Has anyone flown in/out of Miami?
Mar 17th, 2003, 06:20 AM
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Has anyone flown in/out of Miami?
Has anyone flown in/out of Miami International Airport (MIA)? My husband and I are taking a flight from the Midwest into Miami (Miami is one place we have never been yet–go figure!) where we will catch a Cayman Air flight to Grand Cayman. However, I booked the tickets myself and not with an agent. I purchased tickets into Miami on Delta and out of Miami to Grand Cayman on Cayman Airways. Once we arrive in Miami, we have to claim or baggage and check in at the ticket counter with Cayman Air. We have two hours and 15 minutes between flights. As it is an international flight, we cannot check in less than one hour prior to departure. I’m a little nervous about the whole thing and somewhat regret not paying $100 more for a continuous flight on one airline. Just wondering if someone can ease my fears. I can see us running with all our luggage to get to a terminal miles away from the baggage claim area to check in for our next flight!!! This vacation is supposed to be stress free! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!<BR><BR>Tia
Mar 17th, 2003, 06:53 AM
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We've done this loads of times...and it is a big spread out airport, that's true. However, some airlines will have a complimentary agreement - check with Delta and see if they have a connecting agreement with Cayman Air. If so, you won't have to claim your luggage in Miami - they'll tag it for you. Call their 800 number rather than look on the website, because I've found (with another set of airlines) that the info was not accurate about this. When we got to the airport, they put both airlines on the baggage tag. Anyway, you have an extra hour built into your itin, so either way don't worry. You'll have enough time to claim your luggage and recheck at Cayman (and you can check the Miami airport website to see where they are in relation to each other). What is your layover time on your return? Because you will have to claim your bags, go through customs/immigration, then re-checkin at Delta, which is a slightly bigger pain - this will require more time.
Mar 17th, 2003, 07:19 AM
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Joan:<BR><BR>Thanks for your post! It doesn't sound as bad as I thought. I'll try to have them transfer the luggage.<BR><BR>On our return flight, we have the exact same amount of time. Do you think this will be enough? That flight is not an international one, so we probably can sneak in with under an hour check in prior to departure.<BR><BR>Tia<BR>
Mar 18th, 2003, 09:21 AM
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Tia, you should be all right with two hours on return...it's just that extra step you'll be taking having to go through customs/imm. After you claim your baggage, I think Delta has a mini-counter right outside of customs (rather than forcing you to go to another floor to check in). Look for it when you exit customs. Otherwise you'll have to go up one flight to find the regular Delta checkin counter.<BR><BR>Have a lovely time - and don't worry 'bout a ting!
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Mar 19th, 2003, 07:21 AM
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Thank you all for your posts! Everyone is so helpful on this site!!! I did contact Delta and they do have an agreement with Cayman Air so we can have our bags checked on the way down all the way through. One less thing to worry about! We'll just have to claim them on the way back to get through customs. I feel so much better. I've just heard so many terrible things about Miami airport that I got worried. Thank you all for your help once again!!!!<BR><BR>Tia
Mar 19th, 2003, 06:21 PM
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When we went to GC we switched in MIA too, but they took care of the luggage. That was before all this 911/war business tho.<BR><BR>I agree with the poster about disorganized...I always say when I die and go to hell it will be to wander the Miami airport for all eternity....
Mar 19th, 2003, 06:22 PM
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I just went through Miami to and from Trinidad. The confusion for me was that I didn't realize that I needed to go security and go back out to the front desk and check in with my next airline. I found out totally by mistake. I ventured out of my gate to mail something and they wouldn't let me back in the gate. At O'hare you can pretty much go to the connecting gate. This might of been because my next flight was on BWIA airlines. It was the next gate over from my arriving flight. It all worked out. One important note- You will have plenty of time to visit the hotel on the 7th/8th floor- swimming pool/whirlpool and the best shrimp and chicken wings I have had in a long time!The hotel is right in the airport. Enjoy your trip.
