Qantas Baggage Check through with Separate Bookings

[lilkid28]

Hi, wife and I are flying Mel-Sin in March on QF (booked) and planning to fly Sin-Kul on MH (haven't booked). If I booked it separately (showing reward flight available), will Qantas all check-through baggage as both are OW? I seem to have read that they no longer need to check-through, unless in same booking. Or do I try to change the existing booking (5000 pts each) to add on the second flight?

 

[toasty]

The QF and MH need to be in the same PNR for bags to go through. QF don't through check bags on separate PNRs.

 

[DAC1]

It seems like you have a MEL-SIN award flight. If you pay cash for the SIN-KUL flight on MH (instead of booking it as an award), QF ‘should’ be able to check to check it right through as there is an exception for transits which involve an award flight transiting to a revenue flight.

The should is in inverted commas as it is dependent on you getting a check in agent who is aware of the policy and is able to help. At a major QF hub like MEL, you should have a higher chance of success.

More info is at the bottom of this page https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnec...on/interline-and-through-checked-baggage.html

 

[lilkid28]

The QF and MH need to be in the same PNR for bags to go through. QF don't through check bags on separate PNRs.

It seems like you have a MEL-SIN award flight. If you pay cash for the SIN-KUL flight on MH (instead of booking it as an award), QF ‘should’ be able to check to check it right through as there is an exception for transits which involve an award flight transiting to a revenue flight.

The should is in inverted commas as it is dependent on you getting a check in agent who is aware of the policy and is able to help. At a major QF hub like MEL, you should have a higher chance of success.

More info is at the bottom of this page https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnec...on/interline-and-through-checked-baggage.html

Thanks, I did read the part about Qantas doesn't check through bags on separate PNR, with separate airlines, even if its OW. Yes MEL-SIN is an award flight. So one way to get around it is to buy the ticket with cash, and they should honor the policy and check through baggage to KUL. Prefer to use points as I've racked up 2 million+ points over last few years, even if the short flight is 20,000 points + $76 taxes vs $475 cash.

I rang the call centre 10 minutes ago this morning, and was advised by the agent (not sure which call centre) that I couldn't make a change to the existing booking to add-on a second connecting flight from SIN-KUL, reason being the booking needs to be re-ticketed, and to do so, there needs to be current award availability for MEL-SIN to do so. Is this accurate? OR should I try to call again hoping for a more experienced agent?

(This agent initially even said I couldn't check through baggage even on same booking as all flights need to be Qantas, so I assume he's just not very experienced.)

Flight arrives in SIN at 5:45pm, there is MH616 at 7:15pm (1.5 hours transit), and MH610 at 9:20pm (3.5 hours). So if I had to collect bags and check-in again, I'd have to go for the latter flight. I do have Qantas Gold, QR Plat (from Virgin status match, expiring 31 March), so could probably access to Qantas First lounge in SIN? Is it probably just better to book the latter flight so I experience QF First lounge, since I've never been in there once (haven't utilised the QR Plat before lol). QF1 departs midnight so it should open yeah? Also, I would save the 5,000 x2 change booking fee for making a separate booking.

 

[AIRwin]

I do have Qantas Gold, QR Plat (from Virgin status match, expiring 31 March), so could probably access to Qantas First lounge in SIN?

You can even visit the BA and QR (if booked in Business class) lounges in T1 as well...

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Worst comes to worst, the transit desk at SIN will be able to re-route your luggage.

 

[djkelly69]

Is this accurate? OR should I try to call again hoping for a more experienced agent?

No it is not accurate, it really just means that operator doesn't know how to do the job. I would call again.

 

[geezy90]

Hi all, I have two redemption flights coming up from MEL to HKG and then through to LHR, the first segment being with QF and onward to LHR with CX.

I heard a horror story today from a colleague of QF not checking bags through for them some years ago!! I don't know his exact circumstances but in my scenario, both flights are on the same PNR and I am ticketed right through to London, so I can't foresee any issue.

I also want to know whether I should check in to my CX flight separately (using OLCI), main reason being I want to minimise the chance of being bumped out of F by checking in early since I have heard so many horror stories on this front too. CX check-in opens 48 hours prior to departure compared with 24 hours for QF, so could this cause issues with my first segment/QF if I have already checked in for the second CX segment, especially if they try issue me with both boarding passes at the counter and more importantly, check the luggage through?

