Luggage check in when you have a rental car?

[slk537]

I read in the 2007 Unofficial Guide that you can print out your boarding passes and check your luggage at the hotel, even if you have a rental car and don't take the ME. Since this very much sounds like "too good to be true", particularly since we have an early flight home and usually get to the brink of divorce every time we juggle through MCO's security, I thought I'd see if anyone here has done this. I will be calling Disney to find out for sure, as well as checking with BWV once we're there, but what the hey, I might as well ask here, right?

The book says (I'm paraphrasing, not quoting. It's page 102 for those of you who have the book): when it's time to go home you can check your luggage and get your boarding pass at the front desk...this service is available to all WDW resort guests, even those not using the ME service (guests with rental cars, for example).

Am I reading this wrong? Does it just mean you can get your boarding passes printed, but the luggage check is not true?

Anyone do this?

Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

It is true but only if you are flying with a participating airline. Check the ME FAQ for more detail.

At any rate, we have used Airline Checkin several times without taking the ME bus back to the airport. It is very sweet indeed and my husband declared we are not flying SW again until/unless they begin to participate.

There is a complete list on the FAQ but I know that AA and United/TED are particiapting and SW is not...at least so far.

The hours are limited however and everyone in your party must be present at checkin just like the airport. The hours are 5am to 1 pm I believe.

Editing to add you can check your luggage. That is the best part! Also it is not really at the front desk at the hotels we've used it. At the Polynesian and GF it is outside near the Bell Captain's stand and at BC/BCV it is in the hall near the lobby.

 

[slk537]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! We fly Northwest so we are now so excited!

We just stink at hauling everything and if they can help us out with this it will be so much smoother!

 

[Donald is #1]

slk537, thanks for asking the question! I used ME for my October trip but I have a rental car for my May trip. It didn't dawn on me that I could check in for my return flight at my resort and give them my luggage. I am flying a partcipating airline (Jet Blue) so I am psyched that I won't need to check in at MCO!

 

[CleveRocks]

we have an early flight home and usually get to the brink of divorce every time we juggle through MCO's security, I thought I'd see if anyone here has done this.

Don't throw away the matrimonial attorney's phone number just yet.

You say you have an early flight. HOW EARLY??? If it is even one minute before 8:00 a.m. then you are not eligible to use Resort Airline Check-in. The RAC desk is open from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Per TSA regulations, the earliest you can check in your luggage is 12 hours prior to flight, and the latest is 3 hours prior to flight. Therefore, anyone with a scheduled flight departure between 1:01 a.m. and 7:59 a.m. can't use RAC.

 

[BCV23]

Eric, the TSA does not require you to checkin luggage three hours before a flight. I think that is a Resort Checkin requirement to allow enough time to transport the bags to MCO.

 

[CleveRocks]

Eric, the TSA does not require you to checkin luggage three hours before a flight. I think that is a Resort Checkin requirement to allow enough time to transport the bags to MCO.

How do you know this? This is the information we were provided when RAC was launched.

 

[BCV23]

Well, I know it because we have checked bags at ORD and other airports many times since TSA was established and never three hours ahead. I think it actually varies by airport and airline not TSA.

But RAC has to add some additional time to get the bags from WDW to MCO and the various airlines so the three hour lead time makes sense in that case.

 

[dudspizza]

How do you know this? This is the information we were provided when RAC was launched.

I think the big thing here is the three hour rule is there. Anyone flying between 1:01 a.m. and 7:59 a.m cannot use RAC.

duds

 

[BCV23]

I think the big thing here is the three hour rule is there. Anyone flying between 1:01 a.m. and 7:59 a.m cannot use RAC.

duds

Very true. But the onus should not be on TSA.

