Jan 18, 2016, 9:21 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
UA policy on connecting bags requiring recheck (updated wording Aug 2017 -- removed 13-hour rule, another update Fall 2018 restored 12-hour rule)
In practice. some have been able to avoid having to claim and re-check bags when on a long connection -- but if the agent insists, the agent is correctly implementing UA's written / published policy. See post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31816944-post390.html for how an agent may be able to help you: They can retrieve a hand-written UA baggage tags that had "Reroute" and "VIP" printed on them (not handwritten) and add your information.
UA social media team (Twitter) wrote on August 16 (2017), "Any connection below 13 hours is always checked through to the final destination" in the context of being regardless of being an overnight connection or not.
related thread: UA Bag Interlining If Separate Tix with *A Partners (YES) & Non *A Partners (NO)
UA will not Short Check bags (but some loopholes)
Archive thread: Overnight, long layover/connection check through baggage question {Archive}
For a trip that includes one or more connection, we’ll check bags to the final destination on your ticket.You'll need to go to baggage claim and re-check your bags if:
- You chose to have a layover
- You make a connection that involves an overnight stay
- Your connecting flight departs more than 12 hours after you arrive at the airport
- You’re connecting to an itinerary booked on a separate ticket that doesn't include a Star Alliance™ partner airline
- You’re traveling internationally and connecting to a domestic flight within your destination country
Default time is 12 hours. A small number of individual stations are enabled to allow bags to be checked thru for connections greater than 12 hours. Maybe we can build a list based on people's experiences for certain connection points.
I know FCO is up to 16 hours. SIN, HND, FRA, MUC, ZRH, BRU should all allow up to 24 hours.
I know FCO is up to 16 hours. SIN, HND, FRA, MUC, ZRH, BRU should all allow up to 24 hours.
UA social media team (Twitter) wrote on August 16 (2017), "Any connection below 13 hours is always checked through to the final destination" in the context of being regardless of being an overnight connection or not.
related thread: UA Bag Interlining If Separate Tix with *A Partners (YES) & Non *A Partners (NO)
UA will not Short Check bags (but some loopholes)
Archive thread: Overnight, long layover/connection check through baggage question {Archive}
Overnight, long layover/connection check through baggage question (consolidated)
Nov 10, 2022, 7:37 pm
#61
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The time you can check in would be up to AI
Nov 10, 2022, 8:05 pm
#62
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: IAH
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Nov 23, 2022, 10:44 pm
#63
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Posts: 21,386
PSA: Sometimes UA is too helpful. 
I had an award reservation recently DTW-IAD-LHR-XXX; I was checking luggage. With 15 hours at LHR, I knew my bags would be checked there, and indeed at DTW that’s exactly what happened. When I arrived at IAD, I realized that the 10 PM IAD-LHR flight had plenty of IN space and decided to ask at the Polaris lounge if I could be put onto it instead of the 6 PM I was booked on — I had booked a hotel near LHR, but my experiences with a 6:30 AM check-in are hit-or-miss.
Anyway, the agent was great and was able to move me and my bags. What didn’t occur to me is that because my LHR layover was now only about 11 hours, the baggage would be re-routed to my final destination. I showed up at LHR and my bags were nowhere to be found; it took about an hour before we came to the realization that even though my bag tag said LHR, they’d been rerouted.
So, just a helpful word for anybody who finds themselves in the same situation — if you decrease a layover time en route, your bags may be rerouted.
I had an award reservation recently DTW-IAD-LHR-XXX; I was checking luggage. With 15 hours at LHR, I knew my bags would be checked there, and indeed at DTW that’s exactly what happened. When I arrived at IAD, I realized that the 10 PM IAD-LHR flight had plenty of IN space and decided to ask at the Polaris lounge if I could be put onto it instead of the 6 PM I was booked on — I had booked a hotel near LHR, but my experiences with a 6:30 AM check-in are hit-or-miss.
Anyway, the agent was great and was able to move me and my bags. What didn’t occur to me is that because my LHR layover was now only about 11 hours, the baggage would be re-routed to my final destination. I showed up at LHR and my bags were nowhere to be found; it took about an hour before we came to the realization that even though my bag tag said LHR, they’d been rerouted.
So, just a helpful word for anybody who finds themselves in the same situation — if you decrease a layover time en route, your bags may be rerouted.
