So I need to go to Korea for something and I found a pretty good fare through Singapore Airlines (SFO-ICN) for $929 all in round trip (W class fare). It works out pretty well, because I'm going to be in California once I come back. Problem is, I'm in NY right now and will have to buy a one way ticket to SFO. The flight leaves SFO at 2:15PM and I found an AA flight that leaves Kennedy Airport at 7AM that will get me into SFO at 10:15AM, with plenty of time to spare before the SQ flight (theoretically). What are the risks involved with this kind of itinerary and what can I do to mitigate those risks? I'm afraid the AA flight will get delayed or cancelled or something and I'll end up stranded at JFK while the SQ flight leaves without me, and end up having to pay some exorbitant fee to get on a different flight. I absolutely need to be there on May 15th (I have something important to tend to on the 16th) and I absolutely CANNOT leave before about 7PM on the 13th. Should I play it safe, take a night flight to SFO, and go home in Monterey and then come back up to SFO the next morning? Should I cough up the extra $200 for a multisegment itinerary? (It would be JFK-ICN-SFO)

I'll be charging both itineraries to my American Express card (If I do buy...I haven't bought yet), which I guess offers some kind of travel insurance, but I'm not sure what exactly it is. I think the SQ fare is here to stay for a good week or two, so I'm not all that much in a rush to buy, but I just want to know what the risks are for traveling with 2 separate itineraries. Does Amex offer any kind of protection in cases like this where one flight gets delayed and results in a misconnect?

The safest way would be doing 1 itn. Since you will have the most protection there. Have you look at JFK-ICN with a "stopover" in SFO? If you stop in SFO on the return, you could "miss" the connection back to JFK. Just make sure that you dont put your bags back on the belt after customs.

4 hrs layover is plenty of time especially a morning flight like this (JFK-SFO). I think you will be fine. If you are not sure, you can fly the night before like you said. You could also rough it in a hotel for less than $100/night as well (doubletree is about $90++ and about 2 miles from SFO - cheaper hotels available).

I am not sure about AMEX. I'm sure someone will weigh in.

drew

Thanks...do you think it would be worth it to just spend a little more money and fly the Asiana JFK-ICN nonstop and the ICN-SFO back? Since I absolutely need to be there and if I'm not there I'm screwed. It'll cost me about $400 more.

According to flightstats the AA flight has a pretty good ontime performance rate (AA59). Maybe I'll pull the trigger and book.

Just as the title says, how about using the Jetblue? I don't know the cost but you might want to check that out????

HJ

jetBlue would make an easier connection......it drops off at International A and Singapore Air boards in International G.

if the first flight gets cancelled or delayed such that you cannot make the second flight, you eat the charges for no show.

the first flight does not have to check your luggage to final destination. if they do not, it is your responsibility to get them from first flight to second flight. so if late, or lost for a while, the luggage stays in frisco.

you will abide by domestic luggage rates on the domestic flight. the 2*pc of overseas travel will not extend.

I know I won't get lost at SFO. It's just a matter of getting there on time to make the next flight, I guess. I know SFO inside out, upside down and backwards.

I bought the Asiana nonstop fares through a travel agency. Paid $1390. I have a feeling I paid too much for it.

I've split tickets all the time through the west coast to the orient from NYC. I've usually had 2-3 hour connections, and never had a problem, even with threatening weather.

Happy travels

I just realized that I'm an idiot. I'm planning on coming back, and then going back there for a summer job 2-3 weeks later. Although, I'll make Asiana gold if I do that...