Jun 10, 2015, 2:33 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
How much am I allowed?
Can I check it through?
Im on award travel...
How long can my connection be to through check? Etc.
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016.
Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
EXCEPTION: "Customers traveling on separate tickets where one
segment is an award ticket and another has been purchased can
through-check bags. Travel must be on American or oneworld partners,
and not on partners outside the oneworld alliance (like Etihad or Air
Tahiti Nui). Tickets much be in the same reservation."
-Gary Leff, Boarding Area
Link to FT thread: Separate PNR: oneworld AA, protection, through baggage issues as of 2016
Q. Can I check my baggage through?
YES: Due to new rules instituted by oneworld in June, and by AA 1 September of 2016, baggage between the fifteen oneworld airlines on the same PNR are required be through-checked.
NO: However, if the trip is booked ticketed separately, or with non-one world partners, through checking by AA will not occur; baggage will have to be recovered at baggage carousels landside and rechecked at the next operating airline's counter (depending on your initial operating carrier's policies about through-checking on separate booking).
On U.S.A. domestic or regional travel, you will have to retrieve your baggage and re-check the following day if your stop is overnight, or recheck, if your connection is 12 hours or longer. On international travel with overnight connections under the same PNR, you often will be able to through check (as long as the new ticket conditions are met).
If you are flying AA and a non-oneworld partner on separate PNR / tickets, you will have to recover and recheck baggage, particularly on separate PNRs. If there is no interline agreement between the airlines (e.g. AA and Spirit, Southwest, etc.) you will certainly be required to do so.
See Multi-Reservation Through-Checking across oneworld no longer required
See Australian Business Traveller article. (Link)
Q. If I'm connecting using AA on a single PNR but have a stopover at my connecting airport, can I check through or recheck?
AA will generally not through check bags or allow you to recheck bags if your layover exceeds twelve hours.
Q. Which carrier's rules apply?
Note: Checked baggage allowances may vary by status, class of service, origin or/and destination, type of baggage. Some AA affiliated credit cards allow one free checked bag on domestic travel - some up to four or eight passengers on the same itinerary.
A. It depends. On separate PNRs AA will collect baggage fees due, and the other airlines will collect what is due under their baggage policies.
On through-checked baggage, USDOT regulations require the marketing carrier of the initial segment baggage rules apply to USA originating (or ending, iirc) flights. E.g. flying QF as an AA codeshare, or QF connecting from AA marketed by AA, AA rules would apply. These take precedent of IATA rules if travel begins (or ends) in the USA.
For IATA governed international itineraries, baggage rules of the Most Significant / Prevailing Carrier apply:
Q. Can I through check my baggage if I have an overnight stop?
That will probably depend on your first operating carrier. Some carriers have no problem with through checking bags if you're stopping overnight, e.g. Qatar Airways with an overnight in DOH, but AA uses a maximum of under 12 hours to determine whether you can through check or must recover bags on overnight stops. (However, ground agents may vary.)
Q. What are my AA and oneworld baggage allowances with [_______] status?
See here on aa.com for updates
A. Complimentary bags
In some cases, you won't have to pay the baggage fees for up to three 23 kg / 50 lb bags (32 kg / 70 lb some premium passengers). Find out if this applies to you. EXPs could have to three checked 32 kg / 70 lb bags.
1st checked bag is complimentary for:
1st and 2nd checked bags are complimentary for:
2nd and 3rd checked bags are complimentary for:
Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald are allowed one more checked bag:
*See AA reducing some checked baggage allowance tickets pchs on / after 29 Mar 2016
Note: on through baggage: oneworld policy no longer entitles checking baggage through when using oneworld flights when connecting on separetily ticketed segments. Only AA and MH will still through-check baggage with separate PNRS.
Q. Do I have extended baggage allowance as AAdvantage Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald? (Yes, as of 1 Feb 2013
A. All oneworld Emerald customers, including AAdvantage Executive Platinums, will be entitled to an extra bag.
See:Customer Planning Advisory
Subject . . . APS 13002 – Extra bag for oneworld Emerald
Date . . . . . . Effective: February 1st, 2013
Issued . . . . .January 31st, 2013
Overview . . .Extra bag for oneworld Emerald
. . . . . . . . . . To improve the travel experience for our top tier customers
. . . . . . . . . . we are pleased to offer all oneworld Emerald members
. . . . . . . . . . one extra bag in addition to their free allowance.
