I'll be traveling to Greece in April with my mom & had a couple of questions about this whole baggage thing. We'll be flying United from LAX to JFK and then 90 min later leaving from JFK to Athens on Olympic Airlines. How likely is it that United will transfer our baggage to Olympic? Is there a way to be guaranteed that this will happen, such as paying an extra fee?
If transferring is not possible, are we crazy to think we can pick up our checked bags & check them back in all in 90 minutes? I'm leaning towards 'no way is this possible' but thought I'd ask.
If this sounds impossible, I'll probably be asking another question about changing flights! :(
Any help is appreciated!
2007-02-28 13:52:21 · 5 answers · asked by TM Express™ 7 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Packing & Preparation
Make sure you tell the travel agent at the airport which is your final destination. Mention it twice if you have to! There is no such thing as paying an extra fee in order to guarantee the transfer of your luggage. Regarding checking your bags at JFK and then check them back in later...I wouldn't suggest it because you have to keep in mind that you may need to change terminals in JFK and 90 minutes might not be enough to get out and then back in the airport. Also, don't forget that your flight from LAX might have some delay and therefore reach JFK later than planned. In case they do not transfer your luggage then Olympic Airlines are responsible to bring your luggage to you wherever you'll be staying in Greece. You can even ask for money as a reimbursement for the trouble they put you in (I'm not sure but I think this applies only if you don't have your luggage for 48 hours or more). I have recently travelled with Olympic Airlines...twice actually...and I also had to change planes and they were very good...no lost luggage. Enjoy your trip!
2007-02-28 16:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Call United. Tell them you need to know if your bags will be checked through to Greece. My personal experience is that they WILL NOT and you must reclaim your bags at JFK and transfer them to Olympic...even if they are a partner airline. Until you get a name and number for someone at United saying they will check them through, and even then, I would still plan on a bag drag in JFK. I know this isn't what you want to hear but better to be forwarned. 90 minutes is not a lot of time but it should be sufficient and if you get delayed, the airline should notify connecting carriers of your delay.
2007-02-28 15:16:11 · answer #2 · answered by Jim G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you bought your tickets "LAX to Athens" from the travel agency/over the internet, your baggage should be transferred. Airline won't matter and you won't need to claim your baggage. Watch out what kind of baggage tags are applied in LAX, the tags should say "from LAX via JFK to Athens".
But if you bought the tickets seperately then you will be responsible for the transfer. (Ie if you bought JFK to Athens with Olympic in order to have a flight from the US to Greece and then you bought from LAX to JFK with United in order to get to JFK.)
2007-02-28 14:13:12 · answer #3 · answered by t_maia2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you check in they should tag your bags right through to Greece and usually you shouldn't have to re-claim your bags to transfer them to another airline. This should especially be true if Olympic is a partner airline or a codeshare with United.
2007-02-28 13:57:37 · answer #4 · answered by bajan_75 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should just call up the United Airlines people on customer care at 1-800-589-5582 and ask if they partner with Olympic Airlines... If yes, then no problems... else, good luck!!
2007-02-28 14:06:50 · answer #5 · answered by Archie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