Overnight checked baggage transfer at HKG, different PNRs

[Kangol]

I have an upcoming trip with two PNRs, with the first in J on QF127 SYD-HKG and the second in F on CX884 HKG-LAX, then AA to DFW.
I arrive into HKG at 1745 and depart the next day at 1305.

Now I don't think they'd have any problem with issuing me both BPs and checking through in SYD, but I will have a ski bag that I'd rather not take with me out of HKG (planning on staying around Central).

Would they let me keep the checked ski bag at the airport overnight in HKG?

The only similar experience I have is on a USDM ticket, part of it was INN-xVIE-SZG all on OS with an overnight <24 hr transit in VIE and they let me check my ski bag through to SZG (ie. leave at VIE overnight) and a second checked bag I retrieved at VIE and took with me to my accommodation.
ie. one bag checked INN-VIE, the other INN-VIE-SZG and 2x BPS issued at INN.

FWIW, I should be able to only check the ski bag through to the US; I have a rollerboard and overnight bag that can come with me as hand luggage.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have an upcoming trip with two PNRs, with the first in J on QF127 SYD-HKG and the second in F on CX884 HKG-LAX, then AA to DFW.
I arrive into HKG at 1745 and depart the next day at 1305.

Now I don't think they'd have any problem with issuing me both BPs and checking through in SYD, but I will have a ski bag that I'd rather not take with me out of HKG (planning on staying around Central).

Would they let me keep the checked ski bag at the airport overnight in HKG?

The only similar experience I have is on a USDM ticket, part of it was INN-xVIE-SZG all on OS with an overnight <24 hr transit in VIE and they let me check my ski bag through to SZG (ie. leave at VIE overnight) and a second checked bag I retrieved at VIE and took with me to my accommodation.
ie. one bag checked INN-VIE, the other INN-VIE-SZG and 2x BPS issued at INN.

FWIW, I should be able to only check the ski bag through to the US; I have a rollerboard and overnight bag that can come with me as hand luggage.

Your transit time may be a bit too lengthy for the luggage to be checked all the way through SYD/xHKG/xLAX/DFW as the 24 hour transit rule is more about what determines a stopover for ticketing purposes more than whether baggage can be through checked to connecting flights.

It depends on the airport concerned and whether or not it's open 24 hours plus other factors.

You can always ask for the oncarriage flights to be entered into the system and when the CSA checks you in the system will determine where the baggage will be tagged through to. It's not something staff can override - either it will or it won't.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have an upcoming trip with two PNRs, with the first in J on QF127 SYD-HKG and the second in F on CX884 HKG-LAX, then AA to DFW.
I arrive into HKG at 1745 and depart the next day at 1305.

Now I don't think they'd have any problem with issuing me both BPs and checking through in SYD, but I will have a ski bag that I'd rather not take with me out of HKG (planning on staying around Central).

Would they let me keep the checked ski bag at the airport overnight in HKG?

The only similar experience I have is on a USDM ticket, part of it was INN-xVIE-SZG all on OS with an overnight <24 hr transit in VIE and they let me check my ski bag through to SZG (ie. leave at VIE overnight) and a second checked bag I retrieved at VIE and took with me to my accommodation.
ie. one bag checked INN-VIE, the other INN-VIE-SZG and 2x BPS issued at INN.

FWIW, I should be able to only check the ski bag through to the US; I have a rollerboard and overnight bag that can come with me as hand luggage.

In case they can't through check your bag, you might want to find out in advance if the luggage storage facility at HKG (arrivals hall) will be able to store the ski bag for you. That will minimise inconvenience. I can't get the hong kong airport website to display for me (I dunno why... been like that for ages)... so can't provide a link to the service.

I'm not convinced they will be able to issue boarding passes all the way through from MEL. But if they can, bonus!

 

[Kangol]

Your transit time may be a bit too lengthy for the luggage to be checked all the way through SYD/xHKG/xLAX/DFW as the 24 hour transit rule is more about what determines a stopover for ticketing purposes more than whether baggage can be through checked to connecting flights.

It depends on the airport concerned and whether or not it's open 24 hours plus other factors.

You can always ask for the oncarriage flights to be entered into the system and when the CSA checks you in the system will determine where the baggage will be tagged through to. It's not something staff can override - either it will or it won't.

Thanks. So I guess I will find out in SYD if it can be done (or not)?
If the computer says no, is it of any value to ask again when I arrive in HKG?
If time is an issue, I guess I could just ask them to tag it to LAX, where I have to collect my bags anyway.

In case they can't through check your bag, you might want to find out in advance if the luggage storage facility at HKG (arrivals hall) will be able to store the ski bag for you. That will minimise inconvenience. I can't get the hong kong airport website to display for me (I dunno why... been like that for ages)... so can't provide a link to the service.

