schedule change: 2.5 hours JFK-LGA. Do-able?
Jul 24, 2018, 10:51 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Hey- Thank you all for your thoughtful advice and suggestions. I so appreciate being able to turn to this forum for help and information.
You all asked for some additional information.
I am on a paid D1 ticket.
Yes, DL will pay for ground transport between JFK-LGA via a voucher on their contracted car service. But that may be penny-wise and pound-foolish. If time is tight, I'll shell out $30 bucks for a taxi/Lyft to make the connection instead of waiting in the queue at baggage claim to get my voucher. That cost is marginal given the total cost of this trip anyway!
The rationale for this routing is that there is no direct flight from Milan to Atlanta (at least on my travel date). And I am going to Madison, WI and there is no direct JFK-MSN, only LGA-MSN. So the NYC airport transfer is the only way to make the trip with only one connection.
There is a Plan B. With IRROPS I expect DL will just reroute me MXP-JFK-DTW-MSN OR MXP-AMS-ATL-MSN. Those are fine, but make it a much longer trip than the airport change in NYC. Given a paid J/F ticket, DL likely ensure I get a seat on an alternate flight if things get messed up.
Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my query.
You all asked for some additional information.
I am on a paid D1 ticket.
Yes, DL will pay for ground transport between JFK-LGA via a voucher on their contracted car service. But that may be penny-wise and pound-foolish. If time is tight, I'll shell out $30 bucks for a taxi/Lyft to make the connection instead of waiting in the queue at baggage claim to get my voucher. That cost is marginal given the total cost of this trip anyway!
The rationale for this routing is that there is no direct flight from Milan to Atlanta (at least on my travel date). And I am going to Madison, WI and there is no direct JFK-MSN, only LGA-MSN. So the NYC airport transfer is the only way to make the trip with only one connection.
There is a Plan B. With IRROPS I expect DL will just reroute me MXP-JFK-DTW-MSN OR MXP-AMS-ATL-MSN. Those are fine, but make it a much longer trip than the airport change in NYC. Given a paid J/F ticket, DL likely ensure I get a seat on an alternate flight if things get messed up.
Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my query.
Jul 24, 2018, 10:58 am
#32
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, GlobalEntry, Admirals Club, United Club
Posts: 1,949
Here's an interesting thought. If Delta pays for transportation, would that mean any form of transportation, and for any price? Maybe if I were in your shoes, I would use that as an easy, quick, and free way to earn rental rewards with National or Hertz? Would it even be faster than the other choices, like the inter-airport bus? That assumes of course that you feel comfortable driving in NYC highway traffic.
If cost wasn't a consideration, I'd opt for a helicopter.
Jul 24, 2018, 11:14 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I was going to suggest this. I know that OP does not want to add another connection, but connecting in MSP is very easy and the flight to MSN very quick. And if for some reason there are any issues at MSP it's also not a bad drive.
Jul 24, 2018, 12:26 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
If OP is going to double-connect, would think it would be better to add the connection on the Europe side so OP would do MXP - AMS/CDG - DTW/ATL/MSP - MSN or MXP - FCO - ATL - MSN and wouldn't have to deal with 2 short DL domestic flights after getting off a TATL.
I think timing works if you get the 6-7am MXP - AMS flight and then go AMS - DTW/MSP - MSN on DL metal.
BTW, total travel time of MXP - AMS - MSP - MSN looks to be ~1 hour longer than the one-stop (15.5 vs. 14.5) -- that extra hour would be worth it to me to avoid the JFK ---> LGA hassle.
I think timing works if you get the 6-7am MXP - AMS flight and then go AMS - DTW/MSP - MSN on DL metal.
BTW, total travel time of MXP - AMS - MSP - MSN looks to be ~1 hour longer than the one-stop (15.5 vs. 14.5) -- that extra hour would be worth it to me to avoid the JFK ---> LGA hassle.
Jul 24, 2018, 12:26 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,052
Jul 30, 2018, 12:14 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495
Please do us a favor and let us know how you made out (ryanm wants to know that).
Seriously, I believe that all of us hope it works out for you. Arrive at B24, no one at GE, out the door to a ride in 10 minutes, no traffic and at LGA in 30 minutes with enough time for a leisurely SkyClub visit.
Seriously, I believe that all of us hope it works out for you. Arrive at B24, no one at GE, out the door to a ride in 10 minutes, no traffic and at LGA in 30 minutes with enough time for a leisurely SkyClub visit.
We were flying CPH-JFK-DCA and we had a 2 hour schedule change that I didn't really pay attention to until we landed at JFK. That left us with a a 4.5 hour layover, rather than a 2.5 hour layover, at JFK (and no earlier flights). We also landed at JFK 30 minutes early, and with GE and very fast bag delivery had almost 5 hours to kill, so we asked the transfer agent for help switching to LGA.
We were booked in F on JFK-DCA, but there was only 1 F seat available on the LGA-DCA flight we wanted. The transfer agent said they "weren't allowed to split PNRs, so just call the DM line instead". They got my wife in F and me in C+ on the LGA flight in just a couple minutes, but the transfer agent then refused to provide a voucher because we made a "voluntary change". I argued it was only voluntary in the sense that I was responding to Delta's schedule change, if they hadn't increased my layover by 2.5 hours I obviously wouldn't choose to change airports. I could see I was getting nowhere fast, so when I saw a red coat walk by I asked her for help and she understood my situation, but said it was my responsibility to make the change immediately after the schedule change (and not wait until the day of travel). After some more back-and-forth she made an exception, but "only" because I was a DM traveling on an international flight in J.
Once we had the voucher, she called their car service company and the driver was already waiting outside when we got to the curb upstairs. 25 minutes in the car to LGA. I'd say voucher to entering LGA took about 30 minutes total. And when we got to LGA a second F seat opened up, so I moved up to F as well. Probably could have even made the shuttle leaving an hour earlier, but we wanted to eat some food in the lounge. The best part was that our original JFK-DCA flight was significantly delayed, so we got home about 5 hours earlier than if we'd waited at JFK.
Jul 30, 2018, 3:12 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
That's great - also a Sunday morning. I happened to be out near JFK yesterday morning and could have given you a ride. Traffic was very light except for the short stretch after the VWE merges into the GCP..
Hope you had a great time in CPH. We were there in April for opening weekend of Tivoli Gardens. Great weather and a fun city.
Hope you had a great time in CPH. We were there in April for opening weekend of Tivoli Gardens. Great weather and a fun city.