Detail. . . . . All oneworld Emerald customers, including AAdvantage
. . . . . . . . . . Executive Platinums, will be entitled to an extra bag.
. . . . . . . . . . Emeralds will have the following allowance:
. . . . . . . . . . First/Business 4 free pieces up to 70lbs (32kgs)
. . . . . . . . . . Main Cabin 3 free pieces up to 70lbs (32kgs)
. . . . . . . . . . This applies to both international and domestic travel
. . . . . . . . . . on/after 1st February.
Processing . Please override the excess baggage mask using the OT
. . . . . . . . . . code using the explanation Emerald. Automation for this
. . . . . . . . . . change will be in place later in the year.
<redacted issuing personnel>
Reference . . .APS13002
Q. How many bags can I check?
A. Check up to 10 bags if your trip is:
Check up to 5 bags if you’re traveling to / through / from:
*There are seasonal and year-round baggage embargoes and restrictions
Q. Can I "split" my allowance? E.g. can I split a 23 kg / 50 lb per bag allowance and check two bags weighing up to 23 kg / 50 lb together?
A. No. Per bag weight maxima or number of bags allowed can not be shared or split.
Q. What are my Overweight Baggage Charges?
A. aa.com: Oversize and overweight baggage
We’re pleased to say that your bag can weigh up to 70lbs./32kgs at no extra cost if you are:
If you are checking more than 3 bags charges will apply.*
Additionally:
Link to checked baggage policy
Link to oversized and overweight baggage policy AA has a "hard limit" of not accepting any baggage that exceeds 45 kg / 100 lb for check-in.
Q. Must I recover and re-check my bags arriving from another country?
A. If you are arriving in the U.S.A. from an international airport, it will depend:
1) If you check in at airports like AUH, DUB, YVR etc. where you process USCBP immigration and customs prior to boarding, your flight will arrive in the U.S. as a domestic flight. Your bag can be checked through (assuming other conditions mentioned above are met), you will be able to proceed to your next flight airside.
2) If you are otherwise arriving from an international airport, you will generally be required to pass USCBP immigration, recover your baggage at the indicated carousel and process through Customs. As you depart the Customs hall, you can re-check your baggage for your continuing flights prior to departing the airside part of arrivals. You will generally have to produce a valid boarding pass and pass through TSA Security to return airside to continue your travel.
3) DFW, MIA (only) in the USA allow through ("ITI") checking for certain passengers arriving internationally and departing on another international flight. This will result in an "ITI" (International to International) check with ITI sticker on your boarding pass, and baggage will not have to be collected and rechecked. ITI passengers may still be required to pass through immigration, exit through customs gate and pass back through security. See this FT thread.
Helpful resource links:
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016. Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
AA: American Airlines a Checked baggage policy (includes infant assistive and medical devices, mobility devices, pets and specialty sports items).
See No More Multi-Reservation Through-Checking across oneworld
See Change to through-checking Oct 2014 (interlining) baggage on separate tickets
oneworld: oneworld Extra baggage allowance (status / class of service)
Please see FT: EXP / Emerald extended baggage / luggage allowance 1 FEB 2013 (master thread) if you are AA Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald.
Link to archived thread with older posts.
Can I check it through?
Im on award travel...
How long can my connection be to through check? Etc.
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016.
Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
Code:
Through Checked Baggage Policy (AA, 1 Sep 2016) To align American Airlines (AA) with our oneworld partners and to reduce baggage mishandlings, we will now only through check customers and baggage when all the tickets are in the same PNR. Through check-in will be honored between the following carriers only:
- Code:
American Airlines and American Eagle
- Code:
oneworld airlines and affiliates
Code:
What if I have separate tickets in the same PNR for itineraries
with American to a non-oneworld carrier?
Our policy on American to non-oneworld airline tickets has not changed.
We will not through check customers or bags even if the tickets are in
the same PNR.
What would be the bag charges if the customer holds separate tickets
in separate PNRs?
American will not through check a customer’s bag, regardless if it is
a oneworld carrier. The customer will need to collect their bag at
the final destination on the AA ticket. They will pay for the bag on the
second ticket when they recheck it. This may involve exiting the secure
area, then claiming and re-checking the bags. The Minimum Connecting
Time (MCT) will usually not be sufficient when the customer has separate
tickets issued for each airline.
International flights will usually require claiming bags, clearing
customs and rechecking bags on another carrier to be continued to
their next destination.
