Originally Posted by
jsloan
I don't think so. The 4-hour rule has to do with the way fares are calculated. It has nothing to do with the way bags are checked. Neither does booking it aa "multi-city," which just controls inventory.
Any transfer that is not either (a) overnight or (b) more than 12 hours long will result in the bag being checked through, unless you are returning to the departure city that same day, in which case UA will pick a destination for you. I believe they use the longest stop.
... .
The full rule states
You'll need to go to baggage claim and re-check your bags if:
- You chose to have a layover
- You make a connection that involves an overnight stay
- Your connecting flight departs more than 12 hours after you arrive at the airport
- You’re connecting to an itinerary booked on a separate ticket that doesn't include a Star Alliance™ partner airline
- You’re traveling internationally and connecting to a domestic flight within your destination country
Having a greater than 4 hour break between flights should. per UA's CoC.
For Domestic flights, a Stopover will also occur when a Passenger arrives at a point and fails to depart from such point on:
The first flight on which space is available; or
The flight that will provide for the Passenger’s earliest arrival at intermediate or junction transfer point(s) or destination point, via the carrier and class of service as shown on the Passenger’s Ticket; provided, however, that in no event will a Stopover occur when the Passenger departs from the intermediate/junction point on a flight shown in the carrier’s official general schedule as departing within four hours after arrival at such point.
So a little more complicated than just 4 hours