Current Qantas baggage interlining on separate tickets

[mrpooky]

Hello,

I am interested in learning about Qantas's current baggage interline policies when customers are travelling on separately booked tickets. Searching the forums I've found a number of rather old threads, and searching Google and various other forums and websites leads me to sometimes conflicting, and never straightforward, information.

The Qantas website, which one must assume is correct, clearly answers the question only for flights booked on the same ticket (yes):

Question

If I am travelling on more than one flight to an international destination will my bags be checked through onto my next flight? Answer

Yes, if both your flights are booked on the same single reservation and your flights are all with Qantas or Qantas, Emirates and/or and another oneworld[SUP]®[/SUP] airline your baggage will be transferred between flights for you. You may need to check-in at the connecting point to obtain your next boarding pass from another oneworld carrier. If both your flights are booked on the same single reservation and your initial flight is with Qantas, but the subsequent flight is not with Qantas, Emirates or a oneworld airline, transferering your baggage to your next flight depends on whether a specific agreement exists between Qantas and that carrier. You will be advised by Qantas staff at check-in, but if you require more notice, either your travel agent or Qantas Contact Centres will be able to advise you.

... or flights booked on separate tickets on non-OneWorld (or Emirates) airlines (no):

Note: Your baggage will not be checked through and you will not receive your onward journey boarding pass if you hold two separate reservations for your international trip, where one reservation is with Qantas and the other reservation is with an airline that is neither Qantas, Emirates or a oneworld airline.

... but it says nothing about what happens if neither of these is the case, i.e. if you hold two separate reservations where one reservation is with Qantas and the other reservation IS with Qantas or Emirates or a OneWorld airline.

Various flyertalk and other forum posts seem to declare that it is OneWorld policy that interlining has to be performed between member airlines, regardless of whether separate tickets/bookings are in play, but the OneWorld website doesn't necessarily agree with this assertion:

oneworld transfers

• If you are travelling on connecting oneworld flights, your luggage will be checked through to your final destination at the time of check-in.*

*You may be required to collect and re-check your bags at certain airports due to local security or customs policies.

From my reading of this, it all depends on what OneWorld defines as "connecting oneworld flights", and I can't find that defined anywhere.

For what it's worth, I did call the QFF premium helpline and was told that interlining on separate tickets is not possible on Qantas, but I can't see anything written anywhere that agrees with this, and from my google searching it seems that as late as last year there were still some people doing this successfully.

In my situation, I'm on a QF-marketed, EK-operated flight on one ticket, connecting to a MH-operated flight on a separate ticket, so it's the OneWorld transfer situation -- the poorly documented one -- that matters to me. Has anyone had any experience doing something similar this year?

Thank you,

mrpooky.

 

[Chrizztofa]

I'm not sure the oneworld rules apply given the first flight is EK-operated?

I did not get a clear answer when I had a similar issue last year with the following flights:

Ticket #1: PER-SIN-BKK (QF/3K)
Ticket #2: BKK-DOH-AMS (QR)

In that case the lady at QF check-in at PER manually checked my bag through to AMS (first one out on the carousel actually!) so I had a win there.

On the return, I was not so lucky.

Ticket #1: FNC-LGW (BA)
Ticket #2: LGW-AMS (BA)
Ticket #3: AMS-DOH-KUL-DRW (QR/MH)

BA staff were unable / unwilling to check the bag through despite all flights being within 24 hours and all on oneworld. I had to collect my bag at both LGW and AMS.

 

[anat0l]

If you have a QF marketed EK operated flight connecting to a MH marketed and operated flight on separate tickets, that's a tough one. If EK are checking you in, it will probably come down to whether EK is willing to check through to MH on a separate reservation; nothing much to do with QF.

EK recently tied up some agreement with MH, so that might be possible.

What is the routing and how critical is it to make the connection without requiring to check in again?

In Chrizztofa's examples, I'm surprised 3K could transfer the bags to QR at BKK; and that in the second example, BA wouldn't even offer to check through to just AMS. I don't know what BA's policies are - though it may be one that separate reservations don't necessarily allow check-through - but that seems odd.

