stuartfaz
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2007
- Posts
- 524
Over the past few weeks I've been on a trip across the USA and Canada (will try to do a TR later).
Being a loyal customer of our very own don't call us a low-cost carrier I was due to fly back to MEL on VA on the 30th. However, I was spending my last day in YVR, so I had booked an award flight with UA MP points to take me to LAX that afternoon, as the VA flight didn't leave until midnight.
So I rock up at YVR to check in. I show my proof of onward travel and they give me my BP and tag my bags.
At this point I'm a bit confused as to why I haven't been slugged the $50 or so for my 2 checked bags, so I have a look at the tags:
UNITED
INTERLINE
UA 6483 LAX
VA 8 BNE
DJ 318 MEL
'Remember to pick your bags up in Brisbane for Customs purposes. Have a nice flight!' the agent said.
The look on my face was best described as a mix of confusion and indigestion as a result of some questionably delicious mexican food.
'But you don't have any relationship with Virgin Blue? Are you sure you can do that?' I asked.
'Should be fine. Have a nice flight!'
Pause.
'Would you mind checking again?' I ask.
He grabs his supervisor. 'Do we have a baggage agreement with Virgin?'
'Atlantic?'
'No, VA'
'Virgin America?'
'No, VA, Virgin Australia'
They talk for 5 minutes or so.
'Yeah, should be fine. We'll get them to Virgin at LAX.'
I maintain my puzzled look for a moment longer before going to the gate. While I'm waiting, I give VA a call out of curiosity.
'No, you're right, we have no agreement with United. I've never heard of that happening' says the VA call centre girl, 'so that's quite odd'.
Awesome.
I land at LAX and go over to T3 and VA departures. Hand the VA agent my passport and the UA receipts. UA had given them the bags and they'll be on the plane.
Land in BNE, and there, in all their glory, are my UA-tagged bags.
Now I'm sure this is more common that I realise at the moment, but I was absolutely thrilled that UA did this without prompting and with an unaligned airline.
Made my trip home that much easier
Being a loyal customer of our very own don't call us a low-cost carrier I was due to fly back to MEL on VA on the 30th. However, I was spending my last day in YVR, so I had booked an award flight with UA MP points to take me to LAX that afternoon, as the VA flight didn't leave until midnight.
So I rock up at YVR to check in. I show my proof of onward travel and they give me my BP and tag my bags.
At this point I'm a bit confused as to why I haven't been slugged the $50 or so for my 2 checked bags, so I have a look at the tags:
UNITED
INTERLINE
UA 6483 LAX
VA 8 BNE
DJ 318 MEL
'Remember to pick your bags up in Brisbane for Customs purposes. Have a nice flight!' the agent said.
The look on my face was best described as a mix of confusion and indigestion as a result of some questionably delicious mexican food.
'But you don't have any relationship with Virgin Blue? Are you sure you can do that?' I asked.
'Should be fine. Have a nice flight!'
Pause.
'Would you mind checking again?' I ask.
He grabs his supervisor. 'Do we have a baggage agreement with Virgin?'
'Atlantic?'
'No, VA'
'Virgin America?'
'No, VA, Virgin Australia'
They talk for 5 minutes or so.
'Yeah, should be fine. We'll get them to Virgin at LAX.'
I maintain my puzzled look for a moment longer before going to the gate. While I'm waiting, I give VA a call out of curiosity.
'No, you're right, we have no agreement with United. I've never heard of that happening' says the VA call centre girl, 'so that's quite odd'.
Awesome.
I land at LAX and go over to T3 and VA departures. Hand the VA agent my passport and the UA receipts. UA had given them the bags and they'll be on the plane.
Land in BNE, and there, in all their glory, are my UA-tagged bags.
Now I'm sure this is more common that I realise at the moment, but I was absolutely thrilled that UA did this without prompting and with an unaligned airline.
Made my trip home that much easier
