Interline Baggage MCT
 

I was flying CX806 HKG to ORD. Scheduled arrival time 13:40.

I then had a Delta flight ORD to DTW, departing 16:49.

Over 3 hour connection time. The agent at Hong Kong refused to check through the baggage.

It created a big hassle upon arrival.

Before I share my thoughts with Cathay, does anyone know the official policy or have a link? I tried to look on the website but couldn't find interline MCT details. I did see something on CXagents, which indicated 90 minutes for international to domestic, but it was not very specific.

If the delta flight was on a separate ticket then by my understanding the CX agent was correct not to check through baggage.

CX have a policy to check through baggage on separate tickets as a customer service courtesy to one world carriers only. Delta is not in oneworld.

I think it is DL who forced the 6 hours MCT from many non-SkyTeam airlines for I-to-D transfers. If you had a transit of 6 hours or longer, CX would have through-tagged for you. Blame DL, not CX.

The agent in Hong Kong was really horrible at communicating. She said something about 6 hours and I was dumbfounded. By that time I had just gotten tired of the wait and knew it was just going to be an inconvenience, not a show-stopper, so I just stormed off.

6 hours. Wow. Delta is really working hard to make sure I don't choose them for any segment of my travel.

CX pax are spoiled with through check on separate tickets (from CX to others). Most airlines have cut down on through checking separate tickets.
I can understand that DL would not be happy as they are the last carrier and therefore responsible in case bags miss the connection. I guess that the 6 hours imposed by DL is their way to minimize the occurence.

"Storming off" was a feeble attempt at humor.

There were already 2 agents there; I suspect one was a trainee. They did call a supervisor over towards the beginning. She very clearly communicated that they thought this was was less than the allowed MCT and that they'd need to call Delta. She left and the agent called Delta. It took a LONG time.

I calmly tried to explain a do this same flight multiple times per year and that I need to collect the bags in Chicago and personally take them to a recollection point, where the receiving airline can decline to accept them if it below the MCT. I've had that happen before.

It was like taking to a stone.

The six hour MCT thing must be relatively new.

Not sure about ORD, but for JFK it has been the case for a few years at least. It is also possible that previous CX check-in agents did not check and thought that 3 hours would be enough. Here you can see for JFK the 6-hour MCT applies to BR, too. Based on what DL had done to KE and others in the past, I think it was DL's decision to make the transit as difficult as possible. BR doesn't through-tag bags to separate tickets and does not have SPA (Special Prorate Agreement) with DL AFAIK, so BR doesn't have the incentive to do this.

Deleted - post not really necessary

It might be that they didn't check. I have flown this route 20+ times, and I've never had this problem before. For the flight from ORD to DTW, sometimes I take AA, sometimes DL.

AA is easier for the baggage drop (after clearing customs). DL has a drop, but it's often unmanned. I've been able to drop DL-routed bags at the AA or UA drop, but it's always an uneasy feeling.

I usually don't care much if it's AA or DL. If I fly AA, I can use the Admirals Club or Flagship (because arriving CX J or F). If DL, I can use SkyClub because of Amex benefits.

AA has many flights ORD to DTW, but sometimes the times are not as convenient as DL. But now, if the baggage check is going to be such a hassle then AA will be the winner.

OMG, I had to do it all on the bus, and it was awful. I think my last trip through O'Hare was April 2018, and tram was still working. I didn't realize the train/tram wasn't operating. WHAT A MESS. Long lines and overcrowded shuttle buses. As mentioned above, DL does have a desk there for recheck, but it is often unmanned. I didn't know the tram wasn't working, so I didn't bother to check if anyone was at the DL desk. I was guessing that was only for RECHECK. I should've checked.

AA will certainly be easier, as the MCT in this case would be just 2 hours. If you have CX GO or DM, I believe you can use the Flagship Lounge irrespective of travel class.