rlskis

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here and have a silly question that I hope the experience travelers can answer. I'm going on vacation to Italy on United. I bought my ticket on the United site going from San Francisco (SFO) to Milan, Italy (MXP) with a 2 hours layover in Newark, NJ (EWR). The trip is on one itinerary.

The first leg is from SFO to EWR, and then after a 2 1/2 hour layover, EWR to MXP. Both legs are on United.

I'd been told differently so I hope you all can help. When I check in at SFO, do I check in at the International terminal since the end destination is Milan, or do I check in at the domestic terminal since the first leg is domestic. It doesn't make sense to check in at the international terminal since the first leg is domestic. Why check in at the international terminal and then have to go to the domestic terminal for the first flight? I would think I would check in at the domestic terminal, and they would check my bag all the way through to Milan, and check my passport. However, when I spoke with United, they told me I need to go to the International Terminal. Not sure if the rep was giving me correct information but hoping you can give me your advice and experience.

Thanks

janisj

You check in at the terminal your flight uses. Your ticket will tell you which terminal it is.

You will get both boarding passes and the agent will check your passport to make sure you can board the flight to Milan

RoamsAround

Before you leave for the airport go to the United Airlines website and using the "Travel information" drop down menu elect "Flight Status". Enter the Flight Number for your first leg and you'll find out what Terminal and gate the plane will be using. At the airport go to that terminal to check in and get your boarding passes or you can check-in online, if you wish but if you are checking luggage you'll still have to do that when you get to the airport. If you check-in online you'll have to enter your passport numbers and other information before you can complete the process and print your boarding passes. As janisJ says, if you check-in at the airport in SFO the agent will check your passports then.

Either way, you'll get boarding passes for both flights. Simply proceed to your departure gate to board the aircraft. Once in Newark you simply go from your arrival gate to the departure gate for your flight to Milan. You probably will be asked to show your passport to the gate agent when you board the flight to Milan.

NewbE

<You check in at the terminal your flight uses. Your ticket will tell you which terminal it is.>
Yes, exactly.

clevelandbrown

I'm getting old, but I can't think of an airport that has check-in facilities in multiple terminals. You start by finding the check-in area for United (you can't find that by looking at your ticket since you don't yet have the ticket. You get in line for the counter or a kiosk, show your id, and they print your ticket. I prefer going to the counter because there is someone there you can ask where the gate is. Then you head for security and the appropriate terminal.

NoFlyZone

>I can't think of an airport that has check-in facilities in multiple terminals.

I assume you are speaking about one airline at one airport with check in at multiple terminals.

ATL for one. And DFW. LGA. Possibly LAX (haven't been there in a while). CDG, but you're probably thinking domestic US. Others I'm sure.

rkkwan

IAH has UA check-in at both C and E and one can use either for domestic or international. Even though airport directions will tell you to go to C for domestic and E for international.

And the OP can likely go to either, but why not just go to the one where the flight is departing from?

tiffanyewah

I'm also booking a flight from SFO to London with a connection at EWR. Ultimately, was your checked bag checked through to Milan or did you need to collect it and recheck at EWR?

Also, since your first flight was domestic, did you need to arrive early like an international flight or was it fine to arrive as if you were only taking the domestic flight?

Gardyloo

Since your first flight is domestic, you'll use Terminal 3 at SFO. Your bags will be checked through to your final destination.

indyhiker

One word of advice when you get to EWR. If you have to change terminals (and you might not have to), don't use the Air Train to do so, as you'll have to go through security again. Take the shuttle bus. You can pick it up in Terminal A at Gate 28 and in Terminal C at Gate 71. The bus will keep you on the secure side.

This is just on the outbound flight to Milan. When you return from Milan, you'll have to go through security again and will have to use the Air Train to transfer between terminals.

rkkwan

SFO-EWR-MXP is most likely on UA. UA's SFO flights always arrive at Terminal C, barring any irregular operations or major issues at EWR. No change of terminal to go out to Milan.

On the way back, UA can use Terminal B or C for international arrivals. If arriving at B, there is a ride on the AirTrain. All UA flights for SFO depart from Terminal C.