 

[Himeno]

Qantas will interline baggage to any airline it has an interline agreement with (most IATA members), provided the flights are on the same ticket. You may still need to collect connecting boarding passes at the transfer port.
They will interline to oneworld members across tickets (provided the check in agent knows how...)

 

[Chrizztofa]

In Chrizztofa's examples, I'm surprised 3K could transfer the bags to QR at BKK; and that in the second example, BA wouldn't even offer to check through to just AMS. I don't know what BA's policies are - though it may be one that separate reservations don't necessarily allow check-through - but that seems odd.

I should clarify that the the 3K flight was a QF codeshare (QF4212) and that the first ticket was on QF ticket stock, which might have helped. On the BA flights, the FNC-LGW flight arrived around 11pm with the LGW-AMS flight at 7am the next day (with AMS-DRW departing at 2pm that day) which may have affected things. At both FNC and LGW BA counter staff mentioned they couldn't see any other flights linked to me, despite my QFF number being on all bookings.

 

[serfty]

You are over thinking it.

QF->*O separate tickets - no worries.

QF->EK separate tickets no problem either.

 

[serfty]

Also:

*You may be required to collect and re-check your bags at certain airports due to local security or customs policies

That, for example is what happens at LAX, SFO or DFW when flying Qantas from Oz, even if on a single ticket.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

That is accurate in terms of QF policies.
However this also comes into play:

*You may be required to collect and re-check your bags at certain airports due to local security or customs policies.

For example BKK policies seem to allow a lot of airlines to through-check luggage when PAX are connecting between flights on different tickets.
As in the example above and my own experience interlining between EY & MH and bewteen PG & CX through BKK.
However it seems London airports are not so generous.
As in the example above at LGW and my own experience trying to interline between FI for KEF-LHR and QF LHR-DXB-MEL.
On that occasion I was told even airlines with an interline agreement cannot check baggage through LHR if the connecting flights are on different tickets.

 

[serfty]

This basic policy was formed in 2010 after the Iceland Volcano led a huge amount of mislaid checked luggage.

http://www.qantas.com/agents/dyn/qf/policies/ReadytoFlyFAQ191010.pdf

It has, I suppose more recently been evolved to include EK.

 

[mrpooky]

You are over thinking it.

QF->*O separate tickets - no worries.

QF->EK separate tickets no problem either.

Can you see this written down anywhere 'official'? These two situations that you mention are not explicitly mentioned, but rather fall in the gap between the situations that are mentioned on QF's website, and to rely on OneWorld's statement on their website needs a definition of "connecting flight", which isn't given anywhere. I guess the only 'official' response I've had was from the helpdesk person who said that they won't interline on separate tickets, full stop, but I suspect this isn't true, especially given others' experiences mentioned here, and responses such as yours. I'd feel happier about asking (and pushing a little) when I first check in if I'm able to reference something official about it.

If you have a QF marketed EK operated flight connecting to a MH marketed and operated flight on separate tickets, that's a tough one. If EK are checking you in, it will probably come down to whether EK is willing to check through to MH on a separate reservation; nothing much to do with QF.

EK recently tied up some agreement with MH, so that might be possible.

What is the routing and how critical is it to make the connection without requiring to check in again?

Haha! Well in my case it's actually a bit more complicated, but I tried to simplify it for a more general question. I'll actually be checking in with a QF agent before a QF domestic flight, which is on the same ticket as the EK flight. So I thought it would be QF interlining policies that should apply and not EK, since I won't deal with any EK check-in at all, and the flight numbers are QF? But I might be wrong!

I'm going BNE -> SYD (DOM QF) -> BKK (QF/EK), then four hours later BKK -> KUL (MH) -> HKG (MH). It shouldn't be critical unless the QF/EK flight is a couple of hours late; it will just be much easier on me if I can drop my bag off at BNE and not see it again until HKG. (It would be even simpler if I could not take the bag, but mrspooky requires presents ... .)

Thank you everyone for your thoughts so far.

mrpooky.

