Time For Connecting Flights (Miiam and Charlotte) Heading Home?

[Goooner]

I know this has been discussed in a few different threads recently, but I'm about to book air for the October trip.

We may go US Air through Charlotte or American through Miami.

In those airports (heading back to the U.S.) how much time do we need to make sure that we make our flight? I'd hate to miss a connection and get stuck overnight (with the twins) in either place.

By the way (and I probably should alert Rosita) the wife now is looking at our schedules to expand the trip. Seven days on the island may not be enough for her.
After nearly 15 years together (in July) we sure are on the same page.

 

[KevinS]

It's not cheap, but AA's 5-star service is a big help... I'm not aware of a similar service from US.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/fivestarservice.jsp

 

[Goooner]

Thanks, Kevin. $300 (for the four of us) may actually be cheaper than some of the alternatives.

Getting to the island has never been a problem for us (there haven't been in any real changes in SXM over the past year or so, have there?) but the way home may be a challenge.

 

[TJH]

After missing our Miami connection three years in a row due to delays in SXM, we avoid MIA whenever possible and if we have to connect there, we allow at least three hours. Two of the three times, our plane to ORD from MIA was delayed and we were dropping our bags 39 minutes before the scheduled departure and they pulled them anyway. Status didn't matter, so maybe the 5-star service is worth it.

We've had better luck in CLT, although this year I flew home with just one daughter on a Monday night and thought it was safe to have just under two hours to clear C&I. The counters were woefully understaffed and we just barely squeaked on the plane after running through the airport to the gate. I was shocked to find that our bags traveled with us. I wouldn't allow less than two hours there again (I don't think...).

 

[LHC]

Agree -- I would allow 3+ hours in Miami based on our last trip. Barely made our connection with 2 hours.

I like the option of the AA service as well, but the asterisk says they can't "expedite" through customs. Only "escort."

* Escort through Customs and Immigration will be provided when American Airlines has access to these airport secured areas. Five Star Service cannot expedite access through Customs and Immigration.

 

[tim]

We have always allowed around two hours connection time coming back into the US through CLT. However, now that we have Global Entry, our time through Immigration has been greatly reduced.

 

[andynap]

Agree -- I would allow 3+ hours in Miami based on our last trip. Barely made our connection with 2 hours.

I like the option of the AA service as well, but the asterisk says they can't "expedite" through customs. Only "escort."

* Escort through Customs and Immigration will be provided when American Airlines has access to these airport secured areas. Five Star Service cannot expedite access through Customs and Immigration.

I had the best AA service- Debo- who arranged transport for my wife in Miami between gates. Good thing too. The gate to SXM was really far.

 

[TPunch42]

1. We also avoid MIA (flying through NYC has proven to take less time from the west coast... go figure)
2. We also allow 3 hours to get through customs.
3. And yes the walk is SUPER long. The new terminal does not yet have customs. So you walk through the inside of the airport to another terminal and then have to walk all the way back to the terminal you arrived in even if your gates are right next to each other...
4. MIA stands for more than MIAMI... lots of action and constantly questioning... "what am i missing"
5. And once you leave customs don't forget to please leave your bags in a pile at the red dot or the blue dot or the yellow dote that looks totally disorganized and chaotic and then follow one of the colored dots to take you to a random elevator that will spit you out at check in area and require you to go walk through all the lines of people (some of whom seem to be traveling with all their worldly possessions) through security all over again and then hope your bags will somehow make it to your flight...so far they have but I'm certain it's by some magical baggage fairy that likes us cuz there's no rhyme or reason to the process... It has been like this for years...
6. I avoid MIA more than I avoid SXM... SXM is nothin...

Sorry for the rant... you get the idea..

 

[kristipeltz]

Just went thru Charlotte sat night - utter chaos. Been 2 years since went thru CLT international. Immigration took about 25 minutes, baggage already there, quick turn around there, but then you get dumped all the way outside for security (not just international transfer security). Only 2 security stations open at 830pm and at least 500 people. Took another 30 minutes at least. We were told it's always like that on Sat night with all the flights from the islands. So if you can avoid sat night in CLT I'd recommend.

 

[JEK]

I believe Charlotte now has TSA Pre-Check security, so if you have Global Entry you avoid the 25 minute immigration line and the long security line. AmEx Platinium is even covering the $100 fee.

http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck

http://www.globalentry.gov

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewf...entry-for-platinum-and-centurion-cardholders/

 

[kristipeltz]

Any AmEx platinium???? I have Delta branded - that's fantastic if that's the case!!!!!

 

[JEK]

Yes, I think so -- give them a call to check.

 

[andynap]

You have to be a Frequent Flyer and sponsored by your participating airline first before you get Pre-Check.

 

[JEK]

Not really. If you have the frequent traveler number (from Global Entry) and your airline particpates in Pre, you input the number in your FF profile and when you book the number gets attached to your boarding pass. Most of the major airlines are now in the program.

 

[andynap]

So you are saying Global Entry comes first?

 

[JEK]

Yes, Global Entry will provide you with a known traveler number that you can input into all your FF profiles. AA, UA, DLand US are particpating now. VX next month.