Baggage Allowance Question
 

I am planning to travel BOM-HKG-NRT on CX J and NRT-LAX on NH Y (separate tix). NH allows 2 bags in Y (50 lb/23 kg) free for Japan-US routes. But I am seeing on the CX website that only 30 kg total is allowed for J class to routes other than the US, which seems quite low compared to NH and JL for J class.

Is there any possibility that CX will accept my NH ticket and allow me to use the US baggage allowance (2x50 lb/23 kg)? Or do I just have to stick to the 30kg limit? :(

Best to call the airline to find out before you book your ticket. This way, if you don't like the answer to your question, it is not recorded in your booking. :D

One would hope that your baggage allowance will be based on the 'piece' basis since your final destination is North America. But there appears to be a new 'rule' about baggage allowances that relates to the 'Most Significant Carrier' and on CX's website, it says to check with your local reservation office.

With the airlines constantly changing baggage allowances, it be best to check their website on their current guidelines before you book.

Last year I traveled JFK-HKG, then HKG-ICN-TPE-HKG, and HKG-LAX all on CX metal. I was on two seperate reservations, one for US-HKG and another for the Asia segments. On my HKG-ICN segment, the agent at the counter said that I was subject to the baggage weight limits in Asia and I had to pay extra. I was over by 7kg and ended up paying 550 HKD. I told her I had arrived from the US couple days prior and would not budge. On my TPE-HKG segment, the agent in TPE waived the fee because I would be traveling to the US the same day therefore applying the HKG/US weight limits.

Seemed inconsistant and wrote an email to CX customer service and didn't get a clear answer except they said that their agent was correct.

Because you are on separate TKTs, CX does not have to give you the higher limit.

CX wins. Sorry. You were on 2 separate tickets. :( Next time, if you put them in one ticket/PNR, then you'll get the 2 bag benefit.

I would if it was possible to do so on AA.com. I'm wondering if I had transferred the same day would I be subject to the overweight fees? Probably not because my bags would have been sent to the final destination even though I am on 2 PNRs.

You probably wouldn't have been subjected to it, if the first flight had the more generous baggage allowance. It's more of a loophole. I did that last year, flying DTW-HKG on DL with a 3 bag limit, 70 lbs. each, connecting to PR for HKG-MNL with a 30 kg limit. I would've been slammed with excess bag fees had I done it in reverse. (I flew on CX back on 1 PNR.)

Thanks for the responses... I'll try to limit my stuff to 30 kg :)

BTW, how likely is the CX staff to interline the baggage with the connecting NH flight in NRT? I've read anecdotes of it happening before, but there doesn't seem to be an official policy for this from what I can tell.

Give CX a call and have an agent look up interlining agreements with NH @ NRT. You have a thing for traveling on multiple tickets, don't you? ;)

Don't forget about your carry on if you have one. You get 7 kg on your carry on luggage.

Do interline - then CX baggage allowance for NA will apply to you.

Thanks for all the informative responses everyone! I called CX and they said it should be possible to interline to NH, but baggage allowance might be up to the interpretation of the check-in agent.

Not really - final destination will determine that (if they are able to interline).