How does baggage allowance work using miles?
 

Hi all - first post, help appreciated.

I am using Star Alliance miles from BMI Diamond Club to fund a flight from London to Mexico. It is business class, but I am unclear about what my baggage allowance. The LON to LAX leg is on Air NZ, which allows 3 bags, but the LAX to MEX leg is on United, which I believe only allows 2 bags. I am thinking that I will be checking in to Air New Zealand at Heathrow, and hopefully my bags will automatically be transferred to the United flight while I transit in LA. I will be exceeding my United baggage limit, but I'm hoping noone will notice...;)

Have I got this right?

You only get charged the baggage fee when you check in. If you're checking in with NZ, then you get to use their baggage allowance, no matter what the rest of the itinerary contains.

Welcome to Flyertalk.

Minor point, but you will need to collect your bags and clear customs in LA even if you are just passing through. You will have NZ check your bags through, and you will just drop them off again once you clear customs at the Interline Transfer desk in the arrivials area. Don't think they will make the next flight if you don't pick them up while in transit.

However, you may or may not be limited to two bags when you come back, since you'll be checking in with United rather than NZ.

You're bound by the restrictions on the longest sector (presumably LAX-LHR if it's a simple round trip).

good!
 

Thanks for all your responses. I am especially buoyed by the "bound by the longest sector" response - do you have any kind of source for this information? (i would love to be able to quote it if there was any kind of problem :) )

Leigh