Checked baggage through on separate bookings

[MEL_Traveller]

I had a special request so I wasn't able to -

Not clear what you mean by this?

 

[he3at]

Hi all,
Would I be able to have luggage checked through with these bookings (on separate PNRs)?

• QF436 MEL-SYD, booked as QFF economy classic reward, arriving 1230
• BA16 SYD-SIN, booked as QFF business classic reward, departing 1620 same day

QF's interline webpage seems to say I can't, but what have others' experiences been?
Is there any point calling Qantas to ask?
Should I ask Qantas at MEL domestic before bag drop (assuming I can find someone)?
Should I hold-off online check in for the SYD-SIN leg?

All advice and anecdotes welcome!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,
Would I be able to have luggage checked through with these bookings (on separate PNRs)?

• QF436 MEL-SYD, booked as QFF economy classic reward, arriving 1230
• BA16 SYD-SIN, booked as QFF business classic reward, departing 1620 same day

QF's interline webpage seems to say I can't, but what have others' experiences been?
Is there any point calling Qantas to ask?
Should I ask Qantas at MEL domestic before bag drop (assuming I can find someone)?
Should I hold-off online check in for the SYD-SIN leg?

All advice and anecdotes welcome!

No point calling Qantas.

I think the best option is to go to an assisted service desk at MEL domestic and ask there. That’s the desk that handles domestic->international connections, so if anyone can do anything, they will. But don’t be disappointed if the answer is a ‘no’.

 

[he3at]

Thanks for the tips. I'll check out the service desk at Mel domestic. Fortunately there's plenty of time between flights to grab bags if I have to.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Would I be able to have luggage checked through with these bookings (on separate PNRs)?

• QF436 MEL-SYD, booked as QFF economy classic reward, arriving 1230
• BA16 SYD-SIN, booked as QFF business classic reward, departing 1620 same day

QF's interline webpage seems to say I can't, but what have others' experiences been?
Is there any point calling Qantas to ask?
Should I ask Qantas at MEL domestic before bag drop (assuming I can find someone)?
Should I hold-off online check in for the SYD-SIN leg?

All advice and anecdotes welcome!

You need to read the exception

Interline and Through Checked Baggage

Checked baggage allowances are determined according to the itinerary and provided at the time of booking. Different baggage allowances may apply each time baggage is checked in. This page contains information on Interline - International Journeys and Through Checked Baggage.

www.qantas.com

^ Exemptions apply for customers travelling on a oneworld separate PNRs when using a combination of award travel and revenue travel. Note: This is a Qantas exemption and may not be supported by all oneworld airlines.

Will be a lot easier at SYD if you can interline bags and get boarding pass/document check at MEL. Then just the gate 15 transit bus to T1

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You need to read the exception

Interline and Through Checked Baggage

Checked baggage allowances are determined according to the itinerary and provided at the time of booking. Different baggage allowances may apply each time baggage is checked in. This page contains information on Interline - International Journeys and Through Checked Baggage.

www.qantas.com

Will be a lot easier at SYD if you can interline bags and get boarding pass/document check at MEL. Then just the gate 15 transit bus to T1

The exception supports the OP’s assumption bags won’t be checked through.

 

[he3at]

You need to read the exception

Interline and Through Checked Baggage

Checked baggage allowances are determined according to the itinerary and provided at the time of booking. Different baggage allowances may apply each time baggage is checked in. This page contains information on Interline - International Journeys and Through Checked Baggage.

www.qantas.com

Will be a lot easier at SYD if you can interline bags and get boarding pass/document check at MEL. Then just the gate 15 transit bus to T1

Yeah, unfortunately my reading of this is that because my flights are both award tickets, that exemption doesn't apply to me.

Taking the gate 15 transit bus is the outcome I'm hoping for. But it looks like there's not much I can do ahead of time - just turn up at Mel domestic and ask if my bags can be checked through.

 

[jbmemories]

I have an upcoming flight that's a mix of QF award and revenue flights to LHR (separate QF PNRs), followed by a revenue fare with BA flying out of the same terminal (different PNR, QFF added), with a 4-hour layover, within the same Terminal.

QF has added that BA PNR to my overall ticket (and it shows up in my QF app), but has advised me to try my luck at the Aus airport to see if they can interline it through to my final BA flight. Not the end of the world if it can't, but it will undoubtedly be a hassle to exit, do customs, and then re-enter/re-check everything for the BA flight.

 

[justinbrett]

I have an upcoming flight that's a mix of QF award and revenue flights to LHR (separate QF PNRs), followed by a revenue fare with BA flying out of the same terminal (different PNR, QFF added), with a 4-hour layover, within the same Terminal.

Yes, the policy quoted above covers your situation exactly. However if you are doing a return journey in reverse, BA won’t connect to a separate PNR (even BA to BA). But for outbound it’s just a matter of getting staff who know how to do it, so don’t be afraid to ask for a supervisor if you are told it can’t be done. Have the interline policy page handy if you can, though I doubt you will need it.

Edit - are you trying to through check 3 PNRs? That might be pushing it. Doesn’t stop you asking.

QF has added that BA PNR to my overall ticket (and it shows up in my QF app), but has advised me to try my luck at the Aus airport to see if they can interline it through to my final BA flight. Not the end of the world if it can't, but it will undoubtedly be a hassle to exit, do customs, and then re-enter/re-check everything for the BA flight.

Not that it matters but this is not possible, a PNR can hold multiple tickets, a ticket can’t hold multiple PNRs. As QF and BA use the same system, and due to some relics of the old joint venture, any BA booking with your QFF number will automatically show up in your QF app. If QF said they were linking your bookings that’s nice but it does absolutely nothing.