Only NINE DAYS!!! WOW! I didn't realize it was that close. Time is passing quickly!!!!!

Have you started to pack yet?

I know it's FLYING (excuse the pun..lol) past !!!!!!!

Not started packing yet, but I keep looking at the suitcases and saying to myself 'Really must start packing..lol'. At least I've gone through all my things and worked out what to keep and what to donate, so whatever is left is going into the suitcases..

Are you going to take extra suitcases/luggage and pay for them at the airport? I know it's very expensive to do that but sometimes you can't help it. You need some things to start living over there.

I think from what I've been reading I'm allowed one suitcase and it's an extra $100 for the second one. But when I work out how much it would cost to send over later, it works out cheaper to take it with me. But I'll look into it more because I'm flying United from Phoenix to Chicago and then Aer Lingus from Chicago to Manchester via Dublin, and I need to check out what there web site says, although it's probably going to be pretty close to the same I think! I just can't remember if it is all based on your first airline (United), or if they have to take into consideration any other airlines you might fly with on the same ticket.

Yes, it's a good idea to check with Aer Lingus then. $100 is not bad at all. I think at that cost I might take a few extra suitcases with me, if I can.

Well just out of curiosity I went back to Orbitz and looked up a random flight leaving on the same day to the same place. Once I selected it, and it brought up the itinerary it had a link to 'baggage charges'. It was based on the first flight which is United and it has the first bag free, second bag $100, third bag $200. Thank goodness I'm only taking TWO!! LOL Although the web page is confusing because it lists 'departing from', so you choose USA, but when it gets to the 'arriving at' section...it states Europe, Asia, Australia etc etc but doesn't mention the UK, so maybe it's classified as Europe? LOL

So it doesn't 'appear' to take Aer Lingus into consideration, but I guess I'd find out at the airport and hope not to have a huge shock!

Ok...have clarified it. According to United the baggage allowance and charges are based on the airline that handles the first segment of the trip. Bags are charged and checked through to their final destination, so that means even though I fly Aer Lingus from Chicago they won't charge any additional fees just because its a different airline. Hope they're right, because I still haven't figured out whether I will need to collect my bags in Dublin and check them in again for the next flight.

When I flew back American Airlines I took 2 suitcases. When I checked in they charged me $70 and it went all the way to Heathrow.

You won't have to. When there is a connecting flight, the airline handles all luggage from initial departure straight through to final destination

Was Heathrow your final destination? Did you happen to stop at Dublin first? LOL

It all depends on your first port of call in the UK, so to speak. If I flew into Heathrow and caught a connecting flight to Manchester, I'd have to collect my bags at Heathrow and then check them in again for Manchester. It's wherever your first customs and immigration check is for that country. I had to do it in Australia when I went back for a holiday. I flew from Phoenix to Perth, but had to change planes in Sydney. Because Sydney was my first immigration/customs stop in Australia, I had to collect my bags and check them in for the next flight. Pain in the neck it was too !!

Unless it's all changed of course..LOL

I forgot all about the immigration/luggage check. Then I think you will have to collect your bags in Dublin. I just read somewhere a few minutes ago that when you land in Dublin first, you don't have to go through immigration again in the UK.

I may be wrong, but Dublin is part of the EU and not part of the the UK, so might not go through immigration in Dublin as I will just be in transit, but will have to in Manchester. As I said, I'm getting so much conflicting information my head is starting to swim.... I guess I could just find it all out when I go through it

Yes, that's right - part of the EU but not part of the UK. However, I just read this somewhere a few minutes ago when I was passing time looking for flights direct from the USA into Edinburgh (none -have to connect somewhere else because airport is not big enough). I will have to see if I can find it again.

PS - Can't find it now. It's possible I misread it, too. Best thing to do is call Aer Lingus and ask.

This isn't the article I read before but it says the same thing. It's not official but it might help. Dublin to anywhere in the UK is considered a domestic flight.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...6082248AARCZdl

Will probably be okay.... won't need to go through customs in Dublin because I am not staying there...just passing through. If I had an overnight stop or something then I would have to clear customs and collect my bags, but I'm just in transit so will be staying on the flight side of customs.

Ok, just saw your article...so guess I was totally wrong.. LOL

As for your flights to Edinburgh...it's hard to find direct flights anywhere anymore. Hopefully you can find one with only one stop and not multiple.
From where in US??

I found this article which seems to make it somewhat more clearer...LOL

. Re: Clearing Immigrations
17 February 2013, 7:16

You will pass through an immigration check on arrival in Dublin and will then be routed to the gate for your flight to Manchester via a security check (assuming you are travelling Aer Lingus to Manchester and are not changing terminals). You will not be subject to customs in Dublin unless you exit to the public/landside area.

On arrival in Manchester, you will exit via immigration/security check and customs but they operate on a spot check basis only for passengers arriving from Dublin, so there are usually no delays.