Why can I buy luggage for my outgoing flight but not my return?
In January I am Flying:
Manchester -> Amsterdam -> Quito
KLM no longer include luggage from long haul so I've paid £44 for 23kg luggage.
My return flight is:
Quito -> Bogota -> Paris -> Manchester
The first leg of the flight is operated by Avianca, the rest by Air France. This is a one ticket flight so my luggage will be booked all the way to Manchester but I can't pre purchase it online. I get a message saying that I can only purchase this at the airport with no online discount.
Is there a reason for this? I'm worried about how much it will be, does anyone know a way to work a rough price out?
Best Answer
I am somewhat sceptical that they really will check your luggage through all the way from Quito to Manchester. The airlines are unrelated and you might find yourself having to retrieve your luggage at Bogota and re-check in. This could take hours and you might find yourself in need of a Colombian visa.
For what its worth, I tried a booking with https://www.avianca.com for Quito -> Bogota on a random date in January, and the indications were that Avianca have a free 23kg luggage allowance. You probably should double check this by giving Avianca a call with the exact details of your flight and booking ref.
You should also check with Air France, if they have a free luggage policy on the Bogota -> Paris -> Manchester legs, and if not, can you buy that in advance?
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Can I skip the outbound flight and only take the return?
No, you cannot only use the return ticket. To guarantee that the airline keeps your return ticket, you are required to travel on the first part of your trip and all the way to your final destination.Can I buy a round-trip ticket and only use the return flight?
Can I buy a roundtrip ticket for a one-way trip? Technically, you can buy a roundtrip ticket and only use it to go one-way, but airlines frown upon this. And, you can only skip the return flight. If you miss a segment of your trip, the airline may cancel the rest of your ticket without giving you a refund.Do you have to buy a returning flight?
Some airlines are very strict about the proof of onward travel rule. What is this? If you can't provide proof, you won't be allowed to board your flight. Or they'll ask you to buy a return ticket from them right then and there \u2014 which can often cost hundreds of dollars more than you want to spend.Lost Luggage Tips | What to Do When the Airline Loses Your Bag
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