Through checking on separate itineraries: policies and experiences

[dajop]

Ok, after considerable discussion about oneworld's changes to through checking, it may be useful to have a record of who is and isn't allowing through checking.

The basic premise of the thread is to discuss airlines that will through check or tag baggage* to an ultimate destination that is on a different itinerary (PNR) to the first flight being checked in for.

* Using the term "through check" baggage, although in some circumstances, baggage may be tagged to final destination, but require collection and redeposit, usually due to immigration and customs regulations, such as journeys SYD-LAX-JFK or SIN-SYD-CBR.

Also note that is always the policies of the first airline (airline being checked in with) coupled with the agreements it has with other airlines that will dictate what happens in each situation. Just because SQ allows through checking to NZ on separate PNR's doesn't mean that NZ will allow through check to SQ and vice versa.

Qantas
Have indicated they will through check only on separate PNR's in the following situations:
QF->QF
QF->EK

Suggestion also that they will through check QF->oneworld where going from an award to a commercial booking or vice versa.

Air New Zealand
Will NOT through check on separate PNR's, even NZ->NZ

American Airlines
Will NOT through check on separate PNR's, even AA->AA

British Airways
Will NOT through check on separate PNR's, even BA->BA

Singapore Airlines
Policy currently is to through to check to carriers they have agreement with. This includes most "traditional" carriers, but excludes low cost carriers such as Jetstar, Tiger, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Alaska Airlines will through check to airlines on separate tickets as long as they have a baggage agreement in place and the connecting flight departs within 12 hours. They will honour the baggage allowance of the international airline.

My parents booked a J sale fare on VA SYD/LAX/SYD and on the outbound journey overnighted at LAX then flew LAX/YVR the next day on AS and had to pay the bag fee as expected. Even if they were travelling same day SYD/LAX/YVR I don't believe VA would through check to AS on separate tickets.

On the way home they flew SEA/LAX on AS then LAX/SYD on VA and AS through checked their bag to SYD so they only had to get their VA boarding pass at LAX.

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/checked-bags.aspx

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/baggage-fee-waivers-exceptions.aspx

 

[serfty]

I believe AA will through check AA to *O on separate PNR's if one is an award.

 

[tyrolean]

I found a nice UL fare and needed an LH feeder. My Travel Agent did put both tickets and bookings into one PNR -> Worked like a charm.

What i did test:

LH -> QF, JQ, EK works

EK -> LH Works (even with QF flight number).

LH -> BA works

 

[ermen]

There's a thread on this in FT at least for OW

I can attest that MH => oneworld does work

 

[yohy?!]

SQ - > QF was ok a couple of months ago

 

[dfcatch]

I believe AA will through check AA to *O on separate PNR's if one is an award.

AA have stated that they will thru-check AA to *O on combo rev/award travel BUT the travel needs to be combined into a single PNR.

This can be done by a convoluted method which requires calling AA to have this done.

Without having the separate tix combined into a single PNR - AA check-in agents will not thru-check.

 

[pagingjoan]

AA have stated that they will thru-check AA to *O on combo rev/award travel BUT the travel needs to be combined into a single PNR.

This can be done by a convoluted method which requires calling AA to have this done.

Without having the separate tix combined into a single PNR - AA check-in agents will not thru-check.

Perhaps the airlines will become as disenchanted with this change as we are already!
Maybe....

 

[Mattg]

I was not able to get my bag checked through on separate tickets in July, transferring from LA > JJ.

(Yes, they are supposed to be the same airline now... it didn't seem to matter.)

P.S. Great idea for a thread!

 

[paul66]

Last month I travelled Cairns to London return on Cathay. 4 seperate tickets as booked using Qantas points and segments became available at different times, all flights connecting in Hong Kong. Qantas check-in person checked me through but said she shouldn't be doing it even though it was same airline. Check in person in London would not check me through until I made a fuss (as I was traveling First Class) and a Cathay representative was called over and they checked me through but also explained that I should really collect my bags in Hong Kong next time. I am making the same trip in a few months and have the same issue so I phoned Cathay call centre and asked them to link my tickets. I was told that I didn't need to link the tickets as Cathay will through check as long as the time between flights is less then 24 hours. So it seems like airline staff are not getting clear education on the matter.

