Aug 23, 2016, 5:11 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
See Interline Baggage Agreements (single ticket) when there is a single ticket.
When a passenger has two separate tickets, United will though-check (interline) bags only when the second ticket is for UA or *A partner operated travel. Otherwise, UA may not interline the bags and you will need to recheck bags for the second ticket.
With two qualifying separate tickets, when checking bags thru, you will need to present flight information for both tickets at check-in. This includes the itinerary, PNR and eticket number.
Note: Interlining two UA tickets seems to be challenging for some agents. Allow extra time for bag check, just in case, and perhaps suggest contacting the Help Desk if the agent seems to be having issues.
Interlining UA-UA may not be allowed if one ticket is Basic Economy and does not allow free check bags.
Thread on UA-UA bag interlining
UA.com link
Some conditions when UA may not interlining with another carrier on a separate ticket
Exceptions to the non-partner interlining restriction on separate tickets for 1Ks/GSs have been reported. There still needs to be a regular bag interlining agreement in place.
Additionally, one report suggests that exception would apply also to *Gs and Full Fare J passengers
Whenever checking a bag between carriers (on a single or separate tickets), it is recommended to show your bag tag to each downline carrier at the transfer desk/gate to ensure the bag tag information has propagated to their system.
related thread: Overnight, long layover/connection check through baggage question (consolidated)
Archive thread: UA Bag Interlining If Separate Tix w/ *A Partners (YES) & Non-Partners (NO) {Archive}
When a passenger has two separate tickets, United will though-check (interline) bags only when the second ticket is for UA or *A partner operated travel. Otherwise, UA may not interline the bags and you will need to recheck bags for the second ticket.
With two qualifying separate tickets, when checking bags thru, you will need to present flight information for both tickets at check-in. This includes the itinerary, PNR and eticket number.
Note: Interlining two UA tickets seems to be challenging for some agents. Allow extra time for bag check, just in case, and perhaps suggest contacting the Help Desk if the agent seems to be having issues.
Interlining UA-UA may not be allowed if one ticket is Basic Economy and does not allow free check bags.
Thread on UA-UA bag interlining
Effective for travel on and after March 1, 2015, when a customer has two separate tickets, United will though-check bags only when the secondary ticket is for travel on the following carriers:
* United and United Express
* Star Alliance partner airlines
With the new policy, a passenger’s baggage will be checked between the origin and destination points that are reflected on a single or conjunctive ticket.
If the traveler holds a second ticket on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, United will check the bag to the destination on the first ticket(s). In such situations, the traveler must collect their baggage on arrival at their first ticketed destination, and then re-check baggage with the next carrier for their continuing flight(s).
* United and United Express
* Star Alliance partner airlines
With the new policy, a passenger’s baggage will be checked between the origin and destination points that are reflected on a single or conjunctive ticket.
If the traveler holds a second ticket on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, United will check the bag to the destination on the first ticket(s). In such situations, the traveler must collect their baggage on arrival at their first ticketed destination, and then re-check baggage with the next carrier for their continuing flight(s).
If you have a separate ticket on another carrier, you must claim bags at the destination of the first ticketed itinerary and check bags with the other carrier to the final destination. Baggage can be checked through to the final destination if the separate ticketed itinerary includes Star Alliance member airline-operated flights.
- The carrier is not a *A partner
- the connection is overnight
- the connection is less than MCT
- Traveling internationally and connecting to a domestic flight within your destination country
- If the UA ticket is Basic Economy No more "through checking" / interlining of bags when connecting from BE
Exceptions to the non-partner interlining restriction on separate tickets for 1Ks/GSs have been reported. There still needs to be a regular bag interlining agreement in place.
Additionally, one report suggests that exception would apply also to *Gs and Full Fare J passengers
Whenever checking a bag between carriers (on a single or separate tickets), it is recommended to show your bag tag to each downline carrier at the transfer desk/gate to ensure the bag tag information has propagated to their system.
related thread: Overnight, long layover/connection check through baggage question (consolidated)
Archive thread: UA Bag Interlining If Separate Tix w/ *A Partners (YES) & Non-Partners (NO) {Archive}
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 Bag Interlining If Separate Tix with *A Partners (YES) & Non *A Partners (NO)
Jul 28, 2022, 3:51 pm
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
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I was able to check-in on-line for our SK flights; however, I was unable to get the phone boarding pass to render correctly (which showed TSA Pre-Check). When I printed out the boarding pass from SK's website, TSA Pre-Check was nowhere to be found on it. I had to go to the SK check-in desk at ORD T5 to get it re-printed (which showed Pre-Check).
Jul 30, 2022, 4:08 am
#137
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SFO, OAK, SJC
Programs: Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Newbie
Posts: 19
8 hours layover - they won’t let you
I just checked in at JFK And they didn’t let me check in all the way to MNL. I had to tickets. jFK-San Francisco Airport-nrt-bkk on the first ticket on United metal in business class and Thai Air on the last leg arriving at 10pm in BKK. Second ticket is Thai airways from BKK to MNL in econ leaving at 8:30am at BKK. They said they cannot tag them all the way to Manila coz the layover is more than 8 hours.
