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)
Mar 6, 2022, 4:04 pm
#31
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Thank you so much for the reply. I have no UA status right now. I will post separately about collecting a Untied bag in AMS and checking it for an Etihad flight 7 hours later.
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.
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.
Mar 6, 2022, 7:43 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
Was going from a UA regional airport on a domestic booking to SFO, then going on LX on a separate booking. Was hoping UA agent in my origin could interline bag to final destination, as they are both *A carriers.
Mar 6, 2022, 7:47 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
Mar 10, 2022, 9:30 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SNA (home), LAX, BOM/PNQ, LHR
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Marriott Gold Elite, IHG Platinum, HHonors Silver
Posts: 965
Question about min MCT and max MCT. I had a flight (originally out of BOM but now moved to DEL because of lack of available options) back to the US. I had to buy a segment from BOM to DEL and my onward connection was precisely 7 hours later. What is the max MCT? I thought it was 12 hours but clearly I was mistaken as no matter how many times the agent tried, the computer wouldn’t issue a tag through to LAX. So I had to leave security in DEL and wait landslide for some hours and then tag my bag through again. I think I remember the min MCT is 45 min but what’s that max? Thanks very much!
Mar 10, 2022, 9:58 pm
#35
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: 66,854
Question about min MCT and max MCT. I had a flight (originally out of BOM but now moved to DEL because of lack of available options) back to the US. I had to buy a segment from BOM to DEL and my onward connection was precisely 7 hours later. What is the max MCT? I thought it was 12 hours but clearly I was mistaken as no matter how many times the agent tried, the computer wouldn’t issue a tag through to LAX. ...
Mar 10, 2022, 10:13 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SNA (home), LAX, BOM/PNQ, LHR
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Marriott Gold Elite, IHG Platinum, HHonors Silver
Posts: 965
Mar 10, 2022, 10:35 pm
#37
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: 66,854
Not sure but believe its any time between 2AM to 6?AM. For a 24 hour airport like DEL it may not make sense but generic rules do not always work everywhere
Mar 21, 2022, 7:16 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
My trip...
Ticket #1 - FLL-ORD, paid coach.
4 hours
Ticket #2 - ORD-ZRH, used LifeMiles for business.
I am *A Gold with UA. I know UA will, by policy, check the bag through in FLL.
I would like to spend 1-2 hours in the Polaris Lounge Chicago before trudging over to T5 and the (likely) crowded and underwhelming SwissPort Lounge.
I am a little concerned about the bag transfer from UA to LX in Chicago with two tickets and two airlines.
Anyone have experience with FLL agents checking bags through successfully? Troubles? Anyone have a bad experience?
Thanks
Ticket #1 - FLL-ORD, paid coach.
4 hours
Ticket #2 - ORD-ZRH, used LifeMiles for business.
I am *A Gold with UA. I know UA will, by policy, check the bag through in FLL.
I would like to spend 1-2 hours in the Polaris Lounge Chicago before trudging over to T5 and the (likely) crowded and underwhelming SwissPort Lounge.
I am a little concerned about the bag transfer from UA to LX in Chicago with two tickets and two airlines.
Anyone have experience with FLL agents checking bags through successfully? Troubles? Anyone have a bad experience?
Thanks
Mar 21, 2022, 7:28 pm
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 24
DP:
OKC - IAH Booked Cash (TB)
IAH - SFO Booked on Chase Travel Portal (UR)
Got to OKC without checking in on the app for any of the flights. App showed seats available on IAH-SFO. Counter agent happily interlined the bag, checked us in for both reservations and provided us with paper boarding passes for both flights.
However, on the app I could retrieve our OKC-IAH passes but the IAH-SFO got messed up and could never access that reservation. I guess it was a combination of all factors.
Anyway, when we landed at IAH, the next flight was canceled. Messed up reservation on the app made it difficult to rebook, so I had to do it over the phone.
FWIW, we asked for our bag at IAH to spend the night, and the bag had been successfully retagged.
OKC - IAH Booked Cash (TB)
IAH - SFO Booked on Chase Travel Portal (UR)
Got to OKC without checking in on the app for any of the flights. App showed seats available on IAH-SFO. Counter agent happily interlined the bag, checked us in for both reservations and provided us with paper boarding passes for both flights.
However, on the app I could retrieve our OKC-IAH passes but the IAH-SFO got messed up and could never access that reservation. I guess it was a combination of all factors.
Anyway, when we landed at IAH, the next flight was canceled. Messed up reservation on the app made it difficult to rebook, so I had to do it over the phone.
FWIW, we asked for our bag at IAH to spend the night, and the bag had been successfully retagged.
Apr 6, 2022, 12:00 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: EWR
Programs: UA GS, MR TE, HH Diamond, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, National EE, Avis PC
Posts: 135
My family (4 pax) are traveling from SFO to AKL via SYD (5 hour connection). Flying UA to SYD and ANZ to AKL. We have 4 different PNRs for UA (to maximize upgrade chances) and a separate single PNR (but 4 different ticket numbers) for the ANZ segment. Will there be any issues interlining our bags due to family having different PNRs on UA and a single PNR on ANZ?
Apr 6, 2022, 4:27 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,048
My family (4 pax) are traveling from SFO to AKL via SYD (5 hour connection). Flying UA to SYD and ANZ to AKL. We have 4 different PNRs for UA (to maximize upgrade chances) and a separate single PNR (but 4 different ticket numbers) for the ANZ segment. Will there be any issues interlining our bags due to family having different PNRs on UA and a single PNR on ANZ?
Apr 6, 2022, 5:05 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: EWR
Programs: UA GS, MR TE, HH Diamond, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, National EE, Avis PC
Posts: 135
Apr 6, 2022, 5:49 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,048
Apr 12, 2022, 7:31 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: Some more than others
Posts: 773
Even if checked through you would still need to collect your luggage in the US arrival city, go through customs then drop it off again.
https://www.airnewzealand.com/checke...age#connecting