Non-connecting flights - what happens to baggage

[eden62]

Hi all,

Have just booked my return flight from LA to Adelaide after having booked the ADL-LAX leg last week, both using our QFF points.

We will be going straight from LAX to Las Vegas, however as the ADL-LAX and reverse flights have been ticketted separately, what happens with our luggage? Do we need to collect it from QANTAS and then check it in again with the internal carrier (not sure who yet - probably American Airlines or United).

 

[Maca44]

You have to clear customs and immigration at your FIRST port of entry in the USA, so you would have to collect your bags and re-check them.

 

[eden62]

Thanks for the reply.

As I will need to book the flight to Vegas, do you have any idea how much time I should leave between landing at LAX and the next one?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

For many connections between airlines at LAX involving international flights (arriving or departing), the minimum connection time is 3 hours. Yes, I've had connections take that long where despite being first off the a/c I have literally arrived at departing gate and walked straight onto flight at the other terminal. Bad queues at immigration, customs, walk between terminals, check in and security of departing flight - all up can easily take 2 hours or 3 if unlucky.

Since Vegas has lots of flights you may be more willing to risk misconnection. However it depends what is on that day/week/weekend. I've seen cases where every single flight between LA and SF area airports and LAX is oversold.

 

[NM]

For many connections between airlines at LAX involving international flights (arriving or departing), the minimum connection time is 3 hours. Yes, I've had connections take that long where despite being first off the a/c I have literally arrived at departing gate and walked straight onto flight at the other terminal. Bad queues at immigration, customs, walk between terminals, check in and security of departing flight - all up can easily take 2 hours or 3 if unlucky.

Since Vegas has lots of flights you may be more willing to risk misconnection. However it depends what is on that day/week/weekend. I've seen cases where every single flight between LA and SF area airports and LAX is oversold.

I have missed a 3-hour connection at LAX even though we landed on-time. The combination of remote stand, crowded arrivals hall, long customs queue and long security queue all combined to make it a nightmare arrival.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I'm hoping my next connection (int->int) at LAX goes more smoothly than that. 2 hours, no change of terminals. I do want to have a shower though as it is in the middle of 6 flights over 2 days and no opportunity to grab a shower after LAX

 

[Flying Fox]

OK following on from the previous question as I have always wondered this.....

On our first flight to LAX we were delayed 3+hrs. And if I had a different ticket on AA (for example) to go LAX-LAS and I missed this flight (even if I allowed 3hrs transit) due to QF being delayed, what happens to my LAX-LAS flight?

Esp, considering the cheapest fares have very strict conditions that basically say if you miss your flight you have to buy a new ticket.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

OK following on from the previous question as I have always wondered this.....

On our first flight to LAX we were delayed 3+hrs. And if I had a different ticket on AA (for example) to go LAX-LAS and I missed this flight (even if I allowed 3hrs transit) due to QF being delayed, what happens to my LAX-LAS flight?

Esp, considering the cheapest fares have very strict conditions that basically say if you miss your flight you have to buy a new ticket.

In theory you are out of luck if on separate ticket, unless the onward ticket is fully flexible.

In practice you may be accommodated on the next available flight (which might be only an hour later or might not be for a day or more). Sometimes they may bump someone else to accommodate you, other times you are standby and have to wait for a seat to become free. Whether this happens depends on airline policy (US airlines seem to be more lenient than asia-pacific airlines), status held, fare paid, booking class, whether the agent likes you, all of the above. YMMV.

 

[serfty]

What Kiwi Flyer said!

It may help if you contact AA and have them put an "information sector" with details of your QF inbound into your AA booking. (Maybe call Qantas as well and have them do the same in regard to your AA booking into your QF booking).

The QF segment will then show whenever you or an AAgent refers to your AA booking.

 

[QF WP]

I'll concur with serfty's message (and therefore, Kiwi Flyer's and NM's as well). Linking the two bookings may assist everybody (both you and the airlines).