Nov 24, 2022, 7:47 am
#65
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Oddly, yes, if I had known what I was looking at. It indicated that they’d been offloaded from the LHR flight, and then it listed the OAL flight to XXX as next. It’s just, because I didn’t expect them to be transferred, I assumed it was a mistake. My mistake.
Dec 1, 2022, 12:01 am
#66
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa, ON
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Posts: 391
Will Luggage arrive - 12 hour ORD transit
Should I be concerned of checked luggage being "forgotten" to be placed on a connecting flight departing 12 hours later out of Chicago?
YOW-ORD on United lands at 8:30am
ORD-AUH on Etihad departs at 8:40pm
Terminal change, different carriers, and long transit make me concerned that my luggage isnt going to make it
thoughts?.
YOW-ORD on United lands at 8:30am
ORD-AUH on Etihad departs at 8:40pm
Terminal change, different carriers, and long transit make me concerned that my luggage isnt going to make it
thoughts?.
Dec 1, 2022, 12:07 am
#67
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If you does allow check-thru, believe this will be transferred to ET on arrival and not sitting in UA's area.
Dec 1, 2022, 1:03 am
#68
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Agree on both counts. However, if UA does allow them to be checked through, when you arrive at the ET counter and/or gate in T5 to continue your journey, you should show them your UA bag tags and ask them to confirm that they see those tags in their system.
Dec 1, 2022, 3:44 am
#69
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: America!
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Flying from MLE-FRA-ORD on LH business booked using Lifemiles. Have a 6 hour layover in ORD and then booked a ORD-LAS leg (UA coach) on a separate ticket using Turkish miles.
Will I be able to through check 2 bags all the way to LAS without a fee at MLE? If not, can I still check for free at ORD (lets assume no status or credit card)? How about 70 lbs instead of the regular 50 lbs?
If I cant check in for fee, I dont want to pay too much for 70 lb bags, so I guess I should keep it to 50 lbs lol
Will I be able to through check 2 bags all the way to LAS without a fee at MLE? If not, can I still check for free at ORD (lets assume no status or credit card)? How about 70 lbs instead of the regular 50 lbs?
If I cant check in for fee, I dont want to pay too much for 70 lb bags, so I guess I should keep it to 50 lbs lol
Last edited by sowhatwegetdrunk; Dec 1, 2022 at 4:06 am
Dec 1, 2022, 4:37 am
#70
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You can ask, but expect “no” for both.
Dec 1, 2022, 4:41 am
#71
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,161
Am I correct in assuming UA will check my bag through to BKK for an upcoming ORD-FRA-BKK trip? First segment on UA, second segment on TG. Arrive FRA 09:35 and depart 20:55 so just under 12 hours. This is on same UA ticket. I am *A Gold.
If I went ahead and changed the first segment to LH (it’s a 747-8 with First :-)) departing two hours earlier - now layover would be 14 hours - think Lufty would only check to FRA, and then I’d recheck with TG there?
If I went ahead and changed the first segment to LH (it’s a 747-8 with First :-)) departing two hours earlier - now layover would be 14 hours - think Lufty would only check to FRA, and then I’d recheck with TG there?
Dec 1, 2022, 9:47 am
#72
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A question for LH /LH forum, long connection rules vary.
Dec 4, 2022, 8:33 pm
#73
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Thanks. Just posted there. I actually ended up booking MLE-FRA on LH and FRA-ORD on UA using lifemiles (MLE-FRA-ORD single ticket). Then ORD-LAS on UA using turkish miles. Will that make a difference to get free bag? Even if I am not able to through check-in, just wondering if United will check the bags for free in ORD, since they will be able to see the previous reservation as well (since FRA-ORD is now on UA). Thanks!
Dec 14, 2022, 4:35 pm
#74
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Chicago
Posts: 40
I have a DBV - FRA - ORD itinerary, booked on Lufthansa, FRA - ORD is UA metal. Layover is just shy of 12 hours, but overnight (8 PM - 8AM). Would LH rules apply or UA? And is overnight strictly enforced? I'd prefer to check all the way through.
Dec 14, 2022, 8:55 pm
#75
Moderator: United Airlines
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SInce you are checking bages with LH, LH will determine this, not UA. Best to check in the LH forum