Some international travel questions

[phorsenuf]

I know there are very knowledgeable people on this board so I thought maybe you could advise me some.

I'm traveling to see my husband in Kuwait next month. On the way back I plan to stop in Germany and visit with my son and daughter in law. Price-wise it seems cheaper to book a round trip from Tampa to Frankfurt then Frankfurt to Kuwait. Since these would be 2 different flights, my luggage would not get sent through to Kuwait. So, after I retrieve my luggage and head off for my Kuwait leg, do I have to go through immigration and security again, or can I just retrieve my luggage and work my way over to where I fly out of.

Also, is it going to be a nightmare to do it this way? I'd rather not spend the extra $300ish to fly Tampa to Kuwait, the Kuwait to Germany, then Germany to Tampa. If I do go with my original plan, how much time should I plan on between flights?

I need to book my flight tomorrow so I'm trying to figure it all out.

Thanks!

 

[NancyIL]

Have you tried pricing a multi-city option at a site like www.kayak.com: Tampa to Kuwait, Kuwait to Frankfurt, and Frankfurt to Tampa? If you do buy two roundtrip tickets, you could have a BIG problem if you are late arriving in Frankfurt and miss the flight to Kuwait!

 

[phorsenuf]

Have you tried pricing a multi-city option at a site like www.kayak.com: Tampa to Kuwait, Kuwait to Frankfurt, and Frankfurt to Tampa? If you do buy two roundtrip tickets, you could have a BIG problem if you are late arriving in Frankfurt and miss the flight to Kuwait!

I've been using Kayak and Travelocity. Using the multi-city quote actually ends up costing more then pricing each leg separate.

Arriving late is a huge concern of mine. I found a great deal on a one way from Tampa to Kuwait. Wish I could find something cheaper for either the leg from Kuwait to Germany or Germany to Tampa. Do deals get any better booking closer to the date or certain days of the week?

 

[DebbieB]

I know there are very knowledgeable people on this board so I thought maybe you could advise me some.

I'm traveling to see my husband in Kuwait next month. On the way back I plan to stop in Germany and visit with my son and daughter in law. Price-wise it seems cheaper to book a round trip from Tampa to Frankfurt then Frankfurt to Kuwait. Since these would be 2 different flights, my luggage would not get sent through to Kuwait. So, after I retrieve my luggage and head off for my Kuwait leg, do I have to go through immigration and security again, or can I just retrieve my luggage and work my way over to where I fly out of.

Also, is it going to be a nightmare to do it this way? I'd rather not spend the extra $300ish to fly Tampa to Kuwait, the Kuwait to Germany, then Germany to Tampa. If I do go with my original plan, how much time should I plan on between flights?

I need to book my flight tomorrow so I'm trying to figure it all out.

Thanks!

What airlines are they? Many airlines "interline" luggage, which means they handle it. For example, I flew Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles to Frankfurt on United and Frankfurt to India on Lufthansa. They transferred my luggage, I didn't see it until I got to India. But it was all on one ticket. I would not book separate tickets. If your first flight is late, you'll be a no show for the second.

 

[crashbb]

What airlines are they? Many airlines "interline" luggage, which means they handle it. For example, I flew Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles to Frankfurt on United and Frankfurt to India on Lufthansa. They transferred my luggage, I didn't see it until I got to India. But it was all on one ticket. I would not book separate tickets. If your first flight is late, you'll be a no show for the second.

Agreed.

Also, some airlines that interline will only do so if it is booked on one ticket.

 

[NotUrsula]

On an itinerary like this one, I would advise using a travel agent, preferably someone that specializes in trips to the Middle East. They can find the best deals on excursion tickets that are interlined. (A trip with multiple stops is called an excursion fare in the tavel trade.) That way if you do encounter problems, you can rely on the travel agent to help sort them out.

If you do decide to go with two unrelated airlines on your own, I'd plan to spend the night in Frankfurt before continuing on.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't see any big problems with booking your trip as two separate RT flights.

