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}
May 20, 2018, 6:59 pm
#526
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, IHG Platinum, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 323
I recently checked baggage through from United to Air NZ on a SFO-LAX / LAX-AKL routing. UA Agent did it easily but it required all details of the Air NZ flight (Booking Ref, Class, Flight Info, Ticket #)
(I had to book two separate tix because I wanted prem econ on Air NZ and they won't sell it on United paper and AIR NZ won't permit the same day stopover in LA in its booking system. Oddly there was no problem for my business colleague who booked the same routing entirely on United paper into regular coach)
So when I reached LAX I only had to do the meandering trek from terminal 8 to terminal B without security re-screening. Yay!
However, when I reached the gate they called me up to check my passport (No Air NZ agent had seen it yet) and I happened to mention that I had through checked bags. She immediately asked me for the luggage tags and then had to call a supervisor to reopen the flight for more bags. So I guess you need to double check?
My colleague on United paper went up to double check after my experience and they said they already had his bags on the plane.
(I had to book two separate tix because I wanted prem econ on Air NZ and they won't sell it on United paper and AIR NZ won't permit the same day stopover in LA in its booking system. Oddly there was no problem for my business colleague who booked the same routing entirely on United paper into regular coach)
So when I reached LAX I only had to do the meandering trek from terminal 8 to terminal B without security re-screening. Yay!
However, when I reached the gate they called me up to check my passport (No Air NZ agent had seen it yet) and I happened to mention that I had through checked bags. She immediately asked me for the luggage tags and then had to call a supervisor to reopen the flight for more bags. So I guess you need to double check?
My colleague on United paper went up to double check after my experience and they said they already had his bags on the plane.
May 20, 2018, 7:02 pm
#527
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However, when I reached the gate they called me up to check my passport (No Air NZ agent had seen it yet) and I happened to mention that I had through checked bags. She immediately asked me for the luggage tags and then had to call a supervisor to reopen the flight for more bags. So I guess you need to double check?
May 20, 2018, 7:16 pm
#528
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,889
Had no problems within * A carriers ona single ticket, for example, IAD-FRA-BLR on UA for first segment, LH for the second. But when I came back BKK-HKG on CX, HKG-EWR on UA, also on the same ticket, Cathay tagged the bag through, but needed to go to the UA transfer desk to check in (because CX couldn’t do it) and to confirm the bag transfer.
May 23, 2018, 6:28 am
#529
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TPA
Programs: oneworld Rusty Iron; Starwood Aluminum
Posts: 217
I was successful interlining from UA to ANA (2 separate tix/PNRs due to an inability to get an award flight for our first positioning flight) CVG - ORD and ORD - NRT. Thank you for all of the help/advice.
Few things I found interesting:
Initially, UA on twitter advised I specifically NOT check-in to either flight beforehand in order to interline. Response/s on here said that doesn't matter. It didn't as I was auto checked-in for the ANA flight and did so manually for UA flight.
As advised, extra time was needed at CVG. And as expected, the first UA employee mentioned, "I'm not sure we can do that." A second employee made it happen w/in ~10min.
As I understood it, since UA was the first carrier, I would be responsible for paying any bag fees even though we were in J on the ANA flight. Unless I misunderstood that, I was surprised that the UA employee did not charge me (forgot? Saw we were in J for the ANA flight?).
Just noticed the comment and not sure if it applies the same, but we didn't "confirm the bag transfer at the transit desk." The bag came off the belt at NRT without issue.
(unrelated- the Polaris lounge at ORD is amazing)
Few things I found interesting:
Initially, UA on twitter advised I specifically NOT check-in to either flight beforehand in order to interline. Response/s on here said that doesn't matter. It didn't as I was auto checked-in for the ANA flight and did so manually for UA flight.
As advised, extra time was needed at CVG. And as expected, the first UA employee mentioned, "I'm not sure we can do that." A second employee made it happen w/in ~10min.
As I understood it, since UA was the first carrier, I would be responsible for paying any bag fees even though we were in J on the ANA flight. Unless I misunderstood that, I was surprised that the UA employee did not charge me (forgot? Saw we were in J for the ANA flight?).
Just noticed the comment and not sure if it applies the same, but we didn't "confirm the bag transfer at the transit desk." The bag came off the belt at NRT without issue.
(unrelated- the Polaris lounge at ORD is amazing)
May 23, 2018, 1:51 pm
#530
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Lake Tahoe
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC, Avis PC, National Exec
Posts: 54
question on transfer in Amsterdam
I booked a ticket from Houston to Amsterdam and then later added on a 2nd ticket from Amsterdam to Munich. The IAH-AMS flight is United, the AMS-MUC flight is a United ticket and flight number operated by Lufthansa. United told me that when I check in at the airport I should bring both tickets and they can check my bag all the way through to Munich. They say they can only do this for me because I have Elite status.
