www.CostaRicaTicas.com

If I check in my bag and my time between flights is 1hr 39mins. Will I have enough time to claim my bag and make my flight to SFO? My entry point is Houston. I will use the Kiosks, Trusted Traveler for immigration and I am “Premier Gold Member” so my bag will be first out.
Thanks

Most of the time over an hour is enough to allow you to get your connection even though the domestic terminal is about 15 minutes walk away from where you arrive.
The delay is usually at immigration. Many flights seem to arrive at the time Continental gets in from SJO so can take 30 to 45 min. to get out of there.
If you do miss the flight ask them to put you on a flight to Oakland or San Jose. If this is not good for you be aware that on international flights they are supposed to give you free hotel for the night. That used to be the case when it happened to me once in 2000.
Maybe rules have changed.
Most probably you will make it though.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

I was there July 14th in Houston airport and immigracion was quick, but going through security again was a bitch!

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I AM a Cien boy + Propina!

I've come through Houston 40 times or so on Cont/United coming back from Latin America with connection times of 1-2 1/2 hrs. & I've only missed 1 flight. That was due to immigration having only 4 booths open at the end of a holiday weekend due to cutbacks. I almost always have time to stop in the Prez club for a belt or 2 before heading to the gate. Odds are heavily in your favor(& I'm in the odds biz in Vegas) that you'll have plenty of time to make your flight to SFO.

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

I agree with the other posters, if you go through the kiosk that should be plenty of time, IF your first flight is on time.

Maybe

Global Entry will get you to baggage claim first where you will wait for 15 to 30 minutes for bags to start arriving. In my experience Priority Baggage doesn't mean squat. The bags come out willy-nilly.

The big hang-up is upstairs at the security check point where all international arriving passengers are rescreened. It is often backed-up. It is not uncommon to take 30 minutes or more to clear security. Your "Gold" status may allow you some priority. Look for a sign to the right of the entry for the line to enter for screening.

Then, you will likely have to make your way from Terminal E (all Int'l flights) to Terminal C (many United domestic flights).

It can be done in 1 hr 40 min but it may be close. Better hope that you flight leaves SJO on time.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

Alti1, do what most of the seasoned guys do (myself included). Bring a carryon suitcase and a small backpack and just have laundry done (most places will do it or you can just slip housekeeping a couple bucks and they will gladly do it for ya. this way you always have your luggage, breeze thru imigration and customs (your in the front of the line cause everyone else is waiting for their bags)

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

Update.. I got through quickly because of the Kiosks. Customs only took 3 minutes. The wait for for bags was less than 10 and mine was one of the first to come out. So far this "Global Entry" and "Priority Bag" is as advertised. Thanks for the responces...See ya in Dec.

[ The biggest bottleneck is usually security upstairs. Flag somebody down at the Premier Access lane, they are often not standing right there. SR[/quote]



Yep I agree Upstairs is the problem. So I can flag someone down on the Premier Acess Lane to push me through? I've seen the gate but didn't know it was active.

Pardon me, but I simply cannot let the original poster think in the manner he posts. MY luggage/gear/cargo is ALWAYS the first off. As it is written, so it shall be. Ask Uncle Sam!

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16