Originally Posted by
Jorgen
Firstly, the AC site says "Skis and poles, snowboard or wakeboard must be packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping". But the vast majority of ski bags I've seen for sale (I don't own one yet) are padded rather than rigid. Will they have a problem if I show up with a padded, non-rigid ski bag?
This is a limitation of liability requirement. AC is recommending that you purchase a rigid container for your ski equipment. If the skis become damaged, this advisory will be used as reference to deny any damage claim.
That said, so long as you’re willing to take the risk of damage to the skis, AC will allow for them onboard.
Originally Posted by
Jorgen
Secondly, what's this I hear about needing to pre-register ski equipment? I'm looking to book as a United codeshare on AC metal (ZRH-YYZ-SFO), so how would I pre-register?
Contact AC reservations to get the ski equipment pre-registered. Alternately get the AC PNR from United Airlines assume this is booked on 016 ticket stock and then either attempt an online pre-registration or contact AC reservations to get the pre-registration done.
Originally Posted by
Jorgen
From what I've read in this thread, pre-registration only matters if you want to count your boots and skis as one "piece" of luggage. So if I'm *A Gold and getting three checked bags for free, I can just show up un-pre-registered with one ski bag, one boot bag, and one other bag, and check 'em all for free, right?
Failure to complete pre-registration will result in excess bag charges. While you have three piece limit from *G status, the sports equipment is in a separate class of bags and subject to excess charges (weight and or size of bag is nonconforming).
Skis and boots count as one piece of luggage (even if two physically separate pieces provided that they are the only bag contents. If you have other contents in the boot bag (e.g. snow pants, mitts, gloves, other clothes) the boot bag is separate and subject to excess bag fees (that said the boot bag would then be counted towards your 3 bag free limit).