Discussion
Bit of advice please chaps.
Booked a cruise for Christmas and New Year around the Caribbean with RCI. At the time of booking the Travel Agent (same name as one of the twins in Tin Tin) was unable to confirm the airline or airport from UK, save that it would be either LHR or LGW and a change of flight for San Juan. She indicated at the time the stopover would be likely to be either Miami, JFK or Washington and the airline most likely BA or Virgin for the transatlantic portion of the journey.
Now, here's the thing. We have been advised that the flight is going to be US Airways, which I understand is American Airlines after their merger and we are stopping off for four hours in Charlotte and arriving San Juan at 2245 local to embark on the cruise the following morning at 0800. They are putting us up in a hotel for the few hours in between. I'm a little disappointed with this and was wondering:
a) Can I request an alternative flight, with more sociable arrival time. Possibly with a different stopover?
b) Can I ask that they book us to JFK (for example) and then on to San Juan the next day, if we cover the hotel cost for the night?
c) Suck it up and accept that as part of a £8k+ holiday the flights are what the flights are?
Lastly, what are US Airways like for long haul? I've heard that it's not all that great, uncomfortable and not much in the way of service. A bit like long haul Easyjet. Would that be right? I know what BA are like, we have flown with them to the Caribbean before and was hoping that we would get BA again. In fact I requested that at the time of booking and specifically asked not to be flown AA (because of the perceived poor quality/service)
Booked a cruise for Christmas and New Year around the Caribbean with RCI. At the time of booking the Travel Agent (same name as one of the twins in Tin Tin) was unable to confirm the airline or airport from UK, save that it would be either LHR or LGW and a change of flight for San Juan. She indicated at the time the stopover would be likely to be either Miami, JFK or Washington and the airline most likely BA or Virgin for the transatlantic portion of the journey.
Now, here's the thing. We have been advised that the flight is going to be US Airways, which I understand is American Airlines after their merger and we are stopping off for four hours in Charlotte and arriving San Juan at 2245 local to embark on the cruise the following morning at 0800. They are putting us up in a hotel for the few hours in between. I'm a little disappointed with this and was wondering:
a) Can I request an alternative flight, with more sociable arrival time. Possibly with a different stopover?
b) Can I ask that they book us to JFK (for example) and then on to San Juan the next day, if we cover the hotel cost for the night?
c) Suck it up and accept that as part of a £8k+ holiday the flights are what the flights are?
Lastly, what are US Airways like for long haul? I've heard that it's not all that great, uncomfortable and not much in the way of service. A bit like long haul Easyjet. Would that be right? I know what BA are like, we have flown with them to the Caribbean before and was hoping that we would get BA again. In fact I requested that at the time of booking and specifically asked not to be flown AA (because of the perceived poor quality/service)
Are you in Coach?
Couple of things to consider:
AA merger is still some way away from influencing this.
Charlotte NC is a good point of entry, immigration-wise. None of the giant queues that are typical of the usual EU/US entry points.
You can upgrade to Envoy for around 500 quid a ticket, subject to availability.
US Airways coach is just as crap as anyone else, BA included.
Couple of things to consider:
AA merger is still some way away from influencing this.
Charlotte NC is a good point of entry, immigration-wise. None of the giant queues that are typical of the usual EU/US entry points.
You can upgrade to Envoy for around 500 quid a ticket, subject to availability.
US Airways coach is just as crap as anyone else, BA included.
Their coach product is pretty piss poor - all US carriers are - but I feel the same about BA and Virgin - they just sell the sizzle better. US Airways Envoy product is much more civilized, but the upgrade cost and availability may be a barrier, in that the aircraft they use are small compared to UK carriers.
Charlotte is a southern US banking center, about the size of Manchester. With a 4 hour lay-over, I'd stay on the airport.
Charlotte is a southern US banking center, about the size of Manchester. With a 4 hour lay-over, I'd stay on the airport.
Was going to stay in the airport anyway. So, the assumption that it will be a small cramped aircraft with little in the way of creature comforts wasn't too wrong then?
My wife is a bit fed up that we don't arrive in San Juan until 2245 and then have to make our way to the hotel and then up again at sparrow fart to embark at 0800. Not the start to a relaxing cruise at all!! I'm beginning to think that it might be an idea to either:
a) Tell the Travel Agent that we will make our own way to San Juan and back. Or
b) Get them to book us 24 hours earlier and pay for a stopover hotel ourselves somewhere. Miami for example.
My wife is a bit fed up that we don't arrive in San Juan until 2245 and then have to make our way to the hotel and then up again at sparrow fart to embark at 0800. Not the start to a relaxing cruise at all!! I'm beginning to think that it might be an idea to either:
a) Tell the Travel Agent that we will make our own way to San Juan and back. Or
b) Get them to book us 24 hours earlier and pay for a stopover hotel ourselves somewhere. Miami for example.
Small cramped aircraft, or big cramped aircraft - the end result is similar. US Airways usually operates A330 trans-atlantic. Charlotte is their southern hub and an easy airport to navigate and use - with an upgrade, US Airways lounges there are perfectly acceptable.
Have you ever transited Miami Int? It's a horror story in itself.
Have you ever transited Miami Int? It's a horror story in itself.
You're quite welcome and I hope this aspect of your holiday doesn't spoil anything for you. I travel a lot with work and one of my client's travel dept's insist on cheapest scheduled service, which is usually (not always) US Airways (I suspect this is why you were punted in that direction too) to Europe. My gripe is that they don't have lie-flat seats in Business, like Delta and United do - but otherwise they're all pretty much offering the same thing. The cost of the US Airways upgrade from Economy to Envoy (business) is quite competitive, but their trans-atlantic flights are usually quite full, so it can be tough to score upgrades on pre-booked coach tickets.