 

[anat0l]

Can you see this written down anywhere 'official'? These two situations that you mention are not explicitly mentioned, but rather fall in the gap between the situations that are mentioned on QF's website, and to rely on OneWorld's statement on their website needs a definition of "connecting flight", which isn't given anywhere. I guess the only 'official' response I've had was from the helpdesk person who said that they won't interline on separate tickets, full stop, but I suspect this isn't true, especially given others' experiences mentioned here, and responses such as yours. I'd feel happier about asking (and pushing a little) when I first check in if I'm able to reference something official about it.

There's not really an "official" place in public that all of this is set out in a neat format.

A Travel Agents FAQ like that quoted by serfty is perhaps one example, and even then may not cover all possibilities. The only other resource I can think of is a check-in agent's SOP; good luck finding that in public.

A GDS service like ExpertFlyer can tell you whether two airlines have an interline agreement, which can help you predict what will happen, though more often than not this is usually more referring to same-ticket situations. As far as I can guess, with separate reservations nothing is ever guaranteed except that which is extended as a service by the carrier, though an interline agreement between carriers is a minimum.

Since your booking involves a non-oneworld carrier, the information on the oneworld website doesn't really help you as such. Yes, even though your flight to BKK is operated by EK but marketed by QF (a oneworld carrier), it is nearly always the operating carrier which matters.

I'm going BNE -> SYD (DOM QF) -> BKK (QF/EK), then four hours later BKK -> KUL (MH) -> HKG (MH). It shouldn't be critical unless the QF/EK flight is a couple of hours late; it will just be much easier on me if I can drop my bag off at BNE and not see it again until HKG. (It would be even simpler if I could not take the bag, but mrspooky requires presents ... .)

In this case, I'd guess that you might be OK all the way when checking in at BNE. Make sure you show both bookings with full reference (and e-ticket information, preferably) when checking in, and request to be checked all the way to HKG. I'd still be prepared to reclaim at BKK; that just goes with risk management and what not... plus separate tickets making everything just a bit more complicated.

I would guess, however, that just because you can check your bags all the way doesn't mean you'll get all of your boarding passes at once in BNE. You may only get them up to BKK, after which at BKK you would need to approach the transfer counters for MH to get your next boarding passes. Of course, if you are delayed, then checked-through bags or not, if you misconnect at BKK you risk forfeiting your fare because you have no connection protection (checked-through bags won't be loaded when you no-show for the next flight and you'll need to pick them up at the baggage reclaim). This is only a guess - you might have all your boarding passes at BNE.

 

[Shano]

Slightly different scenario but QF wouldn't interline when we did MEL-SIN on QF then SIN-USM on MU when on separate bookings.

Fortunately MU located our luggage at SIN and checked through to USM so we didn't need to clear immigration in SIN

 

[mrpooky]

Yes, even though your flight to BKK is operated by EK but marketed by QF (a oneworld carrier), it is nearly always the operating carrier which matters.

Ah, okay. I had assumed it was the opposite, that the marketing carrier's policies would apply. This is useful to know; thank you.

I would guess, however, that just because you can check your bags all the way doesn't mean you'll get all of your boarding passes at once in BNE. You may only get them up to BKK, after which at BKK you would need to approach the transfer counters for MH to get your next boarding passes. Of course, if you are delayed, then checked-through bags or not, if you misconnect at BKK you risk forfeiting your fare because you have no connection protection (checked-through bags won't be loaded when you no-show for the next flight and you'll need to pick them up at the baggage reclaim). This is only a guess - you might have all your boarding passes at BNE.

I had actually been planning to check in online for the MH flights while still in Brisbane, as on-line check in as apparently available up to 48 hours beforehand via the Malaysia Airlines website. So in that case I would be taking my printed MH boarding pass(es) with me to QF check-in in BNE. Am I better off not doing this, from the baggage point of view?

mrpooky.

 

[TheInsider]

Slightly different scenario but QF wouldn't interline when we did MEL-SIN on QF then SIN-USM on MU when on separate bookings.

