tkwetina

Will travel EWR-LHR-CPH with a long layover of 10h and was wondering what the recent experience is to short check the luggage to LHR, then pick it up?

Is it still >4h layover possible w/o discussion?

Thanks! Tobias

corporate-wage-slave

It usually needs an overnight at LHR for the luggage to be short checked. I'm not aware of a 4 hour rule version.

mikeyfly

You’ll be best asking at Heathrow if you need to get something from your bags. Could be a lengthy process

London Dude

The 4-hour rule for short-checks applies to AA. Not sure what BA's policy is.

tkwetina

That is even more challenging compared to a discussion at check-in. Especially with 4 bags

tkwetina

Thanks, I thought similar with BA but will need to check

orbitmic

They will almost certainly say no.

mikeyfly

I get that, but if the outstation say No, it�s your next option

VSLover

resurrecting an old thread as i need to plan ahead based on a recent interaction in JFK.

last week i was flying JFK-LHR on monday night and wednesday continuing LCY-DUB

initially in the JFK flagship check in desk with a BA agent, she was typing and saying "ok so your bag will be checked thru to dublin" and i of course was like no? then without reading my actual itin she started spouting off the "rules" which are seemingly AA rules on short checking and i explained not only do i have an overnight but its a totally different airport im leaving from.

then it got me thinking of an upcoming flight where i do need to check a bag but will again want my luggage on my overnight layover in LHR. i will be flying JFK-LHR (day flight, land 8pm overnight at LHR) then the following day at 4pm continue LHR-BCN

it is AA stock but the JFK-LHR-BCN all operated by BA so will be the same JFK BA agents. but i wanted to understand the rules given this seemingly lack of desire by the JFK agent to allow me to collect my bag on an overnight stop. thoughts?

dougzz

In my limited experience overnight or different airport always allows short checking. Sometimes a discussion at AA desk but never a big issue.

trooper

I would have said "Really? So you will guarantee my bag will be moved from LHR to LCY? Great!..Can I have that in writing?"

corporate-wage-slave

You should be allowed the bag in LHR, due to the overnight, but there is always a risk you find yourself with an agent that takes a hard line on this and then what do you do? There isn't a magic button you can press on that one. So I'd perhaps pack accordingly, ideally go HBO. BCN services seem disproportionately cancelled at short notice, particularly the early couple of flights, so that's also in the mix here.

orbitmic

I think part of the issue is that at JFK the BA and AA operations are now so integrated with many agents being more used to AA than BA. AA is flexible about some things (e.g. no issue changing your flight for free if there is an equipment change) but extremely ideological with anything they associate with a risk of hidden city ticketing, including short-checking bags. I'd try to politely insist but unfortunately, I don't think the "rule" on overnight stay was ever an officialised and printed one which you could point out to at check in. Different airports is easier as BA simply can't through check so worth bearing in mind for anyone who wants actual certainty...

Lefly

Maybe I'm mistaken, but wasn't there an AA rule where if you had a layover longer than 12h/14h you were "forced" to retrieve your checked luggage?

orbitmic

It�s very possible but I don�t know. someone upthread even mentioned a 4hr rule for aa and maybe there is one but to be honest I don�t know aa well enough. My own experience of AA check in agents is of through check in being imposed quite forcibly and rigidly to others but without my knowing specific circumstances. I also know Ba are usually laid back in case of overnight connections but I�ve never seen this as a formalised rule, and offering no choice but picking up bags when there is an airport transfer in London (which is a pain when one is actually flying such an itinerary!!)