Check bags 4+ hrs before departure?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 561
Check bags 4+ hrs before departure?
Hi all! Have an AS flight next week and probably will be at the airport about 6 hours before departure time. I know AS policy is to accept checked bags 4 hours prior, but is there any chance they can accept them earlier? This way I can pass security and sit in a lounge instead of waiting outside.
It’s a late night flight so I’m sure the counters are open, so I’m only wondering if the system would allow agents to do so. If not, I might need to try not go to the airport too early.
Thanks in advance for any input!
It’s a late night flight so I’m sure the counters are open, so I’m only wondering if the system would allow agents to do so. If not, I might need to try not go to the airport too early.
Thanks in advance for any input!
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,356
two agents at SEA said “NO” a couple months ago (routing was SEA-SAN-BWI) ... but I was able to talk the second one into letting me SDC to an earlier SEA-SAN, check bags thru to BWI, and then SDC back to my original flight
#4
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
FWIW: Last year I tried to check a bag at SEA about 4 hours and 15 minutes before the flight and the nice agent suggested I wait until the 4 hour mark. She said that something happens at the 4 hour mark that makes it more likely my bag would get to the proper destination at the proper time. Maybe a batch is opened at that time? Wish I could remember the exact words but I can't. In any case I waited to check.
On the other hand we got to HNL really early one time and the agent had no problem checking the bags before the 4 hour mark. She said it wasn't a problem.
If someone understands the mechanics of all this please share.
On the other hand we got to HNL really early one time and the agent had no problem checking the bags before the 4 hour mark. She said it wasn't a problem.
If someone understands the mechanics of all this please share.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 55
My understanding is you can pay extra to check bags earlier than 4-hours curbside at SEA, if you're willing to pay the premium for curbside service. I could be remembering that wrong, though, so you may want to confirm before counting on it.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 561
Thanks for all the answers! Looks like another highly YMMV situation. I am flying from HNL, so only positive DP coming from this airport is pretty comforting. Anyway, successful or not, I'll report back if the counter agent can share more insight on this when I go.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AS, AA, BA, SQ
Posts: 164
If flying from HNL there may not be an agent there to accept your bags more than 4 hours before departure. If there is, and the kiosks there print bag tags, tag it yourself and take it through the bag drop line. From my (one and only experience) trying to check a bag early, the kiosk will print tags before the 4 hour mark, but the tag must be activated by an agent. If they don’t but agents are working, you can always try saying you want a couple extra hours of vacation and agree to release them from delivery fees or delayed bag claims if the bag doesn’t make the flight.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AS, AA, BA, SQ
Posts: 164
FWIW: Last year I tried to check a bag at SEA about 4 hours and 15 minutes before the flight and the nice agent suggested I wait until the 4 hour mark. She said that something happens at the 4 hour mark that makes it more likely my bag would get to the proper destination at the proper time. Maybe a batch is opened at that time? Wish I could remember the exact words but I can't. In any case I waited to check.
On the other hand we got to HNL really early one time and the agent had no problem checking the bags before the 4 hour mark. She said it wasn't a problem.
If someone understands the mechanics of all this please share.
On the other hand we got to HNL really early one time and the agent had no problem checking the bags before the 4 hour mark. She said it wasn't a problem.
If someone understands the mechanics of all this please share.
Also sometimes the 4 hour rule is in place because check-in staff don’t arrive until 4 hours to departure which I learned the hard way in YVR.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 561
I'm pretty sure it will be open because there's another flight 2 hours before mine. I also learned this the hard way once at DFW when there's no one at the counter 4.5 hours prior, so this time I checked flight schedules to make sure this's at least a possibility.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,828
They seem to open 2 hours before the first flight which fits with my memory of 10am. Since there is another flight 2hrs before the OP’s flight, it shouldn't be a problem. If s/he was on the first flight, 2 hours prior would be the earliest. Whether they will enforce the 4 hours prior rule for the OP is the unknown.
USDA inspection stations are located in front of the airline check-in counters. USDA inspection stations usually open at the same time as the airline check-in counters (generally two hours prior to a flight). You must go through the inspection station that is located in front of your airline check-in counter.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,067
I'm curious why there are so many data points with agents. Does self-tag reject it? Or are they rejecting an already tagged bag? That's kind of ridiculous.
I saw them bend the rules for someone at SFO the other day. She was 4.5 hours early.
Tipped employees often have incentive to bend the rules in the customer's favor.
I saw them bend the rules for someone at SFO the other day. She was 4.5 hours early.
Tipped employees often have incentive to bend the rules in the customer's favor.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,356