Originally Posted by
LIH Prem
I believe you are still quoting old rules before the DOT made changes to the rules this year.
Before the changes, you were spot on. Though Hawaiian seems to be doing it however they want to.
Some of the rules were delayed, but I'm not sure for how long. The main thing was that they expected all carriers to clearly display all baggage fees that pax would be liable for, regardless of codeshare operations, etc. Also, there were significant carrier rules that were in direct conflict with first carrier rules.
-David
I just went through the DOT's Federal Register posting of. The baggage rule. The implementation of "first carrier" determining baggage fees clearly is at each check-in of baggage. It basically says UA's policy would apply at a UA check-in counter, and a HA policy would apply at a Hawaiian counter. The rule prohibits, say, Hawaiian Air charging for the second leg of a UA to HA LAX/HNL/OGG trip. On the other hand, HA can apply their policy, collect $25 for a bag on the return trip. The UA elite status means nothing because Hawaiian policy does not recognize that status as a means of avoiding bag charges. People are looking at the rule and misinterpreting "itinieries" as meaning everything on their itinieries vs the DOT's use of "itinieries" as being a chain of flights/bag possession after check-in. Once the passenger receives his bag in Maui, the chain of possession is done. A new one starts at the next check-in. Collection of $25 by Hawaiian is certainly not contrary to the rule. According to the rule, the marketing carrier must disclose on the first page prices are presented a clear disclosure of any fees that may ultimately be due. Ponce has zero argument against HA, but may have a gripe w/ UA.