Continental Airlines

[james&olya 1,121]

I have flown Continental and never saw them or any other carrier measure a bag.

[pascanda 13]

I just flew Continental to Nigeria on Jan 30th and I had two large suitcases that I checked in for free, plus I had a carry-on and a purse. All free. Now, once I got to Nigeria and had to change planes and airlines to get to my local destination,I was charged an excess baggage fee. Don't worry, you can take two suitcases free under 23kg and a carry-on and a purse or backpack all for free. Extra luggage costs $200 a piece.

[TBoneTX 43,020]

Continental has been usurped by United and is adopting a lot of United's policies and fees. On my mother-in-law's trip here last year, we were told at the airport upon check-in for her return that a third bag was $100 but would soon be $150. I observed, "This is yet another case of the wrong airline's buying the right airline." The (Continental) personnel smiled wryly.

There are "baggage embargoes" to certain countries at certain times of the year. For this year's trip by mom-in-law (she departs later today, in fact), I closely grilled Customer Disservice (I actually got a good guy) about the embargo periods and bag fees. I asked for official chapter & verse on the regulations regarding Quito, and I have in front of me "GG Bag UIO, line #118, effective 10/20/11," si man. If they give us trouble at the airport today, I'm armed with the info, see man.

[Laure&Colin 274]

Thats odd! when i was in the airport at Paris i saw quite a few peoples bags being measured at check in!

Carry ons? Yes, all the time. Checked luggage? I've never witnessed it and I travelled quite extensively. It's not impossible I guess but you'd be really unlucky.

[marie_yahya 11]

united and continental run as the same airlines and here is the web site to show you exactly i just came from my husband in morocco so this is what you will need in size

http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6823,1031,00.html?navSource=dropDown&linkTitle=baggage

This is the only baggage info i can find on the whole site so im guessing its standard?

If worst comes to worst my dad is dropping me off so i can always leave some stuff with him and get him to ship it, but id really rather not.

Im now stuck on the issue of weather or not i have to pay to recheck my bags in for my conecting flight in Houston lol.

I feel like this is becoming more of a challenge than filing the visa lol!

Thanks though, its nice to have peace of mind

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

The second bag is $70. If you're doing round trip, then that's another $70 coming back--for the second bag. This applies to United also. I did an informal study recently and United/Continental are the only major carriers that charge this fee on international flights, so you may want to book on another airline.

Also, the last time I flew United, I seemed to notice some really HUGE carry on bags, some almost needing a sledge hammer to fit in the overhead compartment. The next flight I booked was with another carrier that did not charge the second bag fee. Simple as that.

Airline rules change often, so check the fees before you buy. Also, baggage weight and fees are different if you are military.

US AIrways charges for the second bag as well.

[Sugarz.K.R 9]

I fly with continental all the time back and forth from trinidad (caribbean) to USA.

As of last year they started charging for any check bag both ways for me.

I always connect thru Huston and no, you dont have to pay again to recheck you bags. you basically collect your bag, go thur customes and then turn to you right the young man puts your bag in and you walk str8, go up the esculator and go back thur security and then look for your gate.

I dont think they measure your back UNLESS it's is obviously bulky and over size. IDK

[JerseyDomRep 4]

Hi Continental's Policy is $25 for the first bag and $40 for the second bag and they can charge up up to $200.00 for over weight luggage also I believe is $125 for a third bag.

[Scafidi454 22]

My interview has been set and i am now starting to plan my trip to move to the states. Im having a few problems understanding the checked baggage policy on their website. If anyone has flown with Continental Airlines recently id apriciate the advice

On the site it says "Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) per bag and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches (157 cm) per bag in exchange for the applicable service fees."

One of my bag is exactly (as close to as possible) the 62 inches. Will they want to measure the bag when i get there or will they take my word for it? I dont want to get there and find out that i didnt measure it right (i have checked 4 or 5 times but ovbiously its so close im worried about risking it) and have to pay extra when i can just get a suitcase slightly smaller for a cheaper price than it would cost to send oversized luggage.

Also are both bags coverd free or do i have to pay for one even if neither of them are over sized/over weight? Ive never gone with more than one piece of checked luggage and i cant seem to find it on the website..

and lastly if a bag is oversized and overweight do i have to pay both additional fees combined?

TIA Hope your all having a wonderful day!

If it fits, it ships. They'll allow some small overages. Last year, my bags were included with my airfare (I think); I didn't pay anything extra when I got to the airport. Also, if the bags are over, there is a table somewhere on their website that tells you the cost of the overages. https://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/CheckedBaggage.aspx

Edited February 29, 2012 by Scafidi454

[Joandjo 20]

My interview has been set and i am now starting to plan my trip to move to the states. Im having a few problems understanding the checked baggage policy on their website. If anyone has flown with Continental Airlines recently id apriciate the advice

On the site it says "Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) per bag and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches (157 cm) per bag in exchange for the applicable service fees."

One of my bag is exactly (as close to as possible) the 62 inches. Will they want to measure the bag when i get there or will they take my word for it? I dont want to get there and find out that i didnt measure it right (i have checked 4 or 5 times but ovbiously its so close im worried about risking it) and have to pay extra when i can just get a suitcase slightly smaller for a cheaper price than it would cost to send oversized luggage.

