How far forward can you (or would you) check luggage (same ticket)

[Kefci2000]

I'am travelling overnight SYD-HKG arriving 5.15am, then catching a 23.45 overnight flight to CPH via LHR arriving 9.50am in CPH, then catching a 20.20pm to HEL.

Doing meetings during the day both days so just nee my suit and toiletries etc not checked luggage.

Question is can I check through luggage all the way to HEL? And if yes would you given chances of it going astray hanging around the back of 2 airports all day??

Previously when I have had this sort of itinerary, I have collected luggage at final destination of each day and the immediately re-checked to next destination.

Thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

I believe that as long as its not a 'stop over' ( >24hrs) the luggage an be checked and will travel straight through. I think three segments is the maximum one can do.

However having bags hanging around airports definitely increases the chance of theft; more of contents rather than whole bags. The only times I've had things stolen for bags is when they were inadvertently stuck at an airport overnight.

Once at HKG, which shocked me. Cathay flight and bags didn't make my flight into HKG, and they arrived late the same evening; I arranged beforehand that they not be delivered to my hotel room late, as I was zonked and wanted to sleep, so they spent the night at the airport. When delivered, a number of items missing (Cathay paid). Of course they could have been pinched at Vancouver as well.

Second time at LAX. Bags didn't make connection and so stayed at LAX until the next day's QF flights departed. Again, items (non 'valuable') taken.

If I didn't have any valuables or electronics etc in the bags, in your case I'd be happy to have them left at the airport. Otherwise I would check them so you collect, then seek out 'left luggage' at the airport and store them, then re-check.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'am travelling overnight SYD-HKG arriving 5.15am, then catching a 23.45 overnight flight to CPH via LHR arriving 9.50am in CPH, then catching a 20.20pm to HEL.

Doing meetings during the day both days so just nee my suit and toiletries etc not checked luggage.

Question is can I check through luggage all the way to HEL? And if yes would you given chances of it going astray hanging around the back of 2 airports all day??

Previously when I have had this sort of itinerary, I have collected luggage at final destination of each day and the immediately re-checked to next destination.

Thanks

how long they hold baggage varies by airport, but the main concern would be that the bag doesn't make the connecting flight. If the lay-over is very long, the bag sometimes gets sent to a holding area, and you have to rely on the system remembering to retrieve your bag at flight time.

Easy way around that is to present your bag-check at the gate at boarding time and ask them to physically check the bag has been loaded.

 

[Nizar]

I believe that as long as its not a 'stop over' ( >24hrs) the luggage an be checked and will travel straight through. I think three segments is the maximum one can do.

However having bags hanging around airports definitely increases the chance of theft; more of contents rather than whole bags. The only times I've had things stolen for bags is when they were inadvertently stuck at an airport overnight.

Once at HKG, which shocked me. Cathay flight and bags didn't make my flight into HKG, and they arrived late the same evening; I arranged beforehand that they not be delivered to my hotel room late, as I was zonked and wanted to sleep, so they spent the night at the airport. When delivered, a number of items missing (Cathay paid). Of course they could have been pinched at Vancouver as well.

Second time at LAX. Bags didn't make connection and so stayed at LAX until the next day's QF flights departed. Again, items (non 'valuable') taken.

If I didn't have any valuables or electronics etc in the bags, in your case I'd be happy to have them left at the airport. Otherwise I would check them so you collect, then seek out 'left luggage' at the airport and store them, then re-check.

Hi RooFlyer,

Do you wrap your bags or lock them ?
If you didn't the first time surely you would have learnt from that and had them wrapped or locked from then on (if it was me I'd probably do both) ?
Did they have to break the wrapping or break the lock to take your items the second time at LAX ?

Keen to know what exactly happened here so me and probably others here can learn from it.

Thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

Hi RooFlyer,

Do you wrap your bags or lock them ?
If you didn't the first time surely you would have learnt from that and had them wrapped or locked from then on (if it was me I'd probably do both) ?
Did they have to break the wrapping or break the lock to take your items the second time at LAX ?

Keen to know what exactly happened here so me and probably others here can learn from it.

Thanks

The first time, I didn't have any security on the bags. I usually use plastic cable ties but on that occasion I forgot or didn't have any with me; Canada to Hong Kong on Cathay - what could go wrong ?. Second time I most certainly did - flight originated in Mexico and I was super careful about all forms of security! A lock would have been just as easy to remove as cable ties.

I've never been a bag wrapper. Dunno why. My experiences haven't made me go that route either.

 

[Kefci2000]

Thanks for reply

 

[JohnK]

I wouldn't check through with more than 2-3 sectors. Has failed me everytime.

The 2 morning-night connections look like a recipe for disaster.

Easy way around that is to present your bag-check at the gate at boarding time and ask them to physically check the bag has been loaded.

Unless you are JohnK!

Double checked and triple checked in SIN and bags still did not arrive. Transfer counter, twice in lounge and at the gate.

 

[Kefci2000]

I just wonder how much better off I am collecting bag and re-checking it straight away?

I would prefer not to lug it around HKG or CPH for that matter.

I guess I could lug it to Kowloon and check it in there?

 

[hossein_au]

The most hops I had my bags checked through was 4 hops from Europe to Australia (including a 1-hour stop in CPH, and a 12-hour stop in BKK). Bags arrived with no problem.

Another time I had 4 hops again (Aus-EU), including a 35-minute connection at FRA, without any problem.

Maybe I'm just lucky?

 

[Kefci2000]

Sorry for re-opening this thread, but my April trip got cancelled.

My new trip is even worse!
5 flights in 2.5 days and I am still tempted to check all the way through!

Am I mad?????????

8/9/15 CX138 SYD-HKG (late)
9/9/15 BA26 HKG-LHR (late)
10/9/15 BA1432 LHR-EDI (early)
10/9/15 BA1447 EDI-LHR (arvo)
10/9/15 BA822 LHR-CPH (late)

 

[Mattg]

Not sure if they'll let your bag pass through LHR twice without you picking it up. Perhaps someone can confirm (or otherwise)? I would say they'll probably check it as far as EDI.

Otherwise it should be okay, as long as you don't have any really tight connections. I'd also avoid putting anything valuable in your checked luggage and bring a few changes of clothes in hand luggage. It probably won't happen, but be prepared to have your checked bag lost at some point.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Sorry for re-opening this thread, but my April trip got cancelled.

My new trip is even worse!
5 flights in 2.5 days and I am still tempted to check all the way through!

Am I mad?????????

8/9/15 CX138 SYD-HKG (late)
9/9/15 BA26 HKG-LHR (late)
10/9/15 BA1432 LHR-EDI (early)
10/9/15 BA1447 EDI-LHR (arvo)
10/9/15 BA822 LHR-CPH (late)

You can't have a bag transit through the one city more than once ie LHR so you'd have to check your bags SYD/HKG/LHR/EDI then EDI/LHR/CPH.

 

[Kefci2000]

Thanks for the replies