Qantas ticket - Alaska Airlines for the first two legs - do I pay baggage fees?
Feb 16, 2015, 5:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2
Qantas ticket - Alaska Airlines for the first two legs - do I pay baggage fees?
I am flying from Fairbanks, Alaska to Sydney, Australia and have purchased the one ticket from Qantas. The first two legs (Fairbanks - Seattle; Seattle - Los Angeles) is on Alaska Airlines and the last leg (Los Angeles - Sydney) is on Qantas.
My problem is that I can't figure out if I will be liable for baggage charges when I check in in Fairbanks. My travel agent said I get two cases complimentary, but the Alaska Airlines website says $25 per bag.
I'm trying to decide whether I can check my normal 'carry on' bag and just keep my little backpack because I have a 5 hour layover at LAX and don't want to be hampered.
My problem is that I can't figure out if I will be liable for baggage charges when I check in in Fairbanks. My travel agent said I get two cases complimentary, but the Alaska Airlines website says $25 per bag.
I'm trying to decide whether I can check my normal 'carry on' bag and just keep my little backpack because I have a 5 hour layover at LAX and don't want to be hampered.
Feb 16, 2015, 5:18 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
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My understanding of Alaska policy is that in situations like this they will defer to the MSC, and allow the Qantas allowance on all flights.
If you have your e-ticket receipt, the baggage allowance should be on that.
If you have your e-ticket receipt, the baggage allowance should be on that.
Last edited by perthite; Feb 16, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Feb 17, 2015, 4:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Melbourne Australia
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Posts: 291
My experience SEA-LAX-MEL using Alaska for SEA-LAX was no baggage charge. These were separate tickets, business for LAX-MEL, but economy for SEA-LAX. Bag checked all the way through to MEL, so need to do anything in LAX except change terminals and have a shower and feed in the QF lounge. No lounge access in SEA though.
Feb 17, 2015, 4:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2013
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My experience has been in reverse but it should still follow the same rules, flew SYD-xLAX-SEA all on the one ticket with SYD-LAX on QF and LAX-SEA on AS. Bags were checked all the way through to SEA and no fees were paid. As mentioned previously MSC applies and that will mean QF's baggage allowance will apply.
Feb 18, 2015, 3:26 am
#5
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AS used to be very good in providing benefits for QF pax including lounge access when QF entitled. They will not charge you for baggage, even at Fairbanks 
If they do, quote the "Most Significant Carrier" rule even if you aren't on a single ticket (though it sounds like you are).
If they do, quote the "Most Significant Carrier" rule even if you aren't on a single ticket (though it sounds like you are).
Feb 18, 2015, 10:46 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2003
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AS used to be very good in providing benefits for QF pax including lounge access when QF entitled. They will not charge you for baggage, even at Fairbanks If they do, quote the "Most Significant Carrier" rule even if you aren't on a single ticket (though it sounds like you are).
If they do, quote the "Most Significant Carrier" rule even if you aren't on a single ticket (though it sounds like you are).
Feb 18, 2015, 2:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
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Posts: 3,846
AS used to be very good in providing benefits for QF pax including lounge access when QF entitled. They will not charge you for baggage, even at Fairbanks If they do, quote the "Most Significant Carrier" rule even if you aren't on a single ticket (though it sounds like you are).
If they do, quote the "Most Significant Carrier" rule even if you aren't on a single ticket (though it sounds like you are).
Feb 18, 2015, 4:34 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2
Thank you all for your responses. I'm going to take it that Alaska Airlines will honour my Qantas booking and let me check two bags free of charge - now I just have to figure out what to do with 5 hours in LAX and no lounge access!
Feb 19, 2015, 4:56 pm
#9
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Apr 22, 2018, 5:50 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2010
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Incidentally, I have a similar flight on AS (HNL–SEA–ANC) but booked with QFF points and without a single flight on QF metal. I have failed to log on to the Alaskan Airlines website with both the E-ticket number and the QF booking confirmation number. According to QF, I am liable for baggage fees at the airport. However, will these be more than $25 per bag?
I am used to flying the likes of JQ and other airlines within Australia or the EU which charge additional (astronomical) fees for checking in bags at the airport rather than online prior to checking-in for the flight.
I am used to flying the likes of JQ and other airlines within Australia or the EU which charge additional (astronomical) fees for checking in bags at the airport rather than online prior to checking-in for the flight.
Apr 22, 2018, 6:02 am
#11
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Incidentally, I have a similar flight on AS (HNL–SEA–ANC) but booked with QFF points and without a single flight on QF metal. I have failed to log on to the Alaskan Airlines website with both the E-ticket number and the QF booking confirmation number. According to QF, I am liable for baggage fees at the airport. However, will these be more than $25 per bag?
I am used to flying the likes of JQ and other airlines within Australia or the EU which charge additional (astronomical) fees for checking in bags at the airport rather than online prior to checking-in for the flight.
I am used to flying the likes of JQ and other airlines within Australia or the EU which charge additional (astronomical) fees for checking in bags at the airport rather than online prior to checking-in for the flight.
Apr 22, 2018, 6:11 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: AVV
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Originally Posted by og
I would expect to pay $25 per bag at the airport (unless in AS F) but also having your QF docs saying “free bag” and putting it to the check in person with a smile.
Apr 22, 2018, 6:17 am
#13
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AS charges , according to its website, $25 each for the 1st 2 pieces of baggage
That is what you can expect to be charged
Since this is a journey to/from the USA, then the itinerary or eticket receipt should state the baggage allowance and the cost for additional pieces
That is what you can expect to be charged
Since this is a journey to/from the USA, then the itinerary or eticket receipt should state the baggage allowance and the cost for additional pieces
Apr 22, 2018, 6:37 am
#14
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My inference is that an agent may make an exception through ignorance. But as I said, I’d have my cc ready to pay the $25/bag. I am not aware of any way around this unless flying in F or with very high AS status. I don’t think the $25 is discounted by paying in advance.
Apr 22, 2018, 6:53 am
#15
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OP - US law requires that your e-ticket receipt show the cost of checking a first and a second bag. What does your e-ticket receipt show? That is what the check-in agent will see on screen when you check in. No need to shove papers at the agent or smile.