Checked luggage with Virgin to LAX then through to Vancouver on Delta?

[rokesc]

Hi everyone - this is first post to this forum.

I've got a tricky one and I reckon you guys are the only ones who have the answer.

We (the family 2 adults, 1 5 yo, 1 almost 3 yo) are off to Vancouver for a trip to Whistler. As I had a lot of Virgin points we're going via LAX on points.
After a gruelling day of mucking around with the call centre my partner has finally organised 4 return premium economy tickets and we ended up having to purchase 1 one-way ticket for the almost 3 yo from Sydney to LAX as we didn't quite have enough. This one is on a different itinerary.
We live in Melbourne, but we're going Sydney to LAX then return LAX to Melbourne. There weren't any reward tickets available from Melbourne on the way out. So we'll have to buy a MEL to SYD domestic on the way out. Complicated eh?

OK but my question is about the other end. We need to get a Delta flight with the best possible connection from LAX to Vancouver. Delta has a code-share with Virgin but Virgin (not sure why) are unable to book the ticket - we have to go to a travel agent or to Delta.

The thing is we really want to be able to book our luggage through to Vancouver with the 2 kids and a ****e-load of gear. Is there any way we can do this or because we have already booked the flights through Virgin is this imposssible?

 

[Matthewsnospam]

Hey mate,

I just did this trip, literally the exact one to whistler and everything, I went with virgin first then cancelled it and did air NZ through auckland then direct to vancouver which you can do through from any major australian city, you lose out on the status bonus if you pay for your flights but if you have so many points you can probably book them through virgin anyway.

If you are going to fly economy - book to auckland then direct to vancouver as they use the older 777's with the larger economy seats.

If you are going to fly premium - book to auckland then via LAX (can do it as a whole option and luggage will be sent through until final destination) this is because the new 777's fly on this route and the premium econ is amazing.

If you are flying business- either one, but I reckon the direct to van as the customs takes 5 seconds and you don't have to set foot in america.

I was a bit sceptical but after doing both they are my chosen to canada (also their baggage rates are really good- we took 2 bags each ski gear and everything, only payed for one extra bags because VA gold and platinum get extra bags)

also if you book full fare in econ or premium do the one-up bidding, we got it on 3 out of 4 legs and i tell you that flight is a lot better with full leg room.

Any questions just ask

 

[Mal]

If you touch us soil, you need to clear customs and immigration there.
(Its a bigger issue, even flying over it could force a request for passenger data and also landing).

So enjoy the process....

 

[trooper]

As the previous poster said... If you land in the USA you must clear Customs and immigration there.

The USA has NO International transit. Bags CAN be tagged to final destination where possible... and there is a bag drop just after clearing the formalities... but there is no way to have the bags go through behind the scenes....

 

[myfavouritescar]

If you purchase Delta tickets LAX-YVR you should be able to have the bookings linked (probably need to call) and therefore tagged to YVR. However echoing what everybody else has said; the USA does not have international transit. If your flight lands at LAX you need to clear US immigration, pick up your bags, clear US customs, drop off your bags, re-clear security and find your new gate. This process can take hours on some/most days. As a general rule you want at least a minimum of 3 hours layover (I've done it in 1 hour but also had it take 4 hours just to get out of LAX without transferring to another flight). Personally if I was travelling with 2 young kids I'd look at getting a day room in a hotel close to LAX and flying out later that evening after getting some rest or overnighting it and flying out the next morning.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Just be aware than NZ will only interline to other flights (including other NZ flights) if all flights are in the one pnr so you couldn't book MEL/AKL on one booking and AKL/YVR on another which could be cheaper than a through fare MEL/YVR (via AKL).

I'm sure I have read on AFF that pax on VA ex Aust to LAX were not able to check their bags through to the final destination on DL if the bookings were made separately.