 

[dudspizza]

Quoted from Travelocity... http://leisure.travelocity.com/Promotions/0,,TRAVELOCITY|2751|multi_main,00.html

The Resort Airline Check-In desks, located at the Resort Hotels operate 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily. Below is the full set of policies for using the Resort Airline Check-In Service:

Flying domestically (includes Puerto Rico an the US Virgin Islands)
On the day of departure, you must check-in no less than 3 hours prior to your flight departure time
Guests with a flight departure time before 8:00 a.m. must check-in at the airport
For families traveling together, a parent or guardian may check-in for their spouse and minor children
Luggage must be 50 pounds or less to use the service
A valid government issued photo ID and Key to the World Card are required

The only thing I question is that I have heard that all members of the party need to be present.... but it states something different above. I would check with RAC at the resort before the day of departure to make sure....

Duds

 

[BCV23]

I wonder when it changed that one could checkin for spouse and children? That is a nice change if accurate.

 

[CleveRocks]

Well, I know it because we have checked bags at ORD and other airports many times since TSA was established and never three hours ahead. I think it actually varies by airport and airline not TSA.

But RAC has to add some additional time to get the bags from WDW to MCO and the various airlines so the three hour lead time makes sense in that case.

OK, I should have clairfied -- it's TSA's rule AT THIS SITE, but is not an overall TSA rule everywhere. TSA is very involved in RAC. It's even listed by Disney as one of the subcontracors/participants.

 

[n2mm]

This is a great service. We also rent our car and fly United. We have used it for the last 6 trips. (We have used the RAC at AKL, BWVx2, WLx2, CSR). Keep in mind that this is a free service, but don't forget to tip your luggage handlers. They are not disney CMs and will happily accept (and expect) tips. These folks are contractors that work for a company called BAGs.

 

[BCV23]

Eric, thanks for the clarification. Now I get it.

It is a fantastic service!

n2mm, great reminder to tip!

 

[goofy4tink]

And better to be safe than sorry....have everyone in your party there, present with their ID in hand. This is the same thing as checking in at the airport, so I just can't imagine how someone can check their spouse in. In fact, when I was checking in at POR, there was a woman in line ahead of me who was trying to get boarding passes for her entire family. She had all the luggage right there...seems the rest of them were over eating at the food court. She had to go over, get them all, and get back in the line.
So.....have everyone with you.

 

[Cheroot]

slk537, thanks for asking the question! I used ME for my October trip but I have a rental car for my May trip. It didn't dawn on me that I could check in for my return flight at my resort and give them my luggage. I am flying a partcipating airline (Jet Blue) so I am psyched that I won't need to check in at MCO!

Maybe I'm still confused but I don't think you can check your bags onto that bus unless you are actually on it as well. If you are a participating airline with a rental car, you can get boarding passes and transport your own luggage in your rental car. Can anyone confirm this? I will have a retal as well

 

[Donald is #1]

Maybe I'm still confused but I don't think you can check your bags onto that bus unless you are actually on it as well. If you are a participating airline with a rental car, you can get boarding passes and transport your own luggage in your rental car. Can anyone confirm this? I will have a retal as well

Cheroot, I believe that you are correct. I was referring to the return trip. So, my plan now is:
1) Arrival: get my luggage at MCO and then get my rental car & drive to WDW
2) Departure: Check in for my flight using RAC at my resort and give them my luggage plus get my boarding pass. Then drive to the airport & return my car. I can then go right to security without stopping at the Jet Blue desk to check in.

 

[jekjones1558]

Well stated, Donald! This is exactly how it works. Sweet.

 

[Cheroot]

Cheroot, I believe that you are correct. I was referring to the return trip. So, my plan now is:
1) Arrival: get my luggage at MCO and then get my rental car & drive to WDW
2) Departure: Check in for my flight using RAC at my resort and give them my luggage plus get my boarding pass. Then drive to the airport & return my car. I can then go right to security without stopping at the Jet Blue desk to check in.

So, you are saying that you CAN put your bags on the bus (if you are a participating airline), you will drive the rental to the airport, and you will see your bags at home. Why would they allow bags on the bus for the return trip, without your being on the bus, when you can't do it for the arrival? This is makin me loopy!