Nov 22, 2016, 4:26 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
If on a UA ticket but the first flight is a codeshare and/or partner operated flight, you check-in for boarding pass and bags with the operator of the first flight, not UA. This may mean going to a different terminal.
If doing online check-in, you may need the partner's PNR identifier, Record Locator / PNR of Star Partners on UA purchased Itineraries
Note -- The UA PNR should work for LH Group airlines and some others
Bag allowance can be tricky
-- UA unique elite bag waiver privileges will generally not apply.For *G elites, checking with a *A, your *G bag allowance of
-- If the original or destination is in the USA, the DoT rules apply. In other cases, the IATA Most Significant Carrier rules apply.
While initially, the UA BP will not show up on the app, it will later. Once the non-UA flights have been flown / boarded (in technical terms, their segment coupons have been lifted.)
Archive: Checkin on UA ticket but first flight not UA operated? Who/Where/BPs/Bags? {Archive}
If doing online check-in, you may need the partner's PNR identifier, Record Locator / PNR of Star Partners on UA purchased Itineraries
Note -- The UA PNR should work for LH Group airlines and some others
Bag allowance can be tricky
-- UA unique elite bag waiver privileges will generally not apply.For *G elites, checking with a *A, your *G bag allowance of
You can take an extra 20 kg (44 pounds) where the weight concept applies or an extra piece where the piece concept applies.Some airlines do not offer this benefit on individual flights but only on connecting Star Alliance flights. Within Europe on "Light" fares offered by Lufthansa, Austrian & SWISS, "Check&Go" fares offered by Brussels Airlines and “Go light” fares offered by SAS as well as on “Seat” fares offered by Air New Zealand, the extra baggage allowance is not offered.
- DoT rules state the marketing carrier of the first segment determines the bag fees for the entire itinerary. So if a UA codeshare, it is UA rules. While *A elite benefits may apply, UA unique elite privileges will not
While initially, the UA BP will not show up on the app, it will later. Once the non-UA flights have been flown / boarded (in technical terms, their segment coupons have been lifted.)
Archive: Checkin on UA ticket but first flight not UA operated? Who/Where/BPs/Bags? {Archive}
Checkin on UA ticket but first flight not UA operated? Who/Where/BPs/Bag allowance?
Oct 1, 2023, 1:39 pm
#136
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
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I've got a HKG-NRT-YVR/(stopover)/YVR-LAX marketed and operated by HX, AC, and UA respectively; all flights are on one PNR and booked through United(.com)
The UA website is saying I have 2 free checked bags, however AC's website allow one. What rules apply here? IATA MSC (i.e AC and therefore 1 bag), DOT (since LAX is the 'final destination') or united.com since they were my ticketing agent?
The UA website is saying I have 2 free checked bags, however AC's website allow one. What rules apply here? IATA MSC (i.e AC and therefore 1 bag), DOT (since LAX is the 'final destination') or united.com since they were my ticketing agent?
Oct 1, 2023, 7:28 pm
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
I've got a HKG-NRT-YVR/(stopover)/YVR-LAX marketed and operated by HX, AC, and UA respectively; all flights are on one PNR and booked through United(.com)
The UA website is saying I have 2 free checked bags, however AC's website allow one. What rules apply here? IATA MSC (i.e AC and therefore 1 bag), DOT (since LAX is the 'final destination') or united.com since they were my ticketing agent?
The UA website is saying I have 2 free checked bags, however AC's website allow one. What rules apply here? IATA MSC (i.e AC and therefore 1 bag), DOT (since LAX is the 'final destination') or united.com since they were my ticketing agent?
Oct 24, 2023, 4:11 am
#138
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 147
Checking in: OPO>FRA (Lufthansa) and FRA>DEN (United)
Booked through United, all on the same itin. I can check into the Lufthansa flight and get boarding passes but neither the LH nor UA app will let me check into the United-operated flight that’s within 24 hours.
United CS says I will have to wait until the Lufthansa flight ends before I can check in to the United flight… and that I can do so online or at FRA. Does this sound right? Will there be a United kiosk or agent at FRA in case the app check-in doesn’t work?
Thanks!
United CS says I will have to wait until the Lufthansa flight ends before I can check in to the United flight… and that I can do so online or at FRA. Does this sound right? Will there be a United kiosk or agent at FRA in case the app check-in doesn’t work?
Thanks!
Oct 24, 2023, 4:19 am
#139
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Booked through United, all on the same itin. I can check into the Lufthansa flight and get boarding passes but neither the LH nor UA app will let me check into the United-operated flight that’s within 24 hours.
