Michael Turner
Direct recommendation: Ask the check-in agent to tag your bags to the final city and get a paper receipt for each piece; if the agent refuses or you booked separate tickets, assume you will retrieve and recheck at the connection. Keep boarding passes and baggage receipts until you reach your end point.
Compare allowances per segment before departure: many international carriers set checked-weight limits at 23 kg (50 lb) for basic economy and 32 kg (70 lb) for premium cabins; carry-on size commonly allowed is 55 × 40 × 20 cm with weight between 7–10 kg on several operators, while some North American carriers enforce only size, not weight. First- and second-bag fees on U.S. operators often run about $30 and $40 respectively on domestic routes; long-haul international fares frequently include at least one free checked piece. If your itinerary is issued on a single ticket and carriers have interline or transfer agreements, baggage is more likely to be checked through – separately ticketed segments usually require you to collect and recheck.
Account for immigration and customs: most countries require passengers to collect checked items at the first point of entry for inspection, then recheck if continuing on a different operator. Allow extra time: plan at least 90 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections with checked items, and 2–3 hours for international connections that involve immigration or baggage recheck. When tight connections are unavoidable, buy through-checked service or add protected connection coverage from the primary carrier.
Practical steps at home and at the airport: weigh and measure your cases before leaving (digital luggage scales are inexpensive); place a printed itinerary and contact info inside each case; photograph contents and tag exterior with a unique identifier. Keep spare lithium batteries in the cabin only (most rules permit up to 100 Wh without carrier approval, 100–160 Wh with prior permission). Pack liquids in carry-on in ≤100 ml containers if not checked. If you expect an oversized or overweight fee, prepay online where offered – online rates are frequently lower than airport charges.
Confirm whether your baggage will be through-checked on interline or codeshare flights
Ask for through-check at booking and again at check-in: if all segments are on a single PNR and one ticket number covers every segment, request that the agent tag your bag to the final destination and show you the full tag; a tag listing the last airport code is the fastest confirmation.
If segments exist on separate tickets, through-check is unlikely unless both carriers agree to an interline transfer; request written confirmation (email or screen print) from both carriers before departure and keep that evidence with your boarding passes.
Codeshare: the operating carrier’s rules govern acceptance. Verify the operating flight number for each segment and check that the operating carrier will accept your checked item to the end of the itinerary under the ticketing carrier’s PNR.
Border control and customs exceptions: countries that mandate baggage collection at first point of entry (for example, United States and Canada for many itineraries) require you to claim and re-check bags regardless of ticketing – ask the agent whether customs rules force a physical re-check at your entry airport.
At the check-in counter, confirm these three facts out loud and inspect the tag: 1) ticket number/PAX name matches all segments, 2) tag shows final airport code, 3) any excess-fee or differing allowance for later segments is recorded. Photograph the issued tag and boarding passes before you leave the counter.
If the agent refuses through-check but you believe an interline agreement should allow it, request transfer-desk escalation or a supervisor, note the refusal in writing, and ask for instructions on self-transfer (where you must collect and re-check). Keep receipts for any extra handling fees for claims later.
For repeated transfers or tight connections choose a hard-sided, easy-to-identify case and durable wheels; see best luggage brands for overseas travel for models suited to frequent transfer handling.
Calculating baggage allowances and fees across different carriers on one itinerary
Check the validating carrier printed on your e‑ticket and the baggage allowance shown in the PNR first; for a single‑ticket itinerary that is usually the rule set applied to checked baggage across all segments.
- Single ticket – practical calculation:
- Locate the validating carrier code on the e‑ticket (field labeled “Validating carrier” or “Ticketing carrier”).
- Read the baggage line in the fare rules or the PNR‑displayed allowance (pieces, weight, or free bag count). That allowance typically covers the entire reservation unless a specific operating carrier rule overrides weight or size limits on an individual sector.
- Example: validating carrier allows 1 free checked bag up to 23 kg (50 lb). Even if a later flight is operated by a different carrier that normally permits two 32 kg bags, expect the 1×23 kg rule to apply to the whole ticket unless the PNR or ticket indicates otherwise.
- Separate tickets – calculation per segment:
- Treat each ticket as an independent contract: fees and free allowances are charged by the carrier that issued each separate ticket.
- Example: Segment A has a $30 first‑checked bag fee; Segment B has a $40 first‑checked bag fee → total potential outlay = $70 (plus any overweight/oversize charges per segment).
