I just did it overseas (since I live overseas) at the Embassy/permanent mission, so not sure if we have more options. I have to say it was the easiest renewal ever (they even gave me cookie). But I work about 6 minutes from the mission, so super easy to get to to drop off and pick up.

 

[spewey]

I do have to agree, the extra steps to think of now, really when it comes to ANYTHING ... it’s a lot.
It will be worth it though when we are strolling around Epcot in August...
Hope all the flights get straightened out and the tests too. For everyone.
Oh and I talked to the pharmacist at Shoppers drug mart today - he said the $40 rapid antigen test is accepted by the US, he’s done quite a few and nobody has come back saying they were refused entry.
The results take only 15 min... so now I wonder when to book it for? Does it have to be 72 hrs or can it be 48 hrs prior to flying to the US?
Constant questions.....
I will be stressed (and I don’t get stressed) until I’m sitting on that plane.
Better yet, open the land border so we can cancel our flights and drive

Yes, the CDC website is very clear that the Rapid Antigen test is accepted for flights into the U.S. It has to have been taken within three days prior to the flight - NOT 72 hours, which is the requirement for the return flight into Canada.

The site actually spells this out - in other words, if your flight to the US is on a Friday afternoon, you can get the test anytime starting Tuesday, which is the third day before. Going back, however, they count the hours, which is much more complicated.

My advice is to always go to the actual source - the official government websites - to get the most accurate information.

 

[amw]

When I renewed mine (I actually had about five years left - it was just full), they allowed me to keep my old passport while I waited for the new one. I think it cost $25-$50 (something like that). Is that not an option if you're in Canada? Probably have to go in person to do it (since they need to see the passport).

ETA - I was renewing a Canadian passport, I just did it overseas (since I live overseas) at the Embassy/permanent mission, so not sure if we have more options. I have to say it was the easiest renewal ever (they even gave me cookie). But I work about 6 minutes from the mission, so super easy to get to to drop off and pick up.

Right now the offices are closed to the public — unless that has changed with reopening phases. When the offices were open, you could chose to keep your passport at renewal as a souvenir BUT they would clip the corner or punch a hole in it. They are deemed invalid. You cannot use them for trips or ID.

With the mail-in renewals during COVID — same thing. You had To mail in your existing passport with the application. You could choose to request it back (with the hole or clip) afterwards which the ministry would mail back with your other original documents when they issue new passport. You would be without documentation until new was mailed. My turnaround for my DDs passports in January was about 6 weeks. I wouldn’t want to gamble that with a trip already scheduled.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Right now the offices are closed to the public — unless that has changed with reopening phases. When the offices were open, you could chose to keep your passport at renewal as a souvenir BUT they would clip the corner or punch a hole in it. They are deemed invalid. You cannot use them for trips or ID.

With the mail-in renewals during COVID — same thing. You had To mail in your existing passport with the application. You could choose to request it back (with the hole or clip) afterwards which the ministry would mail back with your other original documents when they issue new passport. You would be without documentation until new was mailed. My turnaround for my DDs passports in January was about 6 weeks. I wouldn’t want to gamble that with a trip already scheduled.

I talked to passport Canada rep last week and they advised current wait is about 10 business days & they do make passport appts again.
Having said that I’m not renewing DS passport in case they do take longer.

 

[hdrolfe]

I think the passport times will also depend on where you are and how long the mail takes. Mine was 2 weeks with a long weekend in there, but we are in Ottawa and close to the office in Gatineau. I would wait if you can.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Just curious of those that are adding their info into the arrivcan app, are you travelling in the next couple days? I've tried to enter our information but it won't allow me to go past 3 days from now.

 

[pangyal]

Just curious of those that are adding their info into the arrivcan app, are you travelling in the next couple days? I've tried to enter our information but it won't allow me to go past 3 days from now.

When we came home, we weren’t able to upload any of our information until exactly 72 hours before our flight, to the minute.

 

[Sue M]

Just curious of those that are adding their info into the arrivcan app, are you travelling in the next couple days? I've tried to enter our information but it won't allow me to go past 3 days from now.

I tried yesterday, and it wouldn’t let me. It used to. For my trip last Nov. I was able to add everything and use the save and close function.
It’s bad enough we have to use valuable vacay time to go get tested, now have to spend more time dealing with the app. I’m stressing because I never had to download anything into an app so was hoping to do it now while I’m home and can get help if needed.
I‘ve already messed up my registration for getting Covid test at my airport returning home

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Historically, don't we usually hear "rumbling" of what's to come around the 21st of each month? I thought on the list of priorities was some form of e-documentation for travel. Today is the 14th so can we possibly see rumours of what's to come on the weekend?

 

[Susan2771]

Historically, don't we usually hear "rumbling" of what's to come around the 21st of each month? I thought on the list of priorities was some form of e-documentation for travel. Today is the 14th so can we possibly see rumours of what's to come on the weekend?

I do a scan every morning for news about any changes to the border. The Toronto Star has this new story but I cannot read it because it is behind a paywall. If anyone has a subscription and could possibly share what it says, I would be very grateful

Minor changes in the works as Canada-U.S. border restrictions set to renew | The Star

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I do a scan every morning for news about any changes to the border. The Toronto Star has this new story but I cannot read it because it is behind a paywall. If anyone has a subscription and could possibly share what it says, I would be very grateful

Minor changes in the works as Canada-U.S. border restrictions set to renew | The Star

I googled the title of this article and you can read what it says here. Really says nothing
What would minor tweaks be...
https://www.fr24news.com/a/2021/07/...rder-restrictions-expected-to-be-renewed.html

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I do a scan every morning for news about any changes to the border. The Toronto Star has this new story but I cannot read it because it is behind a paywall. If anyone has a subscription and could possibly share what it says, I would be very grateful

Minor changes in the works as Canada-U.S. border restrictions set to renew | The Star

Actually you can now open the Star article and it’s the same one. Unless I missed something it doesn’t say anything?