Caution: Don't check-in online for with onward connections on different PNR

[SYD]

There are good reasons for checking in online: eg no checked bags and securing a good seat. But if you have checked luggage and already a good pre-allocated seat, then it probably isn’t necessary. I discovered another reason not to also.

On a recent trip to the US (SYD-LAX on QF and LAX-DFW-FLL AA on a seperate booking), I decided to check-in online for the QF sector. Even though my partner and I were in pre-allocated J-seats, we were on different QF bookings, so I thought it would be sensible to avoid being moved apart. Although, that was probably unlikely as a WP and SG (unless the long overdue op-up to F came my way - which it didn't).

Anyway, at the QF First check-in lounge, the attendant was unable to check our luggage all the way through to FLL as the system wouldn't allow him to add the extra AA sectors.
Even though you have to claim your luggage in LAX, it is still simpler to walk over to transfer conveyer and drop off your bags.

So just be aware. This could be a bigger problem if you wouldn't normally have to collect luggage and you wanted your bags to go through to where ever your final destination is. The attendant would be able to off load you and recheck you in, but you run the risk of losing your seats.

In the end for us, it wasn't a huge problem, being the first flight in to TBIT, we were the first at the transfer baggage re-check and the lady had new tags done in a few minutes and we were on our way. The next hurdle would be getting through DFW after the massive snow storms...

 

[JohnK]

Interesting thought. I have never had an issue using OLCI and having onward connections.

As for check-in agents not being able to check through to other destinations is a different matter.

In 2007 I had a Oneworld award starting from SYD and the first few sectors were SYD-MEL-AKL-LAX-DCA-STL-ORD. The check-in agent could have said sorry I cannot do it but he persevered and eventually (after about 20 minutes) go it done on 2 separate luggage tags.

I am not convinced it was worth the extra effort though as when I got to LAX the AA check-in agents re-printed the luggage tags anyway and issued me new boarding passes.

 

[thewinchester]

Just reading through your post SYD, I can't see how OLCI had any effect on the inability of the QF agent to correctly interline and through-check on your separate PNRs.

According to the QF interlining/through-check FAQ, there should have been no problems providing the service to AA, as they are a Oneworld airline.

While I understand the First check-in staff are usually on the ball (not had the opportunity to use it yet), it may have been the staff member didn't have interlining down cold.

My best recommendation is to sort out interlining before you fly. It should require only a quick call to Reservations, to sort the linking of your PNR's out.

Also, I'm surprised that you didn't link both your and your wife's PNR's beforehand. If something went wrong at they had to swap seats, cabin crew and ground staff would have no way of knowing you were travelling together, meaning they lose a few minutes conversing with you about it before going back to the podium to devise another solutions.

 

[SYD]

Just reading through your post SYD, I can't see how OLCI had any effect on the inability of the QF agent to correctly interline and through-check on your separate PNRs.

Quite simple, having checked in online, the system has said, well that's it, you're obviously not going anywhere else. Not an issue with interline - which I've never had a problem with before and I'm sure the agent was well versed in. As I said in my post, he was able to do it, but would have had to offload us at the risk of loosing our allocated seats. Which in this instance wasn't worth the risk. If I was going onto somewhere say in Europe and wasn't expecting to see my bags until the other end, then I probably would have taken the risk.

Your point about getting the PNRs linked is a good one, but I didn't try based on previous unsatisfying attempts to do that before, but next time I will give it a go. Once upon a time people called travel agents did that for us...

BTW, our bookings to LAX and return flight to SYD were linked, but that didn't stop me being moved on the return flight to the F cabin (sold as J) and my partner left on the upper deck! A couple of phone calls were required to fix that potential nightmare.

Anyway, my point really is that it isn't necessaryily always a good idea to follow what the airlines want us to do and check-in online. Unless of course there is real benefit to the individual.

 

[simongr]

I personally can't see any reason to OLCI if flying internationally esp if WP and flying J - even with no luggage.

 

[JohnK]

I personally can't see any reason to OLCI if flying internationally esp if WP and flying J - even with no luggage.

Makes sure the airline STILL knows you are definitely coming and does not accidentally give away you highly prized 80AK, 71D, 50C seat to some unworthy beggar.

Well that is my theory anyway....

 

[mikew]

There is a simple fix for this the agent may not have known as I came across this when I was checking in on a QF MEL-SYD then a JQ SYD-HNL.

All they need to do is uncheck you from the plane (kick you off) go into the itin and add the extra sectors required (regardless of the pnr) then recheck you back in. In that time your prized seat should still be available and you then wont need to worry in lax.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Unchecking someone in doesn't remove their seat allocation as the seat number remains there against pax name irrespective of whether the seating was done at time of booking or just allocated at time of checkin.

For QF to remove the seat number against your name they would physically have to hit the 'deallocate seating' button.

The only benefit I see of OLCI for international flights is that in situations where the flight is oversold, if you have checked in & received your seat allocation then it'll be some other unlucky person who will get bumped when the seats run out.

 

[dfcatch]

Unchecking someone in doesn't remove their seat allocation as the seat number remains there against pax name irrespective of whether the seating was done at time of booking or just allocated at time of checkin.

For QF to remove the seat number against your name they would physically have to hit the 'deallocate seating' button.

The only benefit I see of OLCI for international flights is that in situations where the flight is oversold, if you have checked in & received your seat allocation then it'll be some other unlucky person who will get bumped when the seats run out.

Slightly off topic - but in light of what you've just said, does OLCI also reduce OpUp chance? Or no discern-able difference?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Slightly off topic - but in light of what you've just said, does OLCI also reduce OpUp chance? Or no discern-able difference?

IMHO no, it doesn't make any difference. I think there's plenty of AFFers here who have been op-upd after they've done OLCI. I can't think of any valid reason why Yield Mngt would want to exclude someone who's eligible for an op-up eg a WP simply because they've already checked in as the airline's got nothing to lose by doing this.

 

[djfuzz]

Someone mentioned this elsewhere (perhaps on FT), but in the opposite direction there seem to be problems as well. Linked PNRs from an AA domestic to a QF transpac, and the AAgent managed to lose the Y+ in J seat allocation whereas on QF's systems they remain unchanged. Didn't OLCI for that specific reason and now can't even get through to Select Seats on MMB (the button's there, but it leads to an empty page).

QF reckon the alternate boarding pass issued by AA will be rejected at the gate so to check it out when transferring, but I will let you know how it goes, fingers crossed.