Baggage Fees

[Angie_Ohio]

We are about to embark on our first trip abroad. My concern is the fee for baggage along the way. We have three plane changes on our way to Barcelona; Clevelnd to Montreal, Frankfurt and finally Barcelona. Do we pay a fee each time we change planes or airline? Starting on Continental and then flying on Lufthansa. I just want to be prepared.
Thanks

 

[Anal Annie]

I don't know - are they code share flights? According to KAYAK.com Continental charges $25 for the first checked bag ($23 if paid online in advance) and $35 for a 2nd checked bag ($32 if paid online). Luftsansa allows the 1st checked bag for free but then charges $50 for a 2nd checked bag. These would be per person so you definitely want to try to keep yourself limited to 1 checked bag each.

We have booked all of our flights on Air France. I wanted the same rules to apply for all flights on bags allowed & bag sizes & weight etc. (we're going thru Paris and are spending time there before heading to BCN). They allow 1 checked bag pp for free then charge $50 for a 2nd checked bag. Their carry-on size allowance however is less than our domestic carriers. Domestically, our carriers allow a 21-22" bag to be carried on but if you measure them with a tape measure they're really more like 23". Many international sizes are limited to only 21" x 13" x 9" INCLUDING wheels, exterior pockets & handles. Air France for example only allows a total carry-on weight limit of 26 Lbs for ALL personal items carried on (ie purse AND overhead bin bag combined) so I had to buy new smaller lightweight carry-on bags to meet these restrictions (my purse alone could weigh 9 or 10 Lbs if I'm not careful). The bags I bought only weigh 6.5 Lbs empty and their interior size is only 17". They look like kid-size bags but they will meet the international restrictions. But so you might want to double check on Luftsansa's carry-on limits too before you go so you don't end up with a surprise when you check in - they COULD force you to check a bag that you'd planned on carrying on which could throw you out of whack and make you pay that higher fee. AND not only might you be hit with an unexpected fee if they make you check a bag that you'd packed with essentials that you intended to keep with you then you could be separated from things you might need (like meds). I think this is more likely to be enforced in Europe than when leaving from this side of the pond. I'd definitely check on the carry-on restrictions for the other carriers.

If the flights are code share then I would call Continental to ask how it should work tho. If they're just booked as "multiple airline" then I'd guess you'd have to follow each airlines rules.

 

[ga9497]

Is your flight is originating on Continental (different airlines along the way) all the way through to Barcelona or did you book separate flights for each segment?

If you booked it all the way through on Continental but they just happen to be connecting flights then your bags will be checked all the way through to Barcelona. This means that when you check your bags at your home airport you will not see them until you reach Barcelona.

On Transatlantic flights Continental doesn't charge for the first checked bag

If all of your flights were done as one reservation through continental and if you aren't checking in more than one bag per person you should haven't any fees.

To be on the safe side I would call Continental and give them your reservation number and ask these questions. There are two many variables depending on how your flight is booked, individual airline rules, etc to get one positive answer here on the boards

Air Canada and Lufthansa are both code share partners with Continental and I would think you booked it as one reservation under Continental but without all of your details we wouldn't know that

European airlines have different airline requirements than U.S. airlines on luggage weight and measurement so call them and double check

 

[woody73]

If the fights are on one ticket and you are checking your baggage all the way through (Cleveland to Barcelona), there will be one fee, if any.

Woody

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

See http://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/CheckedBaggage.aspx

I assume your itinerary is booked as a single ticket (even though there are multiple airlines) and that you will check your bags to your final destination.

If your flight originates in the United States and your destination is in Europe, Continental charges no fee for the first checked bag per passenger.

There is a fee if a passenger has a second bag. That fee takes care of all flight segments to your final destination.

 

[DisneyBasket]

In late 2009, I flew from Philadelphia to Adelaide, Australia in 3 legs using 3 airlines. US Air was my first leg, and I checked my luggage all the way through. Had to pay for the luggage per US Air baggage fees. On the way home, my first two airlines did not charge for luggage, however, when I checked in at Adelaide, I had to pay the US Air baggage fee for the LA to PHL leg of the trip, even though I was checking in with another airline that did not charge fees.

So, I would guess that if one of your airlines charges a luggage fee, you will have to pay it when you check your bags. I also found that when I had to go through customs, I had to have all my luggage with me. You may not encounter that if you fly out of the country on your first leg. My first leg was domestic, so had to get my luggage, go through customs and then re-check the bags. This was pretty simple to do, just annoying! It was repeated on the way back when I arrived in LA on the way to PHL. But the luggage fee had been paid up front when checking in for the first leg.