Checked luggage through to final destination MEL - SFO - MCO

[becandmikesadventures]

We're flying UA MEL - SFO - MCO and I'm getting conflicting information. 2 agents at UA (online chat) have told me our bags will be checked through to MCO and no need to recheck or transfer, whereas local Travel Agent advice says we will need to recheck/transfer bags at SFO, which i thought was the case since we are arriving internationally. We have a tight connection so don't want to waste time.
Any advice from someone who has flown this route with UA?

 

[bcworld]

Your thinking is correct...all transiting passengers will need to clear customs at the first point of entry to USA...regardless of the final destination.

 

[ayebee]

As it is all UA I assume the bags will be tagged through to MCO, but at SFO you will need to go through immigration, collect bags and clear customs.
There is a "Connecting Flights" exit from the arrivals hall where you can drop your bag provided it is tagged to MCO.
You are then outside the secure area and need to get to the domestic terminal security check - usually T3 for UA.
Hope it goes well.

 

[becandmikesadventures]

As it is all UA I assume the bags will be tagged through to MCO, but at SFO you will need to go through immigration, collect bags and clear customs.
There is a "Connecting Flights" exit from the arrivals hall where you can drop your bag provided it is tagged to MCO.
You are then outside the secure area and need to get to the domestic terminal security check - usually T3 for UA.
Hope it goes well.

Thank you it was a bit stressful but we made it.
Next question on the return journey, we are flying MCO SFO MEL all with UA can you tell me what the process is, I believe our bags will actually be checked all the way through to MEL. But we need to get from MCO arrival to the MEL departure, will we need to go through TSA / security again? They have only given us an hour transit.

 

[serfty]

But we need to get from MCO arrival to the MEL departure, will we need to go through TSA / security again? They have only given us an hour transit.

No, in the USA international Departures are generally treated like domestic.

You arrive from MCO, disembark airside and make your way to MEL gate.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

To answer your questions. When flying from Australia to the US, you will clear US immigration at the first US airport you land in (in this case SFO). After you clear immigration, you will head to baggage claim area, pick up your bag, clear US customs and re-check your bag for your onward flight (there is usually a desk for connecting travellers that will accept your bag). You will then be pushed out of the secure area and will need to clear TSA security to catch your connecting flight.

On the way out things are MUCH smoother. You will check your bag in at Orlando for your trip to Melbourne. The bag will check all the way through to Melbourne. You will clear TSA security at Orlando. When you arrive at San Francisco you will follow signs for your gate (you won't need to re-clear security) and that's it! The US does not practice emigration as is the case in Australia. TSA does not have two standards for security (i.e. domestic versus international) as is the case in Australia. At US airports you will see flights to Melbourne right beside flights to Atlanta beside a gate to Tokyo. It's wild and I love it!

-RooFlyer88