Mar 20th, 2003, 07:05 AM
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Tia - just experienced MIA for the first time. We flew in on 3/10/03 on our way to Montego Bay (MBJ). No problems. We had 2 hours to make the connection. On the way back, however, it was a completely different story. We flew in from MBJ on 3/17/03, the day they raised the security alert to orange. We should have had 2 hours to get through customs/imm. and make our connecting flight to DFW (our final destination was OKC). However, our flight was 45 minutes late leaving MBJ and by the time we got off the plane, we only had about an hour. Customs at MIA was a nightmare. I've never experienced anything so disorganized in my life! By the time we made it through customs, we had missed our connecting flight. We were told all other flights to DFW that day were sold out. To make a long story short, we ended up having to stay in Miami overnight and catch a flight home the next day. The airline personnel (American airlines) were rude and we spent several hours arguing with them over whether or not they would pay for our hotel. It was our first, and hopefully last, time to fly with them. We normally fly Delta.<BR><BR>Anyway, I'm not trying to make you worry, but you should be aware that if your flight leaving GC is late, there's a good chance you'll miss your connection with the heighten security.<BR><BR>Good luck and have a great trip!
Mar 20th, 2003, 11:53 AM
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Even with just carry on, the MIA airport is a tale from hell. I avoid it whenever possible but when it is necessary, lots of patience and calm is called for! Not an easy airport to get around especially if it's a weekend with the cruisers and timesharers who are breeds to themselves. Just go with the flow. Take what you want and check it - the carry on people really don't save much time other than if they have to claim and recheck and everyone does customs and immigration coming back no matter what you have and that is a disorganzied zoo.
Mar 20th, 2003, 12:23 PM
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I'm getting extra worried with the hightened security due to the war. I did receive contact from Delta that we can have our bags checked through to Cayman even though it's a different carrier (I think I posted that, but maybe not?). Anyway, on the return flight I'd have to claim my luggage anyway, right? I need to clear customs WITH my baggage, correct? I guess the way I figure it, as long as I make it DOWN to Cayman through Miami I'll be happy. If we miss our connection in Miami on the way back because of customs, so be it!! I can think of worse places to be stuck than Miami. If we have to pay for our hotel, that's ok, too, I guess. It's all part of having the privilege to travel, I guess. I sincerely thank you all for your kind posts and suggestions!! Keep em coming!!!!<BR><BR>Tia
Mar 20th, 2003, 03:19 PM
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Way to go Tia! I like your attitude!<BR><BR>I agree that carryon would be quicker on the return...although it's completely impossible for some women! You would be ahead of the planeload that way, making things a little faster. If you get stuck, find a place to buy a great Cuban dinner!
Mar 21st, 2003, 03:26 AM
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Traveling with carry-ons only has save my wife, child and on many times from some major problems. Trust me if my wife could learn to do it.....anyone can! Its gives you a whole new freedom when traveling. FYI we're soon we'll be doing a 3 week European trip with only carry-ons. It's a challenge to learn how to do it, but once you do, you'll never go back! Have fun!
Mar 21st, 2003, 05:13 AM
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We just came through Miami yesterday. Frankly, I've never seen more hallways in my entire life. It does take a whiel to go from one terminal to the other. Hopefully, you'll luck out and get close gates.
Mar 21st, 2003, 06:47 PM
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One time we flew into MIA and we were really pushing it to catch our connecting flight. We had a skycap take our bags and us thru the lower levels of the airport and he really got us there fast. Zip, zip, take this elevator and man we were at the desk. You just have to know where to go. Unfortunately, I don't. LOL
Mar 22nd, 2003, 09:36 AM
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Tia,<BR><BR>I re-read your post to make sure: you said that you bought your tickets yourself and that you're travelling with TWO seperate tickets, correct?<BR><BR>If so, you may be in trouble on your way back. If you miss the connection in MIA, Delta is not at all responsible. Nor is Cayman Air.<BR><BR>Please check ALL the penalty clauses on your Delta ticket in case you miss your return flight from MIA to the Midwest. If your ticket is a non-ref, you may be forced to buy another ticket home (at worst) or pay a penalty to be re-booked on another flight with Delta. Please check into this before you leave!<BR><BR>If you find that you might be on the hook big time, in the case of a missed connection, as others suggested before, plan on travelling only with carry-on. Remember, you are NOT dealing with connecting flights, but with two seperate "trips".<BR><BR>And, finally, yes - the extra $100. would have been worth every penny...
