Through-Checking Luggage on Multiple Tickets
 

My apologies in advance - I'm sure this has been covered but my search results aren't helping...

I'm flying PHX-ORD//ORD-IND//IND-ORD//ORD-DEN-PHX. That's a r/t from PHX-ORD and a r/t ORD-IND, each r/t on a different ticket.

On the outbound, PHX-ORD//ORD-IND, I'd love to through-check my bag in PHX. It's TED to ORD and UAEx to IND. Is this possible?

On the return, again, I'd love to through-check my bag. I've got a nine hour layover in ORD to deal with passport issues and don't want to haul a carry-on around downtown Chicago. Would they let me through-check in IND in the morning, or will I have to go down to baggage claim in ORD and hope for the best? I understand UA in ORD is not likely to allow early check-in, leaving my only option the Hilton, lockers (if there are any), or carrying my bag around.

I did find this article, but I'm not particularly comfortable lying to the Hilton in order to keep a bag there...

Sorry for the stupid questions - I haven't flown UA in exactly one year and rarely ever have to check a bag, especially on a multi-ticket itinerary. On the plus side, it looks like ORD-DEN is an internationally-configured 777 and that little 1,000 mile certificate you get with the credit card will let me enjoy a two hour ride in business class. :)

Thanks in advance for any advice or information!

Sean

There should be no problem checking bags across multiple tickets. Or at least no more problems than can be expected any time you check bags...

Thank you very much for the quick response, mahasamatman!

Given that I'm 0/2 on on-time baggage arrivals when I've had to check, you're not exactly inspiring a lot of confidence... :p

I'd forget the on time baggage arrival and just hope the bag arrives at all after leaving it with baggage services for so long on the ground, it really is the recipe for a lost bag.

I don't think they'll refuse you but as this isn't a valid connection (too long between flights) an argument might be needed. I'd say just don't call attention to the amount of time between flights. G'Luck.

If they raise a stink about the time the bag is on the ground on a domestic itinerary (doesn't seem like they would), what you might be able to do is have yourself put on standby for an earlier flight ORD-IND. IIRC, the way this would work is your bags will be put on the earlier flight and you'll still be confirmed on the later flight, so with a bit of luck your bag will still be there when you arrive (IF YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T LOSE YOUR CLAIM CHECK).

This worked for me one time when I was flying RNO-SFO-SNA on a late afternoon flight but wanted to check my bags at lunch and go back to work for the afternoon. The CSR said something about not being able to check bags more than a certain amount of time before departure, so he just put me on standby for an earlier flight said that my bag would be waiting for me in SNA when I arrived. My bag went out on an earlier flight to SNA, I showed up for my originally confirmed flight, and although both my flight and the flight my bag was on were diverted to LAX, sure enough it was waiting for me when I got there.