MNL to US flights

[calbrecht 26]

Hello everyone I just had a random question when flying to the US. 

For starter I live in Minnesota, when I normally fly to the Philippines I book my international travel out of LAX and book a separate flight to and form Minnesota.  There is a huge savings to be had by booking this way, if I fly from MSP to MNL it is usually $1,000 to $1,300, however when I book from LAX to MNL ($415-$600 with a small layover in Taipai) and a separate round trip flight from MSP to LAX  ($100-$250) I can cut the cost in half.  My last trip there cost me $550 round trip doing it this way.

 

I just did a quick check for August 2019 and total cost one way I can get down to about $600 booking 2 separate flights, if I book one flight MNL to MSP it is $1,000 and you still have the same number of layover.

 

If my fiances POE is LAX and we book a separate flight from LAX to MSP has anyone ran into issues?   Obviously we would spend the night in LA or make sure the layover is extended due to unknown time to clear customs and immigration at LAX.

 

Has anyone booked this way before?

 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

7 minutes ago, calbrecht said:

Hello everyone I just had a random question when flying to the US. 

For starter I live in Minnesota, when I normally fly to the Philippines I book my international travel out of LAX and book a separate flight to and form Minnesota.  There is a huge savings to be had by booking this way, if I fly from MSP to MNL it is usually $1,000 to $1,300, however when I book from LAX to MNL ($415-$600 with a small layover in Taipai) and a separate round trip flight from MSP to LAX  ($100-$250) I can cut the cost in half.  My last trip there cost me $550 round trip doing it this way.

 

I just did a quick check for August 2019 and total cost one way I can get down to about $600 booking 2 separate flights, if I book one flight MNL to MSP it is $1,000 and you still have the same number of layover.

 

If my fiances POE is LAX and we book a separate flight from LAX to MSP has anyone ran into issues?   Obviously we would spend the night in LA or make sure the layover is extended due to unknown time to clear customs and immigration at LAX.

 

Has anyone booked this way before?

 

 

No issue. Really doesn't matter where she goes to once she enters as long as obviously she clears customs and immigration. So just do what you think is best cost wise.

Edited June 5, 2019 by Ben&Zian

[calbrecht 26]

3 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

No issue. Really doesn't matter where she goes to once she enters as long as obviously she clears customs and immigration. So just do what you think is best cost wise.

For traveling withing the US though she will still have her passport yet for airport security correct? 

[Daveandmira 1]

Hi. I am the benificiary. Flew from cebu to manila..Manila to Lax...Lax to Chicago ..Chicago to Buffalo...hahha long journey but never had any issues..smooth flight and POE check..

Your fiance will be fine..Piece of cake ..hehe

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

1 minute ago, calbrecht said:

For traveling withing the US though she will still have her passport yet for airport security correct? 

 

Yes. but she will be on her I-94 for the 90 days so she won't have any issues.

[payxibka 10,045]

10 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

Yes. but she will be on her I-94 for the 90 days so she won't have any issues.

Assuming they printed it.  The expiration is also written in the passport on the entry stamp on the visa.  At least ours was.

[calbrecht 26]

Thank you all for the responses.

[payxibka 10,045]

11 minutes ago, calbrecht said:

Thank you all for the responses.

What carrier are you usually flying for MSP to LAX?  I usually only see Spirit or Sun Country for that pricing and I refuse to fly Spirit 

[Hank_ 9,174]

49 minutes ago, calbrecht said:

Hello everyone I just had a random question when flying to the US. 

For starter I live in Minnesota, when I normally fly to the Philippines I book my international travel out of LAX and book a separate flight to and form Minnesota.  There is a huge savings to be had by booking this way, if I fly from MSP to MNL it is usually $1,000 to $1,300, however when I book from LAX to MNL ($415-$600 with a small layover in Taipai) and a separate round trip flight from MSP to LAX  ($100-$250) I can cut the cost in half.  My last trip there cost me $550 round trip doing it this way.

 

I just did a quick check for August 2019 and total cost one way I can get down to about $600 booking 2 separate flights, if I book one flight MNL to MSP it is $1,000 and you still have the same number of layover.

 

If my fiances POE is LAX and we book a separate flight from LAX to MSP has anyone ran into issues?   Obviously we would spend the night in LA or make sure the layover is extended due to unknown time to clear customs and immigration at LAX.

 

Has anyone booked this way before?

 

Once your fiancee clears POE all is good, you shouldn't have any issues with your plan.

[calbrecht 26]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

What carrier are you usually flying for MSP to LAX?  I usually only see Spirit or Sun Country for that pricing and I refuse to fly Spirit 

Actually there are several, I tend to stay away from Spirit as well.  But I can usually get on United, American Airlines, Sun Country or Delta.  You have to be willing to have a layover or take odd flight times.  Also as you are aware very dependent on time of year your flying. 

 

Also I use a site called Skiplagged to research flights but never have booked through them.  I just enter my desired flight date and and destination,.  The only reason I use that site is after they return your results there is a live graph at the top of the page showing cost if you changed dates of your flight.  I have found this to be the most accurate when booking my flight through expedia which is my preferred choice in booking, usually expedia is a couple dollars more.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Google flights has has a calendar feature showing prices day by day

[payxibka 10,045]

10 minutes ago, calbrecht said:

Actually there are several, I tend to stay away from Spirit as well.  But I can usually get on United, American Airlines, Sun Country or Delta.  You have to be willing to have a layover or take odd flight times.  Also as you are aware very dependent on time of year your flying. 

Gotcha,  I would do that if flying alone without any checked bags.  Flying with the wife would be an impossibility with just carryons.  I'm interested in seeing how delta will price the new MSP - Incheon flights as that is the fastest way to cebu 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

3 hours ago, calbrecht said:

Hello everyone I just had a random question when flying to the US. 

For starter I live in Minnesota, when I normally fly to the Philippines I book my international travel out of LAX and book a separate flight to and form Minnesota.  There is a huge savings to be had by booking this way, if I fly from MSP to MNL it is usually $1,000 to $1,300, however when I book from LAX to MNL ($415-$600 with a small layover in Taipai) and a separate round trip flight from MSP to LAX  ($100-$250) I can cut the cost in half.  My last trip there cost me $550 round trip doing it this way.

 

I just did a quick check for August 2019 and total cost one way I can get down to about $600 booking 2 separate flights, if I book one flight MNL to MSP it is $1,000 and you still have the same number of layover.

 

If my fiances POE is LAX and we book a separate flight from LAX to MSP has anyone ran into issues?   Obviously we would spend the night in LA or make sure the layover is extended due to unknown time to clear customs and immigration at LAX.

 

Has anyone booked this way before?

 

It's how i roll. Book two separate tickets and it saves near 300 buckaroos. Never had a problem. 

[payxibka 10,045]

4 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

It's how i roll. Book two separate tickets and it saves near 300 buckaroos. Never had a problem. 

Until one of the inbound flights is late and since you are not on a connected itinerary they won't accommodate you unless you are willing to pony up more $$$$.  Reward has its risks

Edited June 5, 2019 by payxibka

[RWD 2]

Compare the round trip ticket price to the price of a one-way ticket for the international flight. I was able to save a significant amount of money when my step-son immigrated to USA by booking a round trip ticket instead of a one-way ticket. We just didn't use the return ticket. It's a common practice of airlines to overprice one-way tickets.

Edited June 5, 2019 by RWD