How early can luggage be checked? [Merged]
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
On an upcoming trip I am planning on checking a bag, I am also looking to avoid a taxi charge and take the bus to the airport. The problem that arises is that my flight is at 6am and the bus does not get to the airport until 4:45, add 20 minutes to get to and through the line of the check in kiosk and you are running closer to the cutoff time than I would like. If I were to swing by the airport (MSP) the night before would they accept my bag?
Last edited by GoingAway; Jun 23, 2008 at 10:38 am Reason: b/c the darn system is broken again
#32
Join Date: Jul 2003
Programs: UA1K 3MM, AS MVP 75K Gold
Posts: 2,706
I'm in a similar situation. I go from ANC-SFO at 2:15 in the afternoon, land in SFO and have to spend the night there before my flight from SFO-HNL the next morning.
I must spend the night in SFO since there are no flights after 8 pm when I arrive. It's too bad UA doesn't allow me to check my bag in at ANC to HNL so I just need to carry what I need for the one night in SFO. After all, it's not as if I wanted to spend an extra night in SFO.
I must spend the night in SFO since there are no flights after 8 pm when I arrive. It's too bad UA doesn't allow me to check my bag in at ANC to HNL so I just need to carry what I need for the one night in SFO. After all, it's not as if I wanted to spend an extra night in SFO.
#33
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD | Chicago O'Hare
Programs: UA-LifetimePremierGold, PLT: Bonvoy, IHG, GLD: Enterprise, Budget
Posts: 247
at busier airports, everyone gets there 3+ hours early (try Delhi in the evening); in sleepy Guam, CO allows you to check bags the night before for a morning flight... many folks do this
#34
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 930
Earliest Luggage Check?
What is the earliest I can check luggage before my flight? Does it depend on airport or are all US trips the same>
#35
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ravens Country
Programs: UA-1K, Marriott-Gold, SPG-Gold, IC RA/Plat, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,887
I believe you can check in and check your bags as soon as the airport opens.
#36
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 4
United does not let you check baggage more that 4 hours before flight - will let you check in, but will not accept the baggage.
#37
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ORD & DEN
Programs: UA Premier 1K 1MM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 239
Four hours applies internationally as well. I was flying syd-sfo two weeks ago and was allowed to check in, but they would not check my luggage until four hours prior.
#38
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,026
I've successfully checked baggage 10 hours in advance before.
But they knew me.
#39
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1P, Hertz Gold #1 5*, Avis First, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 87
I've checked in with luggage at JFK approx 14 hours ahead; was connecting from an international flight on a different carrier on the same day.
#40
In Memoriam
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 653
we once flew MEL-HNL on QF, switched over to UA, and they checked our luggage in almost 7hrs before our flight. It left us luggage free to catch the public bus into Waikiki. I think it might be one of those "what sort of a day" moods the agent is in.
#41
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
How many hours before flight can I check in?
I've tried searching for this without success. My apologies for not finding the thread(s).
I want to check in and check bags between 9 and 10 am in for an int'l flight leaving post-6pm from LAX. I have an idea that the maximum time I can check bags before departure is 4 hours, but can find nothing on this in FT, and the United website is particularly unhelpful also. (No surprise there, then. )
Can I check my bags in the morning and return in the evening to take the plane? If I were flying in from somewhere else in the morning with a long layover, presumably there'd be no problem about the airline holding my bags until the evening flight, so why not for the first leg?
I want to check in and check bags between 9 and 10 am in for an int'l flight leaving post-6pm from LAX. I have an idea that the maximum time I can check bags before departure is 4 hours, but can find nothing on this in FT, and the United website is particularly unhelpful also. (No surprise there, then. )
Can I check my bags in the morning and return in the evening to take the plane? If I were flying in from somewhere else in the morning with a long layover, presumably there'd be no problem about the airline holding my bags until the evening flight, so why not for the first leg?
#42
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: exUA, WN
Posts: 203
I could use this info also. I've got a trip coming up w/ a 2 PM flight I'd just as soon checkin way early (assume Ticket counter is open) and spend the day working from the RCC.
But I'm not sure how soon I can do this, and I can't get my skis to the RCC. :-)
But I'm not sure how soon I can do this, and I can't get my skis to the RCC. :-)
#43
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
I thought online check in opens 24 hours prior to departure and then for actual check in at the airport, any time during the same day? e.g. after the counters open in the morning is good for travel later that day. I have no confirmation of that, but have checked in rather early (say 6 hours) before departures regularly so I can get work done in the RCC before heading out.
#44
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,139
#45
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
Good point. I usually just do carry on. On the few times I've checked bags, I can't remember if I was there quite that early. I'm guessing if there's an issue, it'll be some sort of security related concern perhaps.