I'm not convinced they will be able to issue boarding passes all the way through from MEL. But if they can, bonus!

Thanks. I've had all onward BPs issued for a connection from two OW tickets before - but this was QF-AA going transpac to the US, where the connection in LAX was a few hours or so - not overnight.

Is this what you mean about the storage?

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/passenger/arrival/t1/baggage/left-baggage.html

[h=1]Baggage storage[/h] A secure short-term baggage storage facility is located on Level 3 of Terminal 2. It opens from 05:30 in the morning to 01:30 at night, Monday to Sunday.
[h=2]Standard Storage Rates*[/h]

Type of rate	HK$/ Piece
Hourly	$12
Daily	$140

• Storage fee is calculated based on storage duration, baggage dimension and weight. Storage duration of less than one hour is charged as an hour.
• In any 24-hour period, storage is charged at the hourly rate or the daily rate, whichever is less.
• *Standard Storage Rates are applicable to items not exceeding 30kgs in weight or the total dimensions not exceeding 199cm (Length + Width + Height).
  
  Additional charges will apply to oversize baggage with total dimensions exceeding 199cm (Length + Width + Height) or overweight baggage (exceeding 30kgs) by the number of times of normal rate when the dimension/weight exceeds the standard or part thereof. Please click here for more details on the additional charges.
• Payment for the bag storage is to be made on collection. Only cash, Visa, MasterCard and UnionPay Card are accepted.
• Unless prior notification is received from the passenger, stored items not collected after 30 days from the check-in day as stated in the receipt will be regarded as unclaimed item and will be removed. The Airport Authority will not bear any liability thereof.

These terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice.

Location	:	Shop 001, Level 3, Terminal 2
Telephone	:	+852 2261 0110
Service Hours	:	05:30 – 01:30

The T&Cs are here:
http://www.hongkongairport.com/leaflet/storage_rate_T&C.pdf

For potentially HKD $280 (currently ~AUD $46 according to Google), it isn't so bad - considering I'd have to take a taxi to/from the airport and lug it around, and not be able to take a (cheaper) train.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For some reason google chrome (well my google chrome) times out on the HK airport website... even the link you posted won't work for me

I've had qantas unable to issue onwards boarding passes for transit through HKG... both to RJ and CX (CX doesn't seem to have a problem with it however going in reverse). So maybe it's a case of YMMV.

I remember reading a question, same issue as your, regarding baggage over-nighting at HKG. Of course I can't find the thread now (it wasn't on AFF).

IIRC, I would try to have it through tagged at first instance. If that doesn't work:

• you can go upstairs on arrival and try and re-check for your onwards flight (if they have early check-in), or
• leave it at left-luggage, or
• go to the downtown check-in and check-in there (take the train and simply recheck... you can check-in up to one full day prior to departure Departure & Check-In Services - Cathay Pacific).

*interesting note on the link above... it says according to TSA guidelines, CX cannot issue a boarding pass for travel to the USA more than 24 hours in advance of flight time. So that may be an issue for you departing Australia... if your check-in time in AU is more than 24 hours before your USA departure, seems you might not be allowed to get an onwards bp

 

[Kangol]

Thanks, I did some searching and found some helpful posts:

From 2010:
Flying CX, 19 hour layover, baggage rules? - FlyerTalk Forums

The rules for connecting baggage vary by airport as well as airline; so it isn't entirely under CX's control. Luckily the new HKG airport was well designed and built with this in mind, and has excellent baggage sorting facilities including automated storage for connections (few other airports do). Hence the 24 hour rule applies to CX connections in HKG -- very convenient. SIN can too, but NRT, LHR and LAX cannot, for example. I've chosen to route via HKG instead of NRT precisely because of this factor for some trips (even going to the extent of requiring people to fly NRT-HKG-NRT to meet with me as I did not go via NRT). So a strategy that pays off for HKG and CX in attracting more business by providing this service.

From 2014:

Long layover/connection check through baggage question (consolidated) - Page 4 - FlyerTalk Forums

It does not matter if it is one ticket or multiple tickets put together.
If you can convince the check agent at your first departure airport to check your bag/s through to their final destination, that is all that matters.
We have done this many times BOM-SIN-USA or vice versa.
Our layover at SIN used to < 24 hours about 23 hours on the outbound and < 18 hours on the return.

You have a 17 hr overnight layover in HKG/ hongkong on a united one way award economy ticket. the ticket is from CCU/kolkotta to ORD/ chicago.
Yes, you can request the check in agent at CCU to check your bags through to ORD. The layover at HKG is 17 hours so it is as per the rule of the airlines.

HKG is a safe airport, so having bag/s checked through to ORD it will go into a special holding area that is policed and controlled.

