***NEW***Baggage rules January 2013 — Postponed
Oct 25, 2012, 5:55 pm
#31
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It could also be a test to what would happen if DL did implement the change.
Oct 25, 2012, 6:02 pm
#32
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So we see cr*p like this announced a few months ago, but they insist that changes involving SkyMiles can't be announced in advance?
Oct 25, 2012, 6:23 pm
#33
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I just looked at the SkyTeam website and noticed that, while they talk about through check in and issueing partner boarding passes, the only mention of checking bags is the statement about elites getting free bags. Curious. I wonder whether this represents a recent change as I would have expected interlining of bags to be mentioned with the alliance check in advantages.
Oct 25, 2012, 6:25 pm
#34
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I just looked at the SkyTeam website and noticed that, while they talk about through check in and issueing partner boarding passes, the only mention of checking bags is the statement about elites getting free bags. Curious. I wonder whether this represents a recent change as I would have expected interlining of bags to be mentioned with the alliance check in advantages.
Oct 25, 2012, 6:25 pm
#35
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One is a basic contract of carriage the other is a benefit. Thus the difference.
I can see the reasoning behind the change in courtesy:
1. Baggage rules/fees change as often as there are airlines.
2. It costs the airline money to handle baggage fees for another airline.
3. It costs the airlines money to schlep bags from one terminal to another. (i.e. partner airlines are typically co-located in one terminal)
4. Airlines would prefer you fly them from A->B->C rather fly two airlines and save money. So perhaps the inconvenience will be worth the extra $$.
Those are the reasons I can think of off the cuff. Complain if you want but the airlines are looking to reduce costs and increase profits.
Oct 25, 2012, 6:29 pm
#36
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One is a basic contract of carriage the other is a benefit. Thus the difference.
I can see the reasoning behind the change in courtesy:
1. Baggage rules/fees change as often as there are airlines.
2. It costs the airline money to handle baggage fees for another airline.
3. It costs the airlines money to schlep bags from one terminal to another. (i.e. partner airlines are typically co-located in one terminal)
4. Airlines would prefer you fly them from A->B->C rather fly two airlines and save money. So perhaps the inconvenience will be worth the extra $$.
Those are the reasons I can think of off the cuff. Complain if you want but the airlines are looking to reduce costs and increase profits.
I can see the reasoning behind the change in courtesy:
1. Baggage rules/fees change as often as there are airlines.
2. It costs the airline money to handle baggage fees for another airline.
3. It costs the airlines money to schlep bags from one terminal to another. (i.e. partner airlines are typically co-located in one terminal)
4. Airlines would prefer you fly them from A->B->C rather fly two airlines and save money. So perhaps the inconvenience will be worth the extra $$.
Those are the reasons I can think of off the cuff. Complain if you want but the airlines are looking to reduce costs and increase profits.
You have to clear security anyways at a connection.
And, for most connection points immigration is also fast.
(NRT, ICN, HKG)
The only problem I can see is that HKG arrivals and security points aren't exactly very close.
Oct 25, 2012, 6:30 pm
#37
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Think the key there is "second ticket is presented for travel on another airline. A strict reading would indicate that 2 DL tickets would be accommodated.
Oct 25, 2012, 6:32 pm
#38
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FOR MULTI TICKETS****
(October 25, 2012) -- Effective for travel on or after January 15, 2013, Delta Air Lines policy will be to check a passenger’s baggage between the origin and destination points that are indicated on a single or conjuncted ticket exclusively. If a second ticket is presented for travel on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, the passenger will be advised that Delta will only check the bag to the destination on the first ticket(s). The passenger must collect the baggage at baggage claim for their first ticketed destination, and then re-check their baggage with the down-line carrier for the next flight.
Previously, in cases where a passenger presented more than one ticket to a Delta airport agent at the origination point, Delta would offer to check the baggage from the origin on one Delta ticket to the final destination on the second ticket, collecting both Delta’s and the other airline’s fees. This was done on a courtesy basis but has never been part of an official policy.
The policy update does not apply to interline itineraries, wherein the passenger has an entire journey on one ticket. In these situations, Delta will continue to check baggage through to the ticketed destination as normal policy.
This clarification of policy helps Delta ensure that checked baggage service is consistent for all customers.
Below are examples of a single-ticket and multi-ticket scenarios.
