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I am flying to STJ this summer with about 6 of my closest girlfriends who have never been. I always fly AA thru Miami, but, because they have ff miles, they are flying Cont. One of them told me yesterday that Cont. told her she could use her miles all the way to STT by way of Cape Air from PR. They also told her that Cape Air only allows 2 seats per plane for ff flyers. Since the flight leaves Houston at 10:25 and lands in PR at 4:00. The next flight on Cape Air is 4:50. My first question is, is that enough time to make the connections? Do you have to get your bags, or does the airline switch them to the Cape Air flight? Also, since there are about 5 or maybe more women traveling with me, they are planning on spreading out the flights to allow for the 2 ff seats per plane rule. This sounds crazy to me. They will be trickeling in all night. Although I have been to STJ many time, my husband always drives and I am not comfortable driving at night thru steep, dark, roads, on the left, the first night. I have tried to explain the logistics to them but one woman, in particular is adimate about using her miles and not spending a penny on airfare.
Is there a better way to get to STT from PR without flying Cape Air (by way of Cont)? I realize AA goes thru PR, but that is not the way we are going. The Cape Air flight is only 200. rt, so I don't think it's that big a deal to buy the tickets that they need and split the difference for the 2 free flights. The other deal is that the Cape Air schedule has a flight leaving at 4:50, 5:50, and 9:10. If for some reason Cont. is late to PR, and the 5:50 flight is full, we could end up on the 11:00 ferry. I don't think Caribbean Villas is going to pick us up that late.
Suggestions please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for any help.
Cape Air is fine. One of my friends used to be a pilot for them. Cape Air and American Eagle are the only games in town. I usually use AE, but I've used CA a couple times and it was fine.
If they book the Continental & Cape air tickets together (thru an agent or Orbitz, etc) then they'll be booked through to STT when they check in and the baggage transfer will be done in PR. If they purchase the Continental and Cape air tickets separately, then they'll have to claim their baggage in San Juan and re-check it for the flight to St. Thomas. 50 minute is pretty tight if the have to claim and re-check, but would be fine if the transfer is done by the airline. If the best deal is PR direct, then opt for the later Cape Air flight to be on the safe side.
Make sure you find out FOR SURE about claiming and rechecking your baggage - I'd once booked flights to STT through Travelocity - and the main flight was from Newark to San Juan - with Continental (I think)- the 2nd was Cape Air - and I was told by Travelocity I WOULD HAVE TO CLAIM THE BAGGAGE IN SAN JUAN AND RECHECK IT MYSELF. I ended up canceling those flights with Travelocity - because they did not tell me this upfront! It was a pain and I had to write them a letter and argue with management to get my full refund. I later re booked with Expedia and knew then to ask about this little glitch BEFORE my purchase - and with those flights, also with a plane change, my baggage switch was taken care of by airlines.
Live and learn - ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY - and DIRECT THOSE QUESTIONS TO THOSE WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH.
Best of Luck!
That's really bad! I've never bought flights using multiple airlines through Travelocity; never had a problem with Orbitz, but will definitely inquire in the future. Better to be safe than sorry.
All I remember about Cape Air is taking it out of Key West to fort Myers Florida. I couldn't believe how small the plane was. It was just the pilot, my husbnd and myself, along with another guy. Tiny plane, but thanks god we got there safe.
