Originally Posted by
SoCal
... Each airline sets their own policies (e.g., US Airways and United, both in the Star Alliance, on flights between teh U.S. and Brazil). If flying, say, United to GRU and then TAM to BSB, and connecting directly, one does get United's international flight limits (though you may have to make this clear to the TAM rep at the transit desk at GRU). Yes, it can get confusing, but that's part of international travel. Imagine a Brazilian flying to the U.S. and facing having to pay for their first checked bag, regardless of weight. They might describe that as abnormal.
Part of the terms for IATA airline itineraries that include Brazil is that checked baggage limits are 32 kg/70lb. They do not regulate the number of bags, so nearly all airlines allow elite travelers 3 bags ( I know about AF, KL, EK, IB, BA, US, DL, AA, JJ, LA but not about any other carriers). I invariably do check three bags on my return trips, nested on the outbound.
It is important to note that for some airlines the Brazil maximum free bag allowance is also the airlines maximum acceptable bag weight. BA is notable, they have an automated system at LKR T5 that simply will not carry a bag that weighs more than 70lb. The system is not perfect; I once checked a bag at T5 that weighed roughly 80lb, although some members here insisted that was impossible due to the T5 conveyor system.
The best news for RTW people is that the 32kg applies to the entire itinerary wherever it goes. A RTW is a classic, and all you need is a stop in Brazil.