Hoping to get some advice please.. I am allowed 3 bags at 23kg travelling from LAX to Melb on QF94.. Is there any way QF will be flexible if I front up with 2 bags @32Kg, given the total weight will be less then my per piece allowance- or are they very strict and will impose heavy charges nonetheless.. ( I am currently on Delta from SAN to LAX in first class which only allows 2 bags @ 32kg)�. Other possibility is to get a first class ticket on American from SAN to LAX which allows for 2 bags @ 32kg, and as I understand it AA will through check bags to Melb even though they are on separate tickets as they are one world carriers. If I choose the second scenario will I have issues with AA check in given the differing baggage allowances? Any advice/experiences greatly appreciated!

If you turn up with 2 x 32 Kg, then expect to pay 2x$75 overweight bag fees

And apart from the OP's issue, if the bag is substantially over 20 kg, then there is a very real chance that the bag will be damaged through impact or ripped handles.

Interline baggage agreements have nothing to do with alliances. I am fairly certain that DL has an interline agreement with QF and presuming that you are on one ticket SAN-MEL, will check your bag through to MEL at SAN.

Your allowance on that ticket under US law is the allowance for the marketing carrier of the first segment. Thus, if DL markets the first segment, that allowance applies to the entire ticket.

None of this prevents QF from being picky and checking the weight of interlined bags at LAX (some carriers do this). You may find a nasty add/collect surprise at LAX. The same would apply to flying AA into LAX on a separate ticket.

The 1st carrier's allowances on a multi carrier itinerary are not necessaily those that apply

It is the POLICY of the 1st carrier that applies - that carrier may choose to apply its own policy or defer to the most significant carrier

It seems unlikely that it is a through ticketed itinerary given the difference in classes

For tickets where the furthest ticketed destination is in the US or Canada, this is probably better clarified as the first marketing carrier on the ticket involved.

For example, if it's a return ticket that originated in SYD and the first flight was SYD-LAX then the marketing carrier for SYD-LAX gets to choose to either use their own policy, or use that of the MSC.

The rule will always be the allowance for the marketing carrier of the first segment. If that marketing carrier chooses to apply IATA's MSC policy, then the MSC policy will apply. However, no domestic carrier applies the MSC policy, so we can rule that out if OP is on one ticket.

If OP is on two tickets, none of this matters as the DL policy will apply to SAN-LAX and the QF policy to LAX-MEL. If OP chooses to purchase an AA ticket, the AA policy will apply to SAN-LAX.

All of this points to the value of people providing a full set of facts. All OP need do is return here with his specific itinerary(ies) and whether it(they) is(are) on one or more ticket(s).

While im a relative newbie to travel (only 30 years) Ive never heard of a bag getting checked though and a passenger being subjected to an add collect while en route or at their destination.

How does this work??

OP- you might also pack a lightweight collapsible duffle/stuff bag in one of the suitcases....if you need to reconfigure on the fly.

That is incorrect - AA defers to MSC for example

Sorry for the confusion everybody... I will have 2 separate tickets. Currently delta first class from SAN to LAX with an allowance of 2 bags @32kg, and QF economy on QF 94 with an allowance of 3 bags @23kg.. (request for upgrade to business).. Should request fail I gather from replies that QF will almost certainly charge me x 2 heavy bags- even though total weight will be less than my allowance...

My other option is to book an award AA flight in first class from SAN to LAX with an allowance of 2 bags @32kg- with the expectation that they would through check my 2 bags all the way through to Melbourne as per the one world alliance policy where they treat separate tickets like one single ticket for one world connections.. My question is here can I expect to run into issues at SAN check in with AA- as my AA and QF allowance is different- even though total weight will be less..

You will indeed have to pay the heavy bag charges. Heavy bag charges exist basically to cover the extra cost involved in two-man handling required for bags over 23 kg in weight.

You may well do, due to being on separate tickets.

If you exceed the weight limit for Qantas , be prepared for a charge of AUD75 per bag
If you exceed the bag count limit for AA, be prepared for a charge of USD150 per bag ( approx AUD195 )

Qantas's excess weight charge is lower than AA's extra bag charge

If wanting an allowance that will apply for the entire journey, then would suggest changing the booking to include the US domestic sector

Thank you for the super quick replies. You guys are great! Sounds like I am stuck then.. Will keep Delta ticket and prepare for $75 AUD charge per bag in the event that upgrade doesn't process.. Dave- Is the heavy charge definately in AUD out of LAX? Thanks again.

Yes ; see http://www.qantas.com/travel/airline...-heavy-charges

Charge in AUD
International - between Australia and The Americas
$75 Heavy Charge