Booking award flights as 2 separate sectors

[Pushka]

I’m preparing for the release of award tickets next year with all the city variations etc. We are looking at a Hong Kong transit then through to Tel Aviv on CX. If I use the multi sector function via HK then availability seems to be held back a little longer than if I plug in as separate trips, the first being through to HK and then the second through the Tel Aviv so obviously different PNR’s. I can get a gap of about 4 hours between flights in HK based on current research.

Obviously we’d want our luggage booked through to Tel Aviv but if I wait for the whole trip to be available it might disappear due to the issue noted above.

What are people’s thoughts about booking the 2 sectors? Can I get Qantas to change the booking to same PNR later? Will CX in Australian city book through to Tel Aviv if all flights are on CX? It’s peak travel season and I know I have to act quick.

 

[madrooster]

Are the two flights on the same date? If so, they should be released simultaneously so you can do it as a single award.

If not then you'll still have the same issue. Flight schedules are loaded by date, irrespective of whether there is a connection involved or not.

 

[Pushka]

Are the two flights on the same date? If so, they should be released simultaneously so you can do it as a single award.

If not then you'll still have the same issue. Flight schedules are loaded by date, irrespective of whether there is a connection involved or not.

I’m thinking the second sector is just after midnight. Maybe that’s part of the issue.

If I look at just the first leg the flights will be open in a week. If I try the full journey then it only picks up the week before for the first sector. Maybe they release in week batches and not daily ones, each Wednesday as it’s the second sector Thursday flight (just after midnight) that seems to be the stick point.

 

[madrooster]

I’m thinking the second sector is just after midnight. Maybe that’s part of the issue.

If I look at just the first leg the flights will be open in a week. If I try the full journey then it only picks up the week before for the first sector. Maybe they release in week batches and not daily ones, each Wednesday as it’s the second sector Thursday flight (just after midnight) that seems to be the stick point.

The Thursday flight will release a day after the Wednesday flight - unless CX is blocking inventory as a married segment. If that is the case then yes you will need to book them separately.

CX will check bags through anyway as long as CX is your first carrier.

 

[Pushka]

The Thursday flight will release a day after the Wednesday flight - unless CX is blocking inventory as a married segment. If that is the case then yes you will need to book them separately.

CX will check bags through anyway as long as CX is your first carrier.

Perfect.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Qantas won't be able to combine the bookings at a later stage. If it's two separate PNRs that's the way it will have to stay

But as pointed out, CX will connect baggage between their own flights.

Have you tried the multi city tool rather than a single through booking or two separate bookings?

 

[madrooster]

Perfect.

Not entirely - if CX does a schedule change be it time change or cancellation, and the next flight is on a separate PNR, you will not be able to move the other flight free of charge. You'll only be able to move the one that is affected so that may force you to have a long transit at HKG etc.

It's better to have it on one PNR if possible.

 

[Pushka]

Not entirely - if CX does a schedule change be it time change or cancellation, and the next flight is on a separate PNR, you will not be able to move the other flight free of charge. You'll only be able to move the one that is affected so that may force you to have a long transit at HKG etc.

It's better to have it on one PNR if possible.

Thanks. I’m looking at waiting until EK or QR becomes available now. The CX would have had us leaving at Christmas lunch time and that we’ve decided isn’t good.