jsloan

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

You will have to pick up your luggage at SFO whether it is checked through to MSY or not. You'l then proceed to the re-check area; if it's only checked to MNL, you can have the UA agent -- to the left of the baggage re-check line, after Customs -- tag it to MSY for you, although you might have to pay any applicable bag fees.

An agent at MNL should be able to print your bag tag to MSY if you show both itineraries. However, this can be challenging on a UA-to-UA itinerary, and the MNL ground staff -- while quite competent -- are outsourced agents rather than UA employees and may have a harder time doing this than a full-time employee would in the unfortunate case that your SFO-MSY flight is sold out. If it's not sold out, their usual process should work fine.

Make sure to arrive at MNL Terminal 3 at least 2 hours prior to departure, as this process may take a little while.

jpezaris

We've had a highly similar question recently, and I'll again reiterate that while agents can do UA-to-UA through-tagging on separate tickets, depending on the particular agent, it can take a long time of you standing at the counter in front of them while they are typing. And by "long time", I mean 15-20 minutes of twiddling your thumbs. It is a conceptually simple task, but in practice can be quite involved.

If you miss your first flight because you did not allow enough time for that extra processing, it is on you. You'll be considered a no-show and the first ticket will (likely) get cancelled as a result. If you miss the baggage cut-off because the agent is trying to accommodate your request, it is on you. Your bags will not be able to travel with you. Take this as a dire warning to allow enough time.

aprildilao

it's 5 hourd layover in SFO.

jhayes_1780

Doesn't matter: The (potential) long process will be at MNL (having the agent tag the bag thru to MSY).

SPN Lifer

And UA has only one MNL-SFO flight daily.

aprildilao

Well, I guess I can ask but if they can't do it, I will just have to re check in again once I get to SFO and tag my bag. Thank you for all your reply.

fleuve

I want to ask a question about luggage check-through with two different United-operated tickets at GUM. (Aeroplan award+UA Cash)
I am travelling from KWA to GUM on United 132 and will arrive at GUM at 18:25.
I will then take UA 174 from GUM to SPN the next day at 08:00, so the transfer time is below 12 hours.
Is it possible for me to ask UA ground staff at KWA to check through my luggage to SPN?
Given the limited time I will have at GUM, I plan to spend most of time in the airport lounge (Sagan Bisita, not UA) so luggage check-through will be hugely beneficial.

CPH-Flyer

You have plenty of time before your lounge visit, Sagan Basita closes at 5pm and reopens at 3am. That being said if you go landside, I don't know when you can go airside again, don't know how that actually works in Guam.

WineCountryUA

The policy is not to checkthru if 12 hours OR overnight. You will not be able to check bags for the next flight until 3-4 hours prior to departure.

As mentioned it is uncommon for lounges at any airport to be open overnight. There are a few but it is not common.

fleuve

Oops, I guess the operating hours have undergone significant changes. Last time I checked they opened at 23hr00 till evening the next day, and that's why I plan to stay there. Just don't find it worthy for another hotel stay given the short hours. I thought GUM airport is 24hrs and I can stay in the tranfer zone as long as I have my connecting flight?

Got it, thanks. Guess I will have to find a place to stay then.

jsloan

Is one of these a typo? 18:25 until 08:00 is 13h35m. (Of course, WineCountryUA is correct that policy would be that you can't check through anyway due to the overnight).

SPN Lifer

If one wants to stay airside overnight and sleep on the floor at GUM, one may do so. It is usually pretty quiet near the low-numbered gates.

But if your bags are landslide, that could be a complication.

SPN Lifer

Yes, that is correct. I have slept overnight (airside) near the south end of the terminal before connecting home to Saipan.

But I either had carry-on bags, or my luggage was checked through with a connection of less than 12 hours.

Despite having been SPN-based from 1991-2010 and since 2021, I have never taken the Island Hopper.

baby catch

I am flying from PVD-EWR on a separate itin to connect with a flight to Athens. I land at 07:30 and leave EWR for ATH at 3:45pm. Will have to collect my checked bag and then recheck but does anyone know if they have a time limit before the flight to check my back to ATH. I have looked on United's site and did not find any info. Thanks for a quick answer

fumje

You should be fine. The general limit is 4 hours before, but at a hub like EWR it's usually no problem to be much earlier. I have checked more than 6 hours early at EWR.

edit: here is a thread
Consolidated "How Early Can I Check My Luggage Before a UA Flight?" Thread [Merged]