surram

Great point...but I have packed 3 bags with at least 23 kgs (50 lbs) each. So if I were to short check-in my 3 bags only upto BOM (from MAA), then I only have to pay (23*3) - (25) - (20) = 24 kgs. With a charge of 400 INR per kg that will run to INR 9,600 which is approx. $148. Wow! Maybe it is just cheaper to just leave my 3rd bag alone in the MAA airport.

exwannabe

We can argue IATA MSC vs DoT and the way all carriers game the system.

All that counts is that OP needs to document any charge and send it to UA when the day is done to get any refund due.

raehl311

UA is not going to refund any bag fees paid to AI.

mduell

You can complain to DOT that UA is providing inaccurate baggage information on their eTickets.

Don't expect any individualized action, but if they get enough complaints about it they can penalize the carriers for their practices.

PiperAtGatesofDawn

The problem is fairly simple. AI will not be able see/understand/validate your 1K status. All they can see is your *G status and are honouring it.

jsloan

The problem with the receipt is that OP has been upgraded on the UA return legs. If given the chance, UA would apply the business class luggage allowance to the entire itinerary, which is why it's displaying the 2 bags at 70 lbs on that receipt. However, I don't think that AI is necessarily obligated to accept that, because OP is not in J on AI. You could therefore make an argument that UA should fix the luggage display to make sure it's using the class of service for the first flight when that first flight is a partner.

However, there's nothing else to fix. OP's baggage allowance is not 3 pieces, but rather two, because UA's economy allowance to India is one piece. OP was allowed to check three pieces due to a waiver for 1Ks, which is indicated on the receipt for the outbound (that's why it says "$100 $0"). It would have said the same thing if OP hadn't upgraded the return.

OP: I'm sorry that you found yourself in this situation, but I believe AI is following the letter of the law (and of the contract) here.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

Often1

If OP has an e-ticket receipt which shows the upgraded segments and shows a 3-bag allowance for MAA-EWR, OP may have a valid claim against UA for the excess baggage charge levied by AI. But, OP does not say that this is the case. Even if he does, it is quite possible that the only remedy is a DOT complaint and DOT has shown zero interest in this.

As OP points out, he can save himself roughly $50 by short-checking his third bag xMAA for just the domestic hop (presuming AI permits this), schlepping the bag to a UA check-in counter and then checking his third bag in with UA. At a UA counter, OP is entitled to three bags as a 1K. Whether this hassle and risk is worth $50 is something only OP knows.

The DOT rule is not complicated. It applies to tickets originating or destined for the US. It provides that the baggage allowance of the marketing carrier of the first segment applies to all segments of the ticket, including the return. But, the allowance is calculated using the "base allowance" for the ticket, e.g., status, credit card, and other affinity waivers do not count.

Based on this simple rule, OP's base allowance is one bag for all segments. In addition to the one bag, on UA segments, OP receives 2 bags as a 1K and on AI segments, he receives 1 bag as a *G.

surram

First of all, thank you so much for all your replies. After getting a full understanding of the base allowance + 1 bag, I hurriedly re-packed and consolidated the 3 bags into 2 with 70 lbs on each baggage, and gave away my 3rd bag to a friend in MAA. AI was puzzled as to why I am checking in at 70 lbs (32 kgs) at MAA, and suggested I could have had 3 bags at 23 kgs each. Clearly, the domestic check-in person at MAA is going by AI's own international baggage allowance (which is 2) plus 1 bag as *G. He probably does not know the nuances of the FMC.

I had a printout of United eTicket with baggage allowance that stated 2 bags at 70 lbs each (the same screenshot I uploaded in my earlier post). He called his supervisor over his walkie-talkie, and she said to honor whatever was in the printed UA eTicket receipt.

But there was another small issue...where in the heat of consolidating 3 bags into 2, I didn't realize that I had gone over the 32 kg limit by 1.5 kg on one bag, and 2 kgs on the other bag. They said it is against Indian labor laws and the baggage handler could refuse to accept my bags and there is a chance that it could be lying around in MAA. He offered to check 3 bags at 23 kgs if I had a 3rd bag and spread the weight around. But I was able to take the little overage of 1.5 kg and 2 kgs into my hand luggage and was able to get 2 bags at 70 lbs (32 kgs) checked all the way through MAA-BOM-EWR-IAH. The only thing in MAA is you have to get your check-in luggage x-rayed and they will seal it, BEFORE you can approach the check-in counter. So, if you have excess luggage, you have to break the seal, remove things, and go back to the x-ray line and get it re-sealed. It is hard to be precise on how much luggage to take out (a few jeans, a few shirts - may or may not get you over the 2.5 kgs excess). So, it was more art than science :-)

So, what I gleaned from this...your experience really varies depending upon the agent that checks in the bags, and what his understanding of the baggage allowance is. Going forward, I am only going to assume 2 bags at 23 kgs each to save myself the hassles.

I again want to thank the FT community for their valuable insights. I know I can always count on you folks :-)

LarrySinNJ

Flying a 2 segment business class flight BLQ-CPH-EWR that was paid for with United miles. Should I check in with the United app or the SAS App? Would rather not do it at the airport, as I don’t want any mix up on previosly reserved seats.

mduell

Always check in with the operating carrier, with the exception of regional/express carriers (check in with their mainline partner).

JVPhoto

findark

IME, checking at the airport counter is the safest way to avoid anything happening to the reservation.

worldwidetraveler

My itinerary starts with a United partner airline which connects to a United TATL flight. Can I check in on-line at united.com 24 hours before the first flight? The partner's website doesn't recognize the United confirmation number.

LondonElite

You will need to call United to get the other airline's PNR for this reservation. (Out of interest, what airline?) Otherwise the answer to your question is 'Yes'.