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Connecting to South African at IAD but UA is only offering EWR-DCA inbound

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Old Nov 23, 2014, 4:05 am
  #1  
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Connecting to South African at IAD but UA is only offering EWR-DCA inbound

J Saver award is available from EWR-WAS-JNB but UA is only offering EWR-DCA connecting to SA's IAD-JNB. Apart from the 3:15 hour connection between different airports, how would UA/EWR handle checked bags? Do they transfer bags by ground from DCA and IAD, send them on a EWR-IAD flight even though pax is on EWR-DCA or force pax to pick them up at DCA and schlep them to IAD?
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Old Nov 23, 2014, 4:23 am
  #2  
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Your bag will be at baggage claim at DCA for you to pick up.
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Old Nov 23, 2014, 6:32 am
  #3  
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Book it. Wait list for the direct flight. Or do PHL to IAD.
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Old Nov 23, 2014, 6:34 am
  #4  
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You ll have to schlep.

EWR-IAD will open up eventually, just waitlist, or keep an eye out on it.
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Old Nov 23, 2014, 9:23 am
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Originally Posted by SFO777
J Saver award is available from EWR-WAS-JNB but UA is only offering EWR-DCA connecting to SA's IAD-JNB. Apart from the 3:15 hour connection between different airports, how would UA/EWR handle checked bags? Do they transfer bags by ground from DCA and IAD, send them on a EWR-IAD flight even though pax is on EWR-DCA or force pax to pick them up at DCA and schlep them to IAD?
A taxi from DCA to IAD costs about $75, and the ride can be very slow, especially during the evening rush hour. If you can't find award space EWR-IAD, would it be possible to connect at MUC, FRA, ZRH or VIE?
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Old Nov 23, 2014, 10:35 am
  #6  
 
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Maybe do LGA-IAD instead of hoping EWR-IAD opens up/trekking from DCA?
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Old Nov 23, 2014, 11:11 am
  #7  
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3:15 for the DCA-IAD ground transfer is way way way too short at this time of day. There is a great deal of construction, lousy weather slows things down and rush hour for this area begins at 3 PM. Moreover, these microhops are the first to be cancelled/delayed in the event of ATC, WX or other delays.

Are you originating at EWR? If in DEN as your profile suggests, any chance of DEN-IAD or is that also not available.
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Old Nov 23, 2014, 1:13 pm
  #8  
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Thanks everyone for the help.

Originally Posted by mduell
Your bag will be at baggage claim at DCA for you to pick up.
Originally Posted by rankourabu
You ll have to schlep.
EWR-IAD will open up eventually, just waitlist, or keep an eye out on it.
Yeah, another reason not to take the DCA connection.

Originally Posted by JPG3392
A taxi from DCA to IAD costs about $75, and the ride can be very slow, especially during the evening rush hour. If you can't find award space EWR-IAD, would it be possible to connect at MUC, FRA, ZRH or VIE?
Originally Posted by Often1
3:15 for the DCA-IAD ground transfer is way way way too short at this time of day. There is a great deal of construction, lousy weather slows things down and rush hour for this area begins at 3 PM. Moreover, these microhops are the first to be cancelled/delayed in the event of ATC, WX or other delays. Are you originating at EWR? If in DEN as your profile suggests, any chance of DEN-IAD or is that also not available.
Agree that it was a tight one to begin with. Plus it's winter and a hint of snow throws DC into a tizzy. Currently have a double connection to SA at LHR so this would have cut travel time. Will pass on this one unless we can find an IAD connection.

Thanks again.
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Old Nov 23, 2014, 4:01 pm
  #9  
 
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IF you can depart EWR sooner (say 2 more hours extra) then you can take the Metro Subway out to IAD for about $10 total ($5 for subway + $5 for bus). You would take the Blue Line to Rosslyn and transfer to the Silver Line and go to Wiehle/Reston. Then there is a frequent shuttle bus (for $5). Train time is 1 hour, and bus is 15 minutes - so figure 1.5 hours to get there.

check schedules at www.wmata.com and use trip planner.

Not too much lugging around as you would mostly be sitting on the train.

I have had to do the LGA to JFK transfer many times. I like getting my luggage before checking for the international section.
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