<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by marklondon101:
What would happen if you booked tickets from Portugal. Didn't bother with the first leg. Then try to check-in online or at a SS kiosk. Would you be asked to go over to the counter?</font>
Yes, and your credit card would get a great deal heavier.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Frequentflyer99
:
An alternative is to ensure that your departure for the final leg to Portugal is not out from the same London airport which you are flying into. Thus if coming into LHR (say from HKG or JFK), make sure your final leg is to Faro which departs from LGW. If coming into LGW make sure the final leg is to LIS from LHR. There is no significant price difference (perhaps 10 or 20 Euros). It is often easier to get the I class seats to FAO than to LIS in any event.</font>
Another alternative is to book the connecting flight the next day (so long as you are within the 24 hour stopover window). Then you'll clearly need to pick up your bags in London.