What about Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans on Southwest?

OO, that is pretty bad that you've had your bags lost 3 times at MIA. Sheesh. I have made many a connection at MIA between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and although it's crowded and a pain, I've yet to lose any baggage with American there in the past fifteen years (knock on wood).

I am another in the camp of not leaving the airport, even with a 5 hours layover. The traffic in Miami is the worst of any US city I drive in. I personally wouldn't risk not being back for my departure.

To marilynl....yes the traffic is horrendous every where else, but this particular route is one of the few routes that move, and at that time of the day you are going oposite direction of traffic from MIA to Sobe....I know cause I do it evere day.

As for MIA to MSY American is the best way to go. SWA from Ft Lauderdale is ok if you live near there, and you like SWA which I hate EXCEPT for last minute flights

(please dont hurt me).... I work for AA in Miami, yes the roads outside of the airport are under construction, LeJuene Rd is a standstill. I agree with most, dont leave the airport.

After you clear immigration, you MUST claim your luggage and clear customs. And yes depending on how many other international arrivals there are, it can take quite a long time. Once outside customs you can recheck your luggage however you will be outside of security and will have to reenter.

Security check points in Miami are disgraceful (run by the TSA, not AA)and you will be on line for a long time .... so plan your time accordingly.

At the entrance to concourse D is the cuban restaurant that every one is telling you about, La Carretta. Good food, places to sit. Try the Imperial Rice w/ chicken, thats what we all get :-)

I would say the Admirals Club is also a good idea. If your holding a bussiness class or first class ticket it might be free.

There is also a hotel at concourse E called Hotel MIA. You may want to see how much a day room is. Ive never stayed there so cant vouch for it...
On the 9th floor there is a pool area and bar and grill for burgers etc etc, its ok. There is also sit down restaurant in the hotel but the food is "yuckie"...

There is a Chilli's at the entrance to concourse F

Theres really no place once inside security to sit down and eat....

Hope you enjoy your trip ;-)

Laura

After all of these replies we probably won't even be laying over in Miami afterall, so I feel a little guilty starting a somewhat heated debate on here! I recently started a new job and won't be able to take off for the full two weeks that we had anticipated on, so we are going to rework our vacation. There is a good chance I won't be flying into Miami, which, from the sounds of it, is a good thing.

I do want to say that if we did fly into Miami we wouldn't be checking our bags as we usually travel with carry-ons only. I hate dealing with picking up bags and rechecking them at the end of the trip, not to mention waiting for seemingly forever for our luggage to finally arrive onto the baggage claim belt in CLT, so we travel with carryons whenever possible.

Thanks everyone!
Tracy

No problem Tracy...

What ever you end up doing, I hope you have a great time!!

Laura