Strict Oversize baggage? - TPAC $200 ow
Jun 18, 2009, 12:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Former UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 576
Strict Oversize baggage? - TPAC $200 ow
After a long search, I found a great suitcase at a great price. It weighs 9 lbs. 11oz and holds 6,100 cubic inches. Those were the specs that I was looking for. However, I may have made a major miscalculation.
The dimensions of the suitcase are 44 x 18 x 16 inches. Looking at the United web site, this appears oversized! Oversized > 62 linear inches. Domestic fee is $150 each way. Trans-Pacific fee is $200 each way. Is this enforced? No 1k exemption? If it is I will be attempting to return this great bag ASAP.
Explore
Osprey SpaceStation 100 Wheeled Duffel Specs
http://www.rei.com/product/764339 - I bought it elsewhere but REI has the specs all laid out.
United
Domestic - http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1034,00.html
International - http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52909,00.html
The dimensions of the suitcase are 44 x 18 x 16 inches. Looking at the United web site, this appears oversized! Oversized > 62 linear inches. Domestic fee is $150 each way. Trans-Pacific fee is $200 each way. Is this enforced? No 1k exemption? If it is I will be attempting to return this great bag ASAP.
Explore
Osprey SpaceStation 100 Wheeled Duffel Specs
http://www.rei.com/product/764339 - I bought it elsewhere but REI has the specs all laid out.
United
Domestic - http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1034,00.html
International - http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52909,00.html
Jun 18, 2009, 12:37 pm
#2
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If there's an exception, it might be for one or two inches oversize. But oversize by a full 16 inches? I doubt it.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Asia
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Posts: 883
I once was on an F award from SFO-FRA and was taking a lot of stuff...including one giant duffle bag with a motorcycle frame in it...kid you not, I think they are more concerned with weight than size as I was not hassled.
I have been charged for overweight before, but not about size, and that one time with the giant dufflebag with motorcycle frame must have been over the size limit or right at it, I remember checking dimensions before leaving home but I think weight was the real issue.
I have been charged for overweight before, but not about size, and that one time with the giant dufflebag with motorcycle frame must have been over the size limit or right at it, I remember checking dimensions before leaving home but I think weight was the real issue.
Jun 18, 2009, 3:06 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Former UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 576
My only real hope was that there was a relatively unknown 1K exemption for oversize luggage. Glad that I bought from someone that accepts returns.
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PS Now I will have to look for alternatives. Hmm, I also need to check if the 3 bag 70lbs allowance applies when you fly another *alliance carrier on an award ticket. Might just get 2 cheap/disposable suitcases.
Explore
PS Now I will have to look for alternatives. Hmm, I also need to check if the 3 bag 70lbs allowance applies when you fly another *alliance carrier on an award ticket. Might just get 2 cheap/disposable suitcases.
Jun 18, 2009, 3:14 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAV
Posts: 554
My only real hope was that there was a relatively unknown 1K exemption for oversize luggage. Glad that I bought from someone that accepts returns.
Explore
PS Now I will have to look for alternatives. Hmm, I also need to check if the 3 bag 70lbs allowance applies when you fly another *alliance carrier on an award ticket. Might just get 2 cheap/disposable suitcases.
Explore
PS Now I will have to look for alternatives. Hmm, I also need to check if the 3 bag 70lbs allowance applies when you fly another *alliance carrier on an award ticket. Might just get 2 cheap/disposable suitcases.
regards,
drew
Jun 18, 2009, 4:28 pm
#6
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I think your luck of not paying oversized fees depend on where you check in. In the US, they seem to be pretty relaxed about luggage as long as you're 1P or higher. As always, confusing the agent or being very friendly never hurts. Tell them about your trip. Ask questions about the flight, seat assignments, your reservation or something else.
In my experience, the intl checkin agents are more relaxed than the domestic checkin agents. I've been checking large (oversized by United rules) duffel bags a few times. Never once have they asked me anything. Sometimes, they don't even weigh my bags. Once, I checked a surf board and they didn't charge me the $150 surfboard fee. Other 1K FTers have reported checking bikes as a regular piece without a fee as well.
About overweight (and since you shop at REI): Assuming you don't check 3 bags, the trick to never paying overweight charges is to always bring an extra duffel bag, like this one: http://www.rei.com/product/748506 It comes in a flat storage sack and doesn't take much more extra room than a shirt. Should they ever mention the overweight word, just pull it out and check one more bag
Remember that you may have more trouble checking the large bag coming back than heading out. They may not be as relaxed about the rules as the priority checkin in the US.
In my experience, the intl checkin agents are more relaxed than the domestic checkin agents. I've been checking large (oversized by United rules) duffel bags a few times. Never once have they asked me anything. Sometimes, they don't even weigh my bags. Once, I checked a surf board and they didn't charge me the $150 surfboard fee. Other 1K FTers have reported checking bikes as a regular piece without a fee as well.
About overweight (and since you shop at REI): Assuming you don't check 3 bags, the trick to never paying overweight charges is to always bring an extra duffel bag, like this one: http://www.rei.com/product/748506 It comes in a flat storage sack and doesn't take much more extra room than a shirt. Should they ever mention the overweight word, just pull it out and check one more bag
Remember that you may have more trouble checking the large bag coming back than heading out. They may not be as relaxed about the rules as the priority checkin in the US.
Jun 18, 2009, 4:29 pm
#7
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Come on over to the Travel Products Forum... lots of great advice over there.
Jun 18, 2009, 5:26 pm
#8
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The dimensions of the suitcase are 44 x 18 x 16 inches. Looking at the United web site, this appears oversized! Oversized > 62 linear inches. Domestic fee is $150 each way. Trans-Pacific fee is $200 each way. Is this enforced? No 1k exemption? If it is I will be attempting to return this great bag ASAP
Jun 18, 2009, 5:29 pm
#9
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Posts: 13,437
About overweight (and since you shop at REI): Assuming you don't check 3 bags, the trick to never paying overweight charges is to always bring an extra duffel bag, like this one: http://www.rei.com/product/748506 It comes in a flat storage sack and doesn't take much more extra room than a shirt. Should they ever mention the overweight word, just pull it out and check one more bag
Jun 18, 2009, 5:32 pm
#10
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Once @ LHR, the agent wanted to charge us for the folding bikes but then her coworker told her to measure the size instead. Fortunately, we removed the extra few inches of cardboard
Jun 18, 2009, 5:33 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 350
If it's 44 x 18, it would have to be 0 for the 3rd dimension to be within the limit. It looks considerably wider/deeper than 0.
Jun 18, 2009, 7:18 pm
#12
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Try and get a monster bag past them and I wish you luck.
Jun 18, 2009, 7:22 pm
#13
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Jun 18, 2009, 8:12 pm
#14
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Other origin/destination usually use the weight concept in which they don't care how many pieces of baggage but are more concerned about the total weight...
in Changi (SIN) they are usually more relaxed about it as well once you have any form of status...even with 2P...
Jun 18, 2009, 9:12 pm
#15
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I saw the title "Strict Oversize baggage? - TPAC $200 ow" and I thought it meant OW as in paying $200 to check that bag is gonna hurt 