Airline Luggage Question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

nickerjones · 12-02-2008, 09:16 AM

Im flying to calgary for Christmas. I booked my flight through Air Canada but i fly on united planes. Air Canada allows 2 free bags and United charges 15 for the first bag and i think 50 for the second one. I cant figure out whose rules i go by. I have called both airlines twice and i have got different answers. Each airline has told me I use Air Canadas rules and United rules ( of course different Customer Service reps at the Airlines) Im so confused =) also im flying first class if that helps or makes a difference...

any of you guys have a clue ?

ok, ok,....I get it · 12-02-2008, 09:18 AM

fly westjet instead

getbak · 12-02-2008, 09:21 AM

If you're flying first class, there is no checked baggage fee.

Otherwise, you would be subject to the rules of the airline that you're flying on, not the airline you booked through.

nickerjones · 12-02-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

fly westjet instead

WESTJET doesnt fly out of Oklahoma City

Phaneuf3 · 12-02-2008, 09:44 AM

How long are you staying in Calgary? Do you really NEED a checked bag? Two? Carry on is the way to go if you're only staying for a week or something.

ken0042 · 12-02-2008, 09:45 AM

Obviously there are no Christmas gifts in the Phaneuf3 household.

Phaneuf3 · 12-02-2008, 09:47 AM

Buy em when you get to Calgary. Also - money's always a good gift that won't take up too much room in your luggage

ken0042 · 12-02-2008, 09:51 AM

And what does he do with the gifts he receives when he gets here?

Back to the OP's question- I would get the "right" answer from an Air Canada rep, then ask them to email you that information. That way you have it in writting.

If United then tries to charge you, show them the email. If they still charge you, pay it, then demand a refund from Air Canada after.

In my mind you have made an agreement for Air Canada to fly you somewhere. The fact that they go and sub-contract out their end of the agreement shouldn't matter; if the price you pay them includes 2 bags, then they cannot change the terms that they put in writting later on.

mykalberta · 12-02-2008, 09:52 AM

United doesnt offer first class to Calgary, only Biz, Econo plus, and econo.

EDIT - I guess they offer what they call first and what everyone else calls buisness - strange. Either way you get 2 checked and 2 unchecked bags.

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Uni..._737-500_S.php

Biz class allows for 2 unchecked and 2 checked bags on UAL. If you are status member with star alliance you get the same on econo plus.

Flash · 12-02-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

...If United then tries to charge you, show them the email. If they still charge you, pay it, then demand a refund from Air Canada after.

I recently tried to get a refund from Air Canada for an unauthorized charge to my credit card, and they flat out refused. I was offered flight credits for the amount instead. I wouldn't recommend anyone trying to get any sort of refund from them, they were horrible to deal with.

And for my 2 cents to the OP's question...I'd say you have to go by United's rules. I've booked flights for my mom from Calgary to Indiana and while booked through Air Canada, the flights are operated through United, and rules that Air Canada stated to me were not applicable in the eyes of United.

ernie · 12-02-2008, 10:03 AM

I recently booked a trip to Tulsa through Air Canada. All flights are operated by United and when i booked the ticket it was in bold writing that I'm subject to the fees of the carrier that operates the flight. TSo if United charges for everything, and they do, I get to pay for everything.

MoneyGuy · 12-02-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

How long are you staying in Calgary? Do you really NEED a checked bag? Two? Carry on is the way to go if you're only staying for a week or something.

Ha, let me guess you're not married.

Or you are married and have a wife way different than mine.

Phaneuf3 · 12-02-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Ha, let me guess you're not married.

Or you are married and have a wife way different than mine.

Married. Wife is an even more minimalist packer than I am. Go figure.

Gugstanley · 12-02-2008, 10:07 AM

If Air Canada has a place to check in at the airport then check in with them not United. That should give you the best chance of getting around the charge.

I hate these extra fees they should just add it all into the ticket. How much does united charge if you need to use the facilities on the plane?

Flash · 12-02-2008, 10:16 AM

^As far as I know, since it's a United flight, he'll have to check in with United at the airport. Air Canada told me they don't have check in desks at the airport (this was in Indiana) since it's not technically their flight, it was just booked through them. I would assume it's the same in Oklahoma.

Gugstanley · 12-02-2008, 10:19 AM

Code sharing flight should let you check in at either one but if they don't have a place then that plan isn't going to work.

nickerjones · 12-02-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

How long are you staying in Calgary? Do you really NEED a checked bag? Two? Carry on is the way to go if you're only staying for a week or something.

im staying 11 days i usually take 1 suitcase and then i take my hockey bag.... theres 2 bags.... And on the topic of first class, on my reservation is says cabin service: first........ but it is usually business class from what i have found. I will tell you last coupld time i have flown first class on United and American it took me 50,000 air miles . I just signed up for a aero plan since my company card has 186,000 miles and they are partnered with Delta ( whom i hate) and i sniffed around and found they were partnered with Air Canada as well... anyway they point is it only took me 40,000 miles with aeroplan to book a first class flight ... so just letting you guys know Aeroplan is cheaper than American and United with reward miles

Edit: and on another note, I got on the united website and it says first class gets 2 free checked bags and there is no Air Canada desk at Will ROgers Airport in OKC so i will have to check in at United desk

mykalberta · 12-02-2008, 01:57 PM

Its definately 2 checked and 2 unchecked on BF domestic class with AA, CO and UA. because your flight originates in the US at a UA only airport - no way AC has ground services iin OKC.

Since your flight beigns with UA, I am 99% sure that its UA baggage rules.

Nufy · 12-02-2008, 02:49 PM

If you check in at UA its their rules.

I got burned by this in Hartford a few weeks back.

When I flew out of Calgary I paid AC fee's.

When I went home it was UA fee's.

If you find a way around it let me know please.

Boblobla · 12-02-2008, 03:18 PM

If you are flying first class and getting charged for luggage you are getting ripped off. To my knowledge (and I travel alot on Air Canada) First Class gets 3 checked bags for free up to a total of 150lbs. I have never heard of a first class passenger being charged for a second piece of luggage much less a first.