United CS says I will have to wait until the Lufthansa flight ends before I can check in to the United flight… and that I can do so online or at FRA. Does this sound right? Will there be a United kiosk or agent at FRA in case the app check-in doesn’t work?
Thanks!
United CS says I will have to wait until the Lufthansa flight ends before I can check in to the United flight… and that I can do so online or at FRA. Does this sound right? Will there be a United kiosk or agent at FRA in case the app check-in doesn’t work?
Thanks!
The first flight is on LH; you can try on its App or website for checkin.
Good luck.
Oct 24, 2023, 5:31 am
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,160
Booked through United, all on the same itin. I can check into the Lufthansa flight and get boarding passes but neither the LH nor UA app will let me check into the United-operated flight that’s within 24 hours.
United CS says I will have to wait until the Lufthansa flight ends before I can check in to the United flight… and that I can do so online or at FRA. Does this sound right? Will there be a United kiosk or agent at FRA in case the app check-in doesn’t work?
Thanks!
United CS says I will have to wait until the Lufthansa flight ends before I can check in to the United flight… and that I can do so online or at FRA. Does this sound right? Will there be a United kiosk or agent at FRA in case the app check-in doesn’t work?
Thanks!
And yes, if you run into issues, there will be staff at FRA to assist. The gate agent should be fine for that. No need to seek out a special agent.
Oct 24, 2023, 5:37 am
#141
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 147
Thanks everyone. One last question… when dropping off bags at OPO in the morning, will I be able to check them all the way through to DEN? Presumably I’d need to be checked into FRA-DEN for the bag to be loaded.
Oct 24, 2023, 5:41 am
#142
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Italy
Programs: UA 1k 1MM
Posts: 84
I've had this happen quite a few times. Usually it's due to United needing to confirm your passport. For me once I dropped off bags in the morning I would get my second boarding pass (paper one) and shortly after I would see myself checked in on the app. You should be able to figure that out if you go to the travel ready section in the United app. Is your passport entered and showing travel ready?
Oct 24, 2023, 6:16 am
#144
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Posts: 60
I’ve done a similar routing at least 6 times this year, xxx-fra-den, with xxx-fra being a mix of LH, LX all on 016 stock.
It can be a little finicky and I’ve not noticed any linkage between checkin or first flight (I don’t check bags). I’ve been able to checkin all the way through with Bp’s 24hrs in advance and not until I get to fra.
it seems best luck is to check into lh app first. Then go to United.
in any event you will want the United boarding pass because at the transfer prior to border control and to Z gates, they will just wave you on to border agents rather than check passport etc. it’s not a huge timesaver but sometimes every min counts.
It can be a little finicky and I’ve not noticed any linkage between checkin or first flight (I don’t check bags). I’ve been able to checkin all the way through with Bp’s 24hrs in advance and not until I get to fra.
it seems best luck is to check into lh app first. Then go to United.
in any event you will want the United boarding pass because at the transfer prior to border control and to Z gates, they will just wave you on to border agents rather than check passport etc. it’s not a huge timesaver but sometimes every min counts.
Oct 24, 2023, 6:16 am
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
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You should be able to check your bag thru to final destination - no problem.
Oct 24, 2023, 6:22 am
#146
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,169
How long is the connection at FRA? Since these are on the same ticket there's no requirement that you be checked in, however if your connection is long enough that LH thinks it looks more like a stopover than a connection that may pose a wrinkle. When checking your bag make sure to mention to the agent your final destination & check the tag to see how it's tagged. If you run into any issues the transfer desk at FRA is probably going to be the most helpful.
Oct 24, 2023, 6:30 am
#147
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 147
How long is the connection at FRA? Since these are on the same ticket there's no requirement that you be checked in, however if your connection is long enough that LH thinks it looks more like a stopover than a connection that may pose a wrinkle. When checking your bag make sure to mention to the agent your final destination & check the tag to see how it's tagged. If you run into any issues the transfer desk at FRA is probably going to be the most helpful.
Oct 24, 2023, 6:57 am
#148
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,420
Rest assured hundreds if not thousands of flyers do XXX-FRA-USA connections like this every day and it works without incident, both checking luggage and getting BPs. The only people who notice anything curious are ones like you and other FTers who try to check in online and encounter this rather typical challenge of getting a UA BP in the UA app when the first flight is a partner airline.
Oct 24, 2023, 10:21 am
#150
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,322
IIRC, it is when LH tells UA that the coupon associated with the flight has been lifted which theoretically could be as soon as you are boarded but is more likely communicated when LH closes out the flight in normal circumstances. The flight taking off is probably a reasonable proxy as long as all else is normal behind the scenes.