How early can I check bags at HNL (for mainland)
Jul 20, 2015, 12:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
How early can I check bags at HNL (for mainland)
I'm flying HNL-IAD later this week (3:45p departure). Was thinking of dropping bags as early as possible and then continuing some touring (Pearl Harbor comes to mind). How early can I check the bags?
(And bonus points for telling me whether that's early enough to leave time for Pearl Harbor and then get back to airport).
(And bonus points for telling me whether that's early enough to leave time for Pearl Harbor and then get back to airport).
Jul 20, 2015, 12:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HNL
Posts: 1,097
Although I am not aware of UA's formal policy on how early you can check in bags prior to departure, I've checked my bags numerous times in HNL 5 hours prior to departure.
In your case, that's plenty of time to head over to Pearl Harbor which is only about a 15 minute drive from the airport.
Don't forget you have to screen your check-in bags through the agricultural inspection x-ray machine located just inside of the departure curb prior to checking your bags at the UA counter.
In your case, that's plenty of time to head over to Pearl Harbor which is only about a 15 minute drive from the airport.
Don't forget you have to screen your check-in bags through the agricultural inspection x-ray machine located just inside of the departure curb prior to checking your bags at the UA counter.
Jul 20, 2015, 12:57 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Former 1KMM now free as UA Gold MM, former HH D, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,121
It's been a long while since I've done this--pre-merger I did it for 8 or 10 hours but that was possibly pre 9/11. You can pre-buy your Pearl Harbor tickets online, but be forewarned the boats out to the Arizona Memorial are often cancelled due to winds. In my limited sample size they've been closed as often as they are open.
Jul 20, 2015, 1:31 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
If you're driving to Pearl Harbor anyways leave the bags in the car. If taking the bus the 5 hours is probably tight just based on bus schedules but there is a kiosk just off the parking lot where they'll hold the bags for a couple bucks.
Which is all to say that I'd skip trying the early drop and just go to Pearl if that's the goal.
Which is all to say that I'd skip trying the early drop and just go to Pearl if that's the goal.
Jul 20, 2015, 2:09 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
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I've checked bags in 10 hours or so before on UA and never got any pushback. Perhaps at the hubs, UA doesn't care, maybe at an outstation, they care more.
Jul 20, 2015, 5:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
I would've thought they care more / can't at a hub because they have so many flights and bags to deal with. At an outstation, they only have to keep track of one flight at a time almost and a bag sitting for a few extra hours doesn't matter?
Jul 20, 2015, 6:12 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSY
Programs: DL, AA, UA
Posts: 560
Be sure to book your Pearl Harbor visit in advance. When we went last year, the tickets ran out every day within 30 minutes of the museum's opening, because the big bus companies grab them all for their package customers.
Jul 20, 2015, 9:10 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2001
Location: HNL
Posts: 1,015
Although Arizona Memorial tickets can be reserved online in advance, those are likely sold out by this point. However, they open up a couple hundred additional tickets for online purchase every morning at 700am for the next following day. We've have never had a problem procuring tickets this way. See here.
Jul 20, 2015, 10:05 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu / DC
Programs: UA 1K /2mm / Marriott Lifetime Titanium , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,051
But the only advantage to not keeping your bags with you is if you don't have a car in the first place... Policy if you ask is 4 hours, but I haven't had trouble earlier here.
Jul 20, 2015, 11:25 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Wow - thanks everyone for the info and recommendations. This is what makes FT so great.
Yes, we have a car. Only reason I was thinking of dropping bags is I just drove Road to Hana, where every stop reminds you to take all valuables (not that dirty underwear and wet swimsuits count as that).
Yes, we have a car. Only reason I was thinking of dropping bags is I just drove Road to Hana, where every stop reminds you to take all valuables (not that dirty underwear and wet swimsuits count as that).
Jul 21, 2015, 12:28 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu / DC
Programs: UA 1K /2mm / Marriott Lifetime Titanium , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,051
Wow - thanks everyone for the info and recommendations. This is what makes FT so great.
Yes, we have a car. Only reason I was thinking of dropping bags is I just drove Road to Hana, where every stop reminds you to take all valuables (not that dirty underwear and wet swimsuits count as that).
Yes, we have a car. Only reason I was thinking of dropping bags is I just drove Road to Hana, where every stop reminds you to take all valuables (not that dirty underwear and wet swimsuits count as that).
Jul 23, 2015, 2:52 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Gold, UA MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,329
Brother-in-law and wife did this exact thing yesterday. They flew OGG-HNL and arrived on HA at 7;45am, went to the United desk and checked their bags for the 8:10pm HNL-EWR flight then came and spent the day with us in HNL all day.
Nov 30, 2017, 3:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Any recent experiences with extra-early check in of bags @HNL? We're going to be on the 10 pm red-eye to SFO and were hoping to check in around 11 am - as we'd have to leave our rental accommodation @10 am on Windward Oahu.
I see there's luggage storage as a fallback, but it's going to be $15-$20 per bag.
I see there's luggage storage as a fallback, but it's going to be $15-$20 per bag.