USA to Madrid Luggage Immigration

Your a wealth of information and my hat off to you!!!

My question is about luggage...My wife and I are visiting Alicante in June.We fly from DFW to Chicago..Wait 2-1/2 hours then fly to Madrid..Wait 4 hours then connect to Alicante.Return trip is Alicante to Madrid. Wait 2 hours then connect to Washington DC/Dulles. Wait 3 hours and then return to Dallas.American/Iberia stated that luggage will be checked all the way to ALC Alicante. I am taking it that Spain will allow luggage to travel to final destination WHICH IS DIFFERENT than luggage coming into an United States point of entry where you go thru immigration, pick up your luggage, go thru customs and then re-check your luggage to final destination.Also, when leaving Alicante and arrival in Madrid do I need to get some type of exit stamp on my passport before boarding the plane to the United States.. Also, will luggage be checked all the way the Washington/Dulles airport or must I pick it up in Madrid and re-check to Washington.I am a little confused.

Thanking you in advance.Respectfully,Danny

My Reply...


Hi Danny,
Your luggage can be checked in for the whole journey IF the airlines have a reciprical agreement and I am sure that both Iberia and American Airlines have that agreement. Ditto for the return journey.
Exit stamps I am not so hot on BUT if you need one you will get one when you pass through the security checks at the airport. To clarify this there are not different passport controls or isles for people flying to the USA. Its the same queue as people flying to say the UK.
Hope this makes sense and that you have a great trip.
Regards
Gary