My question is this: If United does indeed tag my bag to Munich, when I get to Amsterdam do I need to still claim and recheck it, or will it automatically be transferred to the connecting flight? Everything I've read says if I have two tickets I need to claim/recheck. But if United tags it through to the final destination, I'm hoping I can just go through passport control and skip the baggage carousel. My arrival time in Amsterdam is 9:20am and departure is 11:00am so I'm not sure I would have time to claim/recheck the bag.
My question is this: If United does indeed tag my bag to Munich, when I get to Amsterdam do I need to still claim and recheck it, or will it automatically be transferred to the connecting flight? Everything I've read says if I have two tickets I need to claim/recheck. But if United tags it through to the final destination, I'm hoping I can just go through passport control and skip the baggage carousel. My arrival time in Amsterdam is 9:20am and departure is 11:00am so I'm not sure I would have time to claim/recheck the bag.
May 23, 2018, 1:57 pm
#531
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Posts: 66,854
If properly done, bags should go to MUC without any involvement by you. The bag tags should show MUC but probably does not hurt to check with LH on AMS if the bags made a proper transfer.
May 23, 2018, 8:20 pm
#532
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I booked a ticket from Houston to Amsterdam and then later added on a 2nd ticket from Amsterdam to Munich. The IAH-AMS flight is United, the AMS-MUC flight is a United ticket and flight number operated by Lufthansa. United told me that when I check in at the airport I should bring both tickets and they can check my bag all the way through to Munich. They say they can only do this for me because I have Elite status.
My question is this: If United does indeed tag my bag to Munich, when I get to Amsterdam do I need to still claim and recheck it, or will it automatically be transferred to the connecting flight? Everything I've read says if I have two tickets I need to claim/recheck. But if United tags it through to the final destination, I'm hoping I can just go through passport control and skip the baggage carousel. My arrival time in Amsterdam is 9:20am and departure is 11:00am so I'm not sure I would have time to claim/recheck the bag.
My question is this: If United does indeed tag my bag to Munich, when I get to Amsterdam do I need to still claim and recheck it, or will it automatically be transferred to the connecting flight? Everything I've read says if I have two tickets I need to claim/recheck. But if United tags it through to the final destination, I'm hoping I can just go through passport control and skip the baggage carousel. My arrival time in Amsterdam is 9:20am and departure is 11:00am so I'm not sure I would have time to claim/recheck the bag.
May 24, 2018, 12:09 am
#533
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May 30, 2018, 10:33 am
#534
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K, AC 50K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 684
In Toronto I just had the UA agent refuse to interline my bag for a separate ticket--said he couln't do it and simply went on checking in my bag. I had one ticket with flights on United and ANA from Toronto to Singapore (through Chicago and Tokyo) and a separate ticket on Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Jakarta, Afterwards I asked another agent at the customer service desk if this is true, that they can't due it. He checked with someone else (I think it was a supervisor) and she also said it wasn't possible. Has the policy changed? I don't have much time in Singapore between flights (one hour and 40 minutes). I know that in SIN you can have your bags forwarded by asking at the transfer desk in the airside terminal. Will I have enough time? Or should I see if ANA can do something to check my bags through when I get to Tokyo where I have three hours but won't be collecting my bags?
May 30, 2018, 10:37 am
#535
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May 30, 2018, 10:38 am
#536
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If it had been all United to Tokyo, it wouldn’t have been a problem. I think the agent (right or wrong) had a problem w/ ANA taking control of bag at ORD.
May 30, 2018, 10:44 am
#537
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K, AC 50K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 684
So any advice on what I should do to get my bags with me to CGK? I'm still in the lounge in Toronto.
May 31, 2018, 5:52 am
#538
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: EWR, NJ
Programs: UA 2 MM, UA 1K
Posts: 663
I would just go to the transfer counter in SIN. They will pull your bags, as you indicate. I think this is the best way as they are set up to do that and are very efficient.
May 31, 2018, 7:17 am
#539
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K, AC 50K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 684
Thanks for the advice. My only concern is if my plane gets delayed at all coming into Singapore. Fingers crossed.
Jun 10, 2018, 9:54 pm
#540
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 217
Through checkin luggage on separate PNRs
I am travelling on United in economy from JAC to LAS and the flight connects in LAX. I have redeemed my Air India miles for this and they were unable to book this on a single PNR due to some system issues of Air India. So they have created two PNRs but they have given a comment mentioning the connecting flight and its PNR on the first PNR.
I will have luggage to check in and my queries are:
1) Will United through check my luggage in JAC? If not, how can I get them to do so?
2) Will they issue both boarding passes in JAC?
3) Will United be responsible incase of IRROPS leading to a missed connection in LAX?
Thanks
I will have luggage to check in and my queries are:
1) Will United through check my luggage in JAC? If not, how can I get them to do so?
2) Will they issue both boarding passes in JAC?
3) Will United be responsible incase of IRROPS leading to a missed connection in LAX?
Thanks