Wrong Baggage Fee on partner flight
Jan 16, 2025 | 8:27 am
#16
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Apologies if it's a bit confusing. On the outbound flight from MUC, I had only one bag, so no extra charges. I checked two bags on the flight from PHX to YYZ and then again from YYZ to MUC. So, should've been $100 per additional bag per segment for a total of $200 as you said, not the almost $400 I got charged.
Jan 16, 2025 | 12:03 pm
#17
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Apologies if it's a bit confusing. On the outbound flight from MUC, I had only one bag, so no extra charges. I checked two bags on the flight from PHX to YYZ and then again from YYZ to MUC. So, should've been $100 per additional bag per segment for a total of $200 as you said, not the almost $400 I got charged.
Jan 16, 2025 | 12:11 pm
#18
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Apologies if it's a bit confusing. On the outbound flight from MUC, I had only one bag, so no extra charges. I checked two bags on the flight from PHX to YYZ and then again from YYZ to MUC. So, should've been $100 per additional bag per segment for a total of $200 as you said, not the almost $400 I got charged.
Any idea the dimensions/weight of the bags?
Edit: seems AC charges $100 additional for an oversize and/or overweight bag. Makes the most sense to me that one of these limits was breached, resulting in the extra charge?
Last edited by emcampbe; Jan 16, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Jan 16, 2025 | 2:52 pm
#19
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This is wrong. Something is way off - to have TWO AC agents charging the wrong fee at TWO different airports suggest something was off - either the info. UA included on ticket for bag allowance/charges, the display on the app, or the size/weight of the bags. $200 for a single bag, no matter what the carrier, suggests there is an error somewhere. Maybe overweight/size, but for that, $200 seems low? Or maybe the display on the email (which isnt uncommon for partner trips, but you would have had UA fees the whole way through, even UA probably gets that right).
Any idea the dimensions/weight of the bags?
Edit: seems AC charges $100 additional for an oversize and/or overweight bag. Makes the most sense to me that one of these limits was breached, resulting in the extra charge?
Any idea the dimensions/weight of the bags?
Edit: seems AC charges $100 additional for an oversize and/or overweight bag. Makes the most sense to me that one of these limits was breached, resulting in the extra charge?
Will be writing to AC now and see how that goes.
Jan 16, 2025 | 3:17 pm
#20
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Do you still have the paper bag tags? If so, look at them carefully to see whether they contain information on the weight of the bag. (Some do.) Also, some airline policies require that an overweight tag/ribbon be added to overweight bags, but I don't know whether AC has such a rule to help baggage handlers avoid injury.
Jan 16, 2025 | 3:31 pm
#21
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Do you still have the paper bag tags? If so, look at them carefully to see whether they contain information on the weight of the bag. (Some do.) Also, some airline policies require that an overweight tag/ribbon be added to overweight bags, but I don't know whether AC has such a rule to help baggage handlers avoid injury.
Reading their current rules, additional/overweight luggage would be $100 on flights to/from US and $225 internationally, so even by that definition I seem to have been screwed. Baggage Fees and Optional Services
Just fired off a friendly email to them, will keep you posted.
Jan 16, 2025 | 8:05 pm
#22
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I have one of them, but no mention of weight. Definitely under weight/size on both of them and zero discussion of luggage size, just the extra baggage fee talk.
Reading their current rules, additional/overweight luggage would be $100 on flights to/from US and $225 internationally, so even by that definition I seem to have been screwed. Baggage Fees and Optional Services
Just fired off a friendly email to them, will keep you posted.
Reading their current rules, additional/overweight luggage would be $100 on flights to/from US and $225 internationally, so even by that definition I seem to have been screwed. Baggage Fees and Optional Services
Just fired off a friendly email to them, will keep you posted.
AC fees for a second bag on an international itinerary (checked MUC-SFO and YYZ-MUC) seem to be $225 CAD/USD, and note on the checked bag calculator on AC site seems to indicate there is no overweight/size fee where you pay the extra bag fee. So if you were charged $225, could sort of see that the computer charged you their fee for a second bag on an international itinerary. That would still be wrong, but at least one could presumably see where the number might have come from.
Otherwise, it makes not a lot of sense to me, honestly.
Jan 21, 2025 | 1:42 pm
#23
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Were you charged $200 or $225?
AC fees for a second bag on an international itinerary (checked MUC-SFO and YYZ-MUC) seem to be $225 CAD/USD, and note on the checked bag calculator on AC site seems to indicate there is no overweight/size fee where you pay the extra bag fee. So if you were charged $225, could sort of see that the computer charged you their fee for a second bag on an international itinerary. That would still be wrong, but at least one could presumably see where the number might have come from.
Otherwise, it makes not a lot of sense to me, honestly.