 

[pagingjoan]

Last month I travelled Cairns to London return on Cathay. 4 seperate tickets as booked using Qantas points and segments became available at different times, all flights connecting in Hong Kong. Qantas check-in person checked me through but said she shouldn't be doing it even though it was same airline. Check in person in London would not check me through until I made a fuss (as I was traveling First Class) and a Cathay representative was called over and they checked me through but also explained that I should really collect my bags in Hong Kong next time. I am making the same trip in a few months and have the same issue so I phoned Cathay call centre and asked them to link my tickets. I was told that I didn't need to link the tickets as Cathay will through check as long as the time between flights is less then 24 hours. So it seems like airline staff are not getting clear education on the matter.

Welcome, Paul66. A long time since you joined!

You have probably run into transitional conditions with your recent flights.
Let us know how you go on the future flights with Cathay - and best of luck with getting the outcome you need.

 

[pagingjoan]

A further response from AA:

Thank you for contacting us again. I'm sorry you're unhappy with our new checked baggage policy. This policy was introduced to help reduce baggage mishandlings since we are unable to verify flight changes from another carrier's record locator. However, I've shared your comments with our Executive Management team for review and consideration of future changes. ....., we appreciate your business.

 

[EestiTiger]

QF - AY and vice versa no problems last month. This included award travel on QF with purchased tickets for AY legs which were combined into single PRN.

 

[pagingjoan]

QF - AY and vice versa no problems last month. This included award travel on QF with purchased tickets for AY legs which were combined into single PRN.

Good to know but, for some airlines, including AA, the changed conditions came into play only on 1 September 2016.

 

[merc250]

I've connected Bangkok Airways to Malaysia airlines many times & always through checked baggage. Not this time though. Was advised of new regulation that baggage will no longer be through checked, unless on the same PNR / ticket. This is regardless of the fact that PG is a code share partner with MH. Not happy as considerable inconvenience is incurred.

 

[pagingjoan]

I've connected Bangkok Airways to Malaysia airlines many times & always through checked baggage. Not this time though. Was advised of new regulation that baggage will no longer be through checked, unless on the same PNR / ticket. This is regardless of the fact that PG is a code share partner with MH. Not happy as considerable inconvenience is incurred.

Drop them a line and let them know.
We need a concerted campaign.

 

[dajop]

MH have apparently updated their website, indicating they will allow through check to oneworld and codeshare partners, even if on separate tickets.

Points to note:

Effective 1 June 2016, oneworld alliance members are not obligated to offer through check in services for passengers and their baggage to their final destination when they travel on separate tickets on separate bookings. This means that if you have chosen to purchase two or more separate tickets on separate bookings for travel with one or more oneworld carriers, you may have to check yourself and your baggage in again at the end of each sector.Malaysia Airlines will however, continue to through check-in passengers and baggage to their final destination for travel on one or more oneworld carriers where travel begins with Malaysia Airlines, even if the sectors are ticketed separately on separate bookings. Please note that this may not be possible on your return journey if travel begins with another oneworld member airline that chooses to adhere to the new oneworld obligation.

 

[merc250]

Thanks very much dajop - good to know. As my regular combination is MH to PG (Bangkok Airways), I wonder if this will be honoured again in reverse, when connecting from PG to MH? Especially as I don't believe Bangkok Airways is a oneworld member, only a codeshare partner?

 

[dajop]

Thanks very much dajop - good to know. As my regular combination is MH to PG (Bangkok Airways), I wonder if this will be honoured again in reverse, when connecting from PG to MH? Especially as I don't believe Bangkok Airways is a oneworld member, only a codeshare partner?

It all depends on PG policies. Always important to remember that is this policy of the first carrier that is important, the second carrier only is important in regards to where they fit in the policies of the first.

 

[kpc]

Va-Va on separate PNRs: absolutely not