I've never had a problem checking 3 free bags when any segment was in first class (either purchased or upgraded) and am always offered 3 bags on OLCI when there is an F segment anywhere along the route.

I was trying to convince my friends who are flying CRP - FLL that they’d be cool with 3 bags. They didn't believe me so they called CO and were told the FIRST segment must be in F to be allowed 3 bags. I don't believe that's right, and if it is, it's another way in which those of us cursed with only COEX flights are mistreated.

I went looking on the website and was greeted with this:

This paragraph is missing a key article: either "a" or "the" before the word "segment"

I'm sticking to the argument that it means ANY segment that the customer is checking in for, but it would be nice to know a citation to somewhere on CO's System I can point an agent to if they try to charge me. It would be even nicer to have the website corrected to read, "...confirmed seat for a segment in which customer is checking in", so T can tell my friends, "I told you so".

.. Oh before you flame me for bogging things down with three monster 69.8lb duffels, I have a kid in boarding school who moves in and out of her dorm room twice a year (and doesn't appear to know how to do laundry) and my friends were going to spend 6 weeks on a sailboat leaving FLL for GGT and other Bahamian destinations.

I would call your Plat line and see if you get a different answer.

Not that CO, or any airline, need to follow any type of logic, but unless your interpretation is correct I could be caught in a situation where my 3 bags are allowed on the outbound part of my trip but not on the return...

Of course that's the case. If you buy C outbound and Y return, you get two bags out, 2 bags back.

The way I read the rule about 3 bags, as long as you check in for the F or C segment when you first check in, you're good to go. I would not count on that, though.

IME the baggage allowance (first class, elite, whatever) reflects the segment onto which you first check baggage. For example, I've had BF awards connecting to HA. The HA segment was not in F. Outbound, full allowance, return, had to pay for a bag over 50lbs - even though ticketed BF on CO and elite.

I do wonder about itineraries which begin on an ERJ. That'd suck.

You got hosed. I dont think this rule is ubclear. I'd contact CO and ask for my money back. Here's what's on the website for All Travel (except Brazil): http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...age/check.aspx

Actually, My interpretation is if you have 1st on any segment outbound you ought to get 3 bags outbound, and if you don't EUA returning it's $80 for an extra bag or a stop at the UPS store on the way to the airport. Oddly, with a kid in boarding school and a house in Mexico, I almost always have less coming back than I do going.

If, however, CO is looking at clarifying the rule, I like your "F anywhere in the itinerary" interpretation much better. (You hear that CO People?)

Actualy CRJ's suck more but that has nothing to do with baggage and is another thread.

Only on Skyteam metal .

In my experience, it doesn't matter if the segment is your originating segment, or a continuing onward segment, as long as one segment in the leg for which you are checking in is in FC. You can check three bags free of charge.

If no segment in the leg is in FC, then you can only check two bags free of charge. It doesn't matter if other legs of your reservation contain FC segments. Of course, you might be lucky and get an accomodating agent.

Seem to have the same experiences.

IME this only works if the originating segment is on CO metal.

So I'm flying BDL/LAS thru CLE, on a FC award ticket. Of course, the outbound first segment is on ERG145. Does this mean I don't get FC prilvleges for baggage at BDL? That would stink!

Matt

any updated experience?
Will travel SYR-EWR-HNL-KOA on paid BF/F on HA. Of course, the SYR-EWR is on a Q400 with no F. Will I be able to check a baggage of 70lbs without an extra charge at SYR?
Thanks!

Check out CO Insider's post in the baggage surcharge thread. I bolded the important one below.
You should get the F allowance, even though there is no F from SYR to EWR. Enjoy the islands.