Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA - Jetblue codeshare baggage allowance

Hi all,

I will be taking an SAA flight from JFK to JNB and on to CPT for the Christmas holidays, but with an initial codeshare with Jetblue out of Boston. My ticket says 2 bags (SAA policy to and from USA), but of course Jetblue allows only one free bag. I suspect this being a problem departing from Boston. I called Jetblue and the agent told me I would be allowed only one bag free. I'm not satisfied though.

To make matters worse, I just got CO gold and was hoping to make use of my extra free bag on *A carriers for a total of 3. Coming back to the US, this will probably be easy to do.

Has anybody done a SAA - Jetblue codeshare to share the experience?

Will I get two bags from BOS to JFK on my Jetblue segment?

Thanks,

If your flights between BOS and JFK on JetBlue are booked as an SA code share flight (i.e. SA 7XXX BOS-JFK) then the SA baggage allowance of 2 bags at 50 lbs each applies to the itinerary. Only if you are booked with separate tickets on JetBlue or SAA would the individual baggage policies for each carrier would apply. For further clarification, you should contact SAA Reservations in the U.S. and they can look at your reservation and provide the correct information.

For further clarification, you should contact SAA Reservations in the U.S. and they can look at your reservation and provide the correct information.

SAA reservations opinions do NOT matter in this case. Calling them is wasting time. In my experience, I have been told different on the phone than applied at the airport 50% of the time on multi-airline itineraries. Any answer not in writing does not matter and an answer in writing from SAA doesn’t help as B6 would be the one charging for the bag.

What matters is JetBlue policy and how the JetBlue check in agents in Boston understand and interpret their airline's policy. One strategy is to keep emailing JetBlue until someone gives you an answer you like, print that answer, and bring it with you to the airport when you fly. You should try to get two free bags - not three from JetBlue; I have never seen a non-alliance airline give an extra bag based on status in the alliance of the continuing airline.

In my experience with multi-airline itineraries, what code the domestic flight was booked under (B6 or SA in this case) does not matter. If it is one single e-ticket for the entire journey, the same baggage policy will apply regardless of ticketed flight number.

SAA reservations opinions do NOT matter in this case. Calling them is wasting time. In my experience, I have been told different on the phone than applied at the airport 50% of the time on multi-airline itineraries. Any answer not in writing does not matter and an answer in writing from SAA doesn’t help as B6 would be the one charging for the bag.

What matters is JetBlue policy and how the JetBlue check in agents in Boston understand and interpret their airline's policy. One strategy is to keep emailing JetBlue until someone gives you an answer you like, print that answer, and bring it with you to the airport when you fly. You should try to get two free bags - not three from JetBlue; I have never seen a non-alliance airline give an extra bag based on status in the alliance of the continuing airline.

In my experience with multi-airline itineraries, what code the domestic flight was booked under (B6 or SA in this case) does not matter. If it is one single e-ticket for the entire journey, the same baggage policy will apply regardless of ticketed flight number.

As stated in my original message, if your flight / ticket is issued as an SA code-share flight from JFK to BOS on JetBlue, then you are permitted two pieces at 50lbs. each. Both SA & JetBlue are well aware of this policy since they have had an interline agreement for almost 2 years and a code share relationship for almost a year. When you check-in in BOS and if the agent does not allow you to check 2 pieces free, then ask to speak with a supervisor. BOS is one of SAA's largest code share markets with JetBlue, so their staff should be well aware of the baggage policy by now.

As stated in my original message, if your flight / ticket is issued as an SA code-share flight from JFK to BOS on JetBlue, then you are permitted two pieces at 50lbs. each.

Me thinks you lack much real life experience checking in as a passenger in this type of scenario. ;)

me thinks you lack much real life experience checking in as a passenger in this type of scenario. ;)

highly unlikely !!!

Thank you both for the replies. As it turns out the JetBlue agent checked my two bags without further question.

I had called SA and their call centre agent confirmed that this would be the case and that upon my return I could check in 3 bags with my *Gold allowance as I would be checking in with SA.

From sunny South Africa,

Cheers,

Thank you both for the replies. As it turns out the JetBlue agent checked my two bags without further question.

I had called SA and their call centre agent confirmed that this would be the case and that upon my return I could check in 3 bags with my *Gold allowance as I would be checking in with SA.

From sunny South Africa,

Cheers,

Enjoy your trip!