Hey,

Thanks for getting back to me.

Amazon are fine? Sorry, perhaps I'm confusing matters, but aren't Amazon a shopping website? Do you mean expedia? Are they part of ACTA?

Yep, Toronto will be our first and last Canadian point for the outbound portion. We're heading Toronto -> Cancun, with a plane change in the US. Currently with United, it's the same price to: Newark, Houston and Washington Dulles. The 1 hour (looking at it, it's actually 53 mins) connection is in Newark. I'd be tempted to avoid that!

Options are:

53 min connection in Newark
2 hour 4min connection in Houston
3 hour 7min connection in Houston (same incoming flight as above, just later connection)
2 hour 45min connection in Charlotte ($13 more per person; not exactly expensive)
52min connection on Washington Dulles ($13 more per person)


Other than that, there are some 3 - 4 hour connections available for Washington Dulles, but I think that's over the top.

Most flights arrive into Cancun early-mid afternoon, so not too fussed.

I think I'd be most tempted by the 2 hour 4min connection in Houston. What do you think? I've never done the pre-clearance before, so not sure what it's like timewise when changing in the US, and whether these airports would have me change terminal, etc.

Thanks,

Graham.

A 53 minute connection is a recipe for disaster. You want two hours minimum anywhere, particularly if you have checked baggage.

Yep, I thought so.

Whilst we did make a connection of around that in Washington Dulles once (on the way to the UK), due to a late flight, not something I'd want to do!

Given the pre-clearance in Toronto, do you think the 2 hour 4min connection in Houston should be fine? Like to be cautious, but not crazy overly cautious that I spend all day waiting :-)

Thanks,

Graham.

How long is a piece of string? Are you changing airlines, terminals etc?

Your connecting flight isn't going to wait if your first one is late.

You may make a tight connection. Your luggage may not.

Sorry, I meant Expedia!

Yep I would say 2 hours is a lot better than 53 minutes. Baggage should get checked right through but may not make it if flight is late.

Checked through is not the same as making it onto the same plane as you.

I missed the last bit. Sorry.

The point is worth repeating, though.

Hey all,

Thanks for the replies.

Haha, I did wonder why you said Amazon!

Ok, cool - thanks for the heads up. Yep, the 53min one is definitely out! I think I'm leaning towards the 2 hour connection, but shall have a think.

And yep, it's all the same airline (United) - not sure if we'd have to change terminal at Houston airport... any ideas?

When baggage missed a connection once in the past in the US (much shorter connection due to delays), they were very good and arranged to have it delivered to us that night. That was United as well.

Thanks,

Graham.

Not sure about the terminal change in Houston you will have to call the airline. Yuck United! They keep cancelling flights!

Have you checked the price of your holiday with Sunwing, AppleVacations, AirTransat holidays, etc.?

There is TICO in Ontario - you can visit their website here http://www.tico.ca for full details about what will be covered but basically 'the Fund provides reimbursement of monies paid to an Ontario registered travel agent for travel services that are not provided due to the bankruptcy or insolvency of an Ontario registrant or an end supplier airline or cruise line, where a reimbursement has not otherwise been provided.'

To get this protection you have to purchase through a TICO registered agent. It would say on their website or in their brochure.

You should always leave a minimum of 90 minutes to connect, longer if you are using different airlines and have not checked your luggage through to the end destination. If you have hand luggage only, though I wouldn't recommend less that 90 mins, in some airports it would be do-able!

Travel agents are called travel agents.

Houston and Charlotte should both be OK to change. I'd avoid Miami and Atlanta where possible for flight changes (know they're not listed but for future reference)!

Also be sure to buy travel insurance to cover you for any lost possessions and health issues that may arise whilst you're away, and for cancellation in case you cannot travel for health reasons etc.

WTF who gets married on the beach in Cancun in summer
Are they ****ing nuts? or just being inconsiderate to you as a Canadian.
Look at the problems and grief they are causing you. Probably no direct flight from Canada as we all go to Cancun from November to April as there are a gazillion direct flights. Making you get an ESTA or I94 waiver as you will probably have to get a flight from the US. Can they skype the wedding to your laptop as you sit outside in the Toronto humidity and sipping on a nice cool one and enjoying the Canadian summer.
Tell them to get married between Nov and April when it will benefit you as the bleak Canadian winter sets in and you wont need a toque or gloves for a week.

Hey,

Thanks for all the replies.

Yep, have checked a bunch of the various online booking agents, and getting the best price with expedia (who happen to be TICO registered it seems, as their local office happens to be in Ontario).

Just getting annoyed with expedia.ca as their prices change constantly. Came back from lunch and the price has jumped way up. Went down later, should have booked it then (but didn't), and back up again... Prices seem to be better on expedia.com - well, they don't seem to be jumping up when expedia.ca do. Discriminating against us Canadian residents again! :-)

Lol people that live in Scotland want to go to Mexico in the summer! Remember, us Scots don't get a summer so we go elsewhere, haha. So I can sympathize with them :-) However, now that I'm living in Canada, they are indeed being very inconsiderate! I keep forgetting that come summer in Toronto, I'm going to get lovely weather and won't actually need to go anywhere to get the sun. I've been so used to Scottish summer (or complete lack thereof!) that I'm in the mindset that i must get away somewhere. Really looking forward to the Canadian summer as well :-) In the meantime though, I can't wait for the ski season to start! :-D

I'll suggest to my wife that her brother just skype's the wedding to her and she sees her family that way, and will let you know what she says :P

Thanks,

Graham.

So finally booked something!

Whilst I missed out on a good price with United flights yesterday (I went out for lunch and it had changed when I came back, doh!), the Air Canada flights had come down a reasonable bit in price today. So whilst overall a little more than booking with United flights, I was happy to pay a bit extra for the direct (and therefore less travel time, etc.) flights!

Thanks again to all.

The expedia mail claimed the travel insurance needed to be purchased within 5 days of the travel purchase. Just wanted to check, does that mean that is a rule here that I must purchase whatever insurance I'm taking within that time, or just that the expedia.ca travel insurance must be purchased within that time?

I realize that if something were to happen before I purchase it, then I'm not covered. However, in the UK, I'd be covered from when I purchase it and there is no requirement to get it within 5 days. Just basically wanting to confirm if that's a Canadian/Ontario regulation, or just that if I want the expedia insurance, they require me to purchase within 5 days...?

Thanks again,

Graham.