Single ticket example:
Ticket 1 - ATL-LAX on a Delta flight connecting to another airline operating LAX-NRT.
Delta Policy: Delta will check the baggage from ATL to LAX to NRT.
Multi ticket example:
Ticket 1 – ATL-LAX on a Delta flight
Ticket 2 – LAX-NRT on a different airline
Delta Policy: Delta will check the baggage for the ATL to LAX flight only. Upon the flight’s arrival at LAX, the passenger must collect the baggage at the Delta baggage claim and then proceed to check it with the down-line carrier for the next flight LAX to NRT.
(October 25, 2012) -- Effective for travel on or after January 15, 2013, Delta Air Lines policy will be to check a passenger’s baggage between the origin and destination points that are indicated on a single or conjuncted ticket exclusively. If a second ticket is presented for travel on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, the passenger will be advised that Delta will only check the bag to the destination on the first ticket(s). The passenger must collect the baggage at baggage claim for their first ticketed destination, and then re-check their baggage with the down-line carrier for the next flight.
Previously, in cases where a passenger presented more than one ticket to a Delta airport agent at the origination point, Delta would offer to check the baggage from the origin on one Delta ticket to the final destination on the second ticket, collecting both Delta’s and the other airline’s fees. This was done on a courtesy basis but has never been part of an official policy.
The policy update does not apply to interline itineraries, wherein the passenger has an entire journey on one ticket. In these situations, Delta will continue to check baggage through to the ticketed destination as normal policy.
This clarification of policy helps Delta ensure that checked baggage service is consistent for all customers.
Below are examples of a single-ticket and multi-ticket scenarios.
Single ticket example:
Ticket 1 - ATL-LAX on a Delta flight connecting to another airline operating LAX-NRT.
Delta Policy: Delta will check the baggage from ATL to LAX to NRT.
Multi ticket example:
Ticket 1 – ATL-LAX on a Delta flight
Ticket 2 – LAX-NRT on a different airline
Delta Policy: Delta will check the baggage for the ATL to LAX flight only. Upon the flight’s arrival at LAX, the passenger must collect the baggage at the Delta baggage claim and then proceed to check it with the down-line carrier for the next flight LAX to NRT.
But that said, it creates a huge mess. Good to know. I won't be flying Delta, that's for certain.
Oct 25, 2012, 6:45 pm
#39
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A couple times on DL I haven not found availability DL to VCE so I booked to MXP and then bought a separate ticket on AZ -- so now I will have to pick up my bags at MXP and re-check them for the VCE flight - even though DL and AZ are ST partners?
Oct 25, 2012, 6:47 pm
#40
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"Policy Clarification: Effective for travel on or after January 15, 2013, Delta Air Lines policy will be to check a passenger’s baggage between the origin and destination points that are issued on a single ticket or conjuncted ticket exclusively. If a second ticket is presented for travel on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, the passenger will be advised that Delta will only check the bag to the destination on the Delta ticket(s). The passenger must collect the baggage at baggage claim for their Delta ticketed destination, and then re-check their baggage with the down-line carrier for the next flight(s)."
Oct 25, 2012, 6:48 pm
#41
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Oct 25, 2012, 7:05 pm
#42
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Oct 25, 2012, 7:17 pm
#43
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The DOT rules apply to all US carriers operating anywhere in the world and to any itinerary originating or terminating in the USA, no matter where the carrier is based. Perfectly legal.
As to the problem DL & US have found and UA & AA will get around to, the DOT rule speaks about an "itinerary" not a "ticket". If DL accepts a bag on a multi-ticket "itinerary" the DOT rule provides for no more than the initial segment's bag fee for the remainder of the itinerary. But, if there are multiple tickets, there's no way for downstream carriers to know what the segment was without ranting customers insisting that the downstream carrier call DL to confirm.
This is yet another example of "be careful what you wish for." Just like the tarmac delay rules, customers wound up getting short-changed, not helped.
Since this won't be confined to DL, this will become a PITA for all US-based/destined pax within a short period of time.
Oct 25, 2012, 7:33 pm
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Oct 25, 2012, 7:49 pm
#45
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***NEW***Baggage rules January 2013
Isn't this a DOT reg that DL must follow? If so, those who decide not to fly DL because of the rule will still be faced with it on any other US airline.