Retrieving checked bags from a connecting flight

On my way home from my honeymoon, we have a scheduled stop in Houston prior to flying home. If I were to get off and stay in Houston instead of flying home, how can I get my bags that are probably being transferred to the connecting flight and get a ride home instead of flying that night?

Best Answer

If your incoming flight is international, then you will have to reclaim your bags at Houston anyway. You can then just leave the airport.

Edit, as Doc says, this is providing you're not doing an international to international (ITI) transfer on certain airlines.

If not, your options are:

Request that your bags are short checked (as noted by Zach, this may be refused)
Travel with hand luggage only
Ship your bags, e.g. UPS
Change your ticket - Call your airline and ask how much to reprice your tickets. This is usually cheaper after taking the first flight.
Travel to Houston and then inform airline you will not be taking the connecting flight and ask them to unload your bags
Abandon your bags - Risky alternative. Since your final flight is a US domestic flight, your bags may just continue to your destination and you have the possibility of retrieving them later (if they don't go missing)

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Quick Answer about "Retrieving checked bags from a connecting flight"

When you arrive, you'll have to go through the customs and immigration area. ...

Sometimes, airports will offer a simpler process for rechecking luggage. ...

Once the check-in desk opens, drop off your bags and pick up your boarding pass.

Do you have to collect your checked bags if you are connecting?

It depends on how your ticket was booked. If your flights were booked under one ticket, your bags will be checked through to your final destination. If your flights were booked under separate tickets, you will need to collect your bags and recheck them before your connecting flight.

Can you retrieve your luggage on a layover?

If you have an overnight layover, you can request to retrieve your luggage at baggage claim so that you have all of your items with you. However, you'll need to recheck your luggage in the morning, so plan additional time for going through security again.

Connecting Flights Explained - Backpacking For Beginners Ep. 5

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