Qantas won't link Tickets

[ozbeachbabe]

In any case, linking seperate bookings does nothing to protect against a misconnect in LAX. If QF are late, the OP will have to rely on AA being nice.....

In the event of a delay QF Ops generally rebook new connecting flights for affected pax once the transpac flight is airborne so no charity on AA's part is required.

The Montreal Convention states that where the first airline through checks to another airline on a separate ticket that the transaction shall be treated the same as if both flights were on the same ticket.

That's a major factor why BA lobbied OW to drop through check on separate tickets because they didn't want the liability of getting a disrupted pax LHR/SYD when all they got was revenue for a LHR/CPH ticket because the pax had bought a CPH/xDOH/SYD cheapie direct via the QR site or via an OTA.

 

[Pleb Status]

In the event of a delay QF Ops generally rebook new connecting flights for affected pax once the transpac flight is airborne so no charity on AA's part is required.

The Montreal Convention states that where the first airline through checks to another airline on a separate ticket that the transaction shall be treated the same as if both flights were on the same ticket.

That's a major factor why BA lobbied OW to drop through check on separate tickets because they didn't want the liability of getting a disrupted pax LHR/SYD when all they got was revenue for a LHR/CPH ticket because the pax had bought a CPH/xDOH/SYD cheapie direct via the QR site or via an OTA.

Are you sure? This article appears to state that even with an interline agreement, you are on your own with two seperate tickets.

How interlining & codeshares matter to your flights - Australian Business Traveller

"Many low-cost carriers say they're "point to point only" airlines and you book connections on them at your own risk: if they're late and you miss your onwards flight, you'll be socked with change fees or the requirement to buy an entirely new ticket on that connecting flight.It's the same even on full-service airlines. If you buy two separate tickets for your connecting flight (which can in some cases be cheaper), the airline is under no obligation to sort you out with an onward flight if you miss the second leg of your journey."

 

[CaviAck]

When was the last time you went through LAX T4?
The small side checkpoint at T4 (up the escalators from the premium check in) is both precheck and Priority AAccess. There are 2 lines, the precheck line heads back towards the escalator, while the Priority line goes along the wall heading towards the main checkpoint.

Even then if the line reaches the escalators (like they did when I was there at 4pm) I have a sneaking feeling walking over to TBIT and then back through the connector walkway may just be quicker. Also plus side is if you're a OWE it's quicker to the QF FLounge

 

[sclarkso]

What's done is done so I wouldn't bother paying $1K to change to the later flight. At least your scenario is happening prior to 31 August so having separate bookings won't affect through check to ORD so you'll be protected.

Even if you had the scenario of only having bags tagged to LAX I'm quite confident that if you lobbed at the F checkin at T4 having missed a flight that you'd be rebooked by AA on the next available flight without an issue.

I've always found AA very helpful when being rebooked after missed connections - once SJU/xJFK/BOS and the other BOS/xMIA/SJU. Admitted both times it was AA to AA not QF to AA however I think they'd cut you some slack if you'd just arrived from a delayed QF long haul flight.

Everything I can find says the policy changed on June 1st. Is it published anywhere that it isn't changing until the 31st of August? Just basing it on my luck I would prefer to take something in writing with me if I can. Thanks again for all your help, I do sincerely appreciate it.

 

[codash1099]

Interesting to note that QF's FAQ has not been updated.

https://qantas.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/507
https://qantas.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6638
https://qantas.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8168

Still hoping for adequate definition (preferably in writing) I contacted Customer service to enquire whether bookings made before the policy change were subject to the new policy. Had a phone response from them this morning, repeating the current policy. The employee was not aware of any impending change!!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

When was the last time you went through LAX T4?
The small side checkpoint at T4 (up the escalators from the premium check in) is both precheck and Priority AAccess. There are 2 lines, the precheck line heads back towards the escalator, while the Priority line goes along the wall heading towards the main checkpoint.

We last went through LAX four months ago on Mon 21 Mar 2016 when we flew AA189 in F LAX/MIA at 0800. Had a look at my trip notes and we left the Westin LAX Airport 0536, arrived at AA F checkin T4 0546, completed checkin 0556 then didn't come exit the TSA screening point until 0636 and arrived at the AA Flagship Lounge 0640 which barely gave us 20 minutes so each breakfast before we headed off for the gate. SO gets a bit twitchy if we don't leave the lounge at T-60 as they often start boarding a flight even earlier than T-45.

In the past I'm sure eligible Priority AAccess pax could just go straight ahead as I don't remember ever having to turn right and we've flown out of LAX several times.