Fortunately MU located our luggage at SIN and checked through to USM so we didn't need to clear immigration in SIN

That would be correct. MU aren't a part of OW, not on the same booking and not EK.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Haha! Well in my case it's actually a bit more complicated, but I tried to simplify it for a more general question. I'll actually be checking in with a QF agent before a QF domestic flight, which is on the same ticket as the EK flight. So I thought it would be QF interlining policies that should apply and not EK, since I won't deal with any EK check-in at all, and the flight numbers are QF? But I might be wrong!

I'm going BNE -> SYD (DOM QF) -> BKK (QF/EK), then four hours later BKK -> KUL (MH) -> HKG (MH). It shouldn't be critical unless the QF/EK flight is a couple of hours late; it will just be much easier on me if I can drop my bag off at BNE and not see it again until HKG. (It would be even simpler if I could not take the bag, but mrspooky requires presents ... .)

Thank you everyone for your thoughts so far.

mrpooky.

QF BNE staff are used to adding in MH oncarriage ever since MH stopped flying BNE/KUL direct as pax have been re-routed BNE QF SYD MH KUL MH xx_ etc.

It doesn't matter whether SYD/BKK is sold (marketed) as QF or EK and whether or not it's on the same ticket as BNE/SYD - through check can still be done. Make sure you have copies of the eticket itinerary receipt with you that show details of all your onward flights and fare bucket class.

You may not always receive the MH boarding passes however that does not prevent your bags being through checked to the final destination ie HKG. You would just need to see an MH representative in BKK at the transfer desk airside who will issue the boarding passes BKK/KUL/HKG - there is no need to clear customs in BKK.

 

[Lone Wolf]

Two additional variables to consider:
1. The two tickets should meet MCT otherwise there may be insufficient time to physically transfer baggage.
2. Some ports requires travellers to collect their baggage and recheck-in the first international arrival port. In this instance interlining is not possible regardless of how good-intentioned the airlines are.

Anecdotally I've had no issues interlining between OneWorld. (LAN > QF and BA > CX are ones that come to mind). As others have mentioned, showing the separate e-tickets at check-in is your best chance.

 

[mrpooky]

It doesn't matter whether SYD/BKK is sold (marketed) as QF or EK and whether or not it's on the same ticket as BNE/SYD - through check can still be done. Make sure you have copies of the eticket itinerary receipt with you that show details of all your onward flights and fare bucket class.

Thank you. It sounds from reports in this thread, then, that I shouldn't have any trouble with the through-check. Hooray!

Am I right in thinking that me doing an online check in for the MH flight ex-BKK before I arrive at the airport in BNE will not have any adverse effects on trying to do through-check on my baggage at the QF DOM check-in in BNE? That way I assure myself of having a MH boarding pass already, assuming their website works ... .

mrpooky.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Thank you. It sounds from reports in this thread, then, that I shouldn't have any trouble with the through-check. Hooray!

Am I right in thinking that me doing an online check in for the MH flight ex-BKK before I arrive at the airport in BNE will not have any adverse effects on trying to do through-check on my baggage at the QF DOM check-in in BNE?

That way I assure myself of having a MH boarding pass already, assuming their website works ... .

mrpooky.

I don't think it would throw a spanner in the works. It some cases when you check in the MH boarding passes just print out again with the same seats you selected online.

It's worth checking with MH on arrival in BKK that the QF bag tags have generated to the MH system so have your baggage claim receipt handy.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Slightly different scenario but QF wouldn't interline when we did MEL-SIN on QF then SIN-USM on MU when on separate bookings.

Fortunately MU located our luggage at SIN and checked through to USM so we didn't need to clear immigration in SIN

China Eastern flies SIN-Koh Samui?

 

[tyrolean]

I usually book quite odd connections in Europe connecting to QF or LH.
What I found out is that QF and BA are a bit picky with checking through luggage on separate tickets

My experiences on separate bookings in the last 6 months:
LH->QF no Problem (operated by EK or QF)
LH->EK no Problem
Even LH->3K (in SIN) no Problem!
EK->LH (even with QF code) no Problem!

But you should never book a connection that is too tight, as rules may change quite fast.