So, after I retrieve my luggage and head off for my Kuwait leg, do I have to go through immigration and security again, or can I just retrieve my luggage and work my way over to where I fly out of.

I don't know the process in Frankfurt, because I have never flown through that airport transferring to another airline with checked luggage. However, when you fly into the US on an international flight, you go through passport control before you pick up your luggage to recheck it for your continuing flight. I can tell you that even if you had no checked luggage, when flying into Frankfurt from the US, you will go through passport control before you can continue to another flight.

The luggage transfer problem depends on which airlines you are booking.

Do deals get any better booking closer to the date or certain days of the week?

Airlines prices almost always increase, sometimes astronomically, the closer you are to travel date. If you are traveling next month, you should have already purchased your ticket. I would do so asap.

What airlines are they? Many airlines "interline" luggage, which means they handle it. For example, I flew Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles to Frankfurt on United and Frankfurt to India on Lufthansa.

UA and Lufthansa are both part of the Star Alliance. That is why this wasn't a problem.

If you do decide to go with two unrelated airlines on your own, I'd plan to spend the night in Frankfurt before continuing on.

Why?

 

[Singinglizzie]

You might also try purchasing a ticket through an international flight consolidator. These agencies bundle flights by buying so many seats ahead of time, then repackage. You can often fly multi country for less. If you google search airline consolidator or international flight consolidator several agencies will come up. I would recommend "insurance" if you go this route. I definately wouldn't book 2 rt tickets, it sounds like a hassle and I bet if you poke around you can find a cheaper/better alternative. You might also try contacting a travel agent for this one. They may have access to some sites that you and I wouldn't know how to access. Lastly, do you have any airline miles you could use? Can you also fly out of Miami. It might be further to drive, but worth exploring to see if pricing is less.

 

[crashbb]

Why?

For me, the reason would be a buffer. Since they are two separate tickets (on two airlines), if the first flight is delayed, the second airline would consider the OP a "no show" and she'd be faced buying a new ticket for the Germany-Kuwait leg (at "day of" prices ).

Is it overkill? Likely, but I would still likely do it (depending on the timing of the two flights - the Tampa-Frankfurt leg likely arrives early in the morning, if the Frankfurt-Kuwait leg leaves late evening, I may risk a same day connection).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Almost all flights to Frankfurt from the US arrive in the am, some very early, so I don't see any problem getting even a late morning or early afternoon flight to Kuwait the same day of arrival.

It is pretty boring hanging around the Frankfurt airport for 8-10 hours.

 

[DebbieB]

UA and Lufthansa are both part of the Star Alliance. That is why this wasn't a problem.

Most of the major airlines have interline agreements, even if they are not in the same alliance. One member of my group took American to Germany and then Lufthansa to India and his was sent through because he had 1 ticket number through AMEX Travel. The OP wants to book separate tickets to save money. Tampa to Germany and then Germany to Kuwait. The airline in Tampa will not interline to a separate ticket #.

 

[phorsenuf]

You might also try purchasing a ticket through an international flight consolidator. These agencies bundle flights by buying so many seats ahead of time, then repackage. You can often fly multi country for less. If you google search airline consolidator or international flight consolidator several agencies will come up. I would recommend "insurance" if you go this route. I definately wouldn't book 2 rt tickets, it sounds like a hassle and I bet if you poke around you can find a cheaper/better alternative. You might also try contacting a travel agent for this one. They may have access to some sites that you and I wouldn't know how to access. Lastly, do you have any airline miles you could use? Can you also fly out of Miami. It might be further to drive, but worth exploring to see if pricing is less.

I have checked a few of my consolidators but the problem is timing the flights, which is why I was booking things seperate (aside from budget reasons). I did find a multi-trip that was reasonable, if my husband wants to pick me up at 3:10am. LOL

I thought about checking into Miami and Orlando but then I have to take into account parking fees for 3 weeks. Looked too into flying up to JFK and grabbing a cheapy flight from here.

