teammelli8080

Hi all,

Have a sticky situation, wanted to see if anyone has any advice.

We're flying MRU-CDG-BUD next week. Originally, we were planning on checking luggage but realized that we have 7 hours in Paris and want to meet up with friends briefly. We would love to be able to (1) carry gifts in luggage for friends and (2) carry bulky winter clothes in luggage, but this would require us to ask at the MRU checkin to check our bags only to CDG and that we will recheck them for CDG-BUD. But I've heard that due to people buying fake 1-stop tickets and getting off at the midpoint, that airlines don't allow this and will force your bags to BUD directly. I've also heard that AF charges for this. Don't know if either is true.

What can I do? Can I request in MRU for bags to go to CDG first and that we would recheck them? If it makes any difference, the tickets were bought through a third-party site through Air Mauritius ticket # for flights operated by Air France (I believe this means we'll be dealing with Air France at the airports but Air Mauritius online before flights).

Thank you!

Goldorak

For the reasons you explained, you won't be able to check your bags just to CDG. You have nothing to loose to ask, but there is 99% chance that the answer is no. So I'm afraid you have no other choice to keep your presents with you in carry-on. The best is maybe to ask your friends to come to CDG and so you meet them landside?

MarLim

While I agree with you in general, I'd say with a 7 hours layover you have a valid reason to ask to get your bags. You could also buy things in Paris which you want to put into the bag. I never had a problem shortckecking to CDG with an overnight stay. I know that's not the same as a long stay during the day, but the time you stay in Paris does influence if you can shortcheck or not.

orbitmic

+1. Ask but expect a 'no'. Overnight stays are indeed different.

irishguy28

How bulky are the gifts?

Carry the gifts in your carry-on; fly in appropriate clothing for CDG/BUD and pack a sweater with the gifts in your carry-on and hand carry your winter coat.

A 7-hour stopover won't allow you to short-check luggage unless you meet an accommodating check-in agent.

olivedel

I had big issues to short-check a bag in BKK with an overnight layover, so while it does not hurt to try, I wish you good luck with that.

Xandrios

How about if you check 2 bags, and ask them to short-check one? That kind of 'proves' that you are not trying to trick the system, while still being able to check the gifts.

The main problem is that you will never know for sure until you are actually at the airport. Which makes it very difficult to pack in an efficient way..

teammelli8080

Thank you all for your very helpful replies!

Often1

This is the problem. Short-checking on a connection is not permitted other than overnight where it is not permitted. Thus, you must always plan on having the bags checked through and cannot know until check-in that you will be granted an exception.

brunos

And it depends on origin.
This is an Air Mauritius ticket. Check-in agents will probably be MK employees. MK might have some specific policy/tradition, even though this is operated by AF metal. They certainly can physically short check if they wish too.