FlyerTalk Forums - Short checking a bag with KLM

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)

- KLM Flying Dutchman (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-flying-dutchman-493/)

- - Short checking a bag with KLM (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-flying-dutchman/1662863-short-checking-bag-klm.html)

Short checking a bag with KLM

I have an upcoming flight with KLM

I start the trip at IAD.

It has a nearly 3 hour layover at AMS. I do not want my bag checked to the final destination. I have some things in my checked bags that I need for a meeting at AMS.

What are the chances that KLM will be willing to short check my bag at IAD?

I'm really concerned about this, and I'm not sure how to make sure I can short check the bag without incurring any costly changes. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this? Especially for IAD-AMS.

How many bags and how many short check?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgv2 (Post 24500530)

How many bags and how many short check?

It is just one bag. Just me traveling.

KLM will not short check your bag with a layover of 3 hours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zgringo14 (Post 24500496)

What are the chances that KLM will be willing to short check my bag at IAD?

Absolutely zero.

KLM have a published policy regarding when baggage can be "short checked". A 3-hour stopover in Amsterdam will not enable you to ask for your bags to be shortchecked [it must be >12 hours, or involve an overnight stop - see below - and even in these cases, the default for an AMS transfer would be to check the bag through]. You will be charged a fee (was €225 when I last enquired; others have since reported it as €275) to have a bag returned exceptionally to you in Amsterdam. This would take a lot of time, however - if you have only 3 hours on the ground, and apparently also want to go to a meeting (that doesn't sound very feasible, to be honest), you certainly won't have received your bags in time to do everything.

There have been plenty of threads about this over the years...

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLM

Baggage and transferring

If your trip includes a transfer, your check-in baggage will usually be sent to your final destination. The baggage claim tag that you receive when dropping off your baggage always states your bag’s final destination.

When transferring, you only need to collect your baggage and check it in again for your connecting flight, if:
•You have purchased 2 or more tickets from different airlines that have dissimilar conditions
•You transfer from a KLM flight to a domestic flight (for example in the United States)
•You arrive at one airport and your connecting flight departs from another airport
•Your transfer lasts longer than 12 hours or your next flight departs the next day. When transferring at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol or Paris-Charles de Gaulle, you can ask for your baggage to be sent to your final destination.
•Part of your journey is by bus or rail

Bring a smaller, carry-on size bag; place the items you need for your meeting in this bag, and carry them with you on board.

And, the additional question:

Even if they did short check, would you have the time to recheck the bag in that 3 hour window ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenevaFlyer (Post 24500642)

Even if they did short check, would you have the time to recheck the bag in that 3 hour window ...

Indeed. It certainly doesn't leave much time for a "meeting", as well!

Thanks everyone! It sounds like a unanimous "no way".

That is too bad. This will be my first time on KLM. I tend to stay on OneWorld or Star Alliance.

I'll stick with just a carryon. So no creams, liquids or gels for my sister-in-law. :-(

We had our short checked with a transfer time of 4 hours, but that was out of Havana where I am sure they are bit more lenient with the rules.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zgringo14 (Post 24500689)

For what it's worth, many OW and *A airlines would result in the same straightforward refusal. BA would certainly say no to that as well for instance. You could buy liquids/gels at the airport (past security) for your sister in law if that is what she might like but indeed not bring it in hand luggage from outside. Maybe the fact that you can't short check makes your life easier! ;)