How works an international layover in Atlanta with luggage?
Aug 7, 2013, 11:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: SPG platinum, Best Western Platinum, SIXT platinum
Posts: 128
How works an international layover in Atlanta with luggage?
Hi there,
we are going to Punta Cana and I need to book a oneway flight from Punta Cana to Atlanta. But all direct flights are way to high.
I found a half price ticket if i book a flight with delta from Punta Cana to FLL with a layover in Atlanta (layover is about 8 hours).
My question is, if we get off in Atlanta, do we have to take our luggages thru customs at the airport, as its an international flight?
As I am from Europe, I know we have to get the luggages thru the customs before we can go further. But its the same from Dom.republic via Atlanta, if the connecting flight is to Florida?
If so, we could just take it and leave the airport in Atlanta and just dismiss the flight to FLL.
This would save me over 300 usd as we are 3 traveling.
Thanks a lot for your help.
M
we are going to Punta Cana and I need to book a oneway flight from Punta Cana to Atlanta. But all direct flights are way to high.
I found a half price ticket if i book a flight with delta from Punta Cana to FLL with a layover in Atlanta (layover is about 8 hours).
My question is, if we get off in Atlanta, do we have to take our luggages thru customs at the airport, as its an international flight?
As I am from Europe, I know we have to get the luggages thru the customs before we can go further. But its the same from Dom.republic via Atlanta, if the connecting flight is to Florida?
If so, we could just take it and leave the airport in Atlanta and just dismiss the flight to FLL.
This would save me over 300 usd as we are 3 traveling.
Thanks a lot for your help.
M
Aug 7, 2013, 1:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,122
Assuming you connect at ATL to return to FLL, you will have to clear immigration, claim your luggage, clear customs, and drop off your luggage with the TSA for re-screening. As I recall, the drop off point is immediately after exiting customs.
I recently did it at ATL and it was pretty easy. The only issues will be wiats at immigration and maybe customs. If you have an 8 hour layover at ATL, I don't think that will be much of an issue.
I recently did it at ATL and it was pretty easy. The only issues will be wiats at immigration and maybe customs. If you have an 8 hour layover at ATL, I don't think that will be much of an issue.
Aug 7, 2013, 1:40 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Francisco
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Posts: 1,115
Hi there,
we are going to Punta Cana and I need to book a oneway flight from Punta Cana to Atlanta. But all direct flights are way to high.
I found a half price ticket if i book a flight with delta from Punta Cana to FLL with a layover in Atlanta (layover is about 8 hours).
My question is, if we get off in Atlanta, do we have to take our luggages thru customs at the airport, as its an international flight?
As I am from Europe, I know we have to get the luggages thru the customs before we can go further. But its the same from Dom.republic via Atlanta, if the connecting flight is to Florida?
If so, we could just take it and leave the airport in Atlanta and just dismiss the flight to FLL.
This would save me over 300 usd as we are 3 traveling.
Thanks a lot for your help.
M
we are going to Punta Cana and I need to book a oneway flight from Punta Cana to Atlanta. But all direct flights are way to high.
I found a half price ticket if i book a flight with delta from Punta Cana to FLL with a layover in Atlanta (layover is about 8 hours).
My question is, if we get off in Atlanta, do we have to take our luggages thru customs at the airport, as its an international flight?
As I am from Europe, I know we have to get the luggages thru the customs before we can go further. But its the same from Dom.republic via Atlanta, if the connecting flight is to Florida?
If so, we could just take it and leave the airport in Atlanta and just dismiss the flight to FLL.
This would save me over 300 usd as we are 3 traveling.
Thanks a lot for your help.
M
Your flight from Atlanta to FLL is a domestic flight and there will be no Immigration or Customs at FLL when you arrive.
Aug 7, 2013, 1:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Happily living in Frenaros Cyprus having escaped the near-death experience called Sofia Bulgaria
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Posts: 2,052
I think the OP is considering buying a ticket from Punta Cana to FLL that stops in ATL and ditching the ATL-FLL portion of the ticket.
Someone who is familiar with the new international concourse in ATL can chime in as to what to do here.
Someone who is familiar with the new international concourse in ATL can chime in as to what to do here.
Aug 7, 2013, 2:58 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,452
Yes, you can walk away. Don't make a habit of doing this wit DL though...
Aug 7, 2013, 3:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
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Posts: 2,900
If that's the case, the only thing that changes is re-checking the bag and going through TSA security. You don't do that. You just go about and leave as if you had no plans on going any place else.
Aug 7, 2013, 3:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Miami BCH., FLorida
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How works an international layover in Atlanta with luggage?
Definitely have to clear customs in ATL. However, that should use up about 3 of your 8 hour layover):. ( in Atl is anything like miami can be on a busy day ). I was just approved for global access and TSA Pre - after applying 3 timed-finally I can use the global GLOBAX kiosks and bypass the lines , but I see you are from Europe. If you have us citizenship or permanent residence, I hear you make up the $100 application ( if you value your time highly) on the first pass through . Several credi cards will also reimburse you Thr $100 application fee, such as AMEX platinum personal or business .
Aug 7, 2013, 8:19 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 140
OP, what you're doing is called 'hidden city'/throwaway ticketing. generally frowned upon by the airlines. if you plan to do this more in the future, i hope you're not in a FF program and giving them your info.
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i'm surprised at how many of the replies missed that fact that the OP is not going on to FLL
Aug 7, 2013, 9:03 pm
#9
Senior Moderator
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Location: San Francisco, CA
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Posts: 12,396
As the OP is planning looking at booking this on Delta, and has an active thread on this in the Delta forum, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...l#post21231182 , and since FlyerTalk disallows cross-posting, I'll close this thread and invite discussion to continue in the Delta forum thread linked above. Thanks, Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.