Checking luggage to LHR on a GIG/LHR/AMS ticket
Aug 7, 2014, 3:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 152
Checking luggage to LHR on a GIG/LHR/AMS ticket
Hi everyone,
I have a ticket from GIG to AMS but am thinking about disembarking in London, proceeding to AMS a few days later. Would the check-in agent at GIG accept to tag my luggage to LHR instead? Do I need to call BA to make any changes??
Apologies if this has been asked before.
Thank you in advance for your comments!
I have a ticket from GIG to AMS but am thinking about disembarking in London, proceeding to AMS a few days later. Would the check-in agent at GIG accept to tag my luggage to LHR instead? Do I need to call BA to make any changes??
Apologies if this has been asked before.
Thank you in advance for your comments!
Aug 7, 2014, 3:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Quite close to NQY
Programs: BAEC Silver,clubcard,clubcard plus, BA Amex................ And Mucci x3 ;)
Posts: 9,488
Whatever you do don't call BA as they might reprice your ticket !!
Are you flying GIG-LHR-AMS and the return or is this the return flights on an ex EU ticket ?
cs
Are you flying GIG-LHR-AMS and the return or is this the return flights on an ex EU ticket ?
cs
Aug 7, 2014, 3:43 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,722
No, the checkin agent will not short check your bag to LHR.
You *should* enquire with BA (or whoever sold you the ticket) as to how much it would cost to change your ticket to build in this stopover. If it turns out to be expensive, then you can decide to forego the stopover.
You *should* enquire with BA (or whoever sold you the ticket) as to how much it would cost to change your ticket to build in this stopover. If it turns out to be expensive, then you can decide to forego the stopover.
Aug 7, 2014, 3:47 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
That sounds pretty definitive.... is that consistently applied from GIG?
I've had problems short checking from the US in the past, but it doesn't seem like an issue coming from Asia. I don't remember reading anything about it from South America and am curious as it's a route I'll be doing soonish.
I've had problems short checking from the US in the past, but it doesn't seem like an issue coming from Asia. I don't remember reading anything about it from South America and am curious as it's a route I'll be doing soonish.
Aug 7, 2014, 5:42 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, AF Gold, some hotels...
Posts: 547
I have seen several recent threads on the topic. Search for short check bags BA. You will find people have different views on whether it is morally acceptable to play the system or not.
From my perspective your alternatives are:
1. Ask the check in agent to short check the bags. They may or may not accept depending on destination. Irishguy28 seems to have more up to date experience than me in that respect.
2. If you have a flex ticket rebook your LHR-AMS into an LCY- or LGW-AMS for the same day. This forces you to pick up your luggage at LHR but does not force you to check in at the next airport...
3. If the 2 above don't work for you, and you are not desperate for your bags at LHR, check them through to AMS but walk out at LHR and collect your bags at LHR next day.
But as cornishsimon rightly says, under no circumstances should you call BA about it.
From my perspective your alternatives are:
1. Ask the check in agent to short check the bags. They may or may not accept depending on destination. Irishguy28 seems to have more up to date experience than me in that respect.
2. If you have a flex ticket rebook your LHR-AMS into an LCY- or LGW-AMS for the same day. This forces you to pick up your luggage at LHR but does not force you to check in at the next airport...
3. If the 2 above don't work for you, and you are not desperate for your bags at LHR, check them through to AMS but walk out at LHR and collect your bags at LHR next day.
But as cornishsimon rightly says, under no circumstances should you call BA about it.
Aug 7, 2014, 6:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 24
My experience a few months ago flying on an ex-EU return from the USA was that the BA agent would not short check the bags to LHR instead of the final destination. However on arrival in T5 the staff at the baggage desk in the baggage claims hall were very helpful and got our bags for us before they were sent to the next flight. This did take 1hr+ but we got the bags back before we left the airport.
There was a genuine reason to need to cut the trip short, being the illness of my travelling companion, and I did ask the agent in the USA to reprice the ticket to include terminating the trip in LHR. Instead it was their suggestion to try our luck at customer services in T5.
There was a genuine reason to need to cut the trip short, being the illness of my travelling companion, and I did ask the agent in the USA to reprice the ticket to include terminating the trip in LHR. Instead it was their suggestion to try our luck at customer services in T5.
Aug 7, 2014, 7:48 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,379
I have seen several recent threads on the topic. Search for short check bags BA. You will find people have different views on whether it is morally acceptable to play the system or not.
From my perspective your alternatives are:
1. Ask the check in agent to short check the bags. They may or may not accept depending on destination. Irishguy28 seems to have more up to date experience than me in that respect.
2. If you have a flex ticket rebook your LHR-AMS into an LCY- or LGW-AMS for the same day. This forces you to pick up your luggage at LHR but does not force you to check in at the next airport...
3. If the 2 above don't work for you, and you are not desperate for your bags at LHR, check them through to AMS but walk out at LHR and collect your bags at LHR next day.
But as cornishsimon rightly says, under no circumstances should you call BA about it.
From my perspective your alternatives are:
1. Ask the check in agent to short check the bags. They may or may not accept depending on destination. Irishguy28 seems to have more up to date experience than me in that respect.
2. If you have a flex ticket rebook your LHR-AMS into an LCY- or LGW-AMS for the same day. This forces you to pick up your luggage at LHR but does not force you to check in at the next airport...
3. If the 2 above don't work for you, and you are not desperate for your bags at LHR, check them through to AMS but walk out at LHR and collect your bags at LHR next day.
But as cornishsimon rightly says, under no circumstances should you call BA about it.
Aug 7, 2014, 11:59 pm
#10
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,945
If you are going to pull this stunt you should at least tell someone you are not taking the onward flight otherwise there is the potential for you to delay it if they load your bag and have to unload it when you don't pass conformance/don't show at the gate. Just say you are unwell and can't travel further.
Aug 8, 2014, 12:19 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Quite close to NQY
Programs: BAEC Silver,clubcard,clubcard plus, BA Amex................ And Mucci x3 ;)
Posts: 9,488
My experience a few months ago flying on an ex-EU return from the USA was that the BA agent would not short check the bags to LHR instead of the final destination. However on arrival in T5 the staff at the baggage desk in the baggage claims hall were very helpful and got our bags for us before they were sent to the next flight. This did take 1hr+ but we got the bags back before we left the airport.
There was a genuine reason to need to cut the trip short, being the illness of my travelling companion, and I did ask the agent in the USA to reprice the ticket to include terminating the trip in LHR. Instead it was their suggestion to try our luck at customer services in T5.
There was a genuine reason to need to cut the trip short, being the illness of my travelling companion, and I did ask the agent in the USA to reprice the ticket to include terminating the trip in LHR. Instead it was their suggestion to try our luck at customer services in T5.
Welcome to flyertalk !
Nice to have you here
cs
Aug 9, 2014, 3:21 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 152
Thank you for all your comments. I will need to call BA to see how it works in terms of changing the final leg LHR/AMS to leave from either LCY or LGW - that sounds rather civilized and stress free. The ticket is in Club - hopefully there will be some flexibility to make the change... or so I hope.