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)
Jan 7, 2022, 8:11 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 770
tying a TK miles and UA ticket
Hello,
i want to fly from TPA to IST. I'm finding availabilty using my TK miles from ORD to IST. I'm thinking of purchasing a cash UA ticket round trip from TPA to ORD. my question is, since they're both star alliance partners, can i tie the two tickets together? would i be able to check my bags in at tampa direct to IST?
i want to fly from TPA to IST. I'm finding availabilty using my TK miles from ORD to IST. I'm thinking of purchasing a cash UA ticket round trip from TPA to ORD. my question is, since they're both star alliance partners, can i tie the two tickets together? would i be able to check my bags in at tampa direct to IST?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 7, 2022 at 10:46 am Reason: Moved to master thread
Jan 7, 2022, 8:31 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 98
In addition to above, there is no concept of linking the tickets together. The risk is if your first flight is delayed and you miss the TK flight, neither airline has any obligation to get you to IST. Plenty of people do this but this isn’t the scenario where you’d want a tight connection time, especially in ORD
Jan 7, 2022, 9:03 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 98
I can’t say with certainty what TK will do on the return, but UA will through-check your bags all the way.
Jan 7, 2022, 9:16 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,066
correct. Unless you book a LONG 'connection' at ORD I would not risk it. Checking bags through on the return should not matter since you need to get your bags through customs anyway and then you should be able to 're-check' them with UA @ T5 with your other ticket.
Jan 7, 2022, 10:42 am
#21
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
A key issue is this check-thru policy is carrier dependent, so this forum can only address the issue when checking in with UA.
Feb 2, 2022, 8:40 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 770
question about baggage when flying separate star alliance
i've booked a turkish airlines business class ticket from IAH to IST. I will now book my united ticket from tpa to iah. I will most likely be booking a saver award ticket. my questions are:
1- can the bags be checked in from tampa direct to istanbul?
2- do i get the TK baggage allowance? 2 x 70lb bags from tampa?
1- can the bags be checked in from tampa direct to istanbul?
2- do i get the TK baggage allowance? 2 x 70lb bags from tampa?
Feb 2, 2022, 8:43 am
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
1. They can but they don't have to be. In my experience UA will usually check through on separate tickets, but it is not guaranteed.
2. No. They are separate tickets, you get whatever your status or fare class TPA-IAH permits.
Remember that you are not protected on your TK flight. If your flight into IAH is late or cancelled, you will likely no-show for the TK flight and lose it.
2. No. They are separate tickets, you get whatever your status or fare class TPA-IAH permits.
Remember that you are not protected on your TK flight. If your flight into IAH is late or cancelled, you will likely no-show for the TK flight and lose it.
Feb 2, 2022, 9:00 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 770
1. They can but they don't have to be. In my experience UA will usually check through on separate tickets, but it is not guaranteed.
2. No. They are separate tickets, you get whatever your status or fare class TPA-IAH permits.
Remember that you are not protected on your TK flight. If your flight into IAH is late or cancelled, you will likely no-show for the TK flight and lose it.
2. No. They are separate tickets, you get whatever your status or fare class TPA-IAH permits.
Remember that you are not protected on your TK flight. If your flight into IAH is late or cancelled, you will likely no-show for the TK flight and lose it.
Feb 2, 2022, 9:10 am
#25
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Generally yes, the standard approach to interlining the bags will provide the highest bag allowance but the written UA policy does not directly address this, so this may vary.
Feb 22, 2022, 6:55 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
Hey everyone, going to interline from UA to LX. Checking in at a regional airport (where there is the chance they may not have done this before) - any advice or any way I can help the agent? I will print both reservations/confirmations out and get to the airport with plenty of time.
If they do successfully check my bags across both tickets, do I need to go to the pre-security check-in counter when I am done with my United segments or can I go to the Swiss Gate and get my boarding passes printed? Hoping to do pre-document check as my destination is eligible. Cheers
If they can't check it in for whatever reason at the regional airport, I plan to carry-on my bag until it is time for my Swiss flights. Depending on connection, I may carry it the whole way!
If they do successfully check my bags across both tickets, do I need to go to the pre-security check-in counter when I am done with my United segments or can I go to the Swiss Gate and get my boarding passes printed? Hoping to do pre-document check as my destination is eligible. Cheers
If they can't check it in for whatever reason at the regional airport, I plan to carry-on my bag until it is time for my Swiss flights. Depending on connection, I may carry it the whole way!
Mar 5, 2022, 12:38 am
#28
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
There is a chance if you have higher UA status an agent might do it but no published policy.
Mar 5, 2022, 6:40 am
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Hey everyone, going to interline from UA to LX. Checking in at a regional airport (where there is the chance they may not have done this before) - any advice or any way I can help the agent? I will print both reservations/confirmations out and get to the airport with plenty of time.
If they do successfully check my bags across both tickets, do I need to go to the pre-security check-in counter when I am done with my United segments or can I go to the Swiss Gate and get my boarding passes printed? Hoping to do pre-document check as my destination is eligible. Cheers
If they can't check it in for whatever reason at the regional airport, I plan to carry-on my bag until it is time for my Swiss flights. Depending on connection, I may carry it the whole way!
If they do successfully check my bags across both tickets, do I need to go to the pre-security check-in counter when I am done with my United segments or can I go to the Swiss Gate and get my boarding passes printed? Hoping to do pre-document check as my destination is eligible. Cheers
If they can't check it in for whatever reason at the regional airport, I plan to carry-on my bag until it is time for my Swiss flights. Depending on connection, I may carry it the whole way!
Mar 5, 2022, 10:29 am
#30
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 532
I wonder if I would be treated any differently (and the ticket agent would interline my bag to Etihad) if I am flying BUSINESS class to AMS.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 5, 2022 at 10:52 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member