Above pic is at the top of the escalator at the AA F checkin end of T4. The only pax who could go straight ahead were TSA Pre-check whereas previously we'd gone through here when there was a Priority AAccess queue.


The queue stretches to the right around the corner and this queue was for everyone else other than TSA precheck.


A TSA person was holding people back from a taking the escalator as the queue was too long upstairs. Once it had subsided a bit she let people through again.

Are you sure? This article appears to state that even with an interline agreement, you are on your own with two seperate tickets.

How interlining & codeshares matter to your flights - Australian Business Traveller

"Many low-cost carriers say they're "point to point only" airlines and you book connections on them at your own risk: if they're late and you miss your onwards flight, you'll be socked with change fees or the requirement to buy an entirely new ticket on that connecting flight.It's the same even on full-service airlines. If you buy two separate tickets for your connecting flight (which can in some cases be cheaper), the airline is under no obligation to sort you out with an onward flight if you miss the second leg of your journey."

The Montreal Convention states that if carrier one through checks the pax even on separate tickets to their final destination that the journey is treated as being through ticketed and as such the first airline is responsible from getting the pax to their final destination in the event of a delay or disruption. Some airlines may not be fully aware of this or are but turn a blind eye to it. Unless the pax is fully cognizant of those rules and regulation then they wouldn't be aware of their rights.

I think it's better that AusBT's article errs on the side of caution and is written the way it is otherwise it may give pax a false sense of security thinking they're protected in the event of a misconnection when they're not. There's just too many variables and the goal posts are constantly changing.

Everything I can find says the policy changed on June 1st. Is it published anywhere that it isn't changing until the 31st of August? Just basing it on my luck I would prefer to take something in writing with me if I can. Thanks again for all your help, I do sincerely appreciate it.

I couldn't find it on the QF website either however the 01 Jun date was when OW made the directive that OW carriers needn't follow the interlining rule from that date. QF has a grace period up until 31 Aug whereas BA and some other carriers have already introduced it while others have made no changes.

Interesting to note that QF's FAQ has not been updated.

https://qantas.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/507
https://qantas.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6638
https://qantas.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8168

Still hoping for adequate definition (preferably in writing) I contacted Customer service to enquire whether bookings made before the policy change were subject to the new policy. Had a phone response from them this morning, repeating the current policy. The employee was not aware of any impending change!!

From readers comments by others on various threads it seems as though staff either don't know about the changes or think that the QF policy has already taken effect ie no interlining.

 

[Quickstatus]

Staff at MEL INT know about the rule change. I pretended I did not know and made a remark that that would inconvenience a lot of passengers who don't know their full itinerary and who therefore book separate tickets. I also said in that case there is no point booking tickets in a Oneworld environment.

I think QF is using this "grace period" to gain passenger feedback before adjusting their offering for separate PNR Oneworld itineraries.

 

[Himeno]

We last went through LAX four months ago on Mon 21 Mar 2016 when we flew AA189 in F LAX/MIA at 0800. Had a look at my trip notes and we left the Westin LAX Airport 0536, arrived at AA F checkin T4 0546, completed checkin 0556 then didn't come exit the TSA screening point until 0636 and arrived at the AA Flagship Lounge 0640 which barely gave us 20 minutes so each breakfast before we headed off for the gate. SO gets a bit twitchy if we don't leave the lounge at T-60 as they often start boarding a flight even earlier than T-45.

That was during the TSA work slow down forcing longer lines. They may have changed the lines during that time. Though TSA doesn't control the lines. TSA control starts at the TDC. The airport/airline controls who gets access to each line. The TSA has to screen them as they come.
I was in LAX last week, but didn't need to go over to T4. Might need to ask the AA forum on FlyerTalk what's going on.

 

[sclarkso]

Found an article that at least confirms the 1/9/16 date for the rule change:

/www[]ausbt.com.au/qantas-tightens-up-check-in-for-connecting-oneworld-flights

(can't post links yet)

 

[madrooster]

As the TBIT-T4 connector is open nowadays, you can clear security at TBIT in the morning and then use the connector over to T4, if your bags have been through-checked making you eligible for the interline baggage dropoff. There's not many flights out of TBIT in the early morning apart from QF11 to JFK and CX to HKG and a few AA domestics so it may be preferable to T4 security.

 

[CaviAck]

As the TBIT-T4 connector is open nowadays, you can clear security at TBIT in the morning and then use the connector over to T4, if your bags have been through-checked making you eligible for the interline baggage dropoff. There's not many flights out of TBIT in the early morning apart from QF11 to JFK and CX to HKG and a few AA domestics so it may be preferable to T4 security.

