Connecting flights

sunshinejk · 03-09-2012

We have always flown nonstop to Mexico so I haven't experienced a connection before. I was thinking that Our luggage would just arrive in Mexico for the way there and on our return trip, we pick it up in our home airport. But now I'm thinking this might not be the case, but am not sure since I booked this flight myself from expedia.com.

Do I need to pick up our luggage and recheck at our connections? We have a 3 hour layover in Dallas, TX both there and back. I want to make sure I don't assume it will be at our final destination when in reality I need to claim it and then recheck it. And now as I am thinking more about it, I am thinking we will go through customs in Dallas vs Minneapolis. That would suck to have luggage for four left at Dallas when we are in Mexico

Can anyone give me some insight? We leave in 10 days.

Thanks.

abuelo · 03-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshinejk

We have always flown nonstop to Mexico so I haven't experienced a connection before. I was thinking that Our luggage would just arrive in Mexico for the way there and on our return trip, we pick it up in our home airport. But now I'm thinking this might not be the case, but am not sure since I booked this flight myself from expedia.com.

Do I need to pick up our luggage and recheck at our connections? We have a 3 hour layover in Dallas, TX both there and back. I want to make sure I don't assume it will be at our final destination when in reality I need to claim it and then recheck it. And now as I am thinking more about it, I am thinking we will go through customs in Dallas vs Minneapolis. That would suck to have luggage for four left at Dallas when we are in Mexico

Can anyone give me some insight? We leave in 10 days.

Thanks.

Unless you are coming from a foreign country, it will be transferred automatically to your final destination. Be sure to take a nights stay in a carry on, along with your medication, should your luggage be delayed.
Barry

sunshinejk · 03-09-2012

OOOPS, I should have been more specific. We live in Wisconsin, but fly out of Minneapolis, MN and have a layover in Dallas, TX before connecting to Cancun. Then on the way home, it is Cancun to Dallas to Minneapolis.

So, once I check my bags in Minneapolis, I don't need to worry about them until I get to Mexico? And then on the way back, we check out bags at the Cancun airport and don't have to pick them up until Minneapolis? I won't have to worry about claiming and rechecking them in Dallas?

roni · 03-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshinejk

We have always flown nonstop to Mexico so I haven't experienced a connection before. I was thinking that Our luggage would just arrive in Mexico for the way there and on our return trip, we pick it up in our home airport. But now I'm thinking this might not be the case, but am not sure since I booked this flight myself from expedia.com.

Do I need to pick up our luggage and recheck at our connections? We have a 3 hour layover in Dallas, TX both there and back. I want to make sure I don't assume it will be at our final destination when in reality I need to claim it and then recheck it. And now as I am thinking more about it, I am thinking we will go through customs in Dallas vs Minneapolis. That would suck to have luggage for four left at Dallas when we are in Mexico

Can anyone give me some insight? We leave in 10 days.

Thanks.

On the way back, you will need to get your bags and go through customs at your first stop, namely Dallas. Three hours gives you plenty of time. The airline staff will tell you what to do. After you go through customs, you will put your bags back on a line that will take it to your plane home. When you get home, it will be just like a domestic flight.

On the way down, you will not need to do anything with your checked luggage in Dallas. You will go through customs and immigration at your first stop in Mexico, Cancun, I assume.

**Shammy** · 03-10-2012

When you get off the flight in Dallas coming back from Cancun, you go through immigration first, then baggage claim, then customs, then recheck your bags, then get to the next gate for your connecting flight. On the way to Cancun, you just have to get yourselves to the next gate, your luggage is transferred to the next plane for you.

sunshinejk · 03-10-2012

Thanks. I can relax now.

gunnarsmom · 03-10-2012

Immigration, baggage claim, and customs at DFW normally goes very quickly and efficiently, so don't worry. I feel your pain, though. I'm a planner, and like to know what to expect at every turn... you'll be good.

MayberryFireman · 03-11-2012

Hate connecting flights!! Just got home from Playa and spent 20+ hours in Houston, United for the most part didnt really care if we ever got home or were still in Houston next week, never seen such a cluster before, Ill drive 4-5 hours from home next time to get a direct flight!!!

T&L · 03-15-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MayberryFireman

Hate connecting flights!! Just got home from Playa and spent 20+ hours in Houston, United for the most part didnt really care if we ever got home or were still in Houston next week, never seen such a cluster before, Ill drive 4-5 hours from home next time to get a direct flight!!!

Can you please explain why you got held 20 hours....

Also...

I realize that there are some forms that you obtain during your flight can anyone explain or point me in a direction of exactly what these forms are about and maybe a link to a site where I can either view or download a copy. I would like to get a better understanding of this paperwork before my trip.

Rissask · 03-15-2012

Our two experiences in Houston were awful....I can see that happening....we will do almost anything to avoid flying through Houston now!

Quote:

Originally Posted by T&L

Can you please explain why you got held 20 hours....

Also...

I realize that there are some forms that you obtain during your flight can anyone explain or point me in a direction of exactly what these forms are about and maybe a link to a site where I can either view or download a copy. I would like to get a better understanding of this paperwork before my trip.

