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 13, 2022, 1:21 pm
#121
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No, if you’re able to check them through to ORD, they will not charge for them at SFO.
Jul 13, 2022, 1:56 pm
#122
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
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Posts: 562
ah i misread it - I thought it said UA won't accept through-check when connecting to a domestic flight even from an UA international leg
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
...
...
Traveling internationally and connecting to a domestic flight within your destination country
...
Jul 13, 2022, 1:58 pm
#123
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flights.google.com is a good way to build that sort of itinerary, though I've sometimes had problems getting UA to ticket those itineraries without help from web support.
Jul 15, 2022, 7:15 am
#124
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Mariott, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 305
What IAH-OIL-TRASH said ... with the reminder that the outbound is N
T a connection. It's two separate tickets. Also, generally the first carrier collects the bag fees so you may have to pay HA for checked bags on your single-ticket return. (Not sure whether the IATA MSC rules apply since the ticket is wholly within the US)
T a connection. It's two separate tickets. Also, generally the first carrier collects the bag fees so you may have to pay HA for checked bags on your single-ticket return. (Not sure whether the IATA MSC rules apply since the ticket is wholly within the US)
Jul 15, 2022, 8:44 am
#125
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Location: Austin, TX
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One last question on this. UA has award availability for the HA flight, and i may cancel my HA booking and use miles for the one way. I know that UA can interline UA-UA per that thread, but can they still interline if it's 016 stock but different operating partner? I assume YES, but would love confirmation from the experts. So the trip would be EWR-HNL in J on one ticket, HNL-KOA booked via UA but operated by HA on the other ticket. Thanks all!
Jul 17, 2022, 8:05 am
#126
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
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I currently have an AC award ticket in business from YVR-SYD (departing 23:15) and need to get from Cabo in Mexico (SJD) to YVR same day, now that Westjet has just cancelled their direct service. This will be on separate tickets, travelling mid-September.
By far the most cost-effective option for me is on UA SJD 12:55 - 15:59 DEN 19:07- 21:10 YVR. That would give me a connection time of 2h 05m in YVR, which is above the standard MCT of 1h 45m (I think, if I'm deciphering Expertflyer correctly, that the MCT for UA > AC at YVR is actually only 1hr).
Based on my reading of the wiki, UA should theoretically interline our bags at check-in in SJD, right? (I realise we'd need to pick them up at arrival in DEN, carry through customs, then presumably recheck on the belt there.)
Any reason to worry that UA might not? Eg if they use contract staff at SJD, or because the itinerary goes via the US?
The alternative options I could book would be a UA/AC combo to get to YVR, but they're significantly more expensive and I figured that interlining from an all-UA itinerary to an AC itinerary is likely to be simpler for the agent in SJD.
I'm honestly not super happy with any of these options but I'm even less happy with cutting my Mexico trip short by a day so I'm contemplating taking a calculated risk. Then again with the summer travel craziness, am I pushing my luck?
By far the most cost-effective option for me is on UA SJD 12:55 - 15:59 DEN 19:07- 21:10 YVR. That would give me a connection time of 2h 05m in YVR, which is above the standard MCT of 1h 45m (I think, if I'm deciphering Expertflyer correctly, that the MCT for UA > AC at YVR is actually only 1hr).
Based on my reading of the wiki, UA should theoretically interline our bags at check-in in SJD, right? (I realise we'd need to pick them up at arrival in DEN, carry through customs, then presumably recheck on the belt there.)
Any reason to worry that UA might not? Eg if they use contract staff at SJD, or because the itinerary goes via the US?
The alternative options I could book would be a UA/AC combo to get to YVR, but they're significantly more expensive and I figured that interlining from an all-UA itinerary to an AC itinerary is likely to be simpler for the agent in SJD.
I'm honestly not super happy with any of these options but I'm even less happy with cutting my Mexico trip short by a day so I'm contemplating taking a calculated risk. Then again with the summer travel craziness, am I pushing my luck?
Jul 17, 2022, 10:28 am
#127
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
I currently have an AC award ticket in business from YVR-SYD (departing 23:15) and need to get from Cabo in Mexico (SJD) to YVR same day, now that Westjet has just cancelled their direct service. This will be on separate tickets, travelling mid-September.
By far the most cost-effective option for me is on UA SJD 12:55 - 15:59 DEN 19:07- 21:10 YVR. That would give me a connection time of 2h 05m in YVR, which is above the standard MCT of 1h 45m (I think, if I'm deciphering Expertflyer correctly, that the MCT for UA > AC at YVR is actually only 1hr).
By far the most cost-effective option for me is on UA SJD 12:55 - 15:59 DEN 19:07- 21:10 YVR. That would give me a connection time of 2h 05m in YVR, which is above the standard MCT of 1h 45m (I think, if I'm deciphering Expertflyer correctly, that the MCT for UA > AC at YVR is actually only 1hr).
Based on my reading of the wiki, UA should theoretically interline our bags at check-in in SJD, right? (I realise we'd need to pick them up at arrival in DEN, carry through customs, then presumably recheck on the belt there.)
Any reason to worry that UA might not? Eg if they use contract staff at SJD, or because the itinerary goes via the US?
