Exit on connection
Apr 21, 2017 | 7:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 88
Exit on connection
Hi guys! I've a LIM-PTY-CUN o/w award flight. The connection is 5 hours long. I'm supposed to be on transit. Do you know if it's possible to travel with carry-on bags only, exit from PTY to Panama City and miss the PTY-CUN flight? Any possible sanction to my almost empty FFP account? Any limitation to do customs and passport control to enter Panama? Thanks in advance.
Apr 21, 2017 | 7:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,617
As long as it's not a return trip they won't hunt you down like the one-armed man because you left in Panama. If you do this all the time they will take issue.
If it is a round trip the CUN-PTY-LIM flight will be cancelled.
What limitations could there be to get off a plane landing in Panama and entering Panama? That's what 25% of every person there must be doing.
This sort of thing is why two one way award redemptions (assuming there's no additional cost) makes more sense. Like on AA.
If it is a round trip the CUN-PTY-LIM flight will be cancelled.
What limitations could there be to get off a plane landing in Panama and entering Panama? That's what 25% of every person there must be doing.
This sort of thing is why two one way award redemptions (assuming there's no additional cost) makes more sense. Like on AA.
Apr 21, 2017 | 8:07 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 88
Thanks for your answer. My doubt was because a migrations officer can ask about the flight being missed. But I assume they can't point you with a gun and force you to take the second flight. Well, maybe in USA or in another country while being deported but that won't be the case.
Apr 22, 2017 | 9:29 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,617
Why would the immigration officer know about the flight missed? In any country.
You arrived. You don't give them the boarding pass. They are not consulting a list of every passenger on every connecting flight in a hub airport. You go through immigration and customs and leave.
I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. The In USA comment does not even make any sense as well.
Just remember to kiss the return goodbye if it's a round trip.
You arrived. You don't give them the boarding pass. They are not consulting a list of every passenger on every connecting flight in a hub airport. You go through immigration and customs and leave.
I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. The In USA comment does not even make any sense as well.
Just remember to kiss the return goodbye if it's a round trip.
Apr 23, 2017 | 9:54 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,517
People enter the country between connections all of the time. There are a zillion threads about taking an excursion to the city or the locks during a long connection. Immigration certainly could not distinguish between these folks and those who do not intend to take their connection.
Apr 24, 2017 | 7:14 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,517
You are way overthinking this. Immigration does not care whether you have a connection or not. As far as you're concerned about them possibly checking the time, there are a ton of reasons for people to leave for a short time. Maybe they want to have a cup of coffee at the airport with their uncle that lives in Panama. Maybe they want to stop at the nearby mall. Have no fear, you will be able to walk out without any problems.
Apr 24, 2017 | 10:45 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Carlson Gold, CM Presidential / *A Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,755
Depends on time of day. It will take ~25 minutes to the centr of the city (and vice versa) with no traffic. With traffic, starting at about 4.30pm, it can take well over an hour each way. Taxi is a flat fee of $35 each way. On way back to airport, get one of the SUVs/Vans that are outside a hotel. Uber is about the same. Not much to see right outside of airport, would have to head into city centre
Apr 25, 2017 | 1:27 am
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1MM & PP; Marriott AMB; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 62,210
Immigration doesn't access CM's reservation system . . . they have no clue what the details of your itinerary are.
The one caveat here is they can ask for proof of an onward ticket (i.e., a ticket exiting Panama). Not especially common, and it doesn't have to be the same one you flew in on.