Sometimes, I make travel mistakes – dumb mistakes – where I should know better but somehow I just fail at being a fabulous (ha-ha!) traveler. The universe caught me this time with a six hour layover at London Gatwick.  I also thought British Airways would know better (or be better) but alas, they were not and I was taught a lesson, thankfully not an expensive one or one that disrupted my travels. So this travel mistake (there are more stories to tell) is Flying on Separate Tickets with Checked Luggage (JFK-LGW-AMS)

I clearly remember combining separate tickets in the past, however, when checking in to my British Airways flight in JFK, I wasn’t able to route my bag to the final destination, Amsterdam.  I was flying on separate tickets – an award ticket from JFK to London Gatwick and then a cash ticket to AMS (I needed to credit the flights for status and there were no awards available).  At check in the staff member wasn’t friendly about it at all – she said “no, I can’t do that” and dismissed me after she tagged my bag. Thankfully, on hindsight, I had a six hour layover so was told I would need to go through immigration in Gatwick, collect my bag and then go to the check in desk to bag and tag it (i.e. – do the airlines work for them).  I asked if she could link the tickets and have the bags connect but she was done with me and said “no, have a good flight”.  I don’t expect much in JFK based on past experience so this was about right – sad to say.

How to Collect Your Bags in Gatwick (LGW) and Recheck Them with BA

I wasn’t happy with this predicament but had time to do it and thankfully am a member of the UK Registered Traveller program (similar to the U.S. Global Entry program) so I could quickly get through immigration.  When I arrived in Gatwick (my first time at this airport), I made my way easily through the UK/EU gates by slotting my passport in the reader and looking at the camera.  The gates opened and I was quickly at the baggage carousel waiting. When my bag arrived, I exited through the “nothing to declare” lane which passed by the duty free shop and spilled out to the arrivals terminal.  Bypassing all the signs with names on them, I walked through the terminal toward the Departures counters which were on the same floor and in the same terminal (no transfers required).

British Airways Check In at Gatwick (LGW)

London Gatwick BA terminal is small but easy to navigate.  The premium area is on the left with the regular check in on the right. I had arrived from JFK in Club World (business class) but was flying World Traveller (coach) to Amsterdam so I approached the normal bag drop counter on the right side of the British Airways check in area.  The BA staff member checked my boarding pass (on my BA app) and said I could use the priority desks on the left side of the terminal to check in as I was Silver elite member.  Priority desks would bag and tag for me but I needed to keep awake so I did the bag and tag on my own.

From there, I made my way up the escalators to the Gatwick security (noting to drink the water I had in my carryon bag) before I was on my way to the departures British Airways lounge (which required twists, turns and an elevator).

Flying on Separate Tickets What to Know (When to Worry)

Separate tickets work best with carry on only luggage or when you have a stopover in the city (i.e. – overnight or longer). Given that I’m not a good carry on only traveler, I’ll need to make sure I allow enough time to do immigration, collect & recheck bag and go through security. Three hours+ should be good at most airports but do your research.

If you choose to fly on separate tickets with the same airline or with different airlines, keep in mind:

Connection Times – the online system might think the connection is legal but is it realistic? If you are arriving international and departing domestic or arriving domestic and departing international – will you have enough time to collect bags and recheck them and go through security lines (if applicable)

Terminal Changes – does the airline fly from same terminal or do you need to take the bus, train or other to the new airline?

Security Lines – what are the wait times for the connecting airport – will you have enough time allocated?  I almost missed this on my one hour connection in Manchester Airport.  With only six people ahead of me and one security scanner, the non-travelers were beeping and requiring additional screening thereby holding up the line.

Carryon Bags (especially if the weight or allocation differs on connection) – will your carryon bag be ok on the new flight?  This is tricky if using low cost carriers (LCCs) in Europe or if your boarding number is near the end and the bins are full.

Delays, Flight Interruptions, Cancellations – If your first flight is delayed/interrupted/canceled/etc. for any reason, the connecting flight on the new airline won’t know, won’t wait and code you a no show.  If you miss your flight, your options may vary to rebook – you might have to buy new ticket.  Consult your travel insurance to see what coverage may be extended to your flights.

Reader Question: 

Do you have anything to add to help folks who choose to buy & fly on separate tickets?  What is your experience flying on separate tickets?