So, you will not need to claim your baggage at HKG and then have to recheck it at HKG to ORD.

Also remember the 2 piece checked bag, with each bag weighing < 50 lbs or 23 kgs rule for travel from India to the USA.
If you travel only to HKG you will get free check in baggage of upto 20 kgs only.

Regarding Hotel at HKG you will have to exit the airport and can stay at a cheap/ inexpensive hotel in the tsim sha tsui ((sp?) area. Buy a return ticket from HKG airport to tsim sha tsui (sp?). I can recommend the Salisbury Road YMCA for a stay at Hong Kong. Reasonably priced, superb breakfast, and safe!

 

[cmon0005]

One time travelling through SIN I had a 12 hour overnight stopover my bag was checked through. It rained overnight for a couple of hours, upon arriving at my destination my bag was very damp like it had been left on a baggage cart in the open overnight! Don't know if this was the case still annoying..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks, I did some searching and found some helpful posts:

i think that's right... the issue is convincing Qantas to check the bags all the way through.... and not all agents are willing to do that.

if they can't issue a boarding pass (per TSA guidelines) that might also make them not want to tag bags through.

good to know your back-ups just in case... and it seems there are several, without having to resort to paying for storage at HKG.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Thanks. So I guess I will find out in SYD if it can be done (or not)?
If the computer says no, is it of any value to ask again when I arrive in HKG? If time is an issue, I guess I could just ask them to tag it to LAX, where I have to collect my bags anyway.

I would ask them to add the oncarriage in at checkin at SYD. When they add the CX flight HKG/LAX the system may automatically add the AA flight LAX/DFW if it's in the same pnr, if not the CSA can just do a separate entry to add it in.

Ideally the CSA would just enter the flights in then it's up to the system to decide if the parameters in place will through check the bags to DFW or only HKG.

My options would be:

a) Ask if it's possible to have bags tagged to DFW as CX & AA are both OW carriers so separate pnrs is not an issue. You may get bags tagged to DFW but need to get the CX & AA boarding passes in HKG which is fine.

b) If bags can only be tagged to HKG, then after clearing customs there ask CX if they can do an early checkin at HKG as less than 24 hours prior to departure. If that's a no go I wouldn't bother putting stuff in storage.

c) Take taxi to the Central or Kowloon early checkin (whichever is closer to CLK) and do the early checkin there before taking the MRT with your hand luggage from the city checkin place to your hotel. That way the next day all you have to do is go from the hotel to airport & directly through security to the lounge or boading gate.

i think that's right... the issue is convincing Qantas to check the bags all the way through.... and not all agents are willing to do that.

If they can't issue a boarding pass (per TSA guidelines) that might also make them not want to tag bags through.
good to know your back-ups just in case... and it seems there are several, without having to resort to paying for storage at HKG.

It's not up to the CSA to decide whether or not to enter the flights because if the transit time in HKG is too long then the system will only generate bag tags to HKG. When the CSA checks a pax in they don't specify where to as it's just a generic entry as the system makes the decision where the bags are tagged to & what boarding passes can be printed out.

It's not an issue to have bags tagged to DFW but only hold a SYD/HKG boarding pass. That's what airport transfer desks are for.

 

[yohy?!]

this suggests you will not be able to check through the ski bag to the US as the transit is over 12 hours,

During your trip - oneworld

although i believe travelling on CX from HKG you will be able to check in at HKG on arrival and recheck the ski bag then drop your additional bag off the next day prior to boarding as you are within 24 hours prior to the USA sector.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

this suggests you will not be able to check through the ski bag to the US as the transit is over 12 hours,

During your trip - oneworld

although i believe travelling on CX from HKG you will be able to check in at HKG on arrival and recheck the ski bag then drop your additional bag off the next day prior to boarding as you are within 24 hours prior to the USA sector.

So the early checkin isn't just confined to the two CX city offices ie they will check you in the day before at the airport?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's not up to the CSA to decide whether or not to enter the flights because if the transit time in HKG is too long then the system will only generate bag tags to HKG. When the CSA checks a pax in they don't specify where to as it's just a generic entry as the system makes the decision where the bags are tagged to & what boarding passes can be printed out.

We have had this discussion before. Despite the rules, there are some Qantas check-in agents who are unwilling to check bags because they don't know the rules. They won't even try - so there is no system telling them 'yes' or 'no'.

If you come across one of these, you need to ask for one of their colleagues who will be able to sort it out.

 

[Kangol]

An update to this.
They could not check the bags through. The first CSA at SYD QF F check-in was not so helpful, I had to prompt her several times to contact a supervisor. Even then, that couldn't be done. Something about a different calendar day.
So in the end I collected my bags at HKG, then went to CX F check-in and they did it with no problem. Overall it wasted an hour of my time, but it could have been worse.