Question flying from NYC w/layover in Miami

I am seeing a fare on American of $324 to MBJ from NYC (all taxes and surcharges included) if I go through Miami--but to get that low price, one leg of the trip has a 4 hour layover (UGH!!) I have always flown direct from NYC so not sure how the layover thing goes down--do you have to get your bags and go through customs there? Or do it in NYC?

Also--is a 4 hour layover pure craziness? Or can one entertain oneself for that length of time--suggestions?

This would be for an early Nov. trip and I am seriously considering it because I entered a challenge with AA to get my lost expired miles back--the challenge is to fly roundtrip on AA anywhere within 6 months--and where better to go but Negril?

If the 4 hour layover in miami is on the return then it is needed. When you fly into Miami from MBJ you have to go through customs then, which in Miami is sometimes longer than in Jamaica. Once through customs you have to get your bags then put them back in the checked bags for your airline and then go back through security. Out of that 4 hours, you will be lucky if you have over an hour of sitting and waiting time once you get through it all and up to your gate.
So I would say go for it...especially at that price.

the four hour layover is on the way to Negril, on the way back I think it is like 2 and a half or something. I am still waffling--can't decide, I am so spoiled by trips that are barely over 3 hours flight time.

it's not that bad.... there's some GREAT Cuban food in the Miami airport -- and really, what's a couple hours when you're saving hundreds of $$ and getting back all those miles.... bring your laptop, surf the web, check the boards, call some friends.... maybe one of the florida boardies would meetup with you for lunch..... it'll go by quick

Yes, it really isn't that bad. I live in Tampa and really not so far from Jamaica but this, my 11th trip coming up will actually be my first ever direct flight and I am super excited about that.
We have no direct flights from Tampa so I always have to stop in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami and sometimes the layover has been more than 4 hours (I can drive from Miami to Tampa in 4 hours!) so I know all too well about layovers...just take a book to read or walk around the airport taking in the sites, its a nice airport and big too.
We are heading to Orlando in October just to ride JetBlue's direct flight...woo hoo, cant wait!

good advice missblue! And good to know about the restaurant. I could see eating some Cuban food and playing around on the internet--maybe even watching a movie on the laptop, a drink or two and then Negril, Baby! I would get 50,0000 miles back which makes the trip a real deal.

La Caretta rocks :)

I fly through Miami every year from SFO and my layovers START at 4 hours (I've had 6, I've had 10!). Its a pretty good hangout airport.

Here's a thought though - for $75 you can buy your way into the Admirals Club. That's what we did when we had a 6 hour layover a few years back and got in at the crack of dawn with little to no sleep. Free internet, snacks, coffee and soft drinks and a comfy place to be. I just got a credit card that one of the perks is access to airport lounges such as this so now I never fret a layover :)

What's a bit "sucky" about your situation is the travel time...but the fare is good so I guess you gotta suck it up - and you should, cause it's not that bad.

thanks for the info RG. Now my magic fare vanished but I think it might be because it is Friday afternoon. I am going to check again next week. Gives me some time to think about it and decide whether to jump on it and go in early Nov or pay a higher price and go over Thanksgiving. At a little over 300 for roundtrip--it is better than many domestic fares.

I have flown from NYC to MBJ a couple of times with a Miami layover. I HATE it! It isnt the airport....it's like you said, when you are accustomed to doing it in 3 hours and all of a sudden it's an all day thing.....well, lets just say I would have to be saving a lot more money to do it again!

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Originally Posted by rastagirl777

La Caretta rocks :)
Here's a thought though - for $75 you can buy your way into the Admirals Club.

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For around that amount you can chg your flight from a layover to a direct flight!

i also typically hate layover flights - and will do anything to avoid them; so i'm quite happy to pay more and get the direct flight, generally speaking

BUT - 50,000 FF miles ain't nuthin to sneeze at -- that's a FREE R/T FLIGHT on some airlines.... so for that, i'd suck it up, eat some empenadas and chill awhile :) I'd look at it like....."is three hours worth 500 bucks?". and i'd haf to answer myself "YOU BET"! :)

yes on AA 50,000 miles can get me to JA and back with some to spare! So it is like 500 in the pocket to deal with the layover business for the trip. And the thing is--I was also checking prices to other places in the US and they are right up there too. Because that is an option--to take a short, cheap round trip somewhere and get my miles back. Thing is, there are no cheap flights anymore! But the Ja fare was right in there price wise same as if I were flying in the US. Thing is, now the fare has disappeared so I am going to have to keep checking to see if it pops back next week.
I have come to the conclusion that if it shows up again, I am going to grab it.

oh, I didn't mention but I am on a really tight budget these days so a free trip is a BIG deal.

Amen to no cheap fares. I'm finding in booking my business trips that I am paying WAY more to fly places. Geez, close to $700 this spring from SFO to Orlando!