What will customers be charged if we can through check the bag?
The charges would depend on what tickets the customer holds in the same PNR.
Do JetBlue (B6) and our other codeshare/interline partners count as affiliate airlines?
No, the oneworld affiliate airlines are generally the regional partners
of the other oneworld carriers. If a customer held an B6 ticket and an
AA ticket in the same PNR we would not through check the bag. They
would need to reclaim then recheck their bag with B6.
segment is an award ticket and another has been purchased can
through-check bags. Travel must be on American or oneworld partners,
and not on partners outside the oneworld alliance (like Etihad or Air
Tahiti Nui). Tickets much be in the same reservation."
-Gary Leff, Boarding Area
Link to FT thread: Separate PNR: oneworld AA, protection, through baggage issues as of 2016
Q. Can I check my baggage through?
YES: Due to new rules instituted by oneworld in June, and by AA 1 September of 2016, baggage between the fifteen oneworld airlines on the same PNR are required be through-checked.
NO: However, if the trip is booked ticketed separately, or with non-one world partners, through checking by AA will not occur; baggage will have to be recovered at baggage carousels landside and rechecked at the next operating airline's counter (depending on your initial operating carrier's policies about through-checking on separate booking).
On U.S.A. domestic or regional travel, you will have to retrieve your baggage and re-check the following day if your stop is overnight, or recheck, if your connection is 12 hours or longer. On international travel with overnight connections under the same PNR, you often will be able to through check (as long as the new ticket conditions are met).
If you are flying AA and a non-oneworld partner on separate PNR / tickets, you will have to recover and recheck baggage, particularly on separate PNRs. If there is no interline agreement between the airlines (e.g. AA and Spirit, Southwest, etc.) you will certainly be required to do so.
See Multi-Reservation Through-Checking across oneworld no longer required
See Australian Business Traveller article. (Link)
Q. If I'm connecting using AA on a single PNR but have a stopover at my connecting airport, can I check through or recheck?
AA will generally not through check bags or allow you to recheck bags if your layover exceeds twelve hours.
Q. Which carrier's rules apply?
Note: Checked baggage allowances may vary by status, class of service, origin or/and destination, type of baggage. Some AA affiliated credit cards allow one free checked bag on domestic travel - some up to four or eight passengers on the same itinerary.
A. It depends. On separate PNRs AA will collect baggage fees due, and the other airlines will collect what is due under their baggage policies.
On through-checked baggage, USDOT regulations require the marketing carrier of the initial segment baggage rules apply to USA originating (or ending, iirc) flights. E.g. flying QF as an AA codeshare, or QF connecting from AA marketed by AA, AA rules would apply. These take precedent of IATA rules if travel begins (or ends) in the USA.
For IATA governed international itineraries, baggage rules of the Most Significant / Prevailing Carrier apply:
In compliance with the new baggage policy issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), free baggage allowance and extra baggage charges for tickets issued on or after 1 April 2011 which involve one or more flights provided by other airlines will be based on a new method. If your journey includes connecting flights with more than one airline, the baggage allowances and fees of the airline that operates the longer leg of the itinerary (MDC) will apply throughout the itinerary. For example, if you fly a transpacific leg with one carrier and a domestic leg with another, the baggage allowances and fees of the carrier that operated the transpacific leg would apply to the whole journey, regardless of which carrier issued the ticket. (Language from Cathay Pacific.)
The Most Significant Marketing Carrier (MSC) is:
IATA divides Areas and sub-areas. For example:
Area: North America, Central and South America, Hawaii
Subareas:
Area: Europe, Middle East
Subareas:
Area: Asia, Guam, Southwest Pacific
Subareas:
The Most Significant Marketing Carrier (MSC) is:
- For travel between IATA areas: The first carrier flying in between two of the IATA areas
- For travel between IATA sub areas: The first carrier flying in between the sub areas
- For travel within an IATA sub area: The first carrier crossing an international border
IATA divides Areas and sub-areas. For example:
Area: North America, Central and South America, Hawaii
Subareas:
- Canada, Mexico
- Caribbean
- Central America
- South America
Area: Europe, Middle East
Subareas:
- Europe
- Middle East
- Africa
Area: Asia, Guam, Southwest Pacific
Subareas:
- Japan, Korea
- Southeast Asia
- South Asian Subcontinent / India
- Southwest Pacific
That will probably depend on your first operating carrier. Some carriers have no problem with through checking bags if you're stopping overnight, e.g. Qatar Airways with an overnight in DOH, but AA uses a maximum of under 12 hours to determine whether you can through check or must recover bags on overnight stops. (However, ground agents may vary.)
