Using miles - how long ahead to arrive?

[cpgrneyes]

We're taking a cruise embarking from Copenhagen and finishing in Barcelona, flying from Los Angeles.

 

H and I both have frequent flyer miles, but on different airlines.

 

I have flights on hold that would have us both on the same flight from Heathrow to Copenhagen (one of us will pay for that leg), arriving about 24 hours prior to the ship sailing time.

 

I'm assuming that allows for cancellations/delays, but if some of you experts think otherwise, YELL!

[6rugrats]

You can't guarantee everything, but I think 24 hours in advance would usually be fine.

[kenish]

LAX and BCN have fairly frequent service via most hubs. However, to really say how solid your position is, the airline is important. For example if they have only two flights a week that's very different than 2 daily flights.

 

Also, do you have status with your airline program? Should things go amok, premium members are given priority in situations where the airline cannot accomodate everyone. If you're traveling on FF miles you have far more options than a consolidator ticket, but still not as many as a paid ticket.

 

That said, 24h should cover most situations.

[Keith1010]

Arriving 24 hours ahead should be fine. Certainly 24 hours is better than arriving the day of the cruise but 48 hours is certainly safer than 24 hours.

 

If you run into problems you have the one day to get there.

 

Copenhagen is a wonderful city. A lot to see and do and if you like to walk a fabulous walking city.

 

Keith

[Captain Canuck]

but like the previous poster said Copenhagen is a great city...you should give yourself another day to visit...the core is walkable...Tivoli is a must see....another day also gives you time to deal with jet lag

[rubydo]

We are taking flights the day before our cruise also, just to be on the safe side with airlines etc. To us it is worth the money for a hotel the night before just to give us peace of mind

Rubydo