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}
Jan 8, 2019, 9:22 am
#721
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 34
UA Bag Interlining If Separate Tix with *A Partners (YES) & Non *A Partners (NO)
I have a ANA stock ticket: CMH-ORD-HND-BKK (CMH-ORD domestic w/ United and the rest with ANA) and a separate BKK-RGN United award ticket on Thai Airways. Will UA check-in agent in CMH thru-check to RGN? It's a daytime connection of 2hr5min. Thanks!
Jan 8, 2019, 9:46 am
#722
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,123
Technically it can be done if the agent has advanced SHARES knowledge. However if the agent in CMH has problems, see if you can have your bag checked to ORD instead. As NH uses Amadeus Altea as their check in system, it is very easy for the agent as it is an intuitive graphical interface for them as opposed to UA’s SHARES which is harder to use.
Jan 10, 2019, 11:50 am
#723
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: CLE
Programs: NEXUS, MileagePlus Silver, Frontier Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 263
I have a confusing itinerary on 2 tickets. CLE-ORD on UA, ORD-IST on TK, and IST-AMM on RJ. Same in reverse. I am checking 2 bags. I know UA and TK are *A, but RJ is 1 World, but has a codeshare with TK. The UA flights are 1 ticket and the TK and RJ are on a TK ticket. The reservations show all of the flights, however. Do I need to recheck bags at all either way (other than CBP checks back in ORD)? It was ticketed this way by a travel agency to save $1,000+.
Jan 10, 2019, 1:48 pm
#724
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,742
I have a confusing itinerary on 2 tickets. CLE-ORD on UA, ORD-IST on TK, and IST-AMM on RJ. Same in reverse. I am checking 2 bags. I know UA and TK are *A, but RJ is 1 World, but has a codeshare with TK. The UA flights are 1 ticket and the TK and RJ are on a TK ticket. The reservations show all of the flights, however. Do I need to recheck bags at all either way (other than CBP checks back in ORD)? It was ticketed this way by a travel agency to save $1,000+.
Then as separate tickets, the bag allowance may be different on the return
On the outboard, UA has a bag interline agreement with TK but not RJ -- but as UA will interline to TK, I think this will work.
On the return, the bag allowance and the interlining is up to RJ and their policies -- have no idea what those are but it is out of UA's hands.
Jan 10, 2019, 6:52 pm
#725
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: CLE
Programs: NEXUS, MileagePlus Silver, Frontier Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 263
First, I hope you have a significant buffer between the TK and UA flights in each direction. Separate tickets alone are their own risk and require careful planning. Is it on one PNR or they truly two separate tickets? This gets to the heart of the issue, who is responsible in case of irrops.
Then as separate tickets, the bag allowance may be different on the return
On the outboard, UA has a bag interline agreement with TK but not RJ -- but as UA will interline to TK, I think this will work.
On the return, the bag allowance and the interlining is up to RJ and their policies -- have no idea what those are but it is out of UA's hands.
Then as separate tickets, the bag allowance may be different on the return
On the outboard, UA has a bag interline agreement with TK but not RJ -- but as UA will interline to TK, I think this will work.
On the return, the bag allowance and the interlining is up to RJ and their policies -- have no idea what those are but it is out of UA's hands.
UA probably can't issue the RJ boarding pass, but TK reissues boarding passes from UA or AA at ORD on their own flights, so I'm assuming they'll give me the RJ boarding pass.
Jan 10, 2019, 9:15 pm
#726
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,742
Given separate tickets, I doubt UA will be able to provide the TK BP. Hope you have a TK app and at least you can check-in online and then go to the gate to get the BP.
Note you will have to change terminals at ORD, T3 to T5
give this thread a read, https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...ll-2019-a.html
Jan 10, 2019, 9:31 pm
#727
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: CLE
Programs: NEXUS, MileagePlus Silver, Frontier Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 263
ExpertFlyer reports that TK/RJ have a ticketing and bag interline agreement
Given separate tickets, I doubt UA will be able to provide the TK BP. Hope you have a TK app and at least you can check-in online and then go to the gate to get the BP.
