Originally Posted by
atword
Short answer is probably low chance of free checked bags but YMMV. A nice agent may make an exception if you show the card. This happened to me a few years ago on US Airways but that was a different time and different airline.
You said you have no UA status but do you have LH status? That could help.
If at least one bag is close to carry-on size you may be able to check it at the gate. You are likely in a later boarding group so they will make an announcement about overhead bins being full and complimentary checking of the bag to your destination.
That's pretty much what I assumed, but I thought the one possible angle would be that UA can't see the payment method when the flight is ticketed by another carrier. Not sure if that's true or not.
Unfortunately, I have no status with either UA or LH and the bags will be too big to get to the gate (ski equipment).
Anyone had success getting baggage allowance by showing their card at check-in?