AC fees for a second bag on an international itinerary (checked MUC-SFO and YYZ-MUC) seem to be $225 CAD/USD, and note on the checked bag calculator on AC site seems to indicate there is no overweight/size fee where you pay the extra bag fee. So if you were charged $225, could sort of see that the computer charged you their fee for a second bag on an international itinerary. That would still be wrong, but at least one could presumably see where the number might have come from.
Otherwise, it makes not a lot of sense to me, honestly.
I am hoping they won't come up with any more confusing problems.Sent them email, they say they will look at what happened, meanwhile offered 10% discount on any future tickets, but capped at $36!
Jan 21, 2025 | 2:01 pm
#24
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Thank you all for your responses.
This was a regular sized, second bag. The fees in the attached screenshot are from the original ticketing email and they stayed the same in the app throughout my travel. I've clicked around on the links in the email and couldn't even wide any weasel language for them to say it does not apply, but doesn't mean it's not hiding somewhere I didn't consider clicking.
This was a regular sized, second bag. The fees in the attached screenshot are from the original ticketing email and they stayed the same in the app throughout my travel. I've clicked around on the links in the email and couldn't even wide any weasel language for them to say it does not apply, but doesn't mean it's not hiding somewhere I didn't consider clicking.
The extra baggage charge for transborder flight should be $50, and the international flight should be $100. Unless there is a 3rd bag or if the bag is overweight/oversized, there's no reason for the computer to charge $200.
I would first request a refund with AC.
Jan 21, 2025 | 4:46 pm
#25
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No, $100 is correct in each case, although AC would have been allowed to charge only $50 if they so chose. The DOT rule is that the baggage fees dont change during the trip, and sadly that includes changes that are in the passengers favor. It would have been at ACs discretion to charge only $50.
Jan 22, 2025 | 7:09 am
#26
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No, $100 is correct in each case, although AC would have been allowed to charge only $50 if they so chose. The DOT rule is that the baggage fees dont change during the trip, and sadly that includes changes that are in the passengers favor. It would have been at ACs discretion to charge only $50.
Mar 22, 2025 | 4:18 pm
#27
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Apologies for late response, I had nothing to share, until just now.
Looks like that's next! If there is anyone left to review those AC forwarded my request to United, everyone went silent and once I've pinged them again, I finally got AC response. Somehow, they are very deliberately not responding to the situation as described. So, will point that out to them yet again, but will try the DOT complaint path too. Not much hope for either succeeding, but it's a bit of an adventure anyway. Appreciate all the advice.
Looks like that's next! If there is anyone left to review those
AC forwarded my request to United, everyone went silent and once I've pinged them again, I finally got AC response. Somehow, they are very deliberately not responding to the situation as described. So, will point that out to them yet again, but will try the DOT complaint path too. Not much hope for either succeeding, but it's a bit of an adventure anyway. Appreciate all the advice.
Originally Posted by AirCanada Not Helping
Thank you for your follow up email regarding your baggage fees. My name is Misha, and it is my pleasure to review the status of your refund.
I am so sorry to learn about these unexpected baggage fees, I understand how inconvenient this must have been for you.
Regrettably, after careful review of your baggage fees, United Airlines has determined that the baggage fees collected by them were charged correctly. For this reason, they are not able to process a refund your baggage fees.
I have had the opportunity to review your booking information, and my search reveals that your arrival in Toronto was on December 5, 2024. The time of departure for your next flight, AC 836 from Toronto to Munich was on December 8, 2024.
In accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) practice, baggage should be checked to the final destination specified on the ticket if the connecting time is within 24 hours. Unfortunately, because your stop-over length was longer than 24 hours, it is customary that a new fee is charged. For this reason, no refund is due. Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee the exact price of a baggage fee before your travel, as there are many factors that influence this price. Some examples include the direction of travel, the country where the fees are paid, and the date of travel. Although I understand that you were expecting a $100.00CAD price, this baggage fee in other currencies may differ. For this reason, the fee paid is correct and, regrettably, no refund is due.
By way of an apology for letting you down on this occasion, we have provided you with a promo code for a 10% discount off the base fare on your next booking on Air Canada - Official website. Youll find more details about the promo code and how to receive your discount below.
Although I realize that this may not be the answer you were hoping for, I truly appreciate your understanding.
I am so sorry to learn about these unexpected baggage fees, I understand how inconvenient this must have been for you.
Regrettably, after careful review of your baggage fees, United Airlines has determined that the baggage fees collected by them were charged correctly. For this reason, they are not able to process a refund your baggage fees.
I have had the opportunity to review your booking information, and my search reveals that your arrival in Toronto was on December 5, 2024. The time of departure for your next flight, AC 836 from Toronto to Munich was on December 8, 2024.
In accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) practice, baggage should be checked to the final destination specified on the ticket if the connecting time is within 24 hours. Unfortunately, because your stop-over length was longer than 24 hours, it is customary that a new fee is charged. For this reason, no refund is due. Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee the exact price of a baggage fee before your travel, as there are many factors that influence this price. Some examples include the direction of travel, the country where the fees are paid, and the date of travel. Although I understand that you were expecting a $100.00CAD price, this baggage fee in other currencies may differ. For this reason, the fee paid is correct and, regrettably, no refund is due.
By way of an apology for letting you down on this occasion, we have provided you with a promo code for a 10% discount off the base fare on your next booking on Air Canada - Official website. Youll find more details about the promo code and how to receive your discount below.
Although I realize that this may not be the answer you were hoping for, I truly appreciate your understanding.
Mar 24, 2025 | 4:53 pm
#28
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Can someone sanity check me?
Booked (but may change...keeping my eye out for options)
LGW-LIS-ZRH-IAD-CLE as a one-way award ticket. (CLE-EWR-LHR as a much simpler separate award)
LGW-LIS is operated by Portugilia with a TP flight number in "I" class
LIS-ZRH is operated by Swiss with a LX flight number in "I" class
ZRH-IAD-CLE is operated by UA with UA flight numbers in IN and XN class.
None of the stops are long enough to meet the definition of a stopover, so I expect if I check a bag it will be checked a LIS through to CLE with normal re-check formalities in IAD.
United is quoting a first bag fee (limit 50 pounds/23kg) of $195 or €180 depending on where I look, seemingly making no allowance for being a Business class fare or *G status.
When I pull the PNR on TAP's website it appears to imply 70# (though quantity is unclear).
Is it reasonable for me to expect that I'll be able to check 1 bag (probably in the 30# range) free or should I trust UA's baggage fee disclosure for once?
Booked (but may change...keeping my eye out for options)
LGW-LIS-ZRH-IAD-CLE as a one-way award ticket. (CLE-EWR-LHR as a much simpler separate award)
LGW-LIS is operated by Portugilia with a TP flight number in "I" class
LIS-ZRH is operated by Swiss with a LX flight number in "I" class
ZRH-IAD-CLE is operated by UA with UA flight numbers in IN and XN class.
None of the stops are long enough to meet the definition of a stopover, so I expect if I check a bag it will be checked a LIS through to CLE with normal re-check formalities in IAD.
United is quoting a first bag fee (limit 50 pounds/23kg) of $195 or €180 depending on where I look, seemingly making no allowance for being a Business class fare or *G status.
When I pull the PNR on TAP's website it appears to imply 70# (though quantity is unclear).
Is it reasonable for me to expect that I'll be able to check 1 bag (probably in the 30# range) free or should I trust UA's baggage fee disclosure for once?
Mar 24, 2025 | 5:07 pm
#29
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Can someone sanity check me?
Booked (but may change...keeping my eye out for options)
LGW-LIS-ZRH-IAD-CLE as a one-way award ticket. (CLE-EWR-LHR as a much simpler separate award)
LGW-LIS is operated by Portugilia with a TP flight number in "I" class
LIS-ZRH is operated by Swiss with a LX flight number in "I" class
ZRH-IAD-CLE is operated by UA with UA flight numbers in IN and XN class.
None of the stops are long enough to meet the definition of a stopover, so I expect if I check a bag it will be checked a LIS through to CLE with normal re-check formalities in IAD.
United is quoting a first bag fee (limit 50 pounds/23kg) of $195 or 180 depending on where I look, seemingly making no allowance for being a Business class fare or *G status.
When I pull the PNR on TAP's website it appears to imply 70# (though quantity is unclear).
Is it reasonable for me to expect that I'll be able to check 1 bag (probably in the 30# range) free or should I trust UA's baggage fee disclosure for once?
Booked (but may change...keeping my eye out for options)
LGW-LIS-ZRH-IAD-CLE as a one-way award ticket. (CLE-EWR-LHR as a much simpler separate award)
LGW-LIS is operated by Portugilia with a TP flight number in "I" class
LIS-ZRH is operated by Swiss with a LX flight number in "I" class
ZRH-IAD-CLE is operated by UA with UA flight numbers in IN and XN class.
None of the stops are long enough to meet the definition of a stopover, so I expect if I check a bag it will be checked a LIS through to CLE with normal re-check formalities in IAD.
United is quoting a first bag fee (limit 50 pounds/23kg) of $195 or 180 depending on where I look, seemingly making no allowance for being a Business class fare or *G status.
When I pull the PNR on TAP's website it appears to imply 70# (though quantity is unclear).
Is it reasonable for me to expect that I'll be able to check 1 bag (probably in the 30# range) free or should I trust UA's baggage fee disclosure for once?