We’re flying in December to Bolivia on United/Copa: IAD > TPA > PTY > VVI. The first segment is on United metal, the remainder are on Copa. All segments on same PNR; my wife is United 1K.

There is an earlier, same-day Copa non-stop from IAD to PTY. What are the chances of getting waitlisted on this flight, and/or is it even possible? If so, what would the procedure be? If we got on that flight, would that change our baggage allowance?

And a related question: we’re going to overnight in Panama City as the itinerary continues from PTY to VVI the following afternoon. Are we required to claim our checked bags in PTY to exit the airport, or should we expect that they are already checked through to VVI from IAD?

Thank you for any helpful info!

It's not possible.

If you were able to get onto that flight -- which would require a flight change, not any sort of waitlisting -- you would not get the benefit of your wife's 1K luggage benefit. However, see below...

UA will check the bags to PTY. They may be willing to check them to VVI at your request, but (a) I wouldn't depend upon that -- it's against policy -- and (b) I wouldn't trust them to arrive in VVI after being left overnight in the baggage office anyway.

Note that when you check in at PTY, you will receive the regular baggage allowance for the first marketing carrier on the itinerary -- I'm assuming that's UA. Your wife will receive one extra bag as *G. Whether or not you will receive an extra bag is at Copa's discretion. The UA 1K baggage allowance, of 3 bags at 70 pounds each, will not apply.

Thanks you for this info! With regards to the baggage allowance, my understanding is that the FMC allowance extends to the destination for flights originating in the US and Canada. Copa’s site notes this information, too:

https://www.copaair.com/en/web/us/in...baggage-policy

Both our United receipt and the reservation on Copa’s site show that all four of us get the two-bag allowance; on Copa’s site, however, it shows that we have to pay for the two bags, but only on the TPA > PTY segment. I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen, though.

BTW, you mention that checking the bags through to VVI is against policy… is that United’s or Copa’s?

Yes, that's correct, but it is UA's non-premier allowance. In this case, for economy class, that appears to be two free bags at 50 lbs each. As *G, your wife would be entitled to a third bag at 50 lbs. (This assume that UA is the First Marketing Carrier -- i.e., the first flight number is a UA flight number).

UA's.

This explains why we see 70 lbs on the first segment and 50 lbs on the remainder. We’ll plan to keep all bags at 50 or under. UA is the FMC. We’re traveling with two kids, so plenty of pieces to work with to distribute the allowance.