Originally Posted by
JPG3392
Having used both IAD and ZRH many times, I too would advise connecting at ZRH. You should have enough time to make your flight, and if you're delayed Swiss will make other arrangements for your party. But are you sure you will need to pay for your checked luggage? Quite apart from your United credit card, transatlantic flights (including the connecting flight VCE-ZRH) usually allow one free piece of checked luggage per passenger.
I actually went ahead and booked LAX-SFO-ZRH and VCE-ZRH-LAX flights. First flight to Europe is United metal and one checked bag was free. Return is on Swiss metal and I saw the $75 charge and confirmed with Swiss..I am booking Economy Light.
(The reason I am doing LAX-SFO is because I can catch the earlier flight to ZRH from there and land in ZRH around 10.30 AM. Plus this one is on United metal and $0 for checked bag. The direct fight from LAX to ZRH flies late and reaches ZRH only around 3.30 PM and its on Swiss metal so will have to pay $75 for the flight.