Continental -gate check ?

[tinkermom23]

This is our first time flying Continental and our first flight with kids that is not non-stop and we will need to switch planes.

My question is how to handle our stroller. We have always gate-checked it but with switching planes I don't want to have to deal with it if we don't need to. Can we check it with our regular luggage at no charge or do we need to gate-check if we want to skip the $25 bag fee?
We will not have carseats. We each have a carry-on.
If we can check it without charge, do we put one of our ME tags on it and it will be delivered to our room with our regular checked bag, right?

Here is what the Continental website says:
Strollers and Car Seats as Checked Baggage

Continental accepts one stroller or one carseat in addition to a customer's baggage allowance. When checked as baggage, all oversize and overweight charges will apply. First and second bag fees do not apply to either a stroller or a car seat. Continental is not liable for damage to strollers. Excess Valuation may not be purchased for strollers.
Note: If you are traveling with a stroller and a carseat in addition to the baggage allowance, only one of these items is carried free of charge.

THANK YOU for your help!!!

 

[dougsmom98]

Depending on the age(s) of your kid(s) I would personally gate check the stroller and not check it as luggage. If you have to switch planes, you may have to go quite a ways to your next gate and you may want the stroller. We had to switch planes in Chicago yesterday and we had to go from one terminal to another and it was really far away. If my daughter had been under 4, I would have wanted the stroller. She is 6, a seasoned traveller and was able to keep up with us to get to our connection on time.

If you decide you won't need the stroller in the airport, then I would call and ask if you can check it without any other checked bags for free. I think you can, but I am not 100% sure.

 

[deegack]

From what the website says, it sounds like you can check it at main luggage check in and not gate check it for free if it meets the size requirements for luggage. If you gate check it you have to pick it up between flights. It won't be transferred for you.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

All US airlines allow you to check a car seat or stroller for free, not counted against baggage allowance, either at the gate (if size requirements are met) or at check-in.

This is stated in the excerpt you posted from Continental's website. I'm not sure why this isn't clear You don't need to waste your time calling Continental.

If you check it with a ME tag, the stroller will be treated as any other piece of baggage. I suggest that you get a cover for your stroller, if you don't already have one.

 

[tinkermom23]

Thanks for the responses.

dougsmom98 - Very good point! We too will be stopping in Chicago and not sure how far from one gate to the next. Our twins are 5 and although they are fine to walk, (and probably will need to by then) sometimes we like the stroller to contain them in busy places.

lost*in*cyberspace - I posted this question because I thought if we gate-check the stroller it would be without charge but if we regular-check the stroller we would need to pay the $25 baggage fee.

We do not travel very often and I am so thankful for the very helpful people here on the Dis who share their expertise and knowledge!