Can I link additional UA flights and check baggage through to final destination?

[goldenhorn]

I have SYD-IAH J class flights with UA coming up in a couple of weeks.

Since I got those flights with LM, I have since purchased whY flights:

• IAH-PHX after arrival in the US (4-hour layover)
• ORD-IAH to get back to IAH for return flight to Australia.

So I have a couple of questions:

1. Can I call UA and link the IAH-PHX flight onto my J class bookings and get luggage checked through to PHX for arrival? (I think you have to collect luggage at first immigration port in the US, but I recall from previous experiences you can then put it back into the system quickly for the final destination...is that right?

2. Can I link ORD to IAH-SYD booking so I can check luggage in ORD and it will go all the way through to SYD? (I have a 9-hour layover in IAH so want to visit the Houston Space Center.)

3. If I can link the flights, can I access UA lounge in IAH before getting whY flight to PHX? (I'm guessing this is a no, but not sure).

Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't know if there's any point wasting time phoning United before arriving at the airport on the day of travel. They either will, or won't, through check bags. It makes little difference on the outbound because you have to collect your bags anyway, From my experience there are check-in counters at the 'bag drop' area anyway, so it takes one minute to check-in rather then just drop it off.

On the way back, check-in will advise you on what they can do for you.

Personally I'd just save the time and do it all at the airport. Have your connecting flights printed out so they can easily find them and link them if they're going to.

As you are connecting UA->UA you will be granted lounge access at all connecting airports. This applies even if arriving J and connecting to Y. It makes no difference if your bookings are linked or not. Just show your inbound boarding pass in J, together with your connecting boarding pass to PHX, and you'll be granted access.

 

[goldenhorn]

Thanks @MEL_Traveller. That’s great advice!

Re: checking bags on arrival to IAH. I was wondering if I’d be able to get the bags checked through to PHX so we don’t have to pay additional luggage fees by checking in again for the next flight at IAH. Not sure if that’s possible but as you suggest, I can try at SYD check in and see what happens.

That would be SO awesome if we can use the Polaris lounge in IAH. We have a 4-hour layover, 3 hour flight, then pick up a car at PHX and drive another 2 hours, so a shower will go a long way to feeing human. I didn’t know you could use the lounge on arrival but I’m thrilled if that’s the case.

On the return, our first leg ORD- IAH is Y then connects to the J IAH-SYD. Could we use the UA lounge in Chicago ? Not that fussed if we can’t as we will make very good use of the Polaris lounge on the way back with a long layover in IAH.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks @MEL_Traveller. That’s great advice!

Re: checking bags on arrival to IAH. I was wondering if I’d be able to get the bags checked through to PHX so we don’t have to pay additional luggage fees by checking in again for the next flight at IAH. Not sure if that’s possible but as you suggest, I can try at SYD check in and see what happens.

That would be SO awesome if we can use the Polaris lounge in IAH. We have a 4-hour layover, 3 hour flight, then pick up a car at PHX and drive another 2 hours, so a shower will go a long way to feeing human. I didn’t know you could use the lounge on arrival but I’m thrilled if that’s the case.

On the return, our first leg ORD- IAH is Y then connects to the J IAH-SYD. Could we use the UA lounge in Chicago ? Not that fussed if we can’t as we will make very good use of the Polaris lounge on the way back with a long layover in IAH.

I'm not familiar with the layout of IAH but if you can access the Polaris Lounge then you can use it. Otherwise you'd have a standard United Club. The rules are here specifically mentioning same day access for connecting flights: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/airport/united-club-and-lounges/access.html

Just as an aside... lounge access for connecting flights is not a Star Alliance benefit like it is for Oneworld. But United has its own rules when connecting solely on UA flights, which covers you here. (If you were arriving ANA or Air China connecting to UA there'd be no access.)

Luggage fees was my concern... but it shouldn't, in theroy, make any difference linking the resrvation in advance or not. If the fee is to apply it should be collected. This thread from 2017 seems to suggest that separate tickets, even UA-UA are considered separate itineraries but the check-in agent may waive fees if you're lucky on presentation of the international connecting ticket: Connecting on two separate UA tickets - FlyerTalk Forums (see post #5)

 

[goldenhorn]

I'm not familiar with the layout of IAH but if you can access the Polaris Lounge then you can use it. Otherwise you'd have a standard United Club. The rules are here specifically mentioning same day access for connecting flights: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/airport/united-club-and-lounges/access.html

Just as an aside... lounge access for connecting flights is not a Star Alliance benefit like it is for Oneworld. But United has its own rules when connecting solely on UA flights, which covers you here. (If you were arriving ANA or Air China connecting to UA there'd be no access.)

Luggage fees was my concern... but it shouldn't, in theroy, make any difference linking the resrvation in advance or not. If the fee is to apply it should be collected. This thread from 2017 seems to suggest that separate tickets, even UA-UA are considered separate itineraries but the check-in agent may waive fees if you're lucky on presentation of the international connecting ticket: Connecting on two separate UA tickets - FlyerTalk Forums (see post #5)

Thank so much for that UA lounge link. You've made my day!

Really appreciate your help @MEL_Traveller!