David Farrell

Hi there!

First time poster, I've scoured the forums and there is a lot of really great information out there, I'm just still a little confused with this one aspect of Law 399.87

My issue is regarding the use of the word 'itinerary' in the law as it is stated below:
As found on page 59 of (I can't post the url because of my young account, pm me if you need the link, otherwise googling DOT 399.87 will bring it up)

In relation to my specific situation, I am travelling from MEL to AKL to HOU, then flying EWR to LAX to AKL to MEL. I purchased this all in one transaction as a return ticket with Air New Zealand, and I have an 'itinerary' with every flight listed on it. The EWR to LAX is run as a code share with United Airlines but every other flight is an Air New Zealand flight.

I am adding an extra piece of luggage (I am only entitled to one on my Air NZ flight but I need to take 2). When I called AirNZ to arrange this, they informed me that when I was flying out of EWR I would need to pay the UA baggage fee, and then informed me the law 399.87 applies to where the luggage is checked to (i.e. the first part of journey is treated separately to the second part).

But from my understanding the law states 'itinerary' and not 'checked point.' So it seems like my baggage fees should be set by the first marketing carrier, which in this case is AirNZ for my MEL to AKL leg.

Am I missing something? Just for reference, AirNZ charge AUD$26 for an extra bag, and UA charge USD$150.

Thanks!

obscure2k

Welcome to Flyertalk, David Farrellor
I am moving your query to the very friendly Air New Zealand Forum. Please follow there. (Airline Programs>Air New Zealand)
Thanks...
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

LyingFlat

NZ are 50/50 correct on this. The law refers to the ticketed allowance on the ticket. i.e. if the ticketed allowance is one piece, then the allowance for all flights is one piece.

However, pre-paid luggage is an NZ only product. Other airlines do not recognise it. Therefore, under US DOT, the standard airport excess luggage rates apply. This rate is based on the rate of the first marketing carrier on your ticket. This is where you were advised incorrectly. The excess luggage rate is not the UA rate, it is the NZ airport rate.

Trumpkin

Would this be different if the person is *G, with their frequent flier number on the booking, so they had a two bag allowance? Would the two bags then apply to the subsequent flights?

Often1

Again, not to over complicate this, but the DOT rule applies to the basic ticket allowance. Waivers for status, credit card holders and the like are not part of the DOT rule.

The sole question here is the allowance for the first segment. That is one bag and OP will have a one bag allowance for all subsequent segments. Whether he is entitled to any further waiver (not allowance) is dependent on a segment-by-segment analysis of the operating carrier's baggage policy.

Also, note that OP says that he purchased all of this in one transaction and has an itinerary. However, that does not answer the question of whether this is a single ticket.

cavemanzk

NZ's website will typically ticket you in two 'oneway bookings' for example MEL-EWR, and EWR-MEL. They will be under the same ticket number, but will technically be two trips for the way there system qoutes.

David Farrell

Hi there so I actually booked through flight365 and I confirmed with them today that all of my flights are actually on one ticket.

After speaking to more agents today, LyingFlat was correct, in that my ticket entitles me to one bag, and if I want to add on to that, that is a purchase that I make with the airline outside of my ticket. So I can purchase the first leg of my journey through airNZ as they operate all of the flights. However on the return journey, my first flight is with UA and I am unable to book extra luggage on that flight, so I have to pay the check-in desk price (USD$150), which is set by AirNZ as they are the marketing carrier for the first leg of my journey.

However, my second bag is actually an instrument and its total linear dimensions are 67 inches. Now I can go to the UA website and pull up my luggage allowances for my flight, and they stipulate: So this should mean that my luggage would fall into the AirNZ policies regarding instruments correct?

This instrument would be no extra charge under NZ policy, but $200 extra under UA policy.

codyc1515

The Air NZ terms and conditions for Prepaid Extra Bags is crystal clear on this (it's right at the top of the terms).

Now, assuming that this would not made clear to you when purchasing the additional bags I would definitely be raising a complaint with Air NZ. Otherwise, if you are still within 24-hours you should be able to cancel the ticket and rebook elsewhere.