Also are both bags coverd free or do i have to pay for one even if neither of them are over sized/over weight? Ive never gone with more than one piece of checked luggage and i cant seem to find it on the website..

and lastly if a bag is oversized and overweight do i have to pay both additional fees combined?

TIA Hope your all having a wonderful day!

The only International Airline Flight that I've ever witnessed this on was Air France Houston to Paris. They had us gauge our carry on in a preformed rack and if it wouldn't fit we checked it at boarding and received it on disembarking. When I reboarded at Degaul there was no mention of a limitation.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

My interview has been set and i am now starting to plan my trip to move to the states. Im having a few problems understanding the checked baggage policy on their website. If anyone has flown with Continental Airlines recently id apriciate the advice

On the site it says "Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) per bag and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches (157 cm) per bag in exchange for the applicable service fees."

One of my bag is exactly (as close to as possible) the 62 inches. Will they want to measure the bag when i get there or will they take my word for it? I dont want to get there and find out that i didnt measure it right (i have checked 4 or 5 times but ovbiously its so close im worried about risking it) and have to pay extra when i can just get a suitcase slightly smaller for a cheaper price than it would cost to send oversized luggage.

Also are both bags coverd free or do i have to pay for one even if neither of them are over sized/over weight? Ive never gone with more than one piece of checked luggage and i cant seem to find it on the website..

and lastly if a bag is oversized and overweight do i have to pay both additional fees combined?

TIA Hope your all having a wonderful day!

Unless it is very obvious that your luggage is way oversized; only the weight will be questioned if over the 50 lbs.

Make sure your free allowance (normally but probably about to change) also includes domestic flights should you need a transfer.

One piece of info: check British Airways has a much better allowance overall, but might not quite be best for you. When my now wife came from Warsaw, I booked BA all the way and she was moving the house; did not pay any additional fees.

Edited February 29, 2012 by Gosia & Tito

[RickJovi 81]

Before flying to Lima in October, I researched the policy and got these three possibilities:

2 bags allowed to specific countries, including Perú

1 bag allowed, no exceptions

1 bag free with 70U$ charge for extras.

I got to the airport with one prepared to be a carryon, but they told me that I was allowed to bring two. I got my little stubs as proof and I had left the policy page with that printed out at home on the guest bed.

When I entered the airport in Lima 2 weeks later to fly home, I was told NO. One bag free and the second bag was 35U$. I argued that when I bought my tickets the policy stated the first of the options and even had my stubs to prove that I had 2 pieces of luggage. (The carryon was full of books and I didn't relish the idea of lifting that over my head on the flight.) Plus, I already had my purse and backpack. They made me wait 90 minutes (valuable time I could have spent with the love of my life!!!!!) and told me that this was the policy forever. Finally, I was told to just carry on the smaller bag and, because of the 2 checkpoints that I had to go through, including the one where my bags were all searched, The crew was furious at me because I was late getting to the gate.

Whatever happens, be prepared to be treated like #######.

Oh, BTW--I flew out on October 20th. When I got home, the policy change had been enacted THAT WEEK. If you were in the middle of a trip, too bad.

Before this experience, Continental was always my airline of choice. Now, I have zero loyalty whatsoever. (I do like that the flight attendants look like humans instead of freaky-clown-makeup mannequins with giant scarves and heels on the ladies. Seriously, how does that make me safer on the flight? Can a 90 pound bimbo haul burning people out of the burning wreckage of a jumbo jet in those heels. Does company policy require reapplication of the orange-red lipstick before any rescue attempts?)

One more thing: Meal policy. Same non-definitive answers online: Yes, No, and You can buy with a credit card only. I stopped at Subway and bought a sandwich but the 6 hour flight had a very satisfying meal and a snack. My fiance gobbled the sandwich in the airport. "What is this? Pepperoni? Oh wow! This is incredible!!!! Is this everywhere in the US?" Subway will be his first meal once he gets here to the US. hahahahaha

Continental is so lame now. What a rip off. I travelled to and from the Philippines in 2010 and both bags were free. What a crock. I will make sure I never ever use continental again! Good Luck!

[andy desai 3]

dont take two bags! ITS easier said than done. if you are associated with the US army, things are different

[floridadave 195]

US AIrways charges for the second bag as well.

Unfortunately, transatlantic is $70. Transpacific, Brazil and some others still no charge for second bag (unless oversize).

U.S. Airway

Also what irks me is that they have extra rules like, "if you bought ticket before...," "if you bought ticket after....," blah blah blah. Sheesh. You almost need a flow chart to figure this stuff out.

Edited February 29, 2012 by floridadave

[EminTX 131]

Hi Continental's Policy is $25 for the first bag and $40 for the second bag and they can charge up up to $200.00 for over weight luggage also I believe is $125 for a third bag.

Really? Prove it. This was not my experience 4 months ago.

(Without citing, or better yet, providing a source, any information automatically appears false.)

Here's the actual policy site:

Coninental Airline's Baggage Policy

Note the date. I flew the NEXT day and was screwed. Proof that I bought my tickets earlier and flew with those bags was irrelevant.

Here it is on their alter-ego:

United Airline's baggabe policy

October 19th, again.

Edited February 29, 2012 by EminTX