QF - No longer interline/through-check bags on separate PNR's [non oneworld]

[fresherbill]

bags are checked all the way to KUL

I checked in at BNE International flying QF to SIN two days ago with a separate booking on 3K to KUL, and they refused to check the bags through. When I asked about it, they said that this was done previously, but they found that the bags "were not getting through" and stopped it. I should have persisted - in SIN they also no longer allow check in at the transfer desk - a big sign on the counter told me to clear immigration, collect my bags and check in again for the onward flight on the Departure Level. If this is going to continue being the case I really can't wait for MH to join the OneWorld - the whole 40 minute exercise in SIN is completely not worth the trouble (IMHO).

 

[Sequel]

they refused to check the bags through

Mine too.

I should have persisted

I did. I had printed out the QF memo which stipulates that they can be checked through, however after reading all the positive feedback on AFF, I foolishly left it on my desk! While he was asking his supervisors supervisor, I was busy on AFF for Android finding the post with the link so I could try to prove my point should he have returned with a different answer.

not worth the trouble

Agree with that.

On the return, checking in for my 3K HKT-SIN to meet with my QF SIN-PER (separate PNR's) they again refused to check the bags all of the way through. Said they were different airlines etc etc. Didn't argue to hard, had a 7hr daytime transit so no big stress.

That was until the 3K flight went tech after we boarded. The poor ground staff in HKT struggled to communicate with the passengers in any meaningful manner. What they did say is that anyone with a JQ or QF connection was fine and they would sort it out. As mine were on separate PNR's I queried them several times and (now) they were trying to tell me that they were the same airline and not to worry! Worry I did, as both a junior airport staff member and the hostie both said that being on separate PNR's it was to bad so sad, 3K would get me to SIN and then I would have to sort it out.

Thankfully 3K did sort it out. It took a few hours (8 hours in HKT, plus another 3 in SIN) but we got a hotel in SIN (check in 1:30am, wake up call 5:30am!) and moved to the QF SIN-PER flight the following morning.

It was great that they did this as my expectation, right until they gave me the updated itinerary, was that it was going to be a case of you're on your own. I wont expect this in the future though and will definitely be booking connecting flights on single itineraries! Not worth the death stares from Mrs Sequel while she is sitting with 5yo and 2yo juniors for hours on end asking me why we didn't go direct (what, and miss out on those SC's!!).

 

[Danger]

For further information please see Frequently Asked Questions.

On the return, checking in for my 3K HKT-SIN to meet with my QF SIN-PER (separate PNR's) they again refused to check the bags all of the way through. Said they were different airlines etc etc. Didn't argue to hard, had a 7hr daytime transit so no big stress.

So, is my undestanding correct, that a 3K HKT-SIN flight on one PNR and a QF SIN-PER flight on the same day would mean baggage is through checked from HKT to PER? Question 11 seems to cover off on this under the 6th dot point. However, the reference to "SIN, BKK and HKG" has me confused. Also, will 3K issue the QF boarding passes for SIN-PER?

 

[Sequel]

So, is my undestanding correct, that a 3K HKT-SIN flight on one PNR and a QF SIN-PER flight on the same day would mean baggage is through checked from HKT to PER? Question 11 seems to cover off on this under the 6th dot point.

That was my understanding as well, but obviously not that of the 3K check in staff at HKT. Point 11 also seems to indicate that they should have checked me in as well as interline. I guess the FAQ's are for QF, and not 3K, although one would imagine the reverse should apply?

Also, will 3K issue the QF boarding passes for SIN-PER?

With the same caveat regarding the QF not 3K origin of the FAQ's, they should, but dont/wont.

However, the reference to "SIN, BKK and HKG" has me confused.

I take this as meaning they will interline through either SIN, BKK or HKG, i.e. if you are transiting through a different port then no interline.

 

[Danger]

Thanks, Sequel. It seems where as equally confused as each other.

 

[Danger]

For my mind could someone please clarify the difference between interlining and through check.

To me, interline is seemingly straight forward where one airline carries the same passenger's bags to another carrier (ie. The passenger doesn't see the bag at the intermediate stop). Though check, to be is when your bags are interlined to the end point and all a boarding passes are issued.

Is my understanding correct or, more importantly, is there better terminology I should be using?

 

[serfty]

"Interlining" refers to an agreement between two or more airlines to accept on-forwarded checked luggage for passenger transferring between thier respective flights. cf "Interline Agreement".

e.g. QF-QF is not interlining. QF-AS is.

