Code share disadvantages

[TimLyFr]

Hi all,

I was wondering if there are any disadvantages to being a codeshare passenger?

I am looking to fly from Lyon, France to Atlanta in Feb/March. To fly BA is about 8500 Euros, but to fly AA but on BA metal in First is 7000 euros for myself with wife and child.

Surely I am missing something here? Is it in the points credit? Either way I would credit to QFF account, where I am WP but will not get the 4 QF legs next year to retain.

Appreciate your opinions,

TL

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,

I was wondering if there are any disadvantages to being a codeshare passenger?

I am looking to fly from Lyon, France to Atlanta in Feb/March. To fly BA is about 8500 Euros, but to fly AA but on BA metal in First is 7000 euros for myself with wife and child.

Surely I am missing something here? Is it in the points credit? Either way I would credit to QFF account, where I am WP but will not get the 4 QF legs next year to retain.

Appreciate your opinions,

TL

Generally if all the airlines are a member of the same alliance there really isn't too much of a downside (watch, as you say, points earning levels).

The main problem comes when code-share partners are not alliance members but 'partners' - in those cases you may not always get the benefits of the ticketing carrier. So for example CX code-shares with Air China, but buying a CX ticket doesn't give lounge access. Same with Qantas and Jet Airways - limited Qantas benefits when flying on the jet Airways operated segment.

 

[RooFlyer]

Another downside is that if you have a problem (say, at the airport) you have to contact the airline on the flight number, not the carrying airline and this can be quite inconvenient.

Say you are on JAL metal, code-share QF and there's an issue with your flight or check-in at Narita, or the flight is cancelled. You can't discuss it with the JAL desk right in front of you, but have to contact Qantas, who may not have any staff in the terminal at the time and you'll have to call QF, perhaps in Australia..

I'm not sure this is universal, but its certainly happened to me several times.

 

[drron]

Yes the only problem is getting help if something goes wrong.However only had a potential problem once when on a QF RTW award and our AA flight CDG-JFK was cancelled due to a French general strike.However the AA agent got an alternative flight for us and reissued our tickets on AA stock so the rest of the award would not be cancelled.
An AA flight number on BA metal should not be a major problem as AA and BA do have a close relationship.

 

[cmon0005]

Another downside is that if you have a problem (say, at the airport) you have to contact the airline on the flight number, not the carrying airline and this can be quite inconvenient.

Say you are on JAL metal, code-share QF and there's an issue with your flight or check-in at Narita, or the flight is cancelled. You can't discuss it with the JAL desk right in front of you, but have to contact Qantas, who may not have any staff in the terminal at the time and you'll have to call QF, perhaps in Australia..

Sometimes this can be a benefit if the marketing carrier is better at handling irregular ops.
For example a year or so ago I was booked on a LAN booking (LA flight#) SYD-AKL in J, the flight was also codeshared with a QF flight #.
On the morning of departure the flight was cancelled, whilst LAN staff were all over the place trying to work out what to do with customers re-routing, Qantas codeshare customers were told to goto the Qantas desk, where they were handed Boarding passes for QF (Jetconnect) flights within a very quick timeframe.
Meantime us LAN ticketed customers were blowing our tops, after being spread over many Air NZ flights late in the afternoon (6pm) and it was only 10am in the morning. So in this case it was better to have been on QF code as they were looked after immediately and were boarding their flights within an hour.

 

[schomers87]

Agree with above. Really depends on who you are codesharing with.

Had issues with AA metal fights with QF code. Was never asked by AA to contact QF to sort out. However, I've heard of other airlines who don't want to know you when things go wrong.
AA/BA have a good relationship. Can't see too many issues.

 

[TimLyFr]

OK thanks all, seems like should be OK.
Now I read my post I neglected to mention that it was 8500 Euros to go Business on BA, 7000 to go First on AA but on the same BA metal flights. Hence my amazement and concern. If it seems to good to be true....

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Sometimes when people make bookings that involve codeshare flights even if they know a flight is operated by another airline they may not fully understand the implications of travelling on that airline when it comes to through checking baggage for example.

Eg

a) CNS/BNE QF5929 connecting to QF51 BNE/SIN vs
b) CNS/BNE QF799 connecting to QF51 BNE/SIN

Both of the above itineraries can be booked on the QF website for exactly the same fare ie you don't pay any less because option a) is JQ metal CNS/BNE

At the time of booking it's easy for people to assume that option a) QF would do the checkin in because firstly it's a QF flight and secondly it's all been booked through the QF website.

The reality is that the QF5929 is actually JQ929 which means that in CNS you must check in with JQ not QF & your bag will only be checked as far as BNE so after arriving you will have to collect your bag at the domestic terminal then head out the front of the terminal and wait for the TBus to take you to the international terminal.

As the JQ929 is often late ex CNS it can sometimes mean a frantic last minute rush getting to the international terminal, often with an arrival less than one hour before the scheduled departure of the BNE/SIN flight which is less than desirable.

 

[legroom]

Not mentioned yet is the loss of baggage allowance for status pax on codeshare

I'll be doing a QF coded VN flight in a few months.

All my WP perks relating to baggage allowance is not there AFAIK.

***

I also found that QF codeshares with AA is limited in offerings compared to AA direct booking i.e. you tend to see more flight options when you specify AA coded flights, not sure why that is the case.

In any event, I learned now to fly AA whenever I could due to the J/F SC differential.

 

[TimLyFr]

May I ask what the J/F SC differential is?

 

[legroom]

May I ask what the J/F SC differential is?

QF codeshare in AA F would be treated by QF as J for the purpose of SC whereas if that flight is AA coded, QF would then give you the F SC.

e.g. LAX DFW, with QF codeshare you'd get 80 SCs while a plain Jane AA coded flight in F would net 120 SCs.

Now, I know which one I'd like to have.

 

[RooFlyer]

OK thanks all, seems like should be OK.
Now I read my post I neglected to mention that it was 8500 Euros to go Business on BA, 7000 to go First on AA but on the same BA metal flights. Hence my amazement and concern. If it seems to good to be true....

Wow ... that's some differential! Usually it only involves one airline (such as AA) not charging, or not charging to the same degree 'fuel fines' as BA or QF might .. might add up to $500 or even $1,000, but saving $2,300? ... for a higher cabin class?? I would be looking for the catch too, but for that much differential, I'd be prepared to put up with some inconvenience.