Given the weather in Europe, should I check my luggage through?

[newformula]

I'm off to Frankfurt tomorrow, and then onwards to London City, as I outlined in this thread. Given that all London airports were closed at various points today, and the Frankfurt Departures board is showing a whole bunch of flights as delayed or cancelled, I'm beginning to think there's probably a high enough chance to be a bit concerned about making it all the way. The weather is supposed to improve a bit over the next day or two but regardless, there's still probably a 1 in 10 chance (IMO) at this point that something might get stuffed up.

So,

• Flying SYD-FRA flight via SIN on QF5 in J
• Flying onward a seperate BA ticket FRA-LCY 6 hours after arrival of QF5, also in J (around 11.30am).
• and I have travel insurance.

Question - should I check my bags through to London from SYD, OR collect and recheck at FRA? Given the chance of disruption, and the fact I'm on a seperate ticket, I see the pros and cons as follows...

For checking through at SYD...

• If everything is fine then most convenient option
• no need to collect bags at FRA

Against checking through...

• If flight is delayed/or I get on a different LHR or LCY flight at FRA then I have more control over my bags
• If flight is cancelled, I have luggage with me
• If I have to recheck bags, then can't use FRA lounge for as long as possible as I will need to wait for counters to open regardless of if there is a delay or not

Of course all this could be solved if I just pack light enough to take carry on. With the weather in Europe right now? Unlikely!

I'm interested to know what you'd do given the current situation. I will of course make a final decision tomorrow morning based on the circumstances then, but any opinions now might help inform. Thanks!

 

[Mal]

There are a few things to consider:

BA Luggage acceptance policy. From memory, they won't accept bags > 2 or 3 hours before your flight, although I'm not sure if the exact same policy applies at outstations like FRA, and how it applies to J tickets.

Not having luggage checked through would help with flexibility to move to an earlier flight if your fare conditions permit and there is availability.

I'm not sure what I would do. I think I would get the bags checked through completely, and deal with whatever happens at FRA as required. Would also save the shuffle through Immigration+customs etc.

 

[notzac]

It might sound like a silly and obvious suggestion ... but with all the weather in the northern hemisphere at the moment, work on the expectation that your checked luggage may go for an extended holiday and pack your hand luggage accordingly.

 

[Dave Noble]

I would check the luggage through; if you onward flight is going to be affected it is likely that u wouldnt know of this before u check in , so not likely to be much better off... if your flight is cancelled and you get rebooked, then BA will retag luggage

The only way time that you would gain is if there is a known impact to your flight by time of rechecking in in FRA and being there so early I doubt that they would

Dave

 

[newformula]

If I use OLCI, can I still check my bags through or should I hold off and check-in at the airport?

 

[notzac]

If I use OLCI, can I still check my bags through

I believe so, yes. Take all of your e-tickets along with; QF should be able to tag the bags all the way through.