International flight connecting into a domestic one, what happens to my bags?
I'm flying from SJD (San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico) to PHX (Phoenix, AZ), with a connecting flight to PHX through LAX (Los Angeles, CA). I was planning to check one bag through at SJD but I'm worried about what the procedure will then be at LAX. When I arrive in Los Angeles would I have to collect my bag and re-check it with US Airways, my connecting flight's operator (it's a United Airlines flight operated by US Airways; I was confused by this as well but their restrictions on bags are similar)? And if so, will I be subject to either US or United's fees for checked baggage? They have a different baggage allowance than American Airlines, who I am flying with out of SJD. Will domestic charges then apply because my connecting flight is a domestic one, despite my original flight having been an international one, and furthermore because the carriers are different? Or will my bag be exempted from charges because I'm connecting from an international flight, coming off an airline that did not charge for a first bag, with LAX not being my final destination? I didn't do anything unusual like book the flights separately; it was all done in one go through Expedia, with both of them appearing in my itinerary. I can't find any relevant information on any of these airlines' websites and have no access to a phone with which to call them. I e-mailed Expedia but they're going to take 24 hours to get back to me. Please advise as this is my first time flying solo and I would appreciate knowing what to expect! Thanks in advance. Hi, Your answer was extremely helpful, but just to clarify, it's American that my flight out of SJD is with, so is it their requirements I'm subject to or UA's? Furthermore, in the case that it is UA's, the UA flight (which is the connecting flight out of LAX) is operated by US Airways and now that I've taken another look at their site I notice that they, unlike UA, charge for a first checked bag! In this kind of situation, where one airline is operating another's flight, which airline's policy is it that determines how my bags are handled?
Air Travel - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
United will be able to check your bag all the way through to PHX for you when you check in at SJD -- US Airways and United have interline baggage agreements that allow for the transfer of checked luggage between carriers. You will be subject to United's baggage requirements for flights between Mexico and the US, because you're checking in with UA. I'd also note that you will have to collect your bag when you arrive at LAX before you go through Customs and Immigration (as this is the normal procedure for international passengers arriving at LAX who must go through Customs/Immigrration). Once you've gone through, though, there should be a place where transit passengers may drop their bags for their connecting flights. Since UA will have checked your bag all the way to PHX for you, all you'd need to do is leave your bag at that point and then make your way to your connecting gate. EDIT: American and US Airways do have an interline baggage agreement as well -- AA will be able to check your bag all the way through to PHX for you as well. (You'll still have to pick the bag up at LAX before you go through Customs and Immigration, though, but you'll be able to drop it at the point where transit passengers drop their bags for connections.) Since you have clarified that you're flying American on the first flight rather than United or another airline, American's baggage rules apply. According to their website, you won't be charged for the first bag (though charges will apply for the second bag). Because you should be able to check your bag all the way through to PHX when you originally check in, US should not charge you for that bag.
