What is the lay of the land for connections in Miami on AA? Are their multiple terminals or is it a single easy terminal for AA to AA connections. Coming back we are spending day in Miami. How quickly would you expect clearing customs and being at a rental car counter in Miami.

I say "it depends" on your first question. I've had situations where my gates were right next to each other. On other occasions, the gate has been at the other end of the terminal; it's a BIG terminal with LOTS of gates. Can be lots of walking.

I don't yet have Global Entry, but the last several times I've been through MIA, the biggest roadblock has been the lines after retrieving luggage. I would say at least and hour and a half. Mileage varies greatly.

We have not connected through Miami in a long time, as we originate in Miami now. They do only have one terminal, I think, but it's a big terminal.

Regarding on the way back, in June 2015, it was close to two hours from when our plane landed until we were in our car at the airport. At that time, there were two issues--one, the immigration computers were kicking out probably 3/4 of the people, not accepting their pictures, so the line for immigration was huge. By the time we got through that line, our bags were there. The HUGE wait for us was for customs, though, with the lines snaking up and back and up and back, and the customs agents asking several questions of everyone in line. We had never had any line for customs before. Haven't seen any reports from people coming back through Miami lately, so not sure how it's been going lately.

hi..im flying from JFK to Miami with a 2 hour lay over tomorrow and I notice we land at gate D41 in Miami and depart to SXM 2 hours later from the same terminal on a different aircraft but gate D46..baggage will be transferred to the sxm flight...sounds like gates are pretty close..Thanks

The best way to bypass those lines without global entry is to use the Mobile Passport App. I get through C&I in under 30 mins tops. And thats with waiting 15-20 mins waiting for bags.

We connect on AA flights to/from the Caribbean through MIA 4 to 6 times a year. On the way TO the Caribbean we usually have between 60 and 90 minutes for the connection and always have plenty of time. On the way BACK we never book less than 90 minutes between flights.

IF you inbound flight from JFK does indeed arrive at D41 and your connecting flight leaves from D46 you'll have plenty of time with a 2 hour connection as those gates are very close to each other.

Even if you have a "gate change" there is a SkyTrain that connects to all gates in Terminal D that runs every couple of minutes that connects all the gates in terminal D. You can get from Gate D1 to Gate D60 in about 10 to 12 minutes 9and less time to Gates in-between).

If you have to go between Terminal D and Terminal E (AA operates out of both) there's a passageway inside the secure area that links the two terminals. It's located near Gate D29 and E5.

I agree with Fletch ... you can trust the SkyTrain to get you from gate to gate in the "D" concourse in just a few minutes, IF you are outbound. Just don't make the rookie mistake of trying to save a little time by walking between gates "just because" the numbers are close together. This concourse is HUGE, and just walking 5 or 6 gates could mean a 1/4 mile or greater hike, so TAKE THE SKYTRAIN.
Coming back to the USA from the Caribbean, you are at the mercy of the gods of bureaucracy (TSA, Homeland Security, Customs, etc.). You will be going through immigration control, then reclaiming your bags, then through Customs, then re-checking your bags, then off to your gate. Expect a fair amount of yelling and condescension to be directed your way. I would plan on a minimum of 1 1/2 hours to get through this cattle call. Oh well, that's the price we pay I guess.

Hi..Thanks Fletch for that information...we fly back non stop directly to Newark on United....originally we were flying non stop from newark to SXM but United decided to stop non stop flights to sxm during October..luckily I was able to have United book me on A/A non stop to Miami with a 2hour layover then flying non stop from miami to sxm on A/A..the important part is that I got the cheap price of $423 r/t <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Miami is one of my least favorite airports. Customs and Immigration are horribly organized for inbound trips. We avoid if at all possible.