alexbellamy/ welcome over from KLM. Hopefully by now you'll remember what your own luggage looks like
Some good answers so far - here are a couple of alternatives.
I plan to fly bmi to LHR and then UA to LAX via SFO (for the extra 800 miles!). It is 100 quid cheaper if I book both flights seperately i.e. MAN-LHR on flybmi.com and LHR-LAX on ua.com. Doing it this way will I be able to check-in through to LAX at MAN? If not can I check-in at the FCC - does united have a desk there?
Yes, you're quite able to do this but do remember to bring a printout of your UA booking as the dense BAA staff at the entrance from T1 to the FCC can be confused by those appearing airside without tickets. This isn't an issue on the return as the exit to T1 is staffed by immigration officials who actually understand how airlines work. As an alternative to the UA desk at the FCC you could just carry straight on to T3 and check in at the Red Carpet Club, at Gate 12c. I do the 'separate BD bookings' thing all the time and prefer to deal with the staff in the lounge.
Realistically how long from T1 to T3? I have two hours from touchdown to takeoff - should this be OK?
Fine. MAN-LHR flights sometimes suffer the worst of LHR's notorious air traffic holding delays but you'll be okay. Done it gate to gate in 14 minutes once.
3. Red Carpet Club - as *G I assume I can use the lounge at LHR. What about at SFO when on the domestic segment - don't all American airlines have funny rules about not allowing access unless you have an international flight?
Yes, full access as said above. They have funny rules about their own elites, but not other people's. On your return, don't forget to ask for two free drink vouchers from Red Carpet Club reception. You're entitled to them as *G departing on an international flight (so you won't get them at SFO on the way out or at LAX on the way back) and there is no free bar in US Red Carpet Clubs
