Frankfurt Check In Time
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Leon, MX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 283
Frankfurt Check In Time
Does anyone know the cutoff time for checking in at FRA? I know at LHR its something like an hour.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,405
Contrary to popular belief, the Germans aren't as punctual as they are perceived. Mind you, they still place great importance on time but, in my experiences, it seems FRA is much more lax about punctuality than LHR. FRA appreciates tremendously those who arrive early, but I have been known to check in only about 1/2 hour before the flight-- and have had no problems. Also, when boarding, it is not uncommon to see people checking in at the gate.
#3
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RDU
Programs: UA Plat 2MM, Delta Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott cardboard
Posts: 1,699
If you're connecting at FRA and have
less than 90mins, you WILL check in at
the gate, and at the last minute, too.
less than 90mins, you WILL check in at
the gate, and at the last minute, too.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 2,670
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by dulcamara:
If you're connecting at FRA and have
less than 90mins, you WILL check in at
the gate, and at the last minute, too.</font>
If you're connecting at FRA and have
less than 90mins, you WILL check in at
the gate, and at the last minute, too.</font>
minutes connex time and never had to check in at the gate because BP's get issued at the originating airport! And contrary to what most people say, even 40 minutes online connections do work well. You just have to know your way arounf in the maze...
#5
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Near Tysons Corner, VA (USA)
Posts: 785
I would never schedule an international connection of less than 1 hour (and preferably 1.5 hours). About 50% of the time when I have I have missed my flight (and about 80% of the time when I have my baggage has not made the connection). By the way, BP's only get issued at the originating airport if it is an inline connection (or occasionally if the connection is between partners in the same alliance). For example, if you are flying AA and connecting to LH, BP's will NOT be issued at the originating airport.
#6
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RDU
Programs: UA Plat 2MM, Delta Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott cardboard
Posts: 1,699
If you're connecting from LH to LH, I doubt you'll have a problem with a one hour connection. Even within *A and with a BP, an hour is really tight for me.
My connections tend to be UA and Luxair. Luxair uses LH gates at FRA, but will not give me a UA BP when I check in a LUX.
My connections tend to be UA and Luxair. Luxair uses LH gates at FRA, but will not give me a UA BP when I check in a LUX.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 2,670
dcpremex, sure, interline BP's don't get issued by the originating carrier but as long as it is an online connection or within the same alliance, they are issued at the originating airport.
45 Minutes is the official minimum connecting time at FRA, LH and *A have some flights with even lower MCT. I take a lot of tight connections in FRA, and, knock on wood, have always made my flights.
45 Minutes is the official minimum connecting time at FRA, LH and *A have some flights with even lower MCT. I take a lot of tight connections in FRA, and, knock on wood, have always made my flights.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio USA
Posts: 415
I'm looking at connecting in FRA from an LH flight from Moscow to a UA flight to ORD. Anyone know if there might be any unusual delays for customs are anything since I'm coming back from Russia ?
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,042
nothing special when connecting in transit from Russia (LH) to USA (UA) in FRA.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond
Posts: 376
You should not have to go through customs in FRA.
But be aware if your flight is delayed and they try to rebook you on the later LH flight, they may ask you to do the UA-LH shuffle where they bounce you between the two ticket counters. I have had this only happen twice, but I've heard of several others who experienced this. LH will ask you to go the the UA ticket counter if they can not get anyone on the phone at UA to authorize the endorsement. (Then at the UA counter they tell you no endorsement is required and send you back to LH.)
The UA counter is outside of security. So you must clear immigration and security to get to the boarding gate.
The moral is to try to get it staightened out without having to go to the UA counter.
But be aware if your flight is delayed and they try to rebook you on the later LH flight, they may ask you to do the UA-LH shuffle where they bounce you between the two ticket counters. I have had this only happen twice, but I've heard of several others who experienced this. LH will ask you to go the the UA ticket counter if they can not get anyone on the phone at UA to authorize the endorsement. (Then at the UA counter they tell you no endorsement is required and send you back to LH.)
The UA counter is outside of security. So you must clear immigration and security to get to the boarding gate.
The moral is to try to get it staightened out without having to go to the UA counter.
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,042
if you must see UA, don't leave the transit area, go to the UA desk in the transit area or to the RCC (near gate C2) without having to leave transit.
#12
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio USA
Posts: 415
Thanks for the advice. My wife and I will be returning from Russia with an adopted child, so making a connection will probably be the least of our troubles at that time !
Considered flying Delta with non-stop from Moscow to NYC, but if changing planes airlines in FRA is not a problem, prefer to go with the airline I have more status with.
As for RCC, what is United's policy on use of the RCC if you are travelling on an upgraded to business class ticket ?
Considered flying Delta with non-stop from Moscow to NYC, but if changing planes airlines in FRA is not a problem, prefer to go with the airline I have more status with.
As for RCC, what is United's policy on use of the RCC if you are travelling on an upgraded to business class ticket ?
#13
Join Date: May 2001
Location: exUA1K, UA MM, lifetime UA1P, AA MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,749
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ToddETurner:
...As for RCC, what is United's policy on use of the RCC if you are travelling on an upgraded to business class ticket ?</font>
...As for RCC, what is United's policy on use of the RCC if you are travelling on an upgraded to business class ticket ?</font>
NO pax upgraded to International Business for any reason ARE elegible to use UA's Arrivals service.
However, pax on MP award (not MP upgraded) travel in International Business ARE elegible to use UA's Arrivals service.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Memphis, TN USA UA 1K, NW Platinum, AA Gold, Starwood Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 701
ToddETurner,
Would you be kind enough to email me. I would sincerely appreciate it. I would like to ask you a question or two about adoption.
Thanks!
Jack
Would you be kind enough to email me. I would sincerely appreciate it. I would like to ask you a question or two about adoption.
Thanks!
Jack