But in the end, it all boils down to connection time in Frankfurt and how much am I willing to spend for peace of mind.

 

[Singinglizzie]

I have checked a few of my consolidators but the problem is timing the flights, which is why I was booking things seperate (aside from budget reasons). I did find a multi-trip that was reasonable, if my husband wants to pick me up at 3:10am. LOL

I thought about checking into Miami and Orlando but then I have to take into account parking fees for 3 weeks. Looked too into flying up to JFK and grabbing a cheapy flight from here.

But in the end, it all boils down to connection time in Frankfurt and how much am I willing to spend for peace of mind.

Have you already called a TA to see what they can offer? BTW, If you got a reasonable consolidater fare, then why not take a shuttle home. If you arrive at 3:10 am it would be easier on you and your DH, since someone else would be waiting for you. In my area I can get a shuttle home for approx. $50 and I live way in the burbs - I'm sure you can find something similar in Tampa.

 

[crashbb]

Have you already called a TA to see what they can offer? BTW, If you got a reasonable consolidater fare, then why not take a shuttle home. If you arrive at 3:10 am it would be easier on you and your DH, since someone else would be waiting for you. In my area I can get a shuttle home for approx. $50 and I live way in the burbs - I'm sure you can find something similar in Tampa.

Her husband is in Kuwait - she'd be needing a shuttle there, not Tampa.

 

[phorsenuf]

Her husband is in Kuwait - she'd be needing a shuttle there, not Tampa.

That's correct. I'm already taking a shuttle to and from Tampa. What time I get in to Tampa doesn't matter to me. My husband leaves for work at 4:30 am and I'm sure he could go in late and wouldn't mind coming to get me, I was just trying to make it work so he didn't have to.


I'm still trying to learn all the ins and outs of international travel. If it was a tour or flight and hotel package it would be simple enough, but just figuring the flights on a budget can be tricky. Domestic travel and cruises I have down pat!

 

[NotUrsula]

Almost all flights to Frankfurt from the US arrive in the am, some very early, so I don't see any problem getting even a late morning or early afternoon flight to Kuwait the same day of arrival.

It is pretty boring hanging around the Frankfurt airport for 8-10 hours.

I recommended it because if there is a significant weather delay on either of her flights originating in the US (as there is no non-stop service from TPA to FRA, she is already connecting somewhere in the US), there is every possibility that her OTW flight could get in late in the morning. Assuming that she arrives on a non-Star Alliance flight via Terminal 1, depending on how busy the airport happens to be, it could easily take over 4 hours to get through passport control, claim her baggage, go through German customs, check in with the second airline and check the baggage again, then make her way back through security and passport control to the gate in Terminal 2 for the flight from FRA to Kuwait. If she isn't interlined and she misses her scheduled flight out of FRA, she's stuck, as there is no requirement for the second airline to re-book her on the next available flight, and she might have to pay the walk-up fare to continue on.

Besides all that, because of the domestic US connection, the absolutely shortest travel time she is looking at between TPA and FRA is 10.5 hours, plus the three or so from her home to TPA. She's likely to be pretty darned exhausted by the time she gets to Germany, and having to run that gauntlet after travelling in Coach for 13 hours in order to immediately catch another 5+ hour flight is a pretty rough introduction to international travel.

In her shoes I would rest up overnight if the connection could not be managed without having to leave the international transit areas of the airport and officially enter Germany. If she has to do that anyway, she might as well get out of that boring airport for a while and take a nice rest somewhere so that she won't be dead on her feet when she arrives in Kuwait.

