Saint4805

Hi all,

I am looking at a trip from ARN to ORD via LHR on aa.com. The first flight from ARN to LHR is operated by BA and as a BA Silver (Oneworld sapphire) I have been able to get one free piece of checked baggage previously on flights where I booked on aa.com and the first flight was operated by AA. The first flight from ARN to LHR is operated by BA and so would they allow me to check in one bag for free or does the free bag only apply when I am checking in at an AA desk? Same applies on the way back although the first flight from ORD to LHR will be operated by AA.

My preference is to book on aa.com due to getting Main cabin extra seat selection (and of course the free checked bag if that applies in the above case).

Thanks

corporate-wage-slave

I suspect that would be a no, since it will look like a BA booking at ARN, and Basic fares don't have a free checked bag allowance. Moreover you can't realistically argue about it in ARN if you are declined. You would be able to pay for that bag, in advance or at the airport.

Saint4805

Thanks. So I could pay for the ARN to LHR leg on ba.com (even though I booked on aa.com) and re-check it in for free at LHR with AA?

Edit: I checked my previous aa.com booking confirmation email and it states baggage allowance as 23kg and 2 checked bags allowed - this was a basic economy booking (which normally excludes a checked bag) and so it must have automatically added the baggage after the system recognised my BAEC number / status. I wonder if it would do the same again for the above itinerary. Clearly I could show it to the check in staff at ARN.

corporate-wage-slave

It's SEK 450 for the shorthaul, if done in advance, or SEK 850 for all the way to the USA. I'm not sure they would allow just a shorthaul baggage booking, and even if they did it would mean recovering the bag and going landside at LHR.

guv1976

Are you traveling on separate tickets? If not, I expect that BA will charge you the checked-bag fee for a trans-Atlantic journey, and your bag will be checked through to ORD. I would be surprised if BA were to permit you to short-check your bag to LHR, and just pay the intra-European baggage fee.

Saint4805

I haven't booked yet but the plan was to travel on one ticket. Thanks for your input. I'll have a look at some other options.

SeattleDavid

I don't believe you need to book on aa.com to get Main Cabin Extra – you should get that as a BA Silver wherever you book the ticket.