Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to check Star Alliance baggage rules on multi-carrier itineraries
Alliance baggage rules are the free checked baggage allowances and conditions that apply to a trip whose flights are operated by several member airlines of the same alliance. Star Alliance publishes a journey-wide allowance for its Round the World Fare, where the free allowance is stated for the entire journey under a piece concept: one piece of 20 kg (44 lb) per person in Economy and Premium Economy, two pieces in Business and in First. [6]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Star Alliance publishes a baggage allowance lookup that starts with the member airline: you choose the airline, the type of baggage, the cabin class and the item, and it returns guidelines on baggage weight, size limits and permitted items. [1]
- On the Star Alliance Round the World Fare, the free allowance is stated for the entire journey: one 20 kg (44 lb) piece in Economy and Premium Economy, two pieces in Business and in First. [6]
- Bags can be checked through to the final destination when every flight is operated by a Star Alliance member carrier and all flights sit in the same booking record — but not if government restrictions are in effect or if the connection involves changing airports. [1]
Where do you check the allowance for a multi-carrier trip?
The alliance's baggage page hosts a lookup called Star Baggage Allowance Information. You select the member airline, the baggage type (carry-on, check-in or special checked baggage), the cabin class and the item, and the tool returns guidelines on baggage weight, size limits and permitted items. [1] The airline list in that lookup covers all 26 Star Alliance member airlines, from Aegean Airlines, Air Canada and Air China through to Turkish Airlines and United. [1] [7]
The same page hosts Star Alliance baggage tracking, which follows a bag from check-in to arrival. To use it you enter the airline, the flight number, the departure date and the 10-digit number on the bag tag. [1]
One allowance for a whole Round the World ticket
The journey-wide case published on Star Alliance's own pages is the Round the World Fare, a single ticket that in general requires a minimum of 2 stopovers and allows a maximum of 15. [6] For that fare, the free baggage allowance is expressed as one figure for the entire journey, and the alliance states that the piece concept applies. [6]
| Cabin class | Free allowance per person |
|---|---|
| Economy and Premium Economy | 1 piece of 20 kg (44 lb) [6] |
| Business | 2 pieces weighing a total of 30 kg (66 lb) [6] |
| First | 2 pieces weighing a total of 40 kg (88 lb) [6] |
Two notes sit alongside those figures. If the trip is only within North America, surcharges may be applied from the first checked bag. [6] And for possible excess baggage charges, or for information if you need permission to carry more baggage, the alliance directs passengers to contact their airline. [6]
How do through-checked bags work across member airlines?
Through-checking on an itinerary that changes carriers rests on two conditions. The flights must be operated by Star Alliance member carriers, and they must all be included in the same booking record. [1] Even with a single booking record, baggage cannot be checked through if government restrictions are in effect, or if you change airports between flights — the alliance's own example is arriving at New York John F. Kennedy and departing from New York LaGuardia. [1] The practical companion guide is our page on through-check baggage.
Checking in for the onward flights works the same way. The connecting flights must be in the same booking record, and you use the online check-in service of the Star Alliance member carrier operating the first flight of the itinerary. [1] If a late inbound flight threatens a tight connection, the member carriers say they will make every effort to make sure you make it, and if the connection is missed you should contact the relevant member carrier to be rebooked onto another flight. [1]
Who handles a delayed or damaged bag on a multi-carrier trip?
Star Alliance advises passengers to contact the Baggage Services office of the carrier that brought them to their final destination, on arrival, to report a delayed or damaged bag. [1] The alternative is to visit that same arrival carrier's website, which carries the information on filing a claim. [1] For related protection questions when one ticket combines carriers, see single-ticket protection.
Exceptions and limits
- The lookup works airline by airline. Star Baggage Allowance Information returns the selected member airline's guidelines on baggage weight, size limits and permitted items, while the Round the World Fare is instead stated as a single journey-wide figure. [1] [6]
- North America. For the Round the World Fare, trips only within North America may attract surcharges from the first checked bag. [6]
- Flights operated by another airline. Certain flights marketed under a member carrier's flight number but operated by a different airline are not offered for the Round the World product. [6]
- Airport changes. A connection that requires moving between airports breaks through-checking even on one booking record, as does any government restriction in force. [1]
- Tracking needs the tag. Baggage tracking requires the 10-digit bag tag number together with the airline, flight number and departure date. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Is there one baggage allowance for the whole Star Alliance Round the World ticket?
Yes. The free allowance is stated for the entire journey under a piece concept: one 20 kg (44 lb) piece in Economy and Premium Economy, two pieces totalling 30 kg (66 lb) in Business and 40 kg (88 lb) in First. [6]
Can my bags be checked through when my itinerary changes airlines?
They can be checked to the final destination if every flight is operated by a Star Alliance member carrier and all flights are in the same booking record. [1] Government restrictions or a change of airport between flights break that. [1]
Which airline do I claim from if my bag arrives damaged?
The carrier that brought you to your final destination: report it to that airline's Baggage Services office on arrival, or use that airline's website to file the claim. [1]
How much does extra baggage cost on a multi-carrier ticket?
The alliance directs passengers to contact their airline about possible excess baggage charges and about permission to carry more baggage. [6]
Can I track a bag across several member airlines?
Star Alliance baggage tracking monitors luggage from check-in to arrival using the airline, flight number, departure date and the 10-digit bag tag number. [1]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers Star Alliance multi-carrier itineraries; oneworld, SkyTeam and single-carrier baggage rules are outside its scope.
- Star Alliance baggage tracking and baggage allowance information, checked 18 October 2026
- Star Alliance Round the World fare: itinerary rules and baggage questions, checked 18 October 2026
- Star Alliance member airlines, checked 18 October 2026