Originally Posted by
ElizaB
I apologize for not including enough details in my earlier posts. Yes, we have different tickets. Our cruise is actually going from Barcelona to Dover so the LHR to BCN is 1 way and was booked separately from the roundtrip HOU-LHR. Because I was using Avios/Companion fares for the long-haul, I had to book those on the website. The website would not allow me to do IAH-LHR-BCN then LHR-IAH all on the same avios/companion ticket. It saved us about 10k using Avios and companion fares (there are 4 of us) so I suppose it is worth it having to either pack lightly or go through security versus having paying full price.
Thank you for your responses and the information. It sounds like I will just have to pack lightly or do the security dance/luggage pick up/drop off at Heathrow since it sounds like BA won't check "through" luggage on two different tickets. Fortunately, we are in Barcelona two days before we cruise...although, I still worry that might not be enough time if they do lose our luggage. First stop is Gibraltar. We can do laundry once on the ship so I guess I will just have to pack enough clothes in our carry-ons to last us until we get on the ship in the event our checked luggage is lost.
For future reference, you are able to book IAH-LHR-BCN//LHR-IAH on one ticket using a companion voucher, it may have to be done over the phone though.
I could never take a trip without checking in bags, even a two night trip. I just hate having to carry my luggage through the airport. You may find that you're selected to have your cabin bags checked in at the gate at Heathrow in any case if your flight to Barcelona is full. The one time by bags were delayed for 24 hours, BA reimbursed over £600 of expenses.
How long of a connection do you have in Heathrow? On separate tickets, you'd ideally need a minimum of 4 hours given that if you miss the LHR-BCN flight, you'd need to change to a later service and you would be charged any applicable fees. Just because it was a BA flight that caused you to miss your onward flight, as it's a different ticket, you're liable for the costs.