Combining VA and DL tickets

[Kingston58]

Hi
am new to this forum, so here goes with my first question.
Ms Kingston58 and I are flying to LAX Thursday on VA (prem econ ). We are then flying through to Calgary that day on a DL codeshare (Westjet). Had to buy the flights separately as couldnt book through to Calgary on the VA website.
My question is can we check our luggage through to Calgary at Sydney? Our schedule is fairly tight and I would like to avoid having to recheck-in at LAX and also avoid Delta's baggage fees if possible (am Velocity Platinum).

 

[Boris spatsky]

I don't like your chances. I did a VA SYD-LAX then a VX LAX-ORD and they would only check bags to LAX because it was on2 different PNRs. DL probably similar (both partners, both interline). Try at check in but be prepared. How long do you have between flight?

 

[Kingston58]

I don't like your chances. I did a VA SYD-LAX then a VX LAX-ORD and they would only check bags to LAX because it was on2 different PNRs. DL probably similar (both partners, both interline). Try at check in but be prepared. How long do you have between flight?

Figured that would be the case but will try at checkin. Transit is 2 and 3/4 hrs, not too bad, but need VA to do their bit and be on time - which hasn't been my experience with them of late. The Sabre changeover wont help things.
Irony is I only went with DL because of the tie in with VA. Turns out I could have booked the same flight with Westjet without a baggage charge.

 

[VA777]

I had two PNRs last year and va was able to tag all the way through (more than limit of cities on one tag so they needed two which is not an automated purpose).

Return home DL was able to check bags from RDU to SYD across the two PNRs plus DL recognized my VA gold status.

 

[Fantic125]

I had the same experience as Kingston58, but LAX-SAN.

It's not too much of an issue though as once you clear Immigration and Customs, as you leave the Customs hall the baggage drop for DL is on the right hand side immediately after the door. They can also issue your boarding pass, and then you just go up the escalators to departures.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I had two PNRs last year and va was able to tag all the way through (more than limit of cities on one tag so they needed two which is not an automated purpose).

Return home DL was able to check bags from RDU to SYD across the two PNRs plus DL recognized my VA gold status.

The difference here that you were on DL metal whereas the OP is on a DL codeshare operated by WS metal so the issues are:

a) Do VA and WS have an interline baggage agreement &
b) if so, if flights are in separate pnrs will VA in Australia still check bags through to YYC

It's also worth noting that what happens ex Australia to North America doesn't necessarily reflect what will happen in reverse ex US. Eg QF have a baggage agreement with UA provided the flights are in the same pnr BNE QF x/SYD UA SFO = bags will be checked BNE through to SFO if both flights are in the same pnr so CSA in BNE will automatically see your UA flight as oncarriage. Pax would still need to get their boarding pass from UA in SYD for the SYD/SFO flight.

Above scenario on separate pnrs = QF would check bag BNE/SYD only so pax would have to collect bag at SYD T3 then take train or TBus around to T1 & checkin again with UA at the international terminal.

US carriers seem more liberal with what they will do and UA have been known to check someones bag SFO UA x/SYD QF BNE despite being on separate pnrs. Of course in that direction pax would have to collect bag in SYD to clear customs then bag drop with QF if on a QF dom flight number 400 & above. If they were on QF19 SYD/BNE on a Thu, they could transit SYD then collect bag & do customs in BNE.

 

[Kingston58]

Thats encouraging. Westjet operate from a different terminal so it would be better not to have to lug bags and re-check. Coming back we are are travelling Vegas-Syd on DL/VA so will have the same issue. Hopefully DL will come to the party.

Having read various posts on this forum, am also looking fwd to the the Virgin LAX lounge experience!

Thanks all for the advice