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Baggage Transfer from International Flight

liz22
Explorer C

Hello!

 

We are coming back to the US from our honeymoon in Punta Cana and checked bags. However, it is not a direct flight and we have a short layover before  we reach our final destination. We are extremely confused, as some sites are saying that we will have to go through customs, claim our baggage, then recheck our bags, and go back through security again to do this! We won’t be able to make our connection flight if this is the case! Will they be transferred to our final destination? We are freaking out, as no customer service is available online at the moment and we can’t take calls in another country!

7 REPLIES 7

Re: Baggage Transfer from International Flight

FlyWithLUV
Frequent Flyer C

How long is your connection, and through which city are you connecting? Any connection time upwards of seventy-five minutes should be adequate. With international flights, you will have to claim and re-check your bags, but this should not be much of a hassle as there is a re-check counter right next to the baggage claim carousel.

Re: Baggage Transfer from International Flight

liz22
Explorer C
It’s and hour and 20 minute layover in Baltimore before we continue to STL. But we’re concerned customs and security will take almost that long. It’s the last flight to STL of the night, meaning if it takes too long we’ll be stuck overnight.

Re: Baggage Transfer from International Flight

dfwskier
Aviator A

As said earlier in the thread, Southwest would not have let you book the flight if it did not think you would make the connection.

 

You should be fine.

Re: Baggage Transfer from International Flight

FlyWithLUV
Frequent Flyer C

@liz22 wrote:
It’s and hour and 20 minute layover in Baltimore before we continue to STL. But we’re concerned customs and security will take almost that long. It’s the last flight to STL of the night, meaning if it takes too long we’ll be stuck overnight.

This is entirely from my own assumptions and experiences as a traveler. I do not think customs will take excessively long, given that it is BWI and at night. Since you have 80 minutes, that should give you enough time (40 minutes) to clear customs and re-check your bag and enough time to go through security (40 minutes). This is the worst-case scenario, though. 80-minute connection means you have 50 minutes between the time your plane arrives and the time your next flight boards. I do understand your concern but believe it is reasonable for you to make this connection.

 

Another thing to consider: this is the last flight of the night, and the later flights are typically delayed. This could be the case with your STL flight, so you may have extra time. Because you are flying into BWI from an international station, these flights are usually always on-time or early (delayed only in rare circumstances, as I know the international stations like to push out planes on-time or early).

 

I would not be concerned. If all else fails (inbound flight is delayed for a missed connection), you can see a Customer Service Agent, and they can rebook you on the next available flight (early morning) and provide any necessary accommodations or compensation (if deemed applicable by policy). Southwest expects you to make this connection, though, and it is possible.

Re: Baggage Transfer from International Flight

TheMiddleSeat
Aviator A

If you purchased the trip as a single reservation and didn't purchase the two flights separately that indicates Southwest believes you can make the connection. As mentioned in the other reply, additional details such as how long the layover is and where would help others provide opinions. Coming from Punta Cana you will need to clear customs at your first stop in the US.

 

--TheMiddleSeat

Re: Baggage Transfer from International Flight

floridaguy
Aviator C

I've cleared Customs many times - pretty easy if you have a US Passport.

Re: Baggage Transfer from International Flight

DancingDavidE
Aviator A

@liz22 wrote:

Hello!

 

We are coming back to the US from our honeymoon in Punta Cana and checked bags. However, it is not a direct flight and we have a short layover before  we reach our final destination. We are extremely confused, as some sites are saying that we will have to go through customs, claim our baggage, then recheck our bags, and go back through security again to do this! We won’t be able to make our connection flight if this is the case! Will they be transferred to our final destination? We are freaking out, as no customer service is available online at the moment and we can’t take calls in another country!


The flight from BWI to STL will have domestic passengers, so obviously you have to go through customs first before you can mingle with the rest of the airport passengers.

 

BWI has a modern international terminal so most likely you'll have an opportunity to clear customs and drop you luggage on a dedicated check-in station and you may not have to go through security again, or if you do it won't literally be back to the front door for you there will be a dedicated facility to get you back into the airport.

 

Unfortunately the pre-clearance facility still isn't operational at Punta Cana so you won't have that option to go through the process before departure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home airport MDW, frequent visitor to MCO to see the mouse.