Need Help: Deciphering the Allowed Baggage Rules
 

Hello to all,

I have been United MileagePlus 1K for years and recently made the switch to Delta. As a compare and contrast issue, Baggage Allowances with United were very easy. I always could take up to three bags at 70 lbs each. No matter what.

However, based on the rules at http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tml#guidelines it would seem not so direct with Delta.

As an example, I do need a bit of assistance with an upcoming trip. Please be patient with me, as this is my first international Delta trip (and I only travel for fun.) I will traveling IAH to AUH: Houston to Detroit to Amsterdam, then on to Abu Dhabi with KLM.

If I read this correctly, since my final destination is "an other area" the following should apply:
So, I'm in Main Cabin. 2 bags. 50 lbs each.

However, under the SKYMILES MEDALLION MEMBER EXCEPTIONS AND SKYTEAM ELITE EXCEPTIONS section, it is indicated that I get one extra bag at 50 lbs.

So, since I'm Platinum... 3 bags. 50 lbs each.

Is that it? Did I navigate the chart correctly?

Correct. You should get 3 bags, up to 50lbs each.

As iOSgeek mentioned, the 3x50s are your allowance.

And depending on your layovers and if you want to collect bags or have them checked through, Delta's Int'l Contract of Carriage states that if you have a layover of 6+ hours, you may collect your bags, but with 12+ hours, you must

However, every time I try to get a layover of 6-12 hours in a city to do the tourist thing along the way, the counter kicks out the bags at anything over 6 hours. You have to tell them, insist, possibly present their own contract to get them to check the bags all the way through.

Also, on the return trip, since (I assume) you are on a Delta ticketed, marketed and flight numbered itinerary, you'll want to have a print out of the Delta baggage rules for your return checkin, as the KLM desk will want to impose their rules, until you show them the Delta rules...maybe. I have to do this every year with Virgin Australia, but maybe KLM is better, being more of a full partner with Delta?

Thanks so much for the replies!

But Abu Dhabi is listed as part of Middle East region, for which the standard allowance in the main cabin is 1 bag.

Middle East

Bahrain; Egypt; Israel; Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq; Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Kuwait; Lebanon; Libya; Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Sudan; Syria; United Arab Emirates (composed of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras El Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Qaiwain); Yemen.

Or am I just being obtuse? :)

OP is definitely correct, Delta's allowances for international luggage make my head spin. :cool:

David

Nope, you're right... current rules say you only get one free bag (to 50lbs) + 1 for being PM, so two free bags total. I swear the chart was different just a few days ago?? (In fact, if you purchased your ticket before June 10th, 2016 different rules may apply.. but that chart is even less clear: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-bag-fees.html O.o)

Someone at DL should be fired for this non-sense... seriously ridiculously confusing.

[edit]

Nope, back to our original conclusion. You're good for 3 free bags to Abu Dhabi. The top section says:
Attachment 14501

But the "next" section on "General Market Exceptions" says:
Attachment 14502

Since Abu Dhabi is part of UAE, per:
Attachment 14504

You're good for 2 free bags + your one extra bag for being PM, so 3 free bags, up to 50lbs total:
Attachment 14503

[/edit]

Wow, I think this question was on the logic section of the GRE. I got it wrong. Nice write up appleguru!

Just went through this for SO, off to Iceland, she's GM and I came up with 2 50# bags...normal + 1 GM.

They should just have a web app produce the answer.

Good catch. ^ That is seriously fouled up.

I guess I was being obtuse. :cool:

Of course in the presence of ambiguity, a DL agent may choose the more stringent limitation.

I would recommend that OP call or e-mail Delta.

David

I highly doubt an app can get this right let alone most DL agents who haphazardly impose the baggage rules as they see fit. I've never run amuck of them with DL but have heard many stories.

The OP should print out the rules that clearly show them getting 3x 50lbs. if that's what they intend to carry to or from AUH "just in case".

-RM

Hoorah! I was upgraded to First Class on the first leg of the flight, from Houston to Detroit! (My hoorah is regarding the luggage.) But alas, now I must navigate the chart once again. Is my baggage allowance now upgraded as well, even though my final destination is Abu Dhabi?

Yes, yes it is.

Unfortunately, the representative from Delta was equally confused by the chart. I called twice. No help. They told me only 1 bag, which is obviously not correct.

I emailed, with no response over the last ten days.

But thank you very much for your reply! I sincerely appreciate it.

My experience is baggage rules follow your first flight... But if yo don't get UG'd on your way back, you could be stuck paying extra!

You still "only" get 3 bags, but in theory you're good up to 70lbs now per bag.

My experience is that the check in agents are more lenient for Medallions if bags are a bit over 50lbs anyways.

How many bags will you have?!

I am trying to take the most that I can. I'm taking a one-year contract job in Abu Dhabi, but the company wouldn't move my household goods. So, it's clothes, computers, shoes, jackets for traveling, and everything else I can pack in. It's a round trip ticket, but I'm not worried about the baggage coming back, since it will be in December to visit for Christmas. Maybe only a carry on during that trip.

No the rules for the longest flight will apply throughout. Unless that flight is in Business Class you won't get any more then coach baggage.

This has *not* been my personal experience, though certainly does make sense. If my first leg clears to F, even if my second leg is much longer and in Y, I have always been given the FC medallion allowance.

Unfortunately, even the international Contract of Carriage doesn't help here; in fact it only adds to the confusion since it does not include the different rules for UAE, and does not include any medallion extras, and also includes language that basically says DL can do whatever it wants RE baggage (allow bigger/more pieces at their discretion, for extra fees, or for free, at their discretion... Even says the standard allowance isn't guaranteed/is at their discretion/as space allows).

Personally, I wouldn't push it and would stick to 3x50lb bags.

But if you want to try your luck, make sure you select all 3 bags at checkin, and when you show up at the airport with your 70lb bags, be prepared to either pay an excess fee or re-pack. Perhaps, if time allows, show up early to the airport (No more than 6 hours before departure), and try to check your 3 70lb bags.

Then, if you have issues, go home and repack to 50lbs/bag and come back to try again.

Regardless of what you choose to do, do NOT exceed 70lbs. IIRC, routes to UAE have a hard limit at 70lbs/piece.