I have never flown QF internationally and with all the reward ticket drama that has been going on this year I have been on the edge of my seat since making the booking.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[encryptededdy]

QF will check your bags through, since it's on the same PNR.

I don't believe you will be able to check into your CX flight or your QF flight online. You can only check in to your QF flight in-person at a desk due to the connecting flight.

 

[rigram]

I have 2 redemption flights - however on 2 different bookings. Both are Qantas Classic Rewards.
First sector is Qantas MEL-SIN (4hr layover), then second sector Cathay SIN-HKG. What are the chances of QF checking baggage all the way to HKG when I check in at MEL?

If not - does the transit desk in SIN still arrange for bags to be retagged, without going through customs?

 

[jpp42]

I have 2 redemption flights - however on 2 different bookings. Both are Qantas Classic Rewards.
First sector is Qantas MEL-SIN (4hr layover), then second sector Cathay SIN-HKG. What are the chances of QF checking baggage all the way to HKG when I check in at MEL?

YMMV. Some agents will allow it in this situation because it's a classic reward, however you may find pushback from the check-in agent as not all of them are familiar with this special rule. The Qantas web site currently has the following very vague and unhelpful statement ( https://help.qantas.com/support/s/article/Baggage-with-connecting-flights ):

What if I am travelling on separate tickets?
If you are travelling on oneworld flights on separate tickets/bookings you are not eligible for through check -in (except if you have a reward or commercial booking and advise airport staff at check-in)

(Aren't most bookings either reward or commercial - what does this mean??)

If not - does the transit desk in SIN still arrange for bags to be retagged, without going through customs?

I have seen reports in other threads that you can do this, however it appears to be an "unpublished" benefit and perhaps subject to staffing availability on the day, as someone would need to search the carousel for your bag. Given you have enough time to pass through immigration, I would be sure to plan this as a backup option. If you are on an AUS passport you can use the automated gates now and it takes no time at all (to save time, fill out the electronic arrival card in advance). If you need a transit visa for Singapore (i.e. India passport holder), be sure to arrange in advance.

 

[justinbrett]

The policy is here:

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/policies/book/baggage/interline-and-through-checked-baggage.html#when-can-my-customers-bags-be-through-checked

^ Exemptions apply for customers travelling on a oneworld separate PNRs when using a combination of award travel and revenue travel. Note: This is a Qantas exemption and may not be supported by all oneworld airlines.

Multiple award or multiple revenue PNRs will not be connected (unless you get very lucky).

One of each should be connected (unless you get unlucky).

In your situation it doesn't hurt to ask, but the answer will almost certainly be no.

 

[rigram]

The policy is here:

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/policies/book/baggage/interline-and-through-checked-baggage.html#when-can-my-customers-bags-be-through-checked

^ Exemptions apply for customers travelling on a oneworld separate PNRs when using a combination of award travel and revenue travel. Note: This is a Qantas exemption and may not be supported by all oneworld airlines.

Multiple award or multiple revenue PNRs will not be connected (unless you get very lucky).

One of each should be connected (unless you get unlucky).

In your situation it doesn't hurt to ask, but the answer will almost certainly be no.

Thanks for the agency link - it was good to understand policy. Let's see how far I can go...

 

[SYD]

I don't believe you will be able to check into your CX flight or your QF flight online. You can only check in to your QF flight in-person at a desk due to the connecting flight.

You should be able to “check-in” online but it might not issue a BP. They then need to be collected at the bag drop / counter.

 

[mckinj02]

I have an upcoming flight NTL- BNE-SIN-LHR
The NTL-BNE sector is on a separate PNR. The BNE-LHR sector was booked during DSC Period last October. The first question is, will I be able to check my bags all the way from NTL to LHR even if they are on separate tickets. If so is there any chance it might screw up my DSC for the BNE-LHR return segment. Thanks in advance for any advice. Appreciate it!

 

[Quickstatus]

What is the transit time at BNE?

 

[equus]

Assuming that all flights are QF, then you should be Ok according to Through Check Policy It should have no impact on the DSC. Whether the desk agent at NTL is prepared to do it or not is a different question.

 

[justinbrett]

Assuming NTL-BNE and BNE-SIN are both QF (inc Alliance and Qantaslink) metal (not JQ), then yes.

It won’t affect your bookings or DSC.

 

[offshore171]

How long is the layover at Brisbane?

 

[mckinj02]

What is the transit time at BNE?

3.5hrs

Post automatically merged: May 9, 2025

How long is the layover at Brisbane?

3.5hr