Does luggage transfer between different airlines

Primary rule: Single‑ticket itineraries and carrier agreements usually allow a single check‑through to the final destination; separately issued tickets normally require collection at the connecting point. When arriving on an international inbound leg that requires customs processing (for example, United States, Canada, China), expect to collect items and clear customs before any onward domestic departure, even when a single tag was issued.

Timing and minimums: Use the published minimum connecting time (MCT) as a baseline: typical MCTs are 45–60 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections, 90–120 minutes for domestic-to-international or international-to-domestic within the same terminal, and 120–180+ minutes for complex interterminal moves or separate‑ticket connections. For separate tickets allow at least 3–4 hours at major hubs; add time if you must pass immigration/customs or move between terminals.

Pre‑flight checks and requests: At booking and at check‑in confirm on your itinerary or boarding pass that bags are tagged to the final airport code. Ask the agent to print a single tag to the destination and keep the tag receipts. Verify whether carriers have interline or baggage‑through agreements by checking carrier websites or calling their contact centers; codeshare flight numbers do not guarantee baggage through‑check unless the operating carrier accepts it.

Contingencies and costs: If items are not checked through you will need to reclaim at claim, recheck and possibly pay additional fees (typical recheck/checked‑bag charges range from $25 to $200 depending on carrier and route). For high‑value or time‑sensitive contents consider shipping options or carry‑on only. If connections are tight, purchase protected connecting tickets or add extra layover time to reduce risk of missed onward flights and extra fees.

When your carrier will check a bag through to another operator

Ask the check-in agent to tag your checked bag to the final ticketed destination and verify the destination IATA code on the tag before leaving the desk; through-tagging is granted only under specific booking and operational conditions.

Conditions that allow through-tagging

Single booking: all segments must be on one PNR/record locator. Agents will tag to the end point only if the itinerary is issued as one ticket.

Interline agreement: both carriers must have a baggage-handling agreement (alliance membership often provides this). A codeshare flight number alone does not guarantee routing; confirm the interline arrangement.

Connection feasibility: operating carriers require sufficient connection time and compatible terminals so ground staff can route checked items to the onward flight. Expect refusals on very tight connections.

Customs rules: some countries require passengers to reclaim and clear bags at first point of entry (for example, arrivals into the United States and Canada). In those cases agents will not tag through to the final stop.

When through-tagging is unlikely or denied

Separate tickets: when flights are booked on different tickets, automatic through-tagging is usually unavailable unless an explicit interline check has been arranged in advance.

Low-cost or no-interline operators: many budget carriers do not accept through-checked items; plan to collect and recheck if one segment is on such an operator.

Special items and services: oversized freight, pets in cabin or hold, unaccompanied minors and hazardous declarations typically require manual handling and will not be routed automatically.

Practical steps: request the final-destination tag, keep the bag stub and a photo of the tag, confirm which carrier’s baggage rules and fees apply (check with the ticketing carrier), allow extra connection time for recheck where customs or separate terminals apply, and if denied obtain a written receipt explaining the reason.

Verify interline and codeshare baggage agreements before booking

Call the ticketing carrier and the operating carrier with your reservation code and demand written confirmation that your checked bags will be issued through to the final destination; record the agent’s name, time, and reference number before finalizing payment.

Step-by-step checklist

1. Confirm operating carrier for each flight segment (marketing vs operating flight numbers are often different).
2. Ask explicitly for a “through-check” or “through-checked baggage” confirmation and request the bag-tag number when available.
3. Verify whether interline agreements apply for the entire itinerary and whether any segment requires recheck at a connection point.
4. Check fees and size/weight limits of the operating carrier for checked and carry items; codeshare bookings follow the operating carrier’s rules.
5. Request the contract of carriage clause or an interline agreement reference (some carriers provide policy pages or PDF links).
6. Note minimum connection times required to have bags reissued if interline handling is not available for a segment.
7. Take screenshots or save email confirmation showing the through-check wording or bag-tag details.
8. On the day of travel, reopen the reservation and confirm at the check-in desk that baggage will be checked to the final stop and that bag tags reflect that destination.

Practical scripts and tools

• Phone script: “My booking code is X. Which carrier is operating flight Y? Will my checked bags be issued to the final destination Z? Please provide the bag-tag number or written confirmation.” Record agent name and reference.
• Online check: inspect the e-ticket receipt for phrasing such as “CHECKED TO” or a final-destination bag tag number; if unclear, contact both carriers’ customer service via chat and save the transcript.
• If booking via an OTA, confirm with the operating carrier directly – many agencies cannot guarantee interline handling.
• For carry items choose a durable daypack that meets cabin limits, for example best backpack for comic conventions, and pack protein-rich snacks for long connections (see which meats have the most protein).

If you do not receive explicit through-check confirmation in writing, assume baggage will need to be reclaimed and rechecked at the connection; factor that into connection time and risk assessment before completing the purchase.

Steps at check-in and during connections on separate tickets

Ask the first check-in agent to through-check your checked items to the final airport and verify the final airport code is printed on the bag tag; if the agent refuses, assume you must reclaim and re-check your bags at the connection point and plan time accordingly.

