donnyb
Contributor
No problem Sherlock.
Just for clarification, NW indeed is not a part of Star Alliance, but they still have an interline baggage agreement with SA. Most major airlines have interline agreements for baggage.
The sticking point is only the long layover time, nothing else. Most airline computer systems kick out the interline just based on layovers exceeding 4-5 hours. But, just request it when you are checking your bags in at the airport. The agent will "try" on the computer and it will either work, or not.
One more thing, SA will allow you to online check in 48 hours in advance, unlike American carriers who make you wait till inside 24 hours, so you can print your boarding passes for SA when you print your NWA passes. You will show these to the NWA agent when you are checking in your bags.
Just for clarification, NW indeed is not a part of Star Alliance, but they still have an interline baggage agreement with SA. Most major airlines have interline agreements for baggage.
The sticking point is only the long layover time, nothing else. Most airline computer systems kick out the interline just based on layovers exceeding 4-5 hours. But, just request it when you are checking your bags in at the airport. The agent will "try" on the computer and it will either work, or not.
One more thing, SA will allow you to online check in 48 hours in advance, unlike American carriers who make you wait till inside 24 hours, so you can print your boarding passes for SA when you print your NWA passes. You will show these to the NWA agent when you are checking in your bags.