Split booking to London

[qf unfort]

Hi, just been checking out Y flights MEL-LHR. Seems best deal on QF is approx $2650 on my dates and only in "sale" class via Hong Kong, so no upgrade awards I believe (?). But... if i split my booking, i.e. book MEL-HKG-MEL then use the Hong Kong Qantas site to add on the London leg, i can save about $200-300 and also will be booked into upgradeable classes on all legs . Question is, will this be allowed by Qantas and when i check in in Melbourne and London, will I be able to check in all the way through? I guess as it's a same plane operation all the way through, I'll not miss the connection in HK, so safe there (?)

Also, when i get to London, i may buy a separate AA ticket to New York. I'd plan to return to London in time to connect onto QF to HKG - would AA in New York be able to check me through to HK (and even Mel) if I do split my booking?

Thanks in advance.

 

[serfty]

Firstly, your only problem would be checking for the second segment. Personally, I would take a day layover in HKG (of course that'd be easy for me as I really like the place).

You can call Qantas and get an information segment referring to your trans Atlantic flight. It won't protect you (officially) but at least in the case of IRROPS they know where you are coming from and going to.

 

[qf unfort]

Thanks Serfty. Sounds like it might work. When you say I might have a problem checking in for my second segment, do you mean on the outward leg to London or the return? I'm assuming the return if I am transferring onto Qantas from an AA from JFK? Presumably i'd be able to check in in London for the whole journey back to MEL, just as I normally would? I'm planning on stopping in HK on the way to London, but not on the way back... yeah, I really like the place too!

I've never heard of an "information segment" but sounds like it might give me a bit of help if necessary. I'm hoping that even in the mess that is LHR, 4 hours between flights would be enough!

Thanks again for the help.