Hidden City Ticketing in Europe and Suitcases

[Agoldsc1]

I have a flight on TAP from NYC to FRA with a connection on LIS. Due to the recent terrorism in Germany, I (aka my wife) have decided to switch my trip to Geneva, Switzerland. Instead of taking an 8 hour train from Frankfurt to Geneva, I would rather just book a ticket from LIS to GVA, thereby creating a hidden city ticket (although that was not my original intention).

I know that in the USA, all suitcases from international flights are unloaded and claimed at the first point of arrival, and then re-checked onto any connecting flights. Is that also the case in Europe? If not, and if I book the new ticket on TAP as well, would I be able to ask that the suitcases be checked directly to GVA, or at least unloaded at LIS?

And I already tried calling TAP, but I couldn't even get a rep on the phone. An automated message literally told me that they are too busy now, and that I should call back later. I read that TAP is pretty bad airline, but I hope that this experience is not a harbinger of what is to come.

Thanks for any help and suggestions!!

[cardkid]

Flying with the EU is similar to flying domestically in the U.S., so yes you're bag will be thorough checked unless you're able to get an agent to do otherwise.

[BBPAPA]

I have a flight on TAP from NYC to FRA with a connection on LIS. Due to the recent terrorism in Germany, I (aka my wife) have decided to switch my trip to Geneva, Switzerland. Instead of taking an 8 hour train from Frankfurt to Geneva, I would rather just book a ticket from LIS to GVA, thereby creating a hidden city ticket (although that was not my original intention).

I know that in the USA, all suitcases from international flights are unloaded and claimed at the first point of arrival, and then re-checked onto any connecting flights. Is that also the case in Europe? If not, and if I book the new ticket on TAP as well, would I be able to ask that the suitcases be checked directly to GVA, or at least unloaded at LIS?

And I already tried calling TAP, but I couldn't even get a rep on the phone. An automated message literally told me that they are too busy now, and that I should call back later. I read that TAP is pretty bad airline, but I hope that this experience is not a harbinger of what is to come.

Thanks for any help and suggestions!!

Similar question regarding luggage:
AF JFK to CDG RT and   AF CDG to TLV RT were booked as 2 different AF reservations on priceline

The flight from TLV to CDG has a 1:50 stopover in CDG before continuing onto to JFK.

In TLV, will AF tag your bag to JFK or do you have to claim your bag at CDG to get it to JFK?
If so, is 1:50 enough time to do that?
Please advise as I can still cancel this reservation today.

[travel agent]

if you show them both tickets, they should be able to check it all the way.

but why did you book that way & not in 1 ticket, is it much cheaper?

[BBPAPA]

Saved $100 on the ticket.

There was a DDMS post yesterday about this.
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/98955

It's wasn't the cheapest way to TLV but we wanted a long layover in Paris (17hrs)
for a one day trip.

[shimino1]

if you show them both tickets, they should be able to check it all the way.

Not always.

Had the same situation LON-BER, BER-TLV both on AB where the check-in agent couldn't check the luggage all the way through and we had to collect and recheck.
Was probably since the 2nd flight was to TLV and security wants to go through everything with a fine toothed comb. From TLV will probably be easier.

[EJB]

Not always.

Had the same situation LON-BER, BER-TLV both on AB where the check-in agent couldn't check the luggage all the way through and we had to collect and recheck.
Was probably since the 2nd flight was to TLV and security wants to go through everything with a fine toothed comb. From TLV will probably be easier.

OW's official policy is airlines only need to through check when on same PNR. Many OW carreirs (including AA, BA, CX) have been strict about this lately. But I've gotten AB to through check.

[yochai]

I have a united ticket ewr-lhr-dus, any way to get my bags in lhr?