Question about checked luggage on DL

[MH_fan]

I'm quite confused about whether I get free checked luggage when flying domestic flights in the US on DL.
I'm VA gold. Flying SYD-LAX on VA and connecting to a DL flight to LAS but on different PNRs. I'm pretty sure the check-in agents in SYD will check my bag through to LAS but am I eligible for complimentary checked luggage or will I have to pay for it before I depart?

 

[clarkkent]

You should get the same allowance as a Delta Gold Medallion member according to this page: Gold Membership | Velocity Frequent Flyer
Which means you should get two free bags in economy on flights within the US: Checked Baggage | Delta Air Lines

 

[jpk]

You should get it free, but might have to argue for it, especially on the way back - not all agents have heard of Velocity, even at DL hubs.

 

[MH_fan]

Thanks for the replies. Feeling much less confused now.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Are you sure your bags will be checked through to LAS? I thought that you'd have to go through immigration at LAX and collect your bags? Not sure, so would love someone to clarify - thinking of doing this trip myself at some point. Thanks!

 

[Hvr]

Are you sure your bags will be checked through to LAS? I thought that you'd have to go through immigration at LAX and collect your bags? Not sure, so would love someone to clarify - thinking of doing this trip myself at some point. Thanks!

Bags may be checked through but will still have to be collected at LAX and taken through Customs. Once cleared then they need to be rechecked with the onward carrier.

 

[MH_fan]

From my previous experience of flying QF and connecting to AA, bags are "checked" through to final US destination but you have to collect your luggage at LAX first and then clear customs before dropping the "checked" bags at the designated area in TBIT before heading over to the US airline terminal.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Aha - thanks for the heads up. Appreciate the clarification.

 

[simog]

Myself and the wife made a similar trip in October. SYD-LAX-MEX and the return was LAS-LAX (DL) LAX-SYD (VA) with myself as VA Gold. Our experience for the flight over matches what others have mentioned. The bags are checked in and tagged for the entire journey but you need to collect them to clear customs, and then drop them off again. Our experience at LAX was surprisingly easy.

On the return journey we checked our bags in with DL at LAS. We only had 2 bags so they were within my complimentary limit. VA Status was recognised (I had my card with me) and we weren't charged for excess baggage, next time we saw our bags was SYD.

I'm not sure if our flights were different to yours regarding the PNRs. Each carrier (VA,DL,AM) had their own PNR, but all flights were linked and visible through the velocity website. I was advised by our travel agent that the VA flight was a separate booking to the DL in order to access a particular fare. Maybe someone else can shed some light on how the PNRs work as I'm obviously lacking knowledge

Enjoy your trip
S