- Buy additional allowance for the more expensive segment in advance if you expect to check through the same suitcase; this is often cheaper than paying at the airport.
- Codeshare and mixed‑operator sectors:
- Check both the marketing carrier’s baggage policy shown in the PNR and the operating carrier’s site. The operating carrier can enforce its own weight/size limits at check‑in even when the marketing carrier’s PNR shows a different allowance.
- Recommendation: if allowances conflict, contact the operating carrier shown for the flight segment and get a written confirmation (email or screenshot) of the applicable allowance to show at check‑in.
- Weight/size and fee benchmarks (useful reference):
- Common free checked allowances: 1×23 kg (50 lb) or 2×32 kg (70 lb) on many international fares; domestic low‑cost fares often have no free checked bags.
- Typical US domestic fees (approximate): first checked bag $30, second $40. Overweight (23–32 kg / 50–70 lb): $75–$100; over 32 kg / 70 lb: $150–$200.
- Measure weight in kilos where required: 23 kg = 50 lb; 32 kg = 70 lb. Size limits differ by carrier (linear dimensions and permitted carry‑on sizes).
- Practical checklist to avoid surprises:
- Confirm the validating/ticketing carrier on your e‑ticket and note any baggage allowance lines in the PNR.
- If tickets are separate, budget fees per segment and avoid relying on through‑check unless explicitly confirmed in writing.
- Purchase extra bag allowance online in advance to reduce cost; pay‑at‑airport rates are usually higher.
- Keep receipts and the baggage tag(s); if a carrier charged incorrectly per the ticketing rule, file a claim with the validating carrier and keep documentation.
- For bulky/dirty gear, consider renting or buying inexpensive equipment at destination – see best pressure washers under 200 for lightweight, compact models that travel easily.
If uncertainty remains after checking PNR data, call the validating carrier and the operating carrier for each segment; request a clear statement of the applicable allowance and any fees and save that confirmation. This practical record is the best protection at the check‑in desk.
Who bears liability and how to file a claim for lost, delayed or damaged baggage across different carriers
File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport desk of the carrier that issued your bag tag or the desk that first notices the problem; keep the PIR number, bag tag(s), boarding pass and ticket as primary proof for any claim.
Liability rules and which carrier to approach first
If your checked baggage was through-checked on a single ticket, begin the claim with the carrier that issued the baggage receipt at check-in; that carrier must accept the claim and either pay or pursue reimbursement under interline agreements with the performing carrier. If your pieces were not through-checked or lost between separate tickets, file with the carrier that last handled the piece on the segment where it went missing or was damaged. For international carriage governed by the Montreal Convention, the performing carrier on the segment where loss/damage occurred is ultimately responsible for compensation, but the ticketing/check-in carrier usually acts as the claimant’s first contact.
Deadlines, financial limits and escalation path
Key timelines under international rules: for damage to checked baggage, file a written complaint within 7 days of receipt; for delay or destruction (loss), submit within 21 days from the date the bag should have been delivered. The general statute of limitation for legal action is two years from the date of arrival or the scheduled arrival. Monetary ceiling under the Montreal Convention for checked baggage compensation is 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger (approximately USD 1,600–1,700, subject to currency fluctuations). Carriers may have additional commercial policies above that limit on specific tickets–check fare conditions.
If the first-contact carrier refuses liability or is unresponsive, escalate in this order: (1) submit a written claim to the performing carrier(s) with PIR number and supporting documents; (2) if no resolution within roughly 8 weeks, lodge a complaint with the national aviation authority or designated consumer protection body for the country of departure or carrier’s registration; (3) use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) schemes or small-claims court; (4) bring a civil claim within the two-year window under applicable treaty or national law.
Keep detailed records of all correspondence, timestamps of submission, reference numbers and any phone-call notes; save original receipts for lost or damaged items and for purchases of essential items during delay–most carriers require original receipts for reimbursement.
Typical carrier handling timeframe: acknowledge receipt within 7–14 days; provisional offers or final decisions commonly arrive within 4–8 weeks depending on complexity and whether multiple carriers must coordinate.
Do not discard damaged bags or repair receipts until the claim is concluded; if the carrier requests inspection, provide access. If theft is involved, obtain a police report and attach it to the claim. For itineraries involving carriers from different jurisdictions, file parallel written claims with each relevant carrier (ticketing and performing) to preserve rights, and specify which segment you believe caused the loss or damage and why.