Q. What are my AA and oneworld baggage allowances with [_______] status?
See here on aa.com for updates
A. Complimentary bags
In some cases, you won't have to pay the baggage fees for up to three 23 kg / 50 lb bags (32 kg / 70 lb some premium passengers). Find out if this applies to you. EXPs could have to three checked 32 kg / 70 lb bags.
1st checked bag is complimentary for:
- Eligible AAdvantage® Aviator™ and Citi® / AAdvantage® cardmembers (on domestic American Airlines operated flights)
- AAdvantage Gold
- oneworld Ruby
- Alaska MVP members
1st and 2nd checked bags are complimentary for:
- Platinum
- oneworld Sapphire members
- Alaska Airlines MVP Gold (AS is a oneworld member now)
- Confirmed Business Class customers*
2nd and 3rd checked bags are complimentary for:
- Confirmed First Class customers on 3-cabin aircraft*
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum
- oneworld Emerald, including Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K
- Active U.S. military and/or dependents with ID traveling on orders (1st - 5th bags free of charge)
- Active U.S. military with ID on personal travel
Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald are allowed one more checked bag:
*See AA reducing some checked baggage allowance tickets pchs on / after 29 Mar 2016
Note: on through baggage: oneworld policy no longer entitles checking baggage through when using oneworld flights when connecting on separetily ticketed segments. Only AA and MH will still through-check baggage with separate PNRS.
Q. Do I have extended baggage allowance as AAdvantage Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald? (Yes, as of 1 Feb 2013
A. All oneworld Emerald customers, including AAdvantage Executive Platinums, will be entitled to an extra bag.
See:Customer Planning Advisory
Subject . . . APS 13002 – Extra bag for oneworld Emerald
Date . . . . . . Effective: February 1st, 2013
Issued . . . . .January 31st, 2013
Overview . . .Extra bag for oneworld Emerald
. . . . . . . . . . To improve the travel experience for our top tier customers
. . . . . . . . . . we are pleased to offer all oneworld Emerald members
. . . . . . . . . . one extra bag in addition to their free allowance.
Detail. . . . . All oneworld Emerald customers, including AAdvantage
. . . . . . . . . . Executive Platinums, will be entitled to an extra bag.
. . . . . . . . . . Emeralds will have the following allowance:
. . . . . . . . . . First/Business 4 free pieces up to 70lbs (32kgs)
. . . . . . . . . . Main Cabin 3 free pieces up to 70lbs (32kgs)
. . . . . . . . . . This applies to both international and domestic travel
. . . . . . . . . . on/after 1st February.
Processing . Please override the excess baggage mask using the OT
. . . . . . . . . . code using the explanation Emerald. Automation for this
. . . . . . . . . . change will be in place later in the year.
<redacted issuing personnel>
Reference . . .APS13002
Q. How many bags can I check?
A. Check up to 10 bags if your trip is:
- Domestic
- Transatlantic
- Transpacific
Check up to 5 bags if you’re traveling to / through / from:
- Mexico / Caribbean / Central America*See footnote
- South America*See footnote
*There are seasonal and year-round baggage embargoes and restrictions
Q. Can I "split" my allowance? E.g. can I split a 23 kg / 50 lb per bag allowance and check two bags weighing up to 23 kg / 50 lb together?
A. No. Per bag weight maxima or number of bags allowed can not be shared or split.
Q. What are my Overweight Baggage Charges?
A. aa.com: Oversize and overweight baggage
We’re pleased to say that your bag can weigh up to 70lbs./32kgs at no extra cost if you are:
- First Class
- Business Class
- Executive Platinum
- oneworld Emerald
If you are checking more than 3 bags charges will apply.*
Additionally:
Link to checked baggage policy
Link to oversized and overweight baggage policy AA has a "hard limit" of not accepting any baggage that exceeds 45 kg / 100 lb for check-in.
Q. Must I recover and re-check my bags arriving from another country?
A. If you are arriving in the U.S.A. from an international airport, it will depend:
1) If you check in at airports like AUH, DUB, YVR etc. where you process USCBP immigration and customs prior to boarding, your flight will arrive in the U.S. as a domestic flight. Your bag can be checked through (assuming other conditions mentioned above are met), you will be able to proceed to your next flight airside.
