Baggage transfer in MEL - United to Jetstar? Jetstar allowance?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 5
Baggage transfer in MEL - United to Jetstar? Jetstar allowance?
My family and I are moving to Adelaide (from Denver) for one year. Our flights are ticketed by United all the way there: DEN->LAX->MEL->ADL, with the last leg on Jetstar. As a Mileage Plus Gold member, all my family is entitled to 2 pieces of baggage free of charge. That's great.
I am worried about the transfer in MEL though. I understand our baggage are tagged all the way through, but it seems we'll still have to collect them when exiting the international terminal and then re-check them with Jetstar. Is that correct? If that's the case, could Jetstar charge us an arm and a leg for excess luggage on the last leg?
Can anyone share their experience connecting in MEL between United and Jetstar (on the same ticket)? Thanks in advance.
I am worried about the transfer in MEL though. I understand our baggage are tagged all the way through, but it seems we'll still have to collect them when exiting the international terminal and then re-check them with Jetstar. Is that correct? If that's the case, could Jetstar charge us an arm and a leg for excess luggage on the last leg?
Can anyone share their experience connecting in MEL between United and Jetstar (on the same ticket)? Thanks in advance.
#2
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Yes, you'll need to collect the bags when you go from Intl to domestic. If it's a single ticket then in theory Jetstar should honour the first carrier baggage policy. You might have to argue the point with them though; Depends entirely on who you get at the counter.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 5
Thanks for the reply, SeriouslyLost. I figured I could call upon the first carrier baggage policy and the fact that United and Jetstar are partner airlines. But this is still a bit daunting to just wait and see. I hate to imagine the scene at the counter. Did anyone out there actually go through that transfer? I imagine it's not that uncommon. Did you encounter any problems? Thanks!
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,017
As MEL is your entry into Australia you go through immigration, customs & quarantine.
Collect you baggage and go upstairs and to the left to the JQ check in area. A 3 minute walk.
United and Jestar are not partner airlines. Jetstar is a low cost carrier owned by Qantas.
UA is just being a travel agent in selling you a ticket to Adelaide.
UA Mileage Plus Gold member means absolutely nothing to JQ (or QF).
If UA have not bought you a fare with a bundle (baggage) you are out of luck.
Look at the www.jetstar.com web site and make a dummy booking.
Even if JQ accepts your checked baggage, you will be subject to the JQ carry on limits. These are a lot less than for USA based airlines
http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/plannin...hecked-baggage
http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/plannin...rry-on-baggage
Collect you baggage and go upstairs and to the left to the JQ check in area. A 3 minute walk.
United and Jestar are not partner airlines. Jetstar is a low cost carrier owned by Qantas.
UA is just being a travel agent in selling you a ticket to Adelaide.
UA Mileage Plus Gold member means absolutely nothing to JQ (or QF).
If UA have not bought you a fare with a bundle (baggage) you are out of luck.
Look at the www.jetstar.com web site and make a dummy booking.
Even if JQ accepts your checked baggage, you will be subject to the JQ carry on limits. These are a lot less than for USA based airlines
http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/plannin...hecked-baggage
http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/plannin...rry-on-baggage
Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 14, 2015 at 5:54 pm Reason: spelling
#5
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what Mwenenzi said.
There is zero co-operation between Jetstar and any other airline when it comes to any baggage or status benefits. The only thing Qantas elites get is lounge access before a Jetstar flight - nothing else.
There is zero co-operation between Jetstar and any other airline when it comes to any baggage or status benefits. The only thing Qantas elites get is lounge access before a Jetstar flight - nothing else.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 5
"If UA have not bought you a fare with a bundle (baggage) you are out of luck."
I checked again with United. They say they do have a baggage agreement in place and the baggage will be tagged all the way to ADL. So technically, we won't have to check our luggage again. On the Jetstar website, at least as far as baggage are concerned, there seems to be an agreement with United, see the list of partner airlines at the bottom of the page: http://www.jetstar.com/us/en/plannin...gage-transfers
This being said, my experience flying two separate airlines on the same ticket has been that I needed to get at least my boarding pass at one of the second airline counters or the gate. Often (but not always), they replace the tags on the luggage at the same time to use their own system... and that's where I am afraid things could get hairy.
