Sorry if this is a stale topic. This forum is not equipped with an old topic search utility.

This morning I flew from IND->LAX. The check-in kiosk immediately found me in its database and issued a boarding pass that correctly identified me as a platinum elite. No upgrade to FC today because this A320 was full of business and spring break travellers headed for Southern California sun.

The kiosk demanded an $80 fee for my third checked bag. I've never paid this fee previously, even when I'm not upgraded to FC. I complained to the stressed-out ticket agent who claimed the policy is standard fare at NW: "If you're not in FC the third bag fee is always charged--regardless of your WP status..."

What gives? Is this a new WP policy for 2005? Even for platinums?

Your status entitles you to 70lbs per bag instead of the 50lbs per bag allowance given to non-elites. But the number of pieces is controlled by which cabin you're flying in, not your status. It's two pieces for coach, three for FC/WBC.

This seems like a silly policy, since EUA isn't exactly 100% predictable. But I'm pretty sure it's been the policy for at least a couple years.

You must have just gotten generous ticket agents in the past who checked your third bag for free. Or maybe you were flying with more than one passenger on the same PNR?

Never known it to be waived based on Status.

IND just started getting a lot of direct flights recently. Is it possible on the previous flights that one of your segments was in F and the rest were in Y? I think if any segment on the flight is in F you could have checked 3 bags.

As themicah stated, you can check bags up to 70 LBS as an elite no matter what cabin, but I think only F gets 3 bags, and I am not even sure if that exemption is still around. It sounds like it is though. I thought they had reduced both cabins to only 2 bags, but obviously was mistaken.

I think if you have one FC segment in your flight, you can get the extra bag checked. I know that last year I thought the same thing applied to Intl flights (Y intl, FC domestic), and got dinged $115 in Bangkok bringing back another suitcase.

I think I post a link to this page on FT about once every two months on average:

http://www.nwa.com/travel/tips/baggage.html

To summarize...

Piece limits

• 2 pieces for coach (domestic or int'l)
• 3 pieces for FC or WBC originating from US
• 2 pieces for WBC originating outside US (I think that might be new)

Domestic weight limits

• 50lbs per piece non-elite
• 70lbs per piece elite

Int'l weight limits

• 70lbs per piece if itin involves US/Canada
• 44lbs total (not per piece!) if itin is wholly outside US/Canada (coach)
• 66lbs total (not per piece!) if itin is wholly outside US/Canada (WBC)

The correct answer appears to be the one about multiple segments.

I think the past instances where I was permitted three bags while seated in the back of the bus was when I was upgraded to FC on the second leg of the flight.

Thanks to this forum for pointing this error out to me. You've saved me $80 on future trips.

If you're not EUA'ed and have three bags to check in, how about checking two at the ticket counter and bringing the third to the gate. Once you, or the GA, or a FA decide it's too big to fit in the overhead, ask to gate check the bag.

Or, is this too simple of an approach (from one who never travels with more than a 21" roller and a laptop bag)?

It only works if the third bag can fit through the TSA's tunnel of x-ray love.

Yes, it usually is to simple. If you can get it through X-ray and to the gate you could check it at the gate. And it is possible if it is a carry-on size bag. If it is an ocean liner trunk though, I don't think that approach would work very well.