Need Advice on what to do when i arrive state side (Continental to US airways)

Hogzy

Hey

Im going to America this summer, Iv booked my transatlantic flights online with Continental Airlines 2 months ago and im booking my connecting flights with US airways to my final destination. What i want to know is can Continental put my bags through transit to my final destination despite the fact that i did not book all flights at once?

I know if i travel OneWorld or Star Alliance they will put the bags through as the airlines "work together" but im wondering will i have to collect my bags at the baggage claim and re-check in as opposed to staying in transit...

Any help would be appreciated thanks!

PCPhoto

if you have booked connecting flights then your baggage will be transferred (ask in the airport when you check in your luggage)

BuffyBot

What you're booking aren't "connecting" flights in the true sense of the word, they are a seperate trip. Continental's agents might tag your bag though, but they are under no obligation to do so.

US airports don't really have "transit" facilities. You'll have to clear immigration (if not done at Dublin) and customs, and most of the time you'll have to go to another terminal/part of the terminal and re-clear security.

Either way, everyone has to collect their bags at point of entry into the US, bring them through customs and re-check them anyway.

spideog7

BuffyBot wrote: »

US airports don't really have "transit" facilities. You'll have to clear immigration (if not done at Dublin) and customs, and most of the time you'll have to go to another terminal/part of the terminal and re-clear security.

Either way, everyone has to collect their bags at point of entry into the US, bring them through customs and re-check them anyway.

Not entirely true, everyone does have to collect their bags at the point of entry and then bring them through customs and drop them off again, but that's normally about 50yards. You booked your flights separately so it's a separate trip, this means your bags won't be tagged past your point of entry. You'll have to go out and check back in again.

Most likely you'll be leaving the terminal anyway as domestic and international flights are typically from different terminals at all the large hubs. So the only difference for you is you'll have to carry your bag with you from the international terminal to the domestic terminal, then queue up to check in again (most likely through an automatic machine, that's what all the airlines seem to use these days) be sure to remove the Ireland to US tag from your bag and attach the new one.

Another point to note is that the domestic weight limit is often less than the international weight limit, or indeed they may charge you for checking the bag in, typically $15 per bag on domestic US flights. If you book connecting flights on one trip you don't normally have to pay this as the bags go straight through.

EDIT:
One quick point to make also, make sure you leave lots of time between your flights. Since your trips are booked separately the airline will do nothing for you if your first flight is delayed. If you used one booking then trips would be all connected, so if your first flight was delayed to the point where you missed your second flight then the airline is responsible for getting you on the next available flight to your final destination. The way you booked them if you do miss the second flight you basically never checked in and just didn't show up for the flight, the airline probably won't help you, you'll have to try your insurance.

Could be a pain and just something to note, especially if you have to clear immigration in the US, that can take up to an hour in line, plus another 30 to 40 minutes to change terminals and go through security again. That said my last connection time was 45minutes and I made it with enough time to get a bag of chips

BuffyBot

Not entirely true, everyone does have to collect their bags at the point of entry and then bring them through customs and drop them off again

You mean, like, re-check them?