Since my husband and I travel carry-on only, we have only had to deal with baggage carousels upon re-entering the US when we have had to gate check our bags. Then we've gone through customs and immigration and security to get to our connecting flight. This fall we are taking an Alaskan Inner Passage cruise. We are flying out from Indianapolis to Vancouver, with a connection in Denver, and then reversing that route for our return. It is my understanding that we will go through US customs in Vancouver before our return flight. Does that mean that we will not have to pick up our luggage in Denver and go through security if we decide to check it through to Indianapolis in Vancouver? It is likely that we will have heavier bags coming home than when we leave for our trip. I wish I had paid more attention in Shannon, Ireland when we flew home through Boston several years ago. . . . .
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3902 posts
You will arrive in Denver as if you were flying a domestic flight. Your bag should be checked through to Indianapolis when you check it in Vancouver. Double check the tag before they woosh it off.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5752 posts
According to this it says check with your airline. On another page it said, "it may not be necessary to pick up your bags."
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
46 posts
That is correct; you will not have to pick up and recheck your bags in Denver. I fly frequently between Vancouver and the US and have never had to retrieve and then recheck my bags while connecting in the US.
Make sure, however, that you leave enough time to go through customs in Vancouver; the lines can be long. (If you have a Nexus or Global Entry card, the lines are much shorter.)
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10100 posts
FYI- You will go through passport control to enter Canada at the airport and then passport control to enter the US at the port just prior to embarkation. On return, you will enter Canada at the port and enter US at airport.