Online check-in

[maz1]

I'm not at all sure i'm asking in the right place- but here goes:
we're leaving Melbourne on Friday morning - booked through aa.com using miles for award flights all on one booking

first flight is Melbourne to Sydney on a domestic Qantas flight then, Sydney to LAX on an international American Airlines flight.

has anyone had any experience checking in online?

thanks in advance

 

[empressjo]

I'm tagging along on your question as I'd love to know this answer I'm not a fan of getting from domestic to/from International @SYD but willing to give it another try for the better priced fares.

 

[TomVexille]

Are you trying to check in with QF or AA?

 

[maz1]

I've tried on both websites. Of course I can't see the booking on the Qantas website because the flights were made on one booking via the aa.com website.
I can clearly see both flights on my aa Advantage account, and it has a button to click for 'check-in' but when I click on that, it just leads to my booking- and no option to actually check in. I'll try again tomorrow- as we are still more than 48 hours out.

 

[maz1]

I'm tagging along on your question as I'd love to know this answer I'm not a fan of getting from domestic to/from International @SYD but willing to give it another try for the better priced fares.

I am not a fan either- I can think of nothing I want to do less. and even more so as I have fluid behind my eardrum (just getting over a severe ear infection) so, 2 descents rather than just one potentially painful one) is an added stress.

but, the payoff was, seats in J for both flights.
getting very excited now.

 

[TomVexille]

I've tried on both websites. Of course I can't see the booking on the Qantas website because the flights were made on one booking via the aa.com website.
I can clearly see both flights on my aa Advantage account, and it has a button to click for 'check-in' but when I click on that, it just leads to my booking- and no option to actually check in. I'll try again tomorrow- as we are still more than 48 hours out.

Try and get the QF PNR from AA. It will be different. Also, QF OLCI only opens 24 hours from departure.

 

[maz1]

Try and get the QF PNR from AA. It will be different. Also, QF OLCI only opens 24 hours from departure.

I have no idea what PNR means.

I am much more concerned about the American flight- because I have just 2 hours inbetween flights. doable but tight

 

[serfty]

PNR stands for "Passenger Name Record".

It's also referred to as "Booking Reference".

There should be an Amadeus PNR for the QF operated flights (different from the AA SABRE one you already have).

You can call AA or QF (armed with your flight details) and ask for it.

With that, you can look it up using www.qantas.com/yourbooking

 

[maz1]

thank you for the information serfty

 

[DC3]

.. and when you have the PNR, probably a good idea to go on-line and select your seat, if you have a preference. Then, on-line check-in would generally be open from 24 hours prior to the flight, with the airline that you are flying.

Good luck with the 2 hour connection, so long as the MEL-SYD flight does not run too late.

 

[maz1]

I have already selected my seats- please, do not mention the D word :shock:

one good thing...we have no check-in luggage....that is good right

 

[madrooster]

Use your AA booking reference on the QF website. It will spit out the QF booking reference. Then use the QF booking reference to check in online.

 

[grussellt]

I have had problems using online check-in for AA awards (in Australia and France). AA FAQ state:

Q. What is Online Check-In?
A. Online Check-In is a service that allows American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, Iberia, British Airways and Japan Airlines customers to check in for a flight from home, the office or anywhere there is an Internet connection. Q. When can I check in?
A. This service is available 24 hours and up to 2 hours before the flight departure time. The first flight in your booking must be with American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, Iberia, British Airways or Japan Airlines.

This is at FAQ




In Paris I was told that only holders of US passports could check-in online but that was four years ago.

 

[serfty]

Use your AA booking reference on the QF website. It will spit out the QF booking reference. Then use the QF booking reference to check in online.

This is worth a try, however it does not always work.

 

[serfty]

...

In Paris I was told that only holders of US passports could check-in online but that was four years ago.

I have never flown AA out of Paris, however I have been able to OLCI with AA having an Oz PP going back nearly a decade.

 

[maz1]

at 1.30am I caved and re-booked an earlier flight- so- no rush now- time for everything. I just got too nervous that my flight could possibly be delayed or whatever- now I have 3 hours in Sydney.
By the way, the actual requirement is One Hour - they say if you have one full hour it is enough. anyway- i'm happier by far with three hours, I will chill in the Qantas Club

 

[grussellt]

I have never flown AA out of Paris, however I have been able to OLCI with AA having an Oz PP going back nearly a decade.

It was a particularly chaotic day at CDG with three flights to the US leaving within about 45 minutes of each other. It was classic Franco-American co-operation where French staff (who didn't speak a form of English the Americans could understand) were trying to check-in Americans (with US passports) using four computer terminals beside the queues whilst other passport holders continued to the desk. Needless to say we were checked-in after the flight had closed but were told to continue to the departure gate and there was the plane! Of course on arrival (late) at JFK this all started again with a rush through immigration and hopes to catch a flight to MIA. We made it but missed out on lounge time.