Another newbie question on luggage retrieval

All one ticket? Pick up your bags in Madrid after you have gone through Immigration (passport check and Schengen entry stamp) then you get your luggage off the carousel, then go through Customs, which usually means just walking through the "Nothing to Declare" door with inspectors watching but only doing occasional spot checks.

You have a lot of connecting flights I hope you got a cheap ticket. And If you have one ticket for all flights then your bag will go all the way to Madrid.
When you checkin at you first airport your bag tag and claim check will list at MAD (Madrid) EWR (Newark) DEN (Denver).

Your checked luggage should just continue on all the way to Spain. The only time you would have to retrieve your luggage is if you made a transfer in Europe before going on to Spain. That is, if you landed at the Paris airport first - you would have to retrieve your luggage and take it along with your passport to a French security guard. Once inside the EU - you would then make your connection to Spain or wherever. The first airport you arrive at in European Union becomes your "point of entry" for the entire European Union. Spain will be your "point of entry." Same goes with USA and United Kingdom.

Not sure what is meant by "All one ticket" but I booked this all through United at the same time. Does that mean one Ticket?
My husband cannot sit for a long time because of his back and knees so that is why we have so many stop offs. Does the unusual amount of stops make it more likely that our luggage could be lost or delayed? Or is this just a normal thing?
TIA

Not sure what is meant by "All one ticket" but I booked this all through United at the same time. Does that mean one Ticket?

That is right.

Multi changes slightly increase risk of misplaced luggage just because it is being handled more often. What is your return schedule? The first time you hit the US you will have to go through immigration, claim your luggage, customs, and re-check to final stop.

Since you booked through UA it is a single ticket. Hopefully you have ample time between flights to make your connections, not to mention your bags. The airline books "legal" connection times. But, having had legal connections, I've already sprinted through both Denver and Newark to make my next flight. Denver is big but I think all UA flights come and go at Terminal B. Newark is very big and to me a bit disjointed. Look ahead at where your flights arrive and depart and don't be afraid of asking for wheelchair assistance. UA customer service can arrange this in advance. If I had two connections I'd pack a carry on having all my essentials and a couple of days clothing just in case.

In Denver we have one hour and 13 minutes before we have to board for Newark, then in Newark we have 2 hours before boarding for Madrid. Is that enough time? Im getting scared. LOL!
TIA

As long as your flights are on time ( especially the 1st one from wherever that is) you should make it.

I would familiarize myself with what the "next" flight (the ones after your scheduled flight) is from each of your transfer points, so you can have a back up plan at the ready.

Something like a leftover hurricane wandering up the east coast could really mess things up, is just an example of the hazards with 3 flights.

Hope all works out for you

If the flights are on time that will be fine. But if your husband or you have mobility issues order a wheelchair. UA needs to get you there if there are delays. Enjoy Spain, we loved it!

You are just the GREATEST bunch of people helping others.
KUDOS TO YOU ALL!
And thank you!

Peggy, don't be scared. Just pay attention. And if one of your flights is delayed, the airline will do what it can to see you get on your flight, or one leaving soon after.

Spain is wonderful. Good food, cheap wine, great people. ¡Buon Viaje!

One suggestion Peggy: when you initially check in and hand your bags over at the counter, make sure the staff correctly tags your bags with all three airports, as this is how the baggage people (or maybe computers) know how to forward them for the next flight. I like to actually see that my checked bag is tagged correctly, with my own eyes.

Just make sure you pack a change of clothes, a couple of pairs of socks and underwear, and any essentials like meds in your hand luggage. That way, if your luggage is delayed you won't have to go out and waste time buying socks and underwear (my first day in Paris on my first visit there).

You can also go on the airline's website and print out their terminal maps in advance. That way you can find your gate quickly if you are short on time.

The maps are usually in the pocket in front of your airline seat, but sometimes people rip them out.

I really understand your husband's problem but when booking an international ticket, try to have only two flights total. Or, fly to the city with the direct flight to Europe one day, stay overnight, and then fly directly, hopefully non-stop to your destination to avoid any potential problems with missed flights, weather delays, missing/delayed baggage. American and Delta have software so that you can track your baggage location on their Apps during your travels.

Your checked luggage should just continue on all the way to Spain. The only time you would have to retrieve your luggage is if you made a transfer in Europe before going on to Spain. That is, if you landed at the Paris airport first - you would have to retrieve your luggage and take it along with your passport to a French security guard.

The point about luggage is not universally or normally true.

If you are making a non-Schengen (i.e. USA-France) to Schengen (i.e. France-Spain) connection (on one ticket), you do always have to clear passport control at your first point of entry, i.e. Paris, since your next flight is an internal Schengen flight.

However, unlike the US, there is no blanket requirement to pick up your bags at your first point of entry to Schengen, as customs is performed at the final destination in the EU. So if you were flying New York-Paris-Barcelona you would not need to pick up your bags in Paris. They would be checked through to Barcelona and you would not see them in Paris. You would simply go through passport control in Paris, fly to Barcelona, then pick up your bag and go through customs in Barcelona.

Of course, if you've bought separate tickets or have some unusual combination of airlines, you may have to pick up your bag. But it's not true as a rule that you have to pick up your bag on a non-Schengen-to-Schengen transfer.

(Also, a minor point, but we should not conflate "security guard" with passport control/border agents -- there are many situations, particularly in Europe, where one is subject to security re-screening but not passport control or vice versa, and they are not the same thing.)

Peggy, you have good advice for creating a plan B on this flight. Pack extra for carry on, ask for help if needed, and get an airport map.
I might even suggest that when you pass over your luggage, you confirm with them whether you have to pick up luggage anywhere on route.
In the future, may I suggest leaving 2 hours between national flights and 3 hours between international flights? Just a little more wiggle room for delays, and getting to the next gate. If too much time, enjoy a cold drink or an extra walk around the terminal to stretch your legs.
Have a great trip.

Suki, the midwest is called "flyover country" for a reason. It's almost impossible for us to get to our European destination in fewer than three legs. Yes, we can go TUL - DFW - LHR (London), but for many destinations (say, anything east of Paris) we often need an extra flight. And some folks have to go through two regional airports to get to a major hub. It's a nuisance. But still we go!

Peggy: I would also suggest that you pack some of your clothes in your husbands' bag, and he packs some of his in yours.
That way, just in case one bag is missing or delayed, you will each have something to wear.
And absolutely pack a change of clothes for each of you in your carry ons.
Have a wonderful trip!