At the originating counter

Present complete itinerary and boarding passes for all segments; request the agent to confirm interline handling and print a bag tag receipt showing the final destination airport code. Photograph the tag and keep the physical receipt–these are the single most useful documents if an item goes missing. Verify piece allowances and weight limits (common standards: 23 kg / 50 lb for first checked piece in economy, up to 32 kg / 70 lb for higher classes) and ask about per-piece fees; low-cost operators often apply separate charges. Put valuables, medications, passports and a change of clothes in cabin baggage. Label the external handle and place a paper card with name, phone and onward address inside the main compartment. If you buy a connection-protection add-on or protected-through product, get written confirmation and the vendor’s contact number.

During the connection

If the bag was not through-checked: go directly to the arrivals reclaim carousel, retrieve items, clear immigration/customs if required, then proceed to the next carrier’s check-in or bag-drop desk. Allow minimum time windows: 90 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections with recheck, 2–3 hours for international→domestic or domestic→international when a reclaim is required, and 3–4 hours if immigration and customs re-clearance plus re-check are mandatory. Check-in/bag-drop cutoffs vary: expect 30–60 minutes before domestic departures and 45–90 minutes before international departures; low-cost operators may close earlier–confirm local counter hours as soon as you land.

If an item does not arrive at the next counter or is delayed, file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) immediately with the operator that accepted the bag at origin or the last carrier that handled it; keep ticket stubs, boarding passes, bag-tag photos and receipts. Photograph damaged items and retain purchase receipts for high-value contents. Call both carriers’ baggage/special-handling numbers and follow up by email with scanned documents. Consider travel insurance with baggage delay/missing-item coverage that pays a per-day allowance after a defined delay (typical thresholds: 6–12 hours) and reimburses replacement purchases.

Carry a compact, durable umbrella in your cabin bag – for example, best vented golf umbrella – and keep essential contacts (carrier reservation numbers, airport transfer desks, and your hotel) in both paper and phone. Make contingency plans for re-routing or overnight stays if connection windows are tight and re-check procedures are required.

Who to contact and who is liable for delayed, lost or damaged baggage on multi-carrier trips

Contact the carrier that accepted your checked bag at origin immediately and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the handling desk before leaving the airport; that PIR number is the single most important piece of evidence.

Liability rules and deadlines

Legal liability is governed mainly by the Montreal Convention (1999) for international travel: baggage compensation is limited to 1,288 SDR per passenger. Time limits: damaged items must be reported in writing to the carrier within 7 days of receiving the bag; delay claims must be filed within 21 days from the date the bag was placed at your disposal; judicial action must be brought within two years. For domestic sectors, check local carrier conditions and national law, which may differ.

Who to contact in practice

If your itinerary is on a single ticket covering multiple carriers, contact the contracting carrier named on your ticket or the carrier that issued the baggage receipt – they are responsible to handle your claim and may seek recovery from the operating carrier. If segments were issued on separate tickets or your bag was only accepted to the first segment’s endpoint, you must claim with the specific operator that accepted the bag for the segment where loss/damage/delay occurred; liability does not automatically extend to a later operator who never accepted the bag under contract. At arrival, if the operating carrier is not present, file a report with the local ground handling agent and request written confirmation of which carrier accepted the bag.

Always escalate in writing to the carrier’s baggage/claims department (email or online form) and keep delivery/read receipts. If a carrier acknowledges the PIR but refuses compensation, request a written refusal referencing the Montreal Convention or the carrier’s conditions of carriage; that document is required for enforcement or court claims.

Include the following in any written claim: PIR number, booking reference, flight numbers and dates, bag-tag numbers, itemised list of damaged/missing contents with approximate values, original receipts for high-value items, receipts for emergency purchases (essentials), bank details for reimbursement, and photos of damage. Keep original boarding passes, baggage tags and all correspondence.

If no adequate response within a reasonable administrative period, contact the national enforcement body or civil aviation authority for the country where the carrier is registered, and consider small-claims or civil proceedings before the two-year limitation expires.

Immediate airport actions if your bag does not arrive with you

Report the missing bag at the carrier’s baggage service desk before leaving the terminal.

At the service desk – exact steps

1. Present boarding pass, checked-bag tag (sticker), passport/ID and the flight itinerary; keep originals and photograph each item.

2. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) on-site and obtain the PIR/reference number in writing or by email/SMS. Insist staff write the delivery address and phone number they will use.

3. Ask for the expected location-check timeline and a written delivery commitment (hours/days) and note the agent’s name and station code.

4. If the bag shows visible damage when recovered, photograph damage, request a damage report at the same desk and keep a signed copy.

If you must leave the airport

1. Leave contact phone(s) and preferred delivery address with the carrier; confirm whether home/hotel delivery is included or requires a fee.

2. Obtain any immediate expense assistance offered (meal/toiletries allowance or voucher). Collect the agent’s statement specifying the amount and method of reimbursement.

3. Keep every receipt for emergency purchases and attach them to your claim; record dates, amounts and what was bought.

Use the PIR/reference number for all calls and emails; record date, time and agent details of every follow-up. If a connecting operator or ground handler is mentioned, request the direct contact to avoid misrouting of responsibility. Keep all originals and scanned copies of documents until final settlement.

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