IAD connection to another airline -- is 4 hours enough
Jun 23, 2019, 5:49 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,129
This doesn’t protect you. For 100% protection you must have the den to IAD leg on the same ticket as the transatlantic. I like the southwest idea the morning before with an overnight hotel near IAD better than this. Cheap award availability at the legacy carriers is a joke and the miles are worth less than some third world currencies.
Jun 24, 2019, 10:41 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,124
There are risks, perhaps significant, and as long as the OP understands the risks, I'm OK with a 4-hour window. I would add that the risk is entirely on the outbound leg. On inbound, I've been able to move the LUV flight and not get dinged.
I share figment7's opinion that morning is MUCH better than the afternoon.
Jun 24, 2019, 11:02 am
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
For true absolute 100% protection, you have to be on 1 itinerary.
Two itins on the same airline might be better in terms of how they apply "unwritten rules". I mean, it would be the epitome if poor customer service to deny you rebooking on the 2nd flight if you missed it because their own flight was late. But this is United, which almost purposely goes out of its way to make poor customer service decisions.
I do the Southwest-to-international connection often, at least twice a year to Europe or Asia. This has become the reality of life at MCI, where long-haul airfares are often double or more than they are from the large hubs. Since we're often a group of 4-6 traveling, it becomes worth our time. I'll do a same-day connection only for Chicago, and only the first flight of the morning. East or west coast is always the day prior...we just consider it part of the trip.
Coming home, I'll cut it closer. No issues doing same day with a 3-4 hour connection. Rebooking a WN flight has some costs, but not enough to justify adding another day to the trip.
Two itins on the same airline might be better in terms of how they apply "unwritten rules". I mean, it would be the epitome if poor customer service to deny you rebooking on the 2nd flight if you missed it because their own flight was late. But this is United, which almost purposely goes out of its way to make poor customer service decisions.
I do the Southwest-to-international connection often, at least twice a year to Europe or Asia. This has become the reality of life at MCI, where long-haul airfares are often double or more than they are from the large hubs. Since we're often a group of 4-6 traveling, it becomes worth our time. I'll do a same-day connection only for Chicago, and only the first flight of the morning. East or west coast is always the day prior...we just consider it part of the trip.
Coming home, I'll cut it closer. No issues doing same day with a 3-4 hour connection. Rebooking a WN flight has some costs, but not enough to justify adding another day to the trip.