PS: Phorsenuf, for jollies I checked BA for an excursion itinerary from TPA > Kuwait > Frankfurt > TPA in December-Jan. I came up with a total price of $1716.47 (of which $754 is the fare for the flights; the rest of it is taxes and landing fees.) Lufthansa has better travel times and fewer connections, and you wouldn't have to pay UK landing fees; the price I get for the same dates as before is $2104.00, of which $749 is taxes. However, i found what I consider the best deal via Vayama.com, for a codeshare excursion for that route operated by Continental and Lufthansa, total cost $1963.82. The only connections on that routing are via Dulles; the flight from there to Kuwait is non-stop. (Of course, those are with random dates; the fares would be different for your real ones.)

PSS: I hunted around to find those same flights on Continental's site, and they were not there; turns out those flights are actually operated by UNITED and Lufthansa (still Star Alliance partners). Here's the fun part: on United's site the fare for that routing is $2024.70, but United is currently running a guarantee that if you find their flights cheaper elsewhere they will match the fare and also give you 20% off your next United flight. If you could make that deal work I would absolutely go for it, because that itinerary would rack up some serious mileage, and if you bought it directly from United you would earn those miles, which you would not if you bought it from Vayama because they are a consolidator site.

 

[NancyIL]

In her shoes I would rest up overnight if the connection could not be managed without having to leave the international transit areas of the airport and officially enter Germany. If she has to do that anyway, she might as well get out of that boring airport for a while and take a nice rest somewhere so that she won't be dead on her feet when she arrives in Kuwait.

There are some pretty reasonably-priced hotels near the Frankfurt airport. I'm staying at the Ibis before a flight home from Frankfurt in June, and the pre-paid (non-refundable) rate is only 49 euros. It might be even less in November: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-2203-ibis-frankfurt-airport/index.shtml

 

[phorsenuf]

NotUrsula- thanks for all that info. Certainly something to consider. If I did stay overnight in Frankfurt I could always stay with my DIL, if she was willing to come pick me up and bring me back. She's about an hour away. There is no domestic connection as I live in Tampa.

I may now having to rethink a few thinks because my husbands pay didn't come in today (it's an international bank wire) and I was waiting to buy the ticket so as not to tie up all the funds.

It would be nice to stick with all one airline so I can rack up the miles. I do know I'll be going back to Kuwait at least one other time and a trip to Italy. That sure would be a lot of miles!

Decisions decisions.....

 

[NotUrsula]

NotUrsula- thanks for all that info. Certainly something to consider. If I did stay overnight in Frankfurt I could always stay with my DIL, if she was willing to come pick me up and bring me back. She's about an hour away. There is no domestic connection as I live in Tampa.

I may now having to rethink a few thinks because my husbands pay didn't come in today (it's an international bank wire) and I was waiting to buy the ticket so as not to tie up all the funds.

It would be nice to stick with all one airline so I can rack up the miles. I do know I'll be going back to Kuwait at least one other time and a trip to Italy. That sure would be a lot of miles!

Decisions decisions.....

I meant the domestic connection for your transatlantic leg out of the US. Since no one flies non-stop to Kuwait or Germany from TPA, you have to make a connection somewhere in the US in order to get the transatlantic flight. That non-stop United flight from Dulles to Kuwait is the most convenient, for sure, but man that is a long haul, over 12 hours without a break.

Just FYI, Vayama has one of those fare-alert services, so you can watch the fares there and jump if it suddenly improves (once the money comes in, of course.)

 

[phorsenuf]

I meant the domestic connection for your transatlantic leg out of the US. Since no one flies non-stop to Kuwait or Germany from TPA, you have to make a connection somewhere in the US in order to get the transatlantic flight. That non-stop United flight from Dulles to Kuwait is the most convenient, for sure, but man that is a long haul, over 12 hours without a break.

Just FYI, Vayama has one of those fare-alert services, so you can watch the fares there and jump if it suddenly improves (once the money comes in, of course.)

Ahh...gotcha. I thought you were thinking I was flying from Nh to Tampa for some reason. I think I will set up a few fare alerts. Kayak is my usual go to for the prices and then I always check direct from the airline if something looks good. That money better be there tomorrow!