Any reason to worry that UA might not? Eg if they use contract staff at SJD, or because the itinerary goes via the US?
Yes, you're pushing your luck. You're relying on UA to be relatively on-time on an evening flight, and then you're relying on the I-I transfer at YVR to be reasonably quick. You might check for an opinion on the latter in the AC forum, but I haven't heard good things recently...
Jul 17, 2022, 12:12 pm
#128
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 346
Other Star carriers using contracted ground agents at MXP didn’t give me any major problem with thru-checking my luggage across separately-ticketed flights as long as all the flights are on Star Alliance carriers — whether or not it’s all on one carrier or across Star Alliance carriers.
I’ve had more problems with this for UA-UA originating out of the US than when UA-UA originating out of Europe, Asia and South America.
The “no charge” thing has been a YMMV situation for me at LGA and EWR when I didn’t get the bags thru-checked across separate tickets by the Star Alliance carrier agents outside of the US.
I’ve had more problems with this for UA-UA originating out of the US than when UA-UA originating out of Europe, Asia and South America.
The “no charge” thing has been a YMMV situation for me at LGA and EWR when I didn’t get the bags thru-checked across separate tickets by the Star Alliance carrier agents outside of the US.
Definitely looking forward to spending that long layover in the Polaris lounge!
Jul 17, 2022, 12:22 pm
#129
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By far the most cost-effective option for me is on UA [color=#000000]SJD 12:55 - 15:59 DEN 19:07- 21:10 YVR. That would give me a connection time of 2h 05m in YVR, which is above the standard MCT of 1h 45m (I think, if I'm deciphering Expertflyer correctly, that the MCT for UA > AC at YVR is actually only 1hr).
Jul 18, 2022, 12:42 am
#130
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
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I'm reaching the same conclusion. I don't want to shorten my trip so I think I'm just going to jettison my AC award flight and get paid Premium Economy back from LAX instead, which is easy to get to.
Jul 21, 2022, 8:32 am
#131
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Milwaukee USA
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Update
Had No problems! MKE agent seemed confused why i was explaining so much. She went ahead and printed the bag tag. took maybe 5 extra mins on a not so busy morning.
Jul 24, 2022, 9:51 am
#132
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
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I'm back here with a UA > *A interlining question. I've taken the advice offered a few posts above (and elsewhere) and given up on trying to get from SJD to YVR in time for AC's SYD flight, and instead have booked on NZ LAX-AKL-SYD as there are quite a few nonstop options SJD-LAX.
In this case, the issue is not very tight connections but very long connections at LAX. UA gets in at 2.40pm and NZ departs at 10.50pm. Expertflyer reckons this flight will arrive at TBIT (where I know there would be a luggage belt after customs that we could drop our interlined bags onto, which would mean we were unencumbered) but United.com shows current SJD-LAX flights coming into T7, which seems more logical.
At LAX T7, is there a similar belt after customs where we can drop bags for our NZ flight? I'm fine coming into either terminal, I just don't want to have to schlepp our bags from T7 to TBIT and wait for NZ check-in to open.
In this case, the issue is not very tight connections but very long connections at LAX. UA gets in at 2.40pm and NZ departs at 10.50pm. Expertflyer reckons this flight will arrive at TBIT (where I know there would be a luggage belt after customs that we could drop our interlined bags onto, which would mean we were unencumbered) but United.com shows current SJD-LAX flights coming into T7, which seems more logical.
At LAX T7, is there a similar belt after customs where we can drop bags for our NZ flight? I'm fine coming into either terminal, I just don't want to have to schlepp our bags from T7 to TBIT and wait for NZ check-in to open.
Jul 26, 2022, 12:38 pm
#133
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 16
I am traveling on UA this August and would love any advice/help. I am traveling with my wife and our newborn (first flight!) who will be 4 months so we're extra worried about our bags transferring through. I have two separate tickets for the trip, (1.) from LGA to DEN in First Class and then (2.) from DEN to ASE in Economy (extra legroom, not that it matters..).
Based on UA policies and other replies i've read, a gate agent should be able to check my bags through to the second flight reservation (with Help Desk assistance if needed). Please correct me if I am wrong. Does anyone know if it matters that my first ticket is first class and second ticket is in economy? Any other advice for my specific case traveling with a newborn or any experience with LGA<>DEN<>ASE? I would think LGA is large enough to have experienced staff to assist...
Thank you!
Based on UA policies and other replies i've read, a gate agent should be able to check my bags through to the second flight reservation (with Help Desk assistance if needed). Please correct me if I am wrong. Does anyone know if it matters that my first ticket is first class and second ticket is in economy? Any other advice for my specific case traveling with a newborn or any experience with LGA<>DEN<>ASE? I would think LGA is large enough to have experienced staff to assist...
Thank you!
Jul 26, 2022, 8:49 pm
#135
Join Date: Aug 2015
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Posts: 665
Flying LAS-ORD (UA, tix 1), ORD-ARN (SK, tix 2). Would UA be willing to check the bags all the way thru ARN; and would they be able to get the BP printed? I believe SK does not offer OLCI for US flights 