Big4Flyer

Flying SMF-LAX-SYD on AA with a 8 hour layover at LAX, arriving 15:00 and leaving 23:00. Can our bags be checked through with an 8-hour layover, or i will we need to collect and re-check? We'll be flying with a total of 15 bags (5 people, moving to NZ, so no excess baggage fees), and would obviously prefer to check them through rather than needing to collect them and wait until T-4 hours to be able to check them in again. When I called AA I was told the check-in agent will be able to tell us at the airport, which isn't exactly ideal.

Yoshi212

Can they? technically yes. The system should be able to do so up to 10 bags per individual and since you said We I imagine you have more than one traveler. If they have issue they can try splitting the PNR if the system rejects over 10 bags per PNR vs per person.

That said, have you looked into shipping the bags via freight instead? It would get it to your final destination and avoid having to get it to and from the airports including whatever time you have in SYD along with not having to pay the excess baggage fees.

If they are checked through be sure to confirm with the gate agent, have your bag tax numbers, for your LAX-SYD flight that the bags are being loaded. Do this about 15-20 minutes before boarding is to begin. The app should be able to track this but with so many bags and such a large move it's good to confirm.

bo94114

For that amount of baggage, I would use Luggage Free or a similar service.

Big4Flyer

Yes, we're traveling with the allowed 2 free bags per person (5 travelers), so no worry about excess bag fees. We'll also be shipping other household items, but since those will be ship freight we're carrying with us just the things we'll need to for few months until they arrive.

We just want to make sure we don't have to collect and re-check our bags with such a long layover at LAX, since that would mean sitting landside with our bags for 4 hours until we can re-check them.

dc10forlife

In answer to the question, AA should check the bags through, assuming both flights are on the same reservation (PNR).

Yoshi212

If they can't rent the cheapest minivan or hotel room you can find. Or call a hotel and ask if you can pay for luggage storage. The H hotel has a free shuttle and is really closeby. With 8 hours it'd be good to get out of the airport for a little bit.

but 3 bags per person shouldn't be a problem.

Big4Flyer

Perfect, this is what we were hoping for. Is there a certain hour cutoff where they won't check bags through? I've heard of some who have overnight layovers who weren't able to check their bags through, just wanting to make sure this doesn't happen to us.

joeyE

jordyn

AA's general policy is that you can only check bags same day, so overnight would be a problem but long same-day connections are not. There's a few airports that only accept bags four hours in advance, but LAX is not one of them.

wrp96

As long as it is on one reservation, AA will check through on connections less than 12 hours. If it's on separate reservations, then no they won't check through.

mvoight

Why do they get 3 checked bag free each, if moving to NZ?

JDiver

Twelve hours. You’re safe as long as this is through ticketed on one PNR.

miamiflyer8

If OP is EXP or OWE then they get to check 3 bags at no charge.

I assume he says moving to NZ is the reason for so much luggage.

Big4Flyer

Thanks for confirming, I appreciate the help!