AA to UA - bag recovery and claim question
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
AA to UA - bag recovery and claim question
I was flying xxx-DCA-CLT. Flight into DCA is delayed due to WX, then on arriving in DCA, no gate followed by 20 minutes at a gate where the ramp agent appears to have not known how to operate the jetway. Long story short, operational comedyshow leads to a missed flight.
AA rebooks me IAD-CLT (awesome service recovery ^) on UA.
I called AA to schedule them delivering my bag in CLT, as DCA couldn't get it to me. They told me that I need to file a delayed bag claim with UA. I'm not sure how this makes sense as UA never received the bag at any airport. Is this right?
AA rebooks me IAD-CLT (awesome service recovery ^) on UA.
I called AA to schedule them delivering my bag in CLT, as DCA couldn't get it to me. They told me that I need to file a delayed bag claim with UA. I'm not sure how this makes sense as UA never received the bag at any airport. Is this right?
Last edited by Antarius; Aug 21, 2019 at 6:57 pm
#4
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033
Yes, always with the last carrier on that "direction" of the ticket. I've had 2 recently where AA pushed me to other carriers due to delays, but didn't bother to re-route my bags. It took days to get them to me, but the other carriers paid out my interim expenses without issue. Behind the scenes, I'm sure they request AA reimburse them, but it's of no concern to the traveler as it's clear that it's the last carrier that's responsible to you.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
That said, they filed the claim with no issues, so clearly I'm the one not in the know
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Does not matter how the reroute occurs, whether from same airport and so on. Always, always, always the last delivering carrier. Been this way for 60 years.
AA will route the bag on its next flight to CLT where it will be delivered by AA to UA baggage and by UA baggage to you.
AA will route the bag on its next flight to CLT where it will be delivered by AA to UA baggage and by UA baggage to you.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
No, generally they don't. It is usually chalked up to the cost of doing business with interline agreements in place.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,365
This policy is really a solid win for pax. Suppose one flies (fictional) Jose Airline to GRU then AA to MIA with lost bags. If AA is allowed to point their finger at Jose you might as well forget about ever getting your bags back.
The last carrier will be local to you upon arrival, and much easier to deal with.
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,602
When the passenger was rebooked, the luggage also should have been dealt with too and been transferred to UA
AA is liable, but the passenger should lodge the report with UA if the bags didn't get transferred to the flight and so do not arrive
Why do you not think that UA would have been given the bags?
AA is liable, but the passenger should lodge the report with UA if the bags didn't get transferred to the flight and so do not arrive
Why do you not think that UA would have been given the bags?
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
When the passenger was rebooked, the luggage also should have been dealt with too and been transferred to UA
AA is liable, but the passenger should lodge the report with UA if the bags didn't get transferred to the flight and so do not arrive
Why do you not think that UA would have been given the bags?
AA is liable, but the passenger should lodge the report with UA if the bags didn't get transferred to the flight and so do not arrive
Why do you not think that UA would have been given the bags?
Update - I filed a claim with UA. Bag ended up on the morning DCA-CLT flight on AA. I called AA and they put a note in the file for AA CLT that UA has the claim and then UA that the bag was in CLT. Likely unnecessary, but wanted to speed it up as much as I could.
End result, UA got my bag and had it delivered this afternoon ^ overall, despite delays, great service recovery by AA and very good end to end service by UA.