I checked again with United. They say they do have a baggage agreement in place and the baggage will be tagged all the way to ADL. So technically, we won't have to check our luggage again. On the Jetstar website, at least as far as baggage are concerned, there seems to be an agreement with United, see the list of partner airlines at the bottom of the page: http://www.jetstar.com/us/en/plannin...gage-transfers
This being said, my experience flying two separate airlines on the same ticket has been that I needed to get at least my boarding pass at one of the second airline counters or the gate. Often (but not always), they replace the tags on the luggage at the same time to use their own system... and that's where I am afraid things could get hairy.
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,017
It may be tagged, but you will have to pick them up and drop off at JQ. They will check if you(UA) have paid for (23kg?) baggage as part of the ticket when you check in. And likely put a JQ tag on it. UA cannot check you into the JQ flight
From your JQ link
You are not connecting from an international JQ flight
You are putting too much faith & trust with UA
Here is Australia we know how they operate.
When are the flights?
After your trip please report back on how it went.
From your JQ link
Jetstar will transfer your baggage between:
Connecting international Jetstar flights and flights with our partner airlines, where both international flights were purchased on the same booking
Connecting international Jetstar flights and flights with our partner airlines, where both international flights were purchased on the same booking
You are putting too much faith & trust with UA
Here is Australia we know how they operate.
When are the flights?
After your trip please report back on how it went.
#8
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
The catch is that the page you reference is about JQ International connections to UA ... helpful if you were flying JQ to Bali or Singapore from MEL but not applicable to ADL unfortunately. So you will have to carry your bags to the JQ counter, meet their very strict cutoff time for baggage check-in, and argue about the entitled allowance. JQ is an LCC, so charging for baggage is a big part of their revenue. UA should have booked you on QF which would avoid this problem as QF will accept the IATA allowances. Presumably UA got a cheaper price from JQ than for QF MEL-ADL
#9
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Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 5
Will do, although it is safe to say that we will take some steps to reduce the amount of baggage we'll take with us. Our flight is on June 26th (in MEL). We know someone in MEL that might be able to drop by the Jetstar counter ahead of time and ask someone there... If worst comes to worst, is there a way to store luggage at the airport? Or some kind of forwarding service that would be cheaper than a ridiculous (per kg) charge. ADL is not too far from MEL.
#10
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Location: MEL CHC
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Would be best if you purchased a greater luggage allowance now. Costs a lot more at the airport.
MEL to ADL is a days drive.
You will not find a forwarding service at the airport passenger terminals
MEL to ADL is a days drive.
You will not find a forwarding service at the airport passenger terminals
#11
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Will do, although it is safe to say that we will take some steps to reduce the amount of baggage we'll take with us. Our flight is on June 26th (in MEL). We know someone in MEL that might be able to drop by the Jetstar counter ahead of time and ask someone there... If worst comes to worst, is there a way to store luggage at the airport? Or some kind of forwarding service that would be cheaper than a ridiculous (per kg) charge. ADL is not too far from MEL.
I'm not sure if there's any point sending out the family friend to MEL airport to check Jetstar baggage prices. You can find all the information you need on line... and parking is very expensive out there even for a short term park (less than an hour).
#13
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Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 5
A colleague of mine dropped by the Jetstar counter. The person at the counter went straight to the Jetstar confirmation number and stated what is allowed by the Jetstar fare (23kg per person in cargo / 7kg per person carry-on). So I guess we'll be traveling light. Still weird this disconnect between what United and Jetstar say. From my perspective, my booking was completely transparent to the Jetstar requirement... but we all know better of course.
#14
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A colleague of mine dropped by the Jetstar counter. The person at the counter went straight to the Jetstar confirmation number and stated what is allowed by the Jetstar fare (23kg per person in cargo / 7kg per person carry-on). So I guess we'll be traveling light. Still weird this disconnect between what United and Jetstar say. From my perspective, my booking was completely transparent to the Jetstar requirement... but we all know better of course.
Maybe they are carrying through some sort of allowance from UA... ie one piece at the international allowance (23kg)?
#15
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Or buy more via the JQ web site before check in: is cheaper than buying at the airport.
http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/plannin...hecked-baggage
JQ will enforce the check in baggage weight and may/may not strictly enforce the carry on weight.