2) If you are otherwise arriving from an international airport, you will generally be required to pass USCBP immigration, recover your baggage at the indicated carousel and process through Customs. As you depart the Customs hall, you can re-check your baggage for your continuing flights prior to departing the airside part of arrivals. You will generally have to produce a valid boarding pass and pass through TSA Security to return airside to continue your travel.
3) DFW, MIA (only) in the USA allow through ("ITI") checking for certain passengers arriving internationally and departing on another international flight. This will result in an "ITI" (International to International) check with ITI sticker on your boarding pass, and baggage will not have to be collected and rechecked. ITI passengers may still be required to pass through immigration, exit through customs gate and pass back through security. See this FT thread.
Helpful resource links:
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016. Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
AA: American Airlines a Checked baggage policy (includes infant assistive and medical devices, mobility devices, pets and specialty sports items).
See No More Multi-Reservation Through-Checking across oneworld
See Change to through-checking Oct 2014 (interlining) baggage on separate tickets
oneworld: oneworld Extra baggage allowance (status / class of service)
Please see FT: EXP / Emerald extended baggage / luggage allowance 1 FEB 2013 (master thread) if you are AA Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald.
Link to archived thread with older posts.
FAQ: Baggage / Luggage Rules, Allowance, Through-check on AA & Other Airlines
Jul 11, 2019, 9:55 am
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
My spouse has lifetime Gold status with AA. We both have always been able to each check a bag for free. Our next flight will be for with our family, 6 people total (not all the same last names) to the Caribbean. If we're all on the same confirmation will we be able to each check 1 bag even if we're all in Coach ?
Adding...my spouse is the one with Lifetime Gold but we're planning to use Advantage Miles only out of my account.
Thank you.
Adding...my spouse is the one with Lifetime Gold but we're planning to use Advantage Miles only out of my account.
Thank you.
Aug 3, 2019, 8:05 am
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
Receipt Bag allowance different from Checkin
Just checked in on a ticket bought in US for travel YYZ-BKK going YYZ-ORD-HEL-BKK RT in J. All coded AY except for YYZ-ORD. Ticket issued by AY. Receipt says 3PC. Upon checkin I was told I only get two pieces. I showed my receipt. They simply didn't care. I asked for stationamager,his response, anyone could type this up, calling me a liar. Flat out didn't care, what the system says is what we go by. Told me to call reservations, who of course cant do anything. I was forced to pay fee. Plan on disputing charge if AA CS on Monday refuses to refund.
Aug 3, 2019, 8:23 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,593
Just checked in on a ticket bought in US for travel YYZ-BKK going YYZ-ORD-HEL-BKK RT in J. All coded AY except for YYZ-ORD. Ticket issued by AY. Receipt says 3PC. Upon checkin I was told I only get two pieces. I showed my receipt. They simply didn't care. I asked for stationamager,his response, anyone could type this up, calling me a liar. Flat out didn't care, what the system says is what we go by. Told me to call reservations, who of course cant do anything. I was forced to pay fee. Plan on disputing charge if AA CS on Monday refuses to refund.
Your issue might be with Finnair: their baggage calculator says North America to Asia in J gets two pieces, not three:
https://www.finnair.com/us/gb/inform...#otherAirlines
Not sure why your e-ticket receipt said otherwise, but AA might be bound by what the receipt says.
To avoid a claim of "anybody could have typed this up," I would have shown the station manager the email you received with the receipt showing baggage allowance.
Good luck!
Aug 3, 2019, 8:51 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
Your issue might be with Finnair: their baggage calculator says North America to Asia in J gets two pieces, not three:
https://www.finnair.com/us/gb/inform...#otherAirlines
Not sure why your e-ticket receipt said otherwise, but AA might be bound by what the receipt says.
To avoid a claim of "anybody could have typed this up," I would have shown the station manager the email you received with the receipt showing baggage allowance.
Good luck!
Your issue might be with Finnair: their baggage calculator says North America to Asia in J gets two pieces, not three:
https://www.finnair.com/us/gb/inform...#otherAirlines
Not sure why your e-ticket receipt said otherwise, but AA might be bound by what the receipt says.
To avoid a claim of "anybody could have typed this up," I would have shown the station manager the email you received with the receipt showing baggage allowance.
