PM flying with friends - free bags / Amex question
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,158
A little clarification on the upgrade rules... if you have multiple non-status pax in your PNR then you will not be eligible for an upgrade. You and one companion in the same PNR can be upgraded.
Delta changed it so the upgrading is based on the status of primary pax... so if you as a PM have one companion then both of you will be upgraded according to your status.
Add a 3rd or more and its out the window however.
As others already said you can get the baggage waiver without being on the same PNR, you just have to check in at the airport.
If you're feeling generous you can book yourself and one companion and see if the two of you get upgraded. Worst case you'll both get C+. Rest of them will be in the back however.
Delta changed it so the upgrading is based on the status of primary pax... so if you as a PM have one companion then both of you will be upgraded according to your status.
Add a 3rd or more and its out the window however.
As others already said you can get the baggage waiver without being on the same PNR, you just have to check in at the airport.
If you're feeling generous you can book yourself and one companion and see if the two of you get upgraded. Worst case you'll both get C+. Rest of them will be in the back however.
#17
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
re #2, looks like for flights to/from USA the DOT rules can be slightly different (the first marketing carrier can decide if they want to use theirs or the MSC)
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...ine.Trips.html
scroll down to section on US DOT
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...ine.Trips.html
scroll down to section on US DOT
#18
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MSP Mainly
Programs: Delta PM & 2.4M+ Miles - Bonvoy - Lifetime Titanium - DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 267
Did Checked Luggage Policy Change using Companion Cert?
My wife has a Delta Plat AMEX card and she used her first companion cert. last week. She has no DL status and bought a pair of tickets using her cert. She then bought three other tickets (on her AMEX) for the other travelers on the same itinerary (MSP-RSW). The ticket agent "linked" the PNR's together for the purpose of all getting free checked luggage. The MSP-RSW leg, no issues, all five got their luggage checked at no cost. However, the RSW-MSP only my wife and flying companion got free checked luggage. The other three had to pay. Based on Widgets comments below (in bold green), they should have all been allowed free checked luggage. Just wondering what the policy is now. It appears someone did not follow the proper policy. She sent a note to the compliant dept on-line and is still awaiting a response. Thanks
Yes.
Here are several scenarios where companions on separate PNRs (but with completely identical flight itineraries) enjoy bag fee waivers:
Remember, for companions to be eligible for the bag fee waiver, they must be traveling with the eligible customer on the exact same flights to the same final destination. Their flying itinerary must be completely identical.
Processing bag fee waivers for companions in separate PNRs is very easy to do now. There are specific waiver codes in the bag drop software that exist precisely for these situations (Medallion and AMEX companions in separate PNRs).
It's understandable if some bag drop agents deny the fee waiver since the overall attitude is to usually charge for bags, but any agent who really looks into the policy internally will find specific phrasing that up to 8 companions in separate PNRs are eligible. Since I'm not allowed to say what the internal policy is, all I can recommend is to politely ask for a Red Coat. Most agents (including myself) love to reward politeness with exceeded expectations, so even if you're getting screwed by a bag drop agent, being polite could get you more than you expected After getting yelled at about seat changes or oversells, I love to go above and beyond for customers who have good reasons to be upset but still keep their cool.
Edit:
I also notice many, many Medallion customers who don't realize they're allowed 70 lbs per bag, not 50. When they get excited to see their bags at 49 lbs, I chuckle a little.
Medallion baggage allowances (and their 1-8 companions) for most domestic markets:
FO w/o AMEX: 1 bag, 70 lbs
FO w/ AMEX: 2 bags, 70 lbs
GM: 2 bags, 70 lbs
PM: 3 bags, 70 lbs
DM: 3 bags, 70 lbs
Here are several scenarios where companions on separate PNRs (but with completely identical flight itineraries) enjoy bag fee waivers:
- Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion customer traveling with up to 8 companions in separate PNRs all enjoy the Medallion customer's baggage allowance.
- Silver Medallion customer with Delta SkyMiles credit card from American Express traveling with up to 8 companions in separate PNRs all enjoy 2 free bags up to 70 pounds each.
- Silver Medallion customer without the credit card traveling with up to 8 companions in separate PNRs all enjoy first free bag up to 70 pounds each.
- General SkyMiles customer with Delta SkyMiles credit card from American Express traveling with up to 8 companions in separate PNRs all enjoy first free bag up to 50 pounds each.
Remember, for companions to be eligible for the bag fee waiver, they must be traveling with the eligible customer on the exact same flights to the same final destination. Their flying itinerary must be completely identical.
Processing bag fee waivers for companions in separate PNRs is very easy to do now. There are specific waiver codes in the bag drop software that exist precisely for these situations (Medallion and AMEX companions in separate PNRs).
It's understandable if some bag drop agents deny the fee waiver since the overall attitude is to usually charge for bags, but any agent who really looks into the policy internally will find specific phrasing that up to 8 companions in separate PNRs are eligible. Since I'm not allowed to say what the internal policy is, all I can recommend is to politely ask for a Red Coat. Most agents (including myself) love to reward politeness with exceeded expectations, so even if you're getting screwed by a bag drop agent, being polite could get you more than you expected After getting yelled at about seat changes or oversells, I love to go above and beyond for customers who have good reasons to be upset but still keep their cool.
Edit:
I also notice many, many Medallion customers who don't realize they're allowed 70 lbs per bag, not 50. When they get excited to see their bags at 49 lbs, I chuckle a little.
Medallion baggage allowances (and their 1-8 companions) for most domestic markets:
FO w/o AMEX: 1 bag, 70 lbs
FO w/ AMEX: 2 bags, 70 lbs
GM: 2 bags, 70 lbs
PM: 3 bags, 70 lbs
DM: 3 bags, 70 lbs
#19
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
My wife has a Delta Plat AMEX card and she used her first companion cert. last week. She has no DL status and bought a pair of tickets using her cert. She then bought three other tickets (on her AMEX) for the other travelers on the same itinerary (MSP-RSW). The ticket agent "linked" the PNR's together for the purpose of all getting free checked luggage. The MSP-RSW leg, no issues, all five got their luggage checked at no cost. However, the RSW-MSP only my wife and flying companion got free checked luggage. The other three had to pay. Based on Widgets comments below (in bold green), they should have all been allowed free checked luggage. Just wondering what the policy is now. It appears someone did not follow the proper policy. She sent a note to the compliant dept on-line and is still awaiting a response. Thanks
#20
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MSP Mainly
Programs: Delta PM & 2.4M+ Miles - Bonvoy - Lifetime Titanium - DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 267
He just told them in a "stern" voice that the other three had to pay for their bags since they were not on the same PNR and if they had an issue, file an on-line complaint - which she did. He did not want to have any further discussion, he wanted to "move on". She did get the agents name but she has not shared that hoping the on-line request will be resolved with a refund.
#21
Used to be FlyingMedallionDL
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: DL PM, Delta Reserve and 1.2 MM
Posts: 542
Look at the bag tags closely. You can see the agent's 2 character code followed by a forward slash and the origin airport 3-letter code. The agent's two character code can also be found on the bottom right of the boarding pass they print out for you. I use their two character code to complain. They have to use their own login and if they don't, I heard they can get in trouble.
So I always report agents with their code, time and location.
So I always report agents with their code, time and location.
#22
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MSP Mainly
Programs: Delta PM & 2.4M+ Miles - Bonvoy - Lifetime Titanium - DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 267
Yes, I see the code - I scanned all the docs and sent it with the complaint on Saturday - so far not a word back from DL, not even a thank you for the online complaint which I thought they confirmed.