Daft Minneapolis airfare solution?

Chris75

I want to travel to Minneapolis. I can fly direct or go to Chicago with either an air (different aircraft) or coach connection to Minneapolis.

The cheapest is fly to Chicago BUT one of the Chicago flights actually involves a change at Minneapolis - my destination - to get to Chicago!

The daft bit is that - on the same plane - if I book to Minneapolis it costs more than if I book through to Chicago with its extra connecting flight.

My luggage will obviously be offloaded at Minneapolis due to the plane change so:

1) Where will I go through US customs? If it is first landfall then it will be Minneapolis & presumably I can grab my luggage & walk out the door? If I won't see my luggage until Chicago the I am a bit stuck & will have to get a flight/ bus straight back to where I have just come from.

2) On the return flight they will be expecting to book me & my luggage in at Chicago for the whole journey including the plane change at Minneapolis. Is there any way that I can "forget" the first flight & get me + luggage onboard at Minneapolis?

alanrowell

Chris75 wrote: »

if I book to Minneapolis it costs more than if I book through to Chicago with its extra connecting flight.

And as soon as you don't show for the connecting flight to Chicago, the remainder of your ticket - including the return legs - gets cancelled

System

It may well be that you are kept airside at Minneapolis and therefore do not technically enter the country there. Also they may not have the customs set up there to deal with international travellers

dzug1

!!!!!! wrote: »

It may well be that you are kept airside at Minneapolis and therefore do not technically enter the country there. Also they may not have the customs set up there to deal with international travellers

There is no way for overseas arrivals to remain airside at any US airport - you HAVE to enter the country at the first airport you land at.

System

'Twas only a thought. Have never travelled to the States.

paulinespens

You also take your baggage clear immigration and customs at first airport you land at.

Chris75

The ticket getting cancelled doesn't sound a good idea!

I was hoping that I could get off at Minneapolis going even if I had to get to Chicago coming home but I guess not.

Chris

duchy

Unfortunately it won't work -but I quite understand why you asked.......and if you don't ask you don't know

Don't forget to sign up for the airline's frequent flyer programme-you may as well get some benefit from those extra miles you're flying !

paulinespens

just a thought I would post at another website called flyertalk they have a forum there full of freqent flyers and see if they can offer any advice.