Good luck!
Aug 3, 2019, 9:28 am
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
Aug 3, 2019, 9:54 am
#98
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
The problem is that for this flight the baggage rule may be based on AA since AA is the marketing carrier for the first segment. If OP were not OWE/EXP, then AA's policy is 2 bags free (regardless of OWS/OWR), while AY's policy looks like an additional pc free for elite (thus 3pc)
If OP is indeed AA EXP as his profile shows, then it doesn't matter whose policy AA follows. He is always granted 3pc when traveling in J. Don't argue too much with the airport agent and just ask for a refund for any baggage fee paid in this case
If OP is indeed AA EXP as his profile shows, then it doesn't matter whose policy AA follows. He is always granted 3pc when traveling in J. Don't argue too much with the airport agent and just ask for a refund for any baggage fee paid in this case
Aug 3, 2019, 10:51 am
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
The problem is that for this flight the baggage rule may be based on AA since AA is the marketing carrier for the first segment. If OP were not OWE/EXP, then AA's policy is 2 bags free (regardless of OWS/OWR), while AY's policy looks like an additional pc free for elite (thus 3pc)
If OP is indeed AA EXP as his profile shows, then it doesn't matter whose policy AA follows. He is always granted 3pc when traveling in J. Don't argue too much with the airport agent and just ask for a refund for any baggage fee paid in this case
If OP is indeed AA EXP as his profile shows, then it doesn't matter whose policy AA follows. He is always granted 3pc when traveling in J. Don't argue too much with the airport agent and just ask for a refund for any baggage fee paid in this case
I've done some research and it appears that AY elites get an extra piece on AY flights. Thus 2PC for J plus one 1 as AY Silver. However AY is apparently incorrectly determining I should get three as the first flight is on AA (marketing doesn't matter, the extra piece is for AY operated flights).
Regardless, the ticket was sold to me as 3PC, and my receipt shows 3PC. Which as ticket was sold to me in US and that AA is a US carrier means that the receipt governs. Even AA Platnium Pro agents confirmed with OW desk that what the receipt says is what governs. However the only person that can waive the fee is the duty manager and he just doesnt give a hoot. In fact if wasnt for his attitude I'd have just written off the whole issue.
Aug 3, 2019, 12:53 pm
#100
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
I'm in process of switching from AA to AY status. My AA status is only Platinum Pro. AY is Silver, and will be AY Plat be end of this trip due to decreased requirements that AY has given since I'm switching.
I've done some research and it appears that AY elites get an extra piece on AY flights. Thus 2PC for J plus one 1 as AY Silver. However AY is apparently incorrectly determining I should get three as the first flight is on AA (marketing doesn't matter, the extra piece is for AY operated flights).
Regardless, the ticket was sold to me as 3PC, and my receipt shows 3PC. Which as ticket was sold to me in US and that AA is a US carrier means that the receipt governs. Even AA Platnium Pro agents confirmed with OW desk that what the receipt says is what governs. However the only person that can waive the fee is the duty manager and he just doesnt give a hoot. In fact if wasnt for his attitude I'd have just written off the whole issue.
I've done some research and it appears that AY elites get an extra piece on AY flights. Thus 2PC for J plus one 1 as AY Silver. However AY is apparently incorrectly determining I should get three as the first flight is on AA (marketing doesn't matter, the extra piece is for AY operated flights).
Regardless, the ticket was sold to me as 3PC, and my receipt shows 3PC. Which as ticket was sold to me in US and that AA is a US carrier means that the receipt governs. Even AA Platnium Pro agents confirmed with OW desk that what the receipt says is what governs. However the only person that can waive the fee is the duty manager and he just doesnt give a hoot. In fact if wasnt for his attitude I'd have just written off the whole issue.
Since the trip starts in Canada, the US DoT rules prevail, so that the first marketing carrier determines what rules to use. AA's policy is to enforce its own rules regardless of who is the MSC. So the station manager is right in that you are only entitled to 2 free checked bags (as per AA policy). If you had purchased an AY*AA flight, then AY's rules will prevail (but it is still fuzzy whether it is just AY's regular baggage rules, or does AY's additional allowance for elites also apply). AS and B6 are better in this sense that their policy is to use MSC of the itinerary, and they have no problem checking 3 bags for me when I am connecting to CX (when I show them my credentials with Cathay).
