May 7, 2022, 10:10 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Thia is a archive thread, the active tread is UA Bag Interlining If Separate Tix with *A Partners (YES) & Non *A Partners (NO)
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)
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
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)
UA Bag Interlining If Separate Tix w/ *A Partners (YES) & Non-Partners (NO) {Archive}
Apr 4, 2018, 3:43 pm
#481
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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OP - you won’t be going through immigration...
Apr 4, 2018, 6:37 pm
#482
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YOW
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Well, serves me right for mis-interpreting the airport code. Although same warning still applies, that you can't guarantee that your bags will be checked through two PNRs, but they generally should be.
Apr 4, 2018, 8:17 pm
#483
Moderator: United Airlines
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Should be, but give even more time in case they can't. I had a YOW-EWR and an EWR-LAX-SIN separate tickets (all booked on UA), and the agent at YOW could not resolve an issue at connecting the tickets. Spent 20 mins, then finally told me I'd have to reclaim them at EWR and check them in again. ....
Apr 15, 2018, 9:17 am
#484
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TPA
Programs: oneworld Rusty Iron; Starwood Aluminum
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To combat my OCD nature of wanting to checkin online the day before and confirm the info as relayed by UA on Twitter, is it necessary to wait to checkin for both flights when we arrive at the original departure city (the UA flight) to make sure our bags are interlined from UA-NH? I was advised specifically to not checkin online.
Apr 15, 2018, 9:31 am
#485
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To combat my OCD nature of wanting to checkin online the day before and confirm the info as relayed by UA on Twitter, is it necessary to wait to checkin for both flights when we arrive at the original departure city (the UA flight) to make sure our bags are interlined from UA-NH? I was advised specifically to not checkin online.
Apr 16, 2018, 10:44 am
#486
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TPA
Programs: oneworld Rusty Iron; Starwood Aluminum
Posts: 217
Great, thanks for that. I didn't figure it would, but didn't want to shoot myself in the foot just because I checked-in online.
Apr 17, 2018, 9:17 pm
#487
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: IAH, SGN, BKK
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 396
Checking bags to SQ connection
I fly IAH-SGN numerous times per year. I don't like the NRT-SGN flight on ANA. Awful C seats. Since UA has had the SIN nonstop that has been my preferred route. I buy a connection on SQ separately (too XP from UA).
I always have 3 bags & always have problems getting them checked through. I'm always told that I have to pay baggage fees, or cannot check 3, or will have to pick them up & recheck, etc, etc. It always eventually gets done.
Today was typical. The agent said it can't be done. I kept insisting. It's like calling the 1K line & getting a rotten agent: HUCA. But in this case I have to persevere.
The GS agent came over & explained that she knows all the rules & it cannot be done. After 30 min another agent came over, picked up a white binder then looked up something. 2 min later my bags were checked.
I asked "What is the trick so that I can avoid this next month?" The GS agent said "We did something we are not supposed to do."
Does anyone know what this solution, magic key, whatever may be? This is maddening.
I always have 3 bags & always have problems getting them checked through. I'm always told that I have to pay baggage fees, or cannot check 3, or will have to pick them up & recheck, etc, etc. It always eventually gets done.
Today was typical. The agent said it can't be done. I kept insisting. It's like calling the 1K line & getting a rotten agent: HUCA. But in this case I have to persevere.
The GS agent came over & explained that she knows all the rules & it cannot be done. After 30 min another agent came over, picked up a white binder then looked up something. 2 min later my bags were checked.
I asked "What is the trick so that I can avoid this next month?" The GS agent said "We did something we are not supposed to do."
Does anyone know what this solution, magic key, whatever may be? This is maddening.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 18, 2018 at 12:47 am Reason: merged into existing thread
Apr 17, 2018, 9:37 pm
#488
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
As for what to say, I'd honestly just pull up UA's website located here: https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/tra...lServices.aspx
And highlight the text in front of the GS agent: " 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. "
That being said, many of us would think that the GS agents should be more than competent with this. Do you perhaps, have a significantly long/overnight layover between your UA/SQ tickets?
And highlight the text in front of the GS agent: " 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. "
That being said, many of us would think that the GS agents should be more than competent with this. Do you perhaps, have a significantly long/overnight layover between your UA/SQ tickets?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 18, 2018 at 12:47 am Reason: cleanup after merge;thanks for the link
Apr 17, 2018, 10:46 pm
#489
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: IAH, SGN, BKK
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 396
I'm connecting to SQ so there's no issue there. The layover is 2~3 hrs. It always gets done, it's just an awful hassle. Twice the SIN-SGN SQ connection has been purchased from UA. I have gotten the "if you'd buy on a single ticket..." lecture a few times. I'd gladly do that if the agent would pay the price difference for me.
Just going through the "You have to be 1k", "It has to be with a partner", "the connection has to be legal" drill is annoying because the agents get so annoyed by having to marry the tickets.
Just going through the "You have to be 1k", "It has to be with a partner", "the connection has to be legal" drill is annoying because the agents get so annoyed by having to marry the tickets.
Apr 18, 2018, 12:39 am
#490
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From a systems perspective, they need to "add a passive segment" to the PNR in order to check the bags through. But if the blocker is that they think you're going against policy, I don't know what to say.
Apr 18, 2018, 12:58 am
#491
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Always at IAH? Maybe I've been lucky, but have had no issues at all interlining ex-SFO since the very early days of the merger. It's not difficult at all if the agent knows what he/she is doing.
Apr 18, 2018, 5:51 am
#492
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
I'm connecting to SQ so there's no issue there. The layover is 2~3 hrs. It always gets done, it's just an awful hassle. Twice the SIN-SGN SQ connection has been purchased from UA. I have gotten the "if you'd buy on a single ticket..." lecture a few times. I'd gladly do that if the agent would pay the price difference for me.
Just going through the "You have to be 1k", "It has to be with a partner", "the connection has to be legal" drill is annoying because the agents get so annoyed by having to marry the tickets.
Just going through the "You have to be 1k", "It has to be with a partner", "the connection has to be legal" drill is annoying because the agents get so annoyed by having to marry the tickets.
Apr 18, 2018, 10:31 am
#493
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Apr 18, 2018, 10:50 am
#494
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Posts: 3,477
This was more likely a problem doing UA-UA interlining than any issue related to international connections. The UA-UA interlining for some strange reason is more difficult for agents as the system seem to be designed for UA to partner interlining. If you encounter this again, you might suggest the agent contract the UA agent Help Desk, may be saying "Yeah, the last time I did this, the agent had an issue also but found calling the Help Desk useful."
Apr 18, 2018, 10:56 am
#495
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leesburg, VA
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Posts: 163
In October, we interlined baggage from MLE-HKG (Cathay Pacific...had to push them to tag the bags to ORD)-ORD (UA). Ultimate destination was IAD. Had to check in at the UA transfer desk at HGK where they were able to note that the bags should be checked to IAD. Didn't see bags until ORD and was a little worried...but they got there and we went through customs and rechecked them easily. Just FYI.