Originally Posted by
aisleorwindow
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?
correct - UA can not see payment method on tickets issued by a TA or other carrier. Not correct that this would be a great angle For you, as they don’t care.
i vaguely remember a thread a while ago - maybe a year or two ago - where someone tried to argue that they should have gotten a free bag because they paid with an explorer card but I believe it was through a rewards portal, and so UA didn’t know it was paid that way. And still, no free bag.
rumor is paying an ancillary fee on UAs website with the card will trigger a bag fee waiver that the card has - economy plus, upgrade buyup, etc. so that is an option - will likely be as much/more than a bag fee, but you’d get something else if value, at least, as well.