Am planning to fly CDG-LHR in J in DEC (part of the QF J Promo MEL-LHR (stop) - CDG (stop) - LHR (stop - with points fr QF paying for award return to JFK) - MEL), arriving at LHR at 1245 and using points to fly LHR-JFK return.
What sort of time should I plan to put between my arrival into LHR ($paid flight fr CDG) and flight to JFK (points)? thinking of doing it the same day..
Can I link the bookings? so that it is on the system for some insurance?
Doing it in Dec :shock: hope there is no snow storm to mess it all
Paid flight
MEL-LHR(STOP)-CDG (STOP) -LHR (STOP, This is where the LHR-JFK award return would fit in) - MEL
Award flight
LHR-JFK return
As long as all the flights are OneWorld it doesn't matter whether they're in the same booking or not, nor does it matter whether it's a combination of a paid fare plus award ticket after the the latter is still a confirmed ticket.
I'm assuming that the LHR/JFK award is on BA or AA.
What you need is a checkin agent in CDG that doesn't think that your scenario belongs in the 'too hard' basket. To make it simple for them I wouldn't even complicate matters by telling them the LHR/JFK sector is an award because it doesn't matter as it's confirmed.
Just make sure you have your AA itinerary with you so the checkin person can enter the details into your booking. It also helps if you know the what sub-class you're booked in of economy eg Q,V,K class etc. It should be visible on the copy of the eticket itinerary receipt but if it isn't call the airline who you're flying LHR/JFK/LHR with & ask them.
So to sum it up, arrive at CDG tell them you're checking in for BAxx_ to LHR but connecting on to JFK on flight YYxx_ so you'd like your bags checked through to JFK.
With regard to possible missed connections for whatever reason, by through checking you CDG/LHR/JFK the first airline ie BA is accepting responsibility for getting you & your luggage to your final destination of JFK so they would be responsible for rebooking flights and or putting you up in a hotel if it came to that.
As you are travelling to the USA you would already have travel insurance (right!) so checkout that policy with regard to compensation paid in the event of missed flights and if there's anything you would need to provide so that your claim can be paid out eg most airlines will print out some kind of letter in a disrupt situation saying why your flight has been delayed/cancelled so make sure you keep this if you find yourself in this situation.