The term "Checked through" can apply to both of the above examples.

 

[fresherbill]

I tried this again a couple of days ago, QF BNE-MEL-SIN and 3K SIN-KUL on different PNRs. At BNE domestic they really tried to check me in (no argument about whether it was possible, they confirmed it should be) but the 3K leg "could not be added". Poor old Janet really did try, and eventually we decided to check me through to MEL and try again there. Same thing. The consistency was reassuring; both said it should be possible to have bags checked all the way through, but I would need to collect a boarding pass at the transfer desk in Singapore. They only differed where BNE speculated that it was because I was trying to check in more than 24 hours before the 3K leg, while MEL suddenly remembered that "3K don't hold baggage overnight".

With a 2145 arrival at SIN and 1255 departure to KUL I wasn't prepared to be slugged for a last-minute landside hotel when I'd already paid for a room at the airside transit hotel. So I got online at the MEL QP and booked the last Air Asia for the night, SIN-KUL, figuring I could either check in for that and miss the flight just to get airside (especially convenient if I had carry-on only), or just take the flight. I ended up taking the flight and foregoing my 3K leg, but does anyone know if it would've been a drama to check in and miss the Air Asia flight just to get airside? I've heard it talked about somewhere before but can't find the discussion.

Also, the same flight pattern is available to be booked on one PNR on the QF website - I booked it separately because I wanted the miles. I wonder what would've happened if I'd booked it on one PNR...

 

[anat0l]

but does anyone know if it would've been a drama to check in and miss the Air Asia flight just to get airside? I've heard it talked about somewhere before but can't find the discussion.

Your action might be looked upon with some degree of suspicion if you did that. I wouldn't recommend it. In any case, you'd have to be landside as it is to get your bags and check them in with 3K. Not sure if sacrificing an AK flight just to spend more time airside is a great idea.

I think I've been told by the Airside Transit Hotel before that if you have checked bags, just 'leave' them - the baggage will be left at Lost Baggage, where it can be reclaimed later. Unusual procedure, but that's why I decided when I was transiting SIN with luggage, I booked the CP Changi. I'd contact the Airside Transit Hotel and confirm the procedure next time.

Of course, with no checked bags, there would be no problem at all

Also, the same flight pattern is available to be booked on one PNR on the QF website - I booked it separately because I wanted the miles. I wonder what would've happened if I'd booked it on one PNR...

Depends on the fare type. The lowest Jetstar Group fares available on the QF website are Starter fares. These are the bare Starter fares with only standard baggage added but no points or SCs (i.e. which would be part of the Plus pack). The only other Economy fares available on QF website for the Jetstar Group are Starter Max fares, which are aligned with the Flexi Saver / Fully Flexible fare type.

 

[N860CR]

I've done the "abandon bag" trick at SIN before. Arrived from SYD on QF and departed on 3K to HKT fairly early the next morning. Went from the QF flight to the transit hotel, spent the night and went to lost property at about 5:30am to collect my bag. No real dramas... but the potential to go wrong was there.

 

[fresherbill]

I've done the "abandon bag" trick at SIN before. Arrived from SYD on QF and departed on 3K to HKT fairly early the next morning. Went from the QF flight to the transit hotel, spent the night and went to lost property at about 5:30am to collect my bag. No real dramas... but the potential to go wrong was there.

Thanks N860CR & anat0l. I popped into the T1 transit hotel while passing through to see if they had a way to handle this a bit more "officially". Turns out they do this routinely. They said they can call lost & found and advise them to look out for your bags (helps if they're well labelled), and they will collect and store the bags overnight while you stay at the transit hotel. Then in the morning you're free to leave at your leisure and collect them from lost & found. Will have the opportunity to try this out in a few weeks and will report.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I checked in at BNE International flying QF to SIN two days ago with a separate booking on 3K to KUL, and they refused to check the bags through. When I asked about it, they said that this was done previously, but they found that the bags "were not getting through" and stopped it. I should have persisted - in SIN they also no longer allow check in at the transfer desk - a big sign on the counter told me to clear immigration, collect my bags and check in again for the onward flight on the Departure Level. If this is going to continue being the case I really can't wait for MH to join the OneWorld - the whole 40 minute exercise in SIN is completely not worth the trouble (IMHO).

I had a booking SYD-BKK in F (FASA) with a 3K flight to SIN after that. Initially they refused to check the bags through to SIN, but the F checkin attendant finally agreed to do it (seriously, you don't do this for F pax? albeit I was on points). However she couldn't be bothered trying to print the BPs. No worries - I thought I could do this at the BKK transfer desk.

