Connecting Flight Problem

NabyLadistheman

Here goes, I'll try an keep this as uncomplicated as possible:)

Myself an my GF have booked a holiday to the US through American Airlines. There's a connecting flight from Chicago to our destination. We were of the mind-set that we wouldn't have to take this connection as were interested in staying in Chicago for a while and getting a train up tp our destination.

Unfortunately havin talked to American Airlines this is not the case. If we miss the connecting flught on the way out our ticket for our return flight will automatically be cancelled. Could not believe this when we heard it. So now we have to fly out from Chicago to our destination then double back to Chicago where we intend on satying for the first few weeks of our vacation.

I hope Im making sense. Has anyone encountered this before anf if so what did you do? Is there anyway around it? There is not alot of time between the connecting flights so we were thinkin of sayin we missed it. Surely this could not result in the cancellation of our flights home. Cancelling the connecting flight would cost two much now so not worth it

Any info. greatly appreciated

Ponster

Just a quick question...I've never flown to Chicago but surely your bags would get forwarded onto the second flight and arrive at your final destination leaving you bag-less in Chicago?

If AA operate the two flights then you can't really say that you've missed it I'm afraid. And even if you did then they'd just put you on the next available flight.

I *think* that they can cancel your return flight as this is the way is used to be (I think) before the time of Ryanair and low-cost where you buy 2 one-way tickets to and from your destination.

Imagine you couldn't make the first flight, flew with someone else to the States a few days later with someone else than I know that your return flight would have been cancelled.

BuffyBot

They would have to have to pick up the bags, clear customs and drop them off again - so they wouldn't be bagless as such...but yes, not completing a sector can often lead to the return sector being cancelled.

ArmaniJeanss

Ponster wrote: »

Just a quick question...I've never flown to Chicago but surely your bags would get forwarded onto the second flight and arrive at your final destination leaving you bag-less in Chicago?

Think you are wrong here Ponster, the last time I flew to Vegas it was compulsory to take my bag off at JFK and bring it to the another point in the airport, even though it was a connected booking onwards - you aren't allowed put your bag straight through anymore.

homah_7ft

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

Think you are wrong here Ponster, the last time I flew to Vegas it was compulsory to take my bag off at JFK and bring it to the another point in the airport, even though it was a connected booking onwards - you aren't allowed put your bag straight through anymore.

This is only a customs requirement i.e. first airport on entry. Your bags are still booked through technically you are just declaring them.

homah_7ft

torresistheman wrote: »

Here goes, I'll try an keep this as uncomplicated as possible:)

Myself an my GF have booked a holiday to the US through American Airlines. There's a connecting flight from Chicago to our destination. We were of the mind-set that we wouldn't have to take this connection as were interested in staying in Chicago for a while and getting a train up tp our destination.

Unfortunately havin talked to American Airlines this is not the case. If we miss the connecting flught on the way out our ticket for our return flight will automatically be cancelled. Could not believe this when we heard it. So now we have to fly out from Chicago to our destination then double back to Chicago where we intend on satying for the first few weeks of our vacation.

I hope Im making sense. Has anyone encountered this before anf if so what did you do? Is there anyway around it? There is not alot of time between the connecting flights so we were thinkin of sayin we missed it. Surely this could not result in the cancellation of our flights home. Cancelling the connecting flight would cost two much now so not worth it

Any info. greatly appreciated

I see your flight is already booked. I would contact AA again and ask them if they could change your flight to a multi-stop arrangement. This gives you the chance to stay in a location prior to taking the next flight on an agreed date.

If you miss your flight due to a late arrival, with your current booking they put you on the next flight and give you accomodation if that flight is the following day.

NabyLadistheman

homah_7ft wrote: »

I see your flight is already booked. I would contact AA again and ask them if they could change your flight to a multi-stop arrangement. This gives you the chance to stay in a location prior to taking the next flight on an agreed date.

If you miss your flight due to a late arrival, with your current booking they put you on the next flight and give you accomodation if that flight is the following day.

Ya I think this is what I am going to do. It's gonna be torture otherwise. Im not sure if AA will cater for this though. I don't see why not but we'll have to see.

With regard to checking in the bags I think we have to get em off our flight in Chicago and re-check em in for our connecting flight. We've only an hour an a half between flights so this will be crazy enough

Ponster

The last time I passed through Chicago it was heading to Dallas and it took no more than 20 minutes to get off the plane, pick up the bags and drop them on the correct belt for connections. You don't have to re-check in as such.

You'll already have your boarding passes and about an hour to kill for your next flight.