However, since the receipt shows 3pc for all segments (how I love Amadeus's receipt of clearing showing baggage allowances!), I would go to AA refund and request a refund for the baggage fee paid. You baggage receipt/credit card statement would show a AA ticket number for the baggage purchase and I think that can get you through prefunds.aa.com
Aug 3, 2019, 1:26 pm
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
A much better (nicer) manager at YYZ helped out. He agreed I shouldn't have been charged. However as the agent wasnt there any longer he couldn't void it out. He did put in a request for a refund and agreed the manager this morning was wrong to not follow what was on the receipt.
AY agreed the error was on their part. However they were upset that AA agent and manager didn't follow procedure and waive fee. Apparently the error comes in on certain itineraries where the passenger has AY elite status and the first segment is sold as operating carrier instead of AY codeshare. He said their system correctly determined 3PC for my ORD-HEL and HEL-BKK flights as they're on AY. However their system errored out determining the allowance for YYZ-ORD as it was booked with AA, not AY code. (If I pull it up in AY app, it does in fact show unknown as the allowance for AA3080) Since they're required to list the allowance on the receipt, the receipt defaulted to the allowance for ORD-HEL. If it had booked with AY code it would've correctly determined 2PC as allowance since flight wasnt AY operated.
AY agreed the error was on their part. However they were upset that AA agent and manager didn't follow procedure and waive fee. Apparently the error comes in on certain itineraries where the passenger has AY elite status and the first segment is sold as operating carrier instead of AY codeshare. He said their system correctly determined 3PC for my ORD-HEL and HEL-BKK flights as they're on AY. However their system errored out determining the allowance for YYZ-ORD as it was booked with AA, not AY code. (If I pull it up in AY app, it does in fact show unknown as the allowance for AA3080) Since they're required to list the allowance on the receipt, the receipt defaulted to the allowance for ORD-HEL. If it had booked with AY code it would've correctly determined 2PC as allowance since flight wasnt AY operated.
Aug 3, 2019, 11:52 pm
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Why would US DOT rules apply for a trip originating in Canada? Wouldn't Canadian rules prevail?
Aug 10, 2019, 4:49 am
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
Update - Called AA next day. Agent put in request for refund, refund issued yesterday. Agent apologized for the whole ordeal. Wish everything else with AA was as easy as this refund was.
Aug 21, 2019, 6:43 pm
#104
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 46
Flying From SCU (Cuba) to BOS through MIA, all on AA metal and codes. According to the AA website, checked bags from Cuba to the US are free, up to 3 per person.
Does that mean that I will not have to pay anything for my checked bag? Or will I have to pay the 30$ per bag for the domestic MIA-BOS segment?
This seems like an obvious FAQ, but I can't for the life of me find this information on the AA website. Perhaps someone here could direct me to it?
Does that mean that I will not have to pay anything for my checked bag? Or will I have to pay the 30$ per bag for the domestic MIA-BOS segment?
This seems like an obvious FAQ, but I can't for the life of me find this information on the AA website. Perhaps someone here could direct me to it?
Aug 21, 2019, 7:14 pm
#105
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,606
Flying From SCU (Cuba) to BOS through MIA, all on AA metal and codes. According to the AA website, checked bags from Cuba to the US are free, up to 3 per person.
Does that mean that I will not have to pay anything for my checked bag? Or will I have to pay the 30$ per bag for the domestic MIA-BOS segment?
This seems like an obvious FAQ, but I can't for the life of me find this information on the AA website. Perhaps someone here could direct me to it?
Does that mean that I will not have to pay anything for my checked bag? Or will I have to pay the 30$ per bag for the domestic MIA-BOS segment?
This seems like an obvious FAQ, but I can't for the life of me find this information on the AA website. Perhaps someone here could direct me to it?
If the former, then the Cuba-US allowance applies all the way to Boston ; if the latter, there will be no allowance for MIA-BOS
The website does not show 3 bags as being Free. Cuba allowance is
Round-trip from Cuba
Round-trips originating in Cuba to the U.S. or Canada:
Standard-sized 1st and 2nd bags are free when departing Cuba
Standard-sized 1st bag is free and 2nd bag fee applies when returning back to Cuba
One-way from Cuba
Standard-sized 1st and 2nd bags are free when departing Cuba
Also the cost per bag ( with 3 bags ) if you are on separate tickets, would not be $30 per bag , but $30 for 1st, $40 for 2nd and $150 for 3rd