However, you can't checkin at the transfer desk in BKK (according to the Jetstar woman at the desk for 3K flights - you could only checkin for the JQ flight BKK-MEL). So, had to clear immigration. Immigration didn't believe me at first, and had problems getting landside to get 3K boarding pass. Luckily had an APEC card, otherwise the whole process would have been even longer than the ~60 minutes it took sorting the whole thing out. Will not be doing this again.

 

[TheInsider]

QF cannot print JQ/3K/BL boarding passes on international flights (only domestic and only from the QC), and only if it is a codeshare and the Jetstar booking had a GDS element to it and communicates to the other systems.

JQ and 3K have different ground handlers, therefore can't check-in another airlines passengers.

 

[serfty]

QF cannot print JQ/3K/BL boarding passes on international flights (only domestic and only from the QC), and only if it is a codeshare and the Jetstar booking had a GDS element to it and communicates to the other systems. ...

I believe they can - but there is extreme reluctance to.

 

[TheInsider]

I believe they can - but there is extreme reluctance to.

If it is an add on flight, not one from the original booking (which would've been made through a GDS), then it is not possible, as JQ's system is a stand-alone one, which doesn't connect with anything else besides bookings made through different systems (ie, interline, codeshare bookings)

 

[serfty]

If it is an add on flight, not one from the original booking (which would've been made through a GDS), then it is not possible, as JQ's system is a stand-alone one, which doesn't connect with anything else besides bookings made through different systems (ie, interline, codeshare bookings)

I and quite a few other on this site have been able to obtain a BPs for standalone (single sector) international JQ 332 flights from domestic QP's.

 

[yohy?!]

I tried this again a couple of days ago, QF BNE-MEL-SIN and 3K SIN-KUL on different PNRs. At BNE domestic they really tried to check me in (no argument about whether it was possible, they confirmed it should be) but the 3K leg "could not be added". Poor old Janet really did try, and eventually we decided to check me through to MEL and try again there. Same thing. The consistency was reassuring; both said it should be possible to have bags checked all the way through, but I would need to collect a boarding pass at the transfer desk in Singapore. They only differed where BNE speculated that it was because I was trying to check in more than 24 hours before the 3K leg, while MEL suddenly remembered that "3K don't hold baggage overnight".

With a 2145 arrival at SIN and 1255 departure to KUL I wasn't prepared to be slugged for a last-minute landside hotel when I'd already paid for a room at the airside transit hotel. So I got online at the MEL QP and booked the last Air Asia for the night, SIN-KUL, figuring I could either check in for that and miss the flight just to get airside (especially convenient if I had carry-on only), or just take the flight. I ended up taking the flight and foregoing my 3K leg, but does anyone know if it would've been a drama to check in and miss the Air Asia flight just to get airside? I've heard it talked about somewhere before but can't find the discussion.

Also, the same flight pattern is available to be booked on one PNR on the QF website - I booked it separately because I wanted the miles. I wonder what would've happened if I'd booked it on one PNR...

The "3K dont hold baggage overnight comment" is not correct - had you checked your bags to SIN at the transfer desk on arrival they would re-route your baggage onto the 3K flight without you needing to clear customs and re-check. I just did this a week ago and it was fine, had my bags and boarding pass sorted 7 hours before the flight and then off to the transit hotel to snooze.

 

[fresherbill]

The "3K dont hold baggage overnight comment" is not correct - had you checked your bags to SIN at the transfer desk on arrival they would re-route your baggage onto the 3K flight without you needing to clear customs and re-check. I just did this a week ago and it was fine, had my bags and boarding pass sorted 7 hours before the flight and then off to the transit hotel to snooze.

There was an assumption in my thinking that might now be out-of-date. In several previous attempts (as late as Dec 2011) I had bags checked to SIN and approached the transfer desk to check in for my 3K flight. They weren't interested in talking to you if your bags were checked to SIN, only if your bags had been checked through and all you needed was your boarding pass. I assumed this would still be the case, as I haven't attempted it since. It's very good news if they're allowing transfers now... and are consistent about it. Thanks yohy.

 

[TheInsider]

I and quite a few other on this site have been able to obtain a BPs for standalone (single sector) international JQ 332 flights from domestic QP's.

I miss read you then, i'm meaning the QF system cannot do this, QC staff have access to the JQ system in this case