USVI-On-Line

I bought my tickets for March on Continental through Newark. I needed 4 tickets but they would only give me 2 for $448. If I tried for 4, the price went up to $476. So I tried the Multi destination approach that I remember Rick G mentioning a month or so ago and sure enough, I got all 4 for $448 by reserving from ALB to EWR and EWR to STT. The only possible pitfall could be if we are not allowed to check through from ALB to STT. We are usually carry on onlys, but sometimes we will check for the flight back and I'm not sure about the other couple. Any wisdom out there to share?

Which would mean another trip through security w/everybody else. Could get sticky if your connection times are close. I'd like to know if you are able to check right through when you return.

I called continental and reviewing my reservation, they couldn't tell I had stage-booked it. They even refered to it as my flight from Albany to St. Thomas. I hope this means everything is cool. I have three hours left to cancel the flight.

Checking bags through? Multiple airlines with separate tickets?

Carry

On

Only!

Cheers, RickG

Nope, just one airline- Continental. I just booked in stages. Seemed weird that the price was cheaper.

Since it's with the same airline I would ask for them to check you through. But make sure you check the labels when they put them on the bags to be sure.

It's one thing if you're booking through two different airlines (you have to claim your bags mid way -- usually no exceptions). But honestly for the $25 or so difference I don't know if I'd have put myself through the hassle.

Ask at the desk and make sure they tag your bags approporiately otherwise they could be waiting for you at the mid point while you're off on your next flight and then you're really screwed.

The other problem is this. If Flight #1 is delayed for any reason and you miss flight #2 -- you're pretty much screwed as the two itinieraries are completely separate. You will be on your own to re-book flight #2 and pay any penalties. That's the risk you take when you book flights this way. The airline doesn't hold any responsibility for you missing flight #2 even if flight #1 was on their airline. As far as they are concerned these are completely different itineraries.

I've done this in the past myself for international flights when I used points for my transatlantic upper class tix (usually $8k a peice but $0 with amex points) and purchased biz class seats for the remainder of my journey. But if for some reason something happened on leg # 1, the airline for leg #2 will not help you out.

Like I said, I'd have to be saving a LOT of money to make this worthwhile-- in my case it saved me $16,000 and I built in PLENTY of time between flights (minimum 4 hours) to ensure the FU factor was minimized.

Honestly, for others out there thinking of doing the saem thing on tix to STT, I would have just paid the extra few bucks in this case to avoid any risk or hassle.

I'm with Rick G on this though to minimize the extra risk I'd do carry-on only.

Or better yet call the airline to see how they should handle it so you know in advance and can plan accordingly.

Gromit wrote: I'm with Rick G on this though to minimize the extra risk I'd do carry-on only.

I'd like to see the day this happens!

Alright FF-- I was suggesting that THEY do carry-on only. You KNOW there is NO WAY I can do carry on only!!

Gromit wrote: The other problem is this. If Flight #1 is delayed for any reason and you miss flight #2 -- you're pretty much screwed as the two itinieraries are completely separate. You will be on your own to re-book flight #2 and pay any penalties. That's the risk you take when you book flights this way. The airline doesn't hold any responsibility for you missing flight #2 even if flight #1 was on their airline. As far as they are concerned these are completely different itineraries.

Sorry, but can you please explain what you mean by "different itineraries"?

I am looking at flying from Vancouver, BC to St. Thomas, via San Fran, then Wash. DC - all connections are on United. Is this considered the same itinerary? I'm leery of the 44 minute layover in San Fran eventhough I'll be departing from the same terminal.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Bubblybrenda-- As long as you book your flights on one ticket (all flights together) you won't have a problem.

It's when, to save money, you buy one ticket with United from Canada to San Fran. Then you buy another separate ticket from San Fran thru to STT.

If you just buy your tix from canada thru to STT this doesn't apply to you.

Steve -
I had a similar situation a few years back on AA. We bought tickets from ATL-MIA-SJU for a cruise. Then, we decided to go land-based and bought tickets on American Eagle to St. Maarten. So, in the end our route was ATL-MIA-SJU-SXM. AA let us check the bags all the way through to our final destination. Amazingly, all our flights were on time, and all of our bags arrived. This was in January. It will never happen again... I fear I used up all my good karma on that trip.

Hopefully, Continential has the same policy as AA - just tell them you need the stuff checked through to STT.