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}
Jun 29, 2018, 1:20 pm
#586
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,361
I assume this was an exceptionally good fare or something. Transiting PEK is going to be a major hassle, as you need to change terminals there, so you'll likely need to go through the full immigration check. While 6 hours should be enough time, there are few absolutes when it comes to PEK.
If you have the opportunity to re-route, I'd seriously consider it.
Jun 29, 2018, 1:22 pm
#587
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
If AA is one of the airlines under discussion, please don't use AAA as a city code! 
Jun 29, 2018, 1:24 pm
#588
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
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UA-UA can be done. Policy otherwise is UA will not check through bags on separate tickets to non *A carriers, so forget about it if ‘connecting’ (in quotes - since on separate tickets - this isn’t a connection at all) to an AA flight.
Uo to you (or your friend) on how this gets booked, of course - and I understand the want for cost savings on different PNRs - I’ve done the same thing at times - but note that anything on a separate ticket is not a connection, and there is no requirement for UA to protect the pax on this kind of thing. If it is UA-UA, the most likely scenario is they will, but AA will not care, for sure, if booked that way. I would give more time if this were me - didn’t see date in OP (may have missed it), but there are many times when ORD can go pear-shaped, and you can miss a 4 hour connection. Thunderstorms in summer - snow storm in winter, etc. wind can also be a factor. So do note that there is a chance this can go wrong. If looking at a UA-UA connection, I’d suggest trying to book on one PNR. If one searches for multi city flights AAA-ORD and ORD-BBB (vs. AAA-BBB), one often still gets the lower price. It’s worth checking.
Uo to you (or your friend) on how this gets booked, of course - and I understand the want for cost savings on different PNRs - I’ve done the same thing at times - but note that anything on a separate ticket is not a connection, and there is no requirement for UA to protect the pax on this kind of thing. If it is UA-UA, the most likely scenario is they will, but AA will not care, for sure, if booked that way. I would give more time if this were me - didn’t see date in OP (may have missed it), but there are many times when ORD can go pear-shaped, and you can miss a 4 hour connection. Thunderstorms in summer - snow storm in winter, etc. wind can also be a factor. So do note that there is a chance this can go wrong. If looking at a UA-UA connection, I’d suggest trying to book on one PNR. If one searches for multi city flights AAA-ORD and ORD-BBB (vs. AAA-BBB), one often still gets the lower price. It’s worth checking.
Jun 29, 2018, 1:28 pm
#589
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member
Posts: 1,407
My son had this situation back in March. Separate domestic ticket and then an international ticket, going thru ORD, all UA. No problems checking bag to final destination.
Jun 29, 2018, 1:58 pm
#590
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,751
Alert - thread hijack....
there used to to be a way in the reservation system to have two separate fares on one ticket. It would essentially be the same itinerary, but the airline would insert a fare break at the connecting city. This would allow one PNR for the circumstance the op is in.
Can agents still do this?
there used to to be a way in the reservation system to have two separate fares on one ticket. It would essentially be the same itinerary, but the airline would insert a fare break at the connecting city. This would allow one PNR for the circumstance the op is in.
Can agents still do this?
Jun 29, 2018, 1:59 pm
#591
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I don't think it's so easy to guess when Thunderstorms Hours are at ORD. I thought they would be in the late afternoon when it gets really warm but I have seen strong fronts arrive in the early morning and at other times.
Jun 29, 2018, 2:01 pm
#592
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
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Posts: 14,392
Alert - thread hijack....
there used to to be a way in the reservation system to have two separate fares on one ticket. It would essentially be the same itinerary, but the airline would insert a fare break at the connecting city. This would allow one PNR for the circumstance the op is in.
Can agents still do this?
there used to to be a way in the reservation system to have two separate fares on one ticket. It would essentially be the same itinerary, but the airline would insert a fare break at the connecting city. This would allow one PNR for the circumstance the op is in.
Can agents still do this?
Jun 29, 2018, 2:11 pm
#593
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Yes, I have unfortunately experienced this which forced me to find alternative options to get to ORD as the cost became prohibitive. For my next trip, I did get an award to ORD for the morning of my UA International departure. Then thinking that I have to arrive before 5:00 AM at my airport for if the UA agents have problems UA-UA interlining the luggage, I chickened out. When I found an award for the previous afternoon, I booked that. Have to stay in a hotel near ORD but it beats the stress at 4:30 AM.
Jun 29, 2018, 5:09 pm
#595
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,994
I have a friend who intends to travel AAA-ORD (domestic) then ORD-CCC (international) on two separate revenue bookings, ... If she has to check a bag at origin AAA, what is the odds of UA checking her bag all the way thru to destination (CCC), without having to claim and recheck at ORD?
...
...
Giving the real airport codes is the best way to get the best help.
Jun 29, 2018, 5:14 pm
#596
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,361
Jul 4, 2018, 6:01 am
#597
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 222
The 2x UA agents at ORD had no idea how to check our bags beyond YVR on our ORD—YVR (UA)-YVR-MEL (AC) - MEL-AKL (Air New Zealand) trip. Kept telling them invalid booking class. They had no interest in asking anyone for help (help desk) and said we’d be fine since we had several hours in YVR...
:-(
:-(
Jul 4, 2018, 8:01 am
#598
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,994
The 2x UA agents at ORD had no idea how to check our bags beyond YVR on our ORD—YVR (UA)-YVR-MEL (AC) - MEL-AKL (Air New Zealand) trip. Kept telling them invalid booking class. They had no interest in asking anyone for help (help desk) and said we’d be fine since we had several hours in YVR...
:-(
:-(
Jul 5, 2018, 7:23 am
#599
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,113
I always go in with low expectations to this, but the LAX GS team is awesome and does it for me, twice in the last year; great agents there. For UA>LHR to BA, they can even print my onward BA boarding passes on a totally separate itin. But I appreciate every time that they don’t have to do this.
Jul 5, 2018, 7:38 am
#600
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
The 2x UA agents at ORD had no idea how to check our bags beyond YVR on our ORD—YVR (UA)-YVR-MEL (AC) - MEL-AKL (Air New Zealand) trip. Kept telling them invalid booking class. They had no interest in asking anyone for help (help desk) and said we’d be fine since we had several hours in YVR...
:-(
:-(