The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) advises that effective for travel on or after January 15, 2013, Delta Air Lines will no longer check bags to a final destination when multiple tickets are presented at check in.
ASTA says that according to Delta, “if a second ticket is presented for travel on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, the passenger will be advised that Delta will only check the bag to the destination on the first ticket(s). The passenger must collect the baggage at baggage claim for their first ticketed destination, and then re-check their baggage with the down-line carrier for the next flight.”
ASTA notes that earlier this year two other airlines adopted similar policies. Hawaiian Airlines, effective June 1, and US Airways, effective Aug. 1, no longer allow passengers to check bags through to the final destination with multiple tickets. US Airways, has indicated one exception, which is for split tickets that are produced from a single Passenger Name Record (PNR). ASTA reminded members to review each airline’s baggage policy before issuing multiple tickets for a single journey. "If an airline does not accept checked bags with separately issued tickets, you should advise the passenger of the baggage restriction, as it will require that they claim and recheck baggage at the connecting airport."
In addition, ASTA advises, agents "should ensure that the itinerary contains sufficient connecting time to allow the passenger to claim and recheck baggage, as well as pass through TSA security screening. In such situations, minimum interline connecting times, as found in your GDS, should not be followed."
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