SEA to EIS through SJU - Thoughts?

Greetings

We are finally headed down to the BVI leaving 2/10 and returning 2/22. We are flying AA through SJU. We have SJU to EIS via Cape Air outbound. On the return we have Seaborne from EIS to SJU - AA all other segments.

Questions:
Do you have to change terminals in SJU? (map seems to show No)
If we check bags in SEA do we have to go to baggage claim in SJU and go back through security? I did book the entire ticket through AA.com so it is all one ticket, if that helps.
How about on the return with Seaborne, can we check bags in EIS and trust they make it to SEA?

We have @1.5 Hours of layover time in SJU both ways. Should be enough?

Sorry for all the questions. I have not flown into EIS before so this is new territory and wanted to get an idea of what the experience will be!

Thanks
Will

You’re all set. Bags can be checked all the way through. Double check the agent does it correctly and they are checked to EIS. 90 minutes is plenty of time. You have no bag or customs issues. If your SEA flight is late American owns the problem and will rebook you. The only potential issue is if CapeAir runs out of weight and sends the bags later. They will however deliver them to you in Tortola.
G

Thank you George!!

Much appreciated

George,
Isn’t EIS to SJU international to Domestic? In my experience, Inbound pax from EIS must clear customs upon arrival in SJU, process US agricultural inspection, and recheck luggage outbound.

I harken back to the days of the OAG in printed form, and SABRE/CRS online data. ( yes a few decades ago)
Info was in this format:
International to International (II)
International to Domestic (ID)
Domestic to International (DI)
Domestic to Domestic (DD)

I haven’t been able to find this for SJU (yet) online, so 1.5 hr may be ok minimum connect time. But I’d suggest WillM check with AA and ask res agent to check return min connection time per published rules.

Yeah good idea!! Not sure I can get everyone to check bags.

jphart is correct. It's an international flight so on the return flight you will need to clear immigration, collect your bag, clear customs then go back upstairs for the Agriculture scan before you recheck your bag and clear security. SJU used to have a bag check immediately after customs but I haven't seen it staffed in several years. My experience is the lines at SJU go very fast so it doesn't take much time but 1.5 hours would be a minimum for me.

I've gotten mixed responses from people regarding checking all the way thru on partner airlines. I don't have much Cape Air experience but they are the most professional interisland connection so they'll get it done if anyone can. I've done the SEA-EIS trip at least 40 times since 2017 but most of the time on 2 tickets and with carry-on so not much experience.

Enjoy!

I thought he just asked about the SEA to EIS leg for checking bags. Need to read more carefully. On the return flight you are correct however since he is on one ticket it should be easy. AA should have a bag drop as he exits customs where they are dropped. It’s possible they closed it with the SJU drawdown but it was there last time I went through however it was a few years ago. At most airports it a matter of a minute or so. The bad news is that since you have access to your checked luggage you have to be rescreened by security and SJU requires a agriculture check but that’s also a minute or two. Since there are no cruise ships at the moment the entire SJU experience should be much better!

George and Jason - thanks for the input

I do have Global Entry so familiar with protocols. I didn't put 2 and 2 together on clearing in SJU on the return. I guess that is what happens. when you go 1 year with no international travel - you forget how to ride the bike! lol

WillM

I do believe (unless you booked your SJU to EIS leg through American and SEA to EIS is one booking) that you will have to pick up your luggage at baggage claim, go check in at Cape Air, check your luggage again and go through security. We go Saturday so will let you know but this is what we had to do last year.

We did book all on one ticket

Please do post your experience!!

Definitely post your experience. I'm especially interested in whether you need a PCR test and travel authorization in SJU in order to claim your bags and check in to your connecting flight.

Just did this in December. Correct, best to check your bags all the way through to EIS, assuming one ticket SEA-EIS. You won't have to mess with them in SJU. Coming back from EIS, you will have to pick them up in Customs and recheck, but its easy enough. You do not need PCR test if you are just connecting through SJU.
Have a great trip.

Husker - to claify, you now need (as of 1/26/21) a negative COVID test before entering the US from the BVI. Taken three days before travel.

MIDiver - yes, just saw that from CDC yesterday. One more hoop to jump through. Thanks.

We had to collect our bags and then go check in for our Inter Caribbean flight. To do this you collect your bags, tell the COVID security guard that you are going to a connecting flight and then go up the elevator that is located to the north of the baggage carousel. InterCaribbean and Cape Air are at the far end of the airport so you get a good walk in with bags after sitting on the plane for hours! 😂 Then, back through security.