They are easy forms, if you mean the US Customs form or the Mexican tourist visa form. Not necessary to see them beforehand at all. You get plenty of time to fill them out on the plane and all you need is what you will have with you- your flight info/number, your passport number and issue date/place, your name and birthdate and home address.

No worries. REALLY. Stop overthinking!

Emmy · 03-15-2012

T&L here's a link to the "Customs Card" you'll receive on the plane. Also on that page you'll see a link for the "Tourist Card"

http://www.mapchick.com/mexican-cust...laration-card/

Y2YTraveller · 03-15-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

Our two experiences in Houston were awful....I can see that happening....we will do almost anything to avoid flying through Houston now!

Our bags were once misdirected from Houston to the Bahamas - fortunately, we got them back first thing the next morning.

Our "must avoid at all costs" connection is Salt Lake City.

T&L · 03-15-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

No worries. REALLY. Stop overthinking!

My problem ....exactly!!!!

Thank you .... all

MayberryFireman · 03-18-2012

Can you please explain why you got held 20 hours....

Obama was in Houston on Friday morning, storm came thru in afternoon plus it was the 1st weekend of springbreak and so they were like 2 hours behind on departures and arrivals, I can understand that, they delayed our flight 4 times, then cancelled it completely with no makeup flight! there were 3 couples in our group, we ended up going 3 different directions, the last couple got home 24 hours later than the original scheduled time!! None of the problems were united's fault, but they didnt do anything extra to help out the ones caught in this mess and the airport was full of pepole in the same boat as we were.
BTW on the way to Cancun, we had perfect connections in Houston!

03-09-2012	#1 (permalink)
sunshinejk beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 353	Connecting flights We have always flown nonstop to Mexico so I haven't experienced a connection before. I was thinking that Our luggage would just arrive in Mexico for the way there and on our return trip, we pick it up in our home airport. But now I'm thinking this might not be the case, but am not sure since I booked this flight myself from expedia.com. Do I need to pick up our luggage and recheck at our connections? We have a 3 hour layover in Dallas, TX both there and back. I want to make sure I don't assume it will be at our final destination when in reality I need to claim it and then recheck it. And now as I am thinking more about it, I am thinking we will go through customs in Dallas vs Minneapolis. That would suck to have luggage for four left at Dallas when we are in Mexico Can anyone give me some insight? We leave in 10 days. Thanks.

03-11-2012	#8 (permalink)
MayberryFireman toe in water Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SE Iowa Posts: 49	Hate connecting flights!! Just got home from Playa and spent 20+ hours in Houston, United for the most part didnt really care if we ever got home or were still in Houston next week, never seen such a cluster before, Ill drive 4-5 hours from home next time to get a direct flight!!! Last edited by MayberryFireman; 03-11-2012 at 11:30 AM..

03-09-2012	#3 (permalink)
sunshinejk beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 353	OOOPS, I should have been more specific. We live in Wisconsin, but fly out of Minneapolis, MN and have a layover in Dallas, TX before connecting to Cancun. Then on the way home, it is Cancun to Dallas to Minneapolis. So, once I check my bags in Minneapolis, I don't need to worry about them until I get to Mexico? And then on the way back, we check out bags at the Cancun airport and don't have to pick them up until Minneapolis? I won't have to worry about claiming and rechecking them in Dallas?

03-10-2012	#5 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,474	When you get off the flight in Dallas coming back from Cancun, you go through immigration first, then baggage claim, then customs, then recheck your bags, then get to the next gate for your connecting flight. On the way to Cancun, you just have to get yourselves to the next gate, your luggage is transferred to the next plane for you.

03-10-2012	#6 (permalink)
sunshinejk beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 353	Thanks. I can relax now.

03-10-2012	#7 (permalink)
gunnarsmom into ruins Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Enid, Oklahoma Posts: 61	Immigration, baggage claim, and customs at DFW normally goes very quickly and efficiently, so don't worry. I feel your pain, though. I'm a planner, and like to know what to expect at every turn... you'll be good.

03-15-2012	#11 (permalink)
Emmy into ruins Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 76	T&L here's a link to the "Customs Card" you'll receive on the plane. Also on that page you'll see a link for the "Tourist Card" http://www.mapchick.com/mexican-cust...laration-card/

03-18-2012	#14 (permalink)
MayberryFireman toe in water Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SE Iowa Posts: 49	Can you please explain why you got held 20 hours.... Obama was in Houston on Friday morning, storm came thru in afternoon plus it was the 1st weekend of springbreak and so they were like 2 hours behind on departures and arrivals, I can understand that, they delayed our flight 4 times, then cancelled it completely with no makeup flight! there were 3 couples in our group, we ended up going 3 different directions, the last couple got home 24 hours later than the original scheduled time!! None of the problems were united's fault, but they didnt do anything extra to help out the ones caught in this mess and the airport was full of pepole in the same boat as we were. BTW on the way to Cancun, we had perfect connections in Houston!

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