Documentation checklist to include with any written claim: PIR number, bag tag photos, boarding pass, ticket/receipt, itemized inventory with purchase dates and values, original receipts, photos of damaged items and of the bag exterior/interior, police report (if applicable), repair estimate (for damaged case), and bank details for reimbursement.
Steps for collecting and rechecking hold items between separate tickets or alliances
Allow a minimum connection buffer: 2.5–3.5 hours for domestic→international self-transfer, 3–4 hours for international→domestic, and 4+ hours for two international sectors that require passport control and terminal transfer.
Before departure verify transfer rules for each carrier on both booking references; request written confirmation of through-checking policy or tagability and save screenshots or emails. Note the PNRs, ticket numbers, and support phone numbers for both operators.
At initial check-in ask the agent to attempt a through-check to the final destination and insist on paper tag receipts (route and tag number). If through-check is refused, obtain a printed receipt showing the checked-item tag for the first sector and photograph the tag and boarding pass.
On arrival for an international-to-international connection anticipate passport control and customs clearance requirements. United States and Canada always require arrival collection and customs processing before any recheck; many other states do the same. Factor that into your buffer time and plan terminal transfers accordingly.
For terminal transfers identify the exact check-in location for the next carrier before leaving the reclaim hall: depart via the airport map, transfer shuttle, or inter-terminal train, and check whether the carrier operates a dedicated transfer desk inside the secure zone or only a public departures counter.
To recheck, present the boarding pass for the onward flight, original tag receipts, passport, and any necessary visas. Expect a new weight check and possible fees; have a card handy and be ready to repack or remove items to meet limits. Ask for priority or fragile tags if eligible and retain the new tag receipt.
If online check-in is permitted for the second ticket, complete it while still at the airport using airline Wi‑Fi or mobile data to get a seat assignment and reduce time at the counter; print or screenshot the boarding pass and carrier confirmation number.
Pack carry-on with a change of clothes, essential chargers, medications and valuables; keep receipts and take photos of checked contents as proof of value/condition. Include a compact umbrella in your hand luggage: best double canopy compact umbrella.
If a delay forces an overnight stay, call both operators’ service desks immediately at the airport for rebooking options and keep all expense receipts. Maintain copies of every tag receipt, boarding card and written correspondence for reimbursement or refund requests later.
Labeling, documenting and tracking baggage during carrier changes
Attach an external tag with: last name, mobile number with country code, final IATA airport code (e.g., JFK, LHR), and at least one email address; insert an identical paper slip inside the main compartment that also includes a photocopy of your passport and all booking reference codes for every carrier on the itinerary.
When checked in, photograph the airline-issued bag-tag barcode and the printed tag showing the destination and tag number; store that photo in the cloud, in a notes app and as an emailed copy to yourself. Record tag number plus carrier code, flight numbers and PNR(s) in one short note so you can quote exact identifiers if needed.
Place a second hidden tag or slip inside a zipped pocket with: your name, two phone numbers (home and roaming), final destination IATA, and the full itinerary (carrier codes and PNRs). Use waterproof paper or laminate; place this slip where it cannot fall out during handling.
Use a compact tracking device for location awareness: Bluetooth network trackers (Apple AirTag, Tile) are effective for urban airport coverage because they leverage other devices; cellular/GPS trackers provide direct location but need international roaming or a global SIM. Confirm battery type: devices with integral lithium batteries below 100 Wh are normally permitted in checked baggage; spare lithium batteries must travel in the cabin. If a tracker has a removable battery, keep the removal tool/packaging accessible and check carrier-specific restrictions before check-in.
Position trackers near the top of the bag or in an outer zipped compartment for stronger signal; avoid burying them between hard frames and metal panels. Verify battery at 100% or at least 50% for trips with long ground times or multiple connections; take a screenshot of the tracker’s serial number and battery level before departure.
Apply an obvious visual identifier to the exterior for quick recognition at the carousel: bright ribbon, custom sticker, or a colored luggage strap with your initials. Use tamper-evident zip ties or numbered cable ties to spot unauthorized opening; put one identical tie on an internal pocket as a cross-check.
Create an itemised list with serial numbers and photos of high-value items inside the checked bag; save the list and images in two different cloud locations and email them to yourself and an emergency contact. Keep all bag-tag receipts and boarding passes until you physically retrieve your case and verify the tag number matches the receipt and your photographed record.