Note you will have to change terminals at ORD, T3 to T5
give this thread a read, https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...ll-2019-a.html
Given separate tickets, I doubt UA will be able to provide the TK BP. Hope you have a TK app and at least you can check-in online and then go to the gate to get the BP.
Note you will have to change terminals at ORD, T3 to T5
give this thread a read, https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...ll-2019-a.html
Jan 13, 2019, 11:03 am
#728
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
UA cannot check a bag UA-TK-RJ if they do not have an interline agreement with RJ. The initial checking carrier must have an interline agreement with all downline carriers to check the bag, in addition to each downline carrier having an interline agreement with the preceding carrier.
Jan 13, 2019, 11:22 am
#729
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,992
UA cannot check a bag UA-TK-RJ if they do not have an interline agreement with RJ. The initial checking carrier must have an interline agreement with all downline carriers to check the bag, in addition to each downline carrier having an interline agreement with the preceding carrier.
QR does something like that... Even though MH/QR interline, when MH checks a bag through on QR flights, QR will redo the bag tags at the first QR flight and they will add additional partners they interline with.
(I realize different airlines/alliances, but as you know a bit more about this, wondering if it is a relatively common practice.)
Just a thought.
Jan 13, 2019, 3:20 pm
#730
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,343
UA cannot check a bag UA-TK-RJ if they do not have an interline agreement with RJ. The initial checking carrier must have an interline agreement with all downline carriers to check the bag, in addition to each downline carrier having an interline agreement with the preceding carrier.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:13 am
#731
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: CLE
Programs: NEXUS, MileagePlus Silver, Frontier Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 263
UA cannot check a bag UA-TK-RJ if they do not have an interline agreement with RJ. The initial checking carrier must have an interline agreement with all downline carriers to check the bag, in addition to each downline carrier having an interline agreement with the preceding carrier.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:51 am
#732
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,528
Had two separate reservations going from NRT-ORD-IAD then a separate ticket from IAD-BOS. Was easily able to check my bag all the way thru to BOS via a UA agent at NRT. Only took a few extra minutes. Unfortunately, my BOS flight was cancelled so getting my bag at IAD took a little extra effort.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:56 am
#733
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,343
Did the UA agent give a reason for only being able to check to IST? Did they blame the fact that your final leg was operated by RJ? I'm honestly surprised by this.
Jan 22, 2019, 2:52 pm
#734
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: CLE
Programs: NEXUS, MileagePlus Silver, Frontier Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 263
Another interesting note: on the return, my UA BP didn't say INTL, so I didn't have lounge access.
Feb 5, 2019, 8:54 pm
#735
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: UA
Posts: 114
Rules for checking through luggage ?
Pretty sure i would find the answer from pre-existing threads if the search options on this site where easier/better. So please excuse repetition. Hopefully an admin quickly find the right thread where this needs to go into *sigh*
UA SFO->LHR and booked a separate ticket on EuroWings LHR->HAM.
Called up UA and asked if its possible to check through luggage, and answer from 1k desk was: No, only if booked on the same ticket.
Is that the correct answer ? i thought i'd read different answers in the past, but can't remember. Also not sure if it would have even been possible to book UA and EW on the same ticket. Last time i did this route there wasn't even EW but LH serving LHR/HAM, so likely the rules back then where different anyhow.
Thanks!
UA SFO->LHR and booked a separate ticket on EuroWings LHR->HAM.
Called up UA and asked if its possible to check through luggage, and answer from 1k desk was: No, only if booked on the same ticket.
Is that the correct answer ? i thought i'd read different answers in the past, but can't remember. Also not sure if it would have even been possible to book UA and EW on the same ticket. Last time i did this route there wasn't even EW but LH serving LHR/HAM, so likely the rules back then where different anyhow.
Thanks!
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 5, 2019 at 9:01 pm Reason: moved to master thread
