Award travel PHL-MAD, then buying MAD-LCG... what can go wrong?
Oct 6, 2016, 8:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 147
Award travel PHL-MAD, then buying MAD-LCG... what can go wrong?
I have 5 in my family going PHL-LCG. Using OW miles we can only get 4 seats on the IB flight MAD-LCG. Planning to book PHL-LCG for 4 people, and for me, PHL-MAD and buy a MAD-LCG ticket.
I'm not checking bags. With a 3 hour connection in MAD will I have enough time to clear customs and get checked in for MAD-LCG? What else could go wrong?
I'm not checking bags. With a 3 hour connection in MAD will I have enough time to clear customs and get checked in for MAD-LCG? What else could go wrong?
Oct 7, 2016, 9:52 am
#3
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
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With no bags you should have no problems at all.
Obviously you are not protected in case of a substantial delay on PHL-MAD causing you to miss your IB flight. Therefore I might buy a one-way from MAD-LCG so that, if you miss that flight, no additional flights are cancelled. (if you skip/miss a flight, the rest of an itinerary is lost)
If you have IB Avios, you could also book the fully flexible economy award and have even more protection.
Try to check in online so that you have boarding pass in hand before reaching MAD...
Obviously you are not protected in case of a substantial delay on PHL-MAD causing you to miss your IB flight. Therefore I might buy a one-way from MAD-LCG so that, if you miss that flight, no additional flights are cancelled. (if you skip/miss a flight, the rest of an itinerary is lost)
If you have IB Avios, you could also book the fully flexible economy award and have even more protection.
Try to check in online so that you have boarding pass in hand before reaching MAD...
Oct 8, 2016, 10:39 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 147
Not sure I follow. The group that will have the OW award ticket PHL-LCG would be protected if there's a delay into MAD, right?
Oct 9, 2016, 2:32 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,043