You can clear immigration in 20 mins at Charlotte - it can take 2 hours at Miami.
You can clear immigration in 20 mins at Charlotte - it can take 2 hours at Miami.
I fly US Air all the time, i find them better than the other US airlines. I always choose the A330 over the 767's, i don't know if you'll have the choice.
You wont have the choice to fly to JFK, all their flights go via Charlotte or Philadelphia to Newark or La Guardia, they don't fly to JFK period
Coach isnt too bad, no worse than VA in my opinion.
You wont have the choice to fly to JFK, all their flights go via Charlotte or Philadelphia to Newark or La Guardia, they don't fly to JFK period
Coach isnt too bad, no worse than VA in my opinion.
I find all the US Carriers much for much (with the exception of Delta who I think are closer to the EU airlines in terms of free booze etc. - if not fit cabin crew 
!!) but you'll be flying a wide body jet over the Atlantic, and most feel about the same - so don't worry about being crammed in a small plane!
The flights are scheduled not chartered so you're on the right track for some comfort. Things to check out would be the IFE you'll get - on demand is crucial these days. Charlotte will be a MUCH better entry point than the other airports like MIA, JFK and so on - much shorter queues and 4 hours isn't too much time to kill. I have to comment though I have no experience of US Airlines domestic service.
The timing is undeniably unsociable. The only time I took a US connection that arrived that late was into Vegas - so it wasn't too much of an issue...but I'd be less than impressed as it means a long old day of travelling. Try giving the agent a call and see if you can select other flights, but it might be at extra cost and have the associated cons of using the more traditional transatlantic airports.
!!) but you'll be flying a wide body jet over the Atlantic, and most feel about the same - so don't worry about being crammed in a small plane! The flights are scheduled not chartered so you're on the right track for some comfort. Things to check out would be the IFE you'll get - on demand is crucial these days. Charlotte will be a MUCH better entry point than the other airports like MIA, JFK and so on - much shorter queues and 4 hours isn't too much time to kill. I have to comment though I have no experience of US Airlines domestic service.
The timing is undeniably unsociable. The only time I took a US connection that arrived that late was into Vegas - so it wasn't too much of an issue...but I'd be less than impressed as it means a long old day of travelling. Try giving the agent a call and see if you can select other flights, but it might be at extra cost and have the associated cons of using the more traditional transatlantic airports.
I spoke to the Agent last night and they are getting back to me this morning with other options. The Agent admitted that they have booked us onto the cheapest flight option with no thought about timings, which they agree are unacceptable. They are going to call me back this morning with more options.
Watch this space!
Watch this space!
Tyre Smoke said:
I spoke to the Agent last night and they are getting back to me this morning with other options. The Agent admitted that they have booked us onto the cheapest flight option with no thought about timings, which they agree are unacceptable. They are going to call me back this morning with more options.
Watch this space!
Hope you get the result you're looking for! Sounds encouraging though Watch this space!
If you fly BA then you'll likely go via Madrid and on Iberia to San Juan, probably a better route than via the US. San Juan immigration was pretty quick last time I did the same route. Only downside was the Iberia 747 was so old, no seat back TV's just an old CRT projector on a screen! Good thing the flight was half empty and I had 4 seats to myself.
This was two years ago.
This was two years ago.
So, here's where I'm at.
Agent wanted another £800 to change the fights to 24 hours earlier and an extra night in the hotel prior to embarkation. So, I did a bit of Googling and found out that if I change the booking to cruise only, I can save myself a few quid and have flexibility to arrive when I like. So now the holiday is cruise only and I have to arrange our own flights. Staying with US Airways and flying a day earlier, is saving me £500 on the holiday over the original 'all in' cost. The Agent wanted £468 for an extra night in the hotel (Caribe Hilton San Juan) which I can book with Trivago for two nights for £250. I also have the choice of where I fly to and with whom in the USA. But on balance, will probably stay with US Airways into Charlotte, just 24 hours earlier. The slight downside is that only the cruise element is ATOL protected not the flights.
Agent wanted another £800 to change the fights to 24 hours earlier and an extra night in the hotel prior to embarkation. So, I did a bit of Googling and found out that if I change the booking to cruise only, I can save myself a few quid and have flexibility to arrive when I like. So now the holiday is cruise only and I have to arrange our own flights. Staying with US Airways and flying a day earlier, is saving me £500 on the holiday over the original 'all in' cost. The Agent wanted £468 for an extra night in the hotel (Caribe Hilton San Juan) which I can book with Trivago for two nights for £250. I also have the choice of where I fly to and with whom in the USA. But on balance, will probably stay with US Airways into Charlotte, just 24 hours earlier. The slight downside is that only the cruise element is ATOL protected not the flights.
The point you highlighted could be a concern. Should the flight be delayed, or a problem encountered you would lose the cruise and not get a refund.
San Juan cruises I think go from the old town area so you should look for a hotel there. The Airport is the other side of town. Could be up to 30-45 min taxi ride. I used to stay in the Normandie, a fantastic art deco hotel.
A few times I transited through Houston (IAH) en-route to San Juan that seemed to work well. I would agree with others to avoid MIA and JFK for the queues and hassle they can give.
You might want to look at flights from SJU to less well known airports, maybe via Canada / Jamaica / Nassau etc
San Juan cruises I think go from the old town area so you should look for a hotel there. The Airport is the other side of town. Could be up to 30-45 min taxi ride. I used to stay in the Normandie, a fantastic art deco hotel.
A few times I transited through Houston (IAH) en-route to San Juan that seemed to work well. I would agree with others to avoid MIA and JFK for the queues and hassle they can give.
You might want to look at flights from SJU to less well known airports, maybe via Canada / Jamaica / Nassau etc
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