Hi Don,
I have spoken with 3 people at Continental, one actually confessed he did not know and could not figure out the policy from the web page (+1 for a honest person). One told me no problem, no extra charge and the last one (a native English speaker) told me overweight / size charges would apply. So the answer as far as I can determine is all of the above and I would be at risk for getting nailed for extra weight, right or wrong.
Yeah the phone agents are not good at explaining what the counter agents will do. There might be a Customer Service department that is, but I don't know. As I explained or at least tried to, there used to be a free extra weight allowance for a scuba gear bag only, but when they took that sentence out, it left the section hard to understand.
I did not post the link on purpose, it is very confusing and wanted to avoid people interpeting what they think it means, so I tried to ask a very focused question and draw on the personal experience of divers. When one using the term think or logic in dealing with TSA or the airlines, they are headed down the rabbit hole fast....
Haha my experiences have varies a lot...
When Cont and Delta were partners, they gave me Elite luggage allowances of 2 free 70# bags, not not upgrades.
When they canceled the partnership without any warning that I saw, I got hit hard: at the airport at 4am, 2 bags over 50#, I had to pay $25 for second bag to Mexico and $100 for the two being over. No time to repack anything, take anything home, etc.
For a year, they gave me Cont Elite status as a Match to Delta now that they were not partners so I got Elite luggage and seat upgrades both. :cool2:
Now I am bag to non-Elite living with the same rules as you.
Oh well, I will break the gear down into 2 bags, it is a lot cheaper than paying for oversize ($23 vs $50). And yes I need 2 dive bags, 2 divers and cold So Calif water means I have 60lbs of gear.
Two passengers are allowed to check up to 2 bags each, up to 50# each, as the rates published. If you two can get by on one bag each, how nice.
Do keep in mind that Cont disallows any liability on scuba gear. :shocked2:
Don, if you can figure out how to upgrade to first class for the cost of an extra bag (currently $23), then please do share your secret. Every time I have tried the price is crazy high, so I only fly first when I can upgrade with miles.
Thanks for your input
Nope, not what I said at all. Referring to per passenger
"If both are 50-70#, it'd be cheaper to upgrade to First Class online within 24 hours of flight." You can upgrade to FC for $100 the day before travel online, if that has not changed, then have two bags up to 70# free.
But if you are just checking two bags for two people (how minimal!), then you can pay $23-25 each.