Even in the late afternoon/evening when it's just earlier than T-3 for the Asian departures TBIT security is favourable to T4.

 

[JessicaTam]

Found an article that at least confirms the 1/9/16 date for the rule change:

/www[]ausbt.com.au/qantas-tightens-up-check-in-for-connecting-oneworld-flights

(can't post links yet)

Here ya go:

Qantas baggage check-in for connecting Oneworld airline flights - Australian Business Traveller

 

[sclarkso]

Check in agent said they wouldn't check the bags through, but I pushed her a bit and she did it this time. Now to hope that flight isn't delayed and we get through LA. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Check in agent said they wouldn't check the bags through, but I pushed her a bit and she did it this time. Now to hope that flight isn't delayed and we get through LA. Thanks for the help everyone.

Good to know she did her job as per the CURRENT rules, even if you were met with some resistance (which shouldnt be the case). have a nice trip!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Check in agent said they wouldn't check the bags through, but I pushed her a bit and she did it this time.

Now to hope that flight isn't delayed and we get through LA. Thanks for the help everyone.

Even if the QF flight is delayed that isn't your problem as QF have to rebook you another LAX/ORD flight as they've accepted responsibility to get you from BNE to ORD - separate tickets or not.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

By the way whether QF had checked your bags through or not you might have received some assistance from Oneworld through their global support programme.

 

[Quickstatus]

By the way whether QF had checked your bags through or not you might have received some assistance from Oneworld through their global support programme.

I wonder if this support will be downgraded enhanced when a 2PNR passenger misconnects.

While it does not operate in SIN, I was very happy with the service I got at SIN as a 2PNR passenger connecting between QF and MH.

At the outbound flight with a 45 minute ground time I was met by ground staff with a card bearing my name to escort me from T1 C gates to T2 F gates (which is the furthest one has to travel between gates at SIN).
On the return flight I was met by an Electric cart to get me from T2 E gates to T1 C gates (ground time 30 minutes due to delays departing from KUL)

At checkin the agent entered my connecting flight even though I could not get a boarding pass - had to get them in SIN. Hand luggage only.

so they must have monitored my progress and initiated assitance without my request.


Cant say the same about SQ. My wife and kids were on SQ travelling the same dates and itineraries but on Sq with 1 PNR with similar delays. No electric cart. Missed return SIN-SYD flight due to same issues at KUL and had to fly next morning via PER. VA Plat and VA Gold did not make any difference.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I wonder if this support will be downgraded enhanced when a 2PNR passenger misconnects.

While it does not operate in SIN, I was very happy with the service I got at SIN as a 2PNR passenger connecting between QF and MH.

At the outbound flight with a 45 minute ground time I was met by ground staff with a card bearing my name to escort me from T1 C gates to T2 F gates (which is the furthest one has to travel between gates at SIN).
On the return flight I was met by an Electric cart to get me from T2 E gates to T1 C gates (ground time 30 minutes due to delays departing from KUL)

At checkin the agent entered my connecting flight even though I could not get a boarding pass - had to get them in SIN. Hand luggage only.

so they must have monitored my progress and initiated assitance without my request.


Cant say the same about SQ. My wife and kids were on SQ travelling the same dates and itineraries but on Sq with 1 PNR with similar delays. No electric cart. Missed return SIN-SYD flight due to same issues at KUL and had to fly next morning via PER. VA Plat and VA Gold did not make any difference.

I guess it will all be down to the airline.
Some will do the bare minimum.
Some will continue to do everything they can.
I have always found MH to be excellent in this regard.
Also found PG willing to move heaven and earth to help me make a connecting CX flight.

 

[Quickstatus]

I guess it will all be down to the airline.
Some will do the bare minimum.
Some will continue to do everything they can.
I have always found MH to be excellent in this regard.
Also found PG willing to move heaven and earth to help me make a connecting CX flight.

I hope they insert into my profile that whenever I am provided with assistance by ground staff that they send someone who can walk fast. A 150cm small Singapore girl in tight business skirt and heels will not be able to walk as fast as a 193cm guy like me. She gave up at the end of C gated and just told me where to go to get to F gates.

 

[madrooster]

By the way whether QF had checked your bags through or not you might have received some assistance from Oneworld through their global support programme.

The oneworld global support team are reliant on you being through-checked (baggage or no baggage) if you have separate tickets. If you are not through-checked, they will not know you are connecting.