Last edited by chummy23; Jul 30, 2022 at 4:08 am Reason: Edit title
Jul 30, 2022, 6:09 am
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
I just checked in at JFK And they didn’t let me check in all the way to MNL. I had to tickets. jFK-San Francisco Airport-nrt-bkk on the first ticket on United metal in business class and Thai Air on the last leg arriving at 10pm in BKK. Second ticket is Thai airways from BKK to MNL in econ leaving at 8:30am at BKK. They said they cannot tag them all the way to Manila coz the layover is more than 8 hours.
You can ask a Thai Airways representative at NRT if they can reroute the bag for you; no guarantees, but it might be possible.
Jul 30, 2022, 10:51 am
#139
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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I just checked in at JFK And they didn’t let me check in all the way to MNL. I had to tickets. jFK-San Francisco Airport-nrt-bkk on the first ticket on United metal in business class and Thai Air on the last leg arriving at 10pm in BKK. Second ticket is Thai airways from BKK to MNL in econ leaving at 8:30am at BKK. They said they cannot tag them all the way to Manila coz the layover is more than 8 hours.
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
Jul 31, 2022, 2:14 am
#140
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SFO, OAK, SJC
Programs: Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Newbie
Posts: 19
I believe the policy is that they won't check a bag through if the layover is more than 12 hours or overnight. It's the latter one that's hurting you.
You can ask a Thai Airways representative at NRT if they can reroute the bag for you; no guarantees, but it might be possible.
You can ask a Thai Airways representative at NRT if they can reroute the bag for you; no guarantees, but it might be possible.
thank you for the suggestion. This one worked! The agent in Narita went above and beyond to help me. She was able to route my bags to Manila.
Aug 4, 2022, 12:37 pm
#141
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 3
Yes or No on UA interlining with *A partners?
I've gotten conflicting info on this question. The UA website seems to suggest that even with a separately ticketed connecting flight, UA will check bags through to final destination (or at least the first destination abroad). However, I just called UA to confirm that's the case before I book a UA flight from BNA-EWR and a separate flight on TAP Air Portugal from EWR-OPO and I was told that the two flights have to be *on the same confirmation* to be checked all the way through. How can two separately book tickets be on the same confirmation? I'm I missing something here? Help!
Aug 4, 2022, 1:15 pm
#142
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Welcome to FT!, Kijimuna
As long as the EWR stop is less than 12 hours or not overnight,and neither ticket is Basic Economy it will be fine. This is an area where the non-airport agents may not be fully trained on.
.. The UA website seems to suggest that even with a separately ticketed connecting flight, UA will check bags through to final destination (or at least the first destination abroad). However, I just called UA to confirm that's the case before I book a UA flight from BNA-EWR and a separate flight on TAP Air Portugal from EWR-OPO and I was told that the two flights have to be *on the same confirmation* to be checked all the way through. ...
Aug 4, 2022, 1:21 pm
#143
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 3
Thanks. That's what I kinda thought, but I didn't what to contradict him. I did read elsewhere, however, that to be on the safe side, it's a good idea to have a travel agent arrange the two separate reservations on the same PNR. Truth be told, I want to go with just carry-on, but I don't think I can convince my wife to do so....
Aug 4, 2022, 1:28 pm
#144
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Posts: 66,859
Thanks. That's what I kinda thought, but I didn't what to contradict him. I did read elsewhere, however, that to be on the safe side, it's a good idea to have a travel agent arrange the two separate reservations on the same PNR. Truth be told, I want to go with just carry-on, but I don't think I can convince my wife to do so....
Aug 23, 2022, 3:06 pm
#146
Join Date: Aug 2022
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 2
Separate tickets IAD-ATH connecting to ATH-JTR
We are flying United from IAD to ATH on paid business class tickets. I have purchased separate award tickets using United miles for our flight from ATH to JTR on Aegean Air. It appeared at first glance that it would be no problem for United to check our bags through to JTR since Aegean is *A. However, in beginning of Wiki feed I noticed this condition:
Some conditions when UA may not interlining with another carrier on a separate ticket
Some conditions when UA may not interlining with another carrier on a separate ticket
- Traveling internationally and connecting to a domestic flight within your destination country
Sep 14, 2022, 4:50 pm
#148
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
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Posts: 6,900
Luggage interline between UA and TK on two separate tickets
I have a flight SFO-DFW this Saturday with UA. The same day, 3.5h later I have a flight from DFW to IST with TK. These are two award separate tickets.
Would UA's checking staff at SFO be able to check our two suitcases to the final destination with TK?
Would UA's checking staff at SFO be able to check our two suitcases to the final destination with TK?
Sep 14, 2022, 5:12 pm
#149
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
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Posts: 2,272
Since TK is a Star Alliance Partner, yes, you should be able to. Interline baggage check-in is not a usual request and will require manual intervention by a trained agent. You should plan on check-in taking more time than usual.
Sep 17, 2022, 11:00 am
#150
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
It took 45 minutes for the agent at the Additional Services section (close to door #12) and she had to call and request assistance - she requested my original ticket receipts from both reservations showing the booking classes and reservation and ticket numbers. Then, it took another 25 min to clear TSE Pre.
Good that we arrived 2.5h before departure.
P.S. Well, they lost the bag. Now am chasing two airlines across two continents to trace it.
Last edited by invisible; Sep 19, 2022 at 5:02 am