Do I have to recheck my bag after going through customs if I do not get on my connecting flight?
The cheapest flight I can find from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to Raleigh, North Carolina, has a 15-hour layover in Charlotte, NC. I would much rather just rent a car in Charlotte and drive home, than wait for the next flight to Raleigh. When I arrive in Charlotte and go through customs, can I not recheck my bags and just end the trip in Charlotte?
Best Answer
I've never come through Customs at CLT, but at every other airport, you can just collect your bags and walk out of the customs hall no problem. No one will inspect the bags and force you to recheck them.
To be clear, you are violating ticketing rules and contract with the airline, but this is otherwise a common practice.
As a side note, 15 hours is a long time and it's possible they might not accept bags so far in advance, especially if it's overnight, even if you wanted to re-check. I checked, aa.com presumably, and see the 4 hour rule for certain stations. CLT is not listed.
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What happens to my checked bag if I miss my connection?
What happens to your luggage if you miss your flight? In the event that you missed a connection, or got held up in security and your checked luggage has gone ahead without you, immediately find an airline representative. The airline may be able to track your bags and hold them for you until your arrival.Do I need to transfer my luggage on a connecting flight?
Unless the connecting flight takes place in a country that requires all passengers to go through Immigration and Customs, checked baggage will automatically be transferred to the next flight.What happens if you miss a connection due to customs?
You'll get through customs in a couple of minutes (unless you are stopped for extra checks). It's immigration that can take time. If you have booked this as a single ticket and you meet the minimum connection time then the airline is responsible for getting you on the next available flight at no extra cost.#AmericanAnswers - Do I have to recheck my bags after customs when traveling internationally?
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Answer 2
You don't have to recheck your bags. Once you collect them and pass immigration, you are effectively "landed" in the US.
I would collect the bags, go to the rental place, collect my car and be on my way. 15 hours is a ridiculous layover time.
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