Checking in across multiple VA itineraries

[notzac]

Hi there VFF,

Something that came up in another thread - why is it that pax are unable to through-check bags and collect all boarding cards across multiple itineraries? I've heard this one blamed on "the system" before, but it seems to me that this ought to be a simple fix that I'd expect your shiny new res system is technically capable of in some way.

Referring to this thread - http://www.australianfrequentflyer....nternational-booking-va-52639.html#post869968 - wouldn't it make sense that someone on "connecting" SYD-PER and PER-DPS itineraries be able to at least check bags through to DPS? What about the other example; CBR-SYD and SYD-LAX?

Could you please suggest to the powers that be that so long as the connection is VA-VA and the MCT is met at whatever airport the pax is connecting at, there should be a process for obtaining boarding cards and checking bags all the way through. This is definitely one situation where your competition has the upper hand.

 

[markis10]

Must admit I was stunned to learn that yesterday, seems a basic oversight, which added to the list of basic oversights of late sees me having no interest in retaining status this year with VA.

 

[pants]

Must admit I was stunned to learn that yesterday, seems a basic oversight, which added to the list of basic oversights of late sees me having no interest in retaining status this year with VA.

Doing connections on separate itineraries has more issues than just through checking bags. If your flights are not on the same itinerary, then if your inbound connecting flight gets delayed, and you then miss your outbound connection, then you've just missed that flight and it is too bad. The airline won't put you up in a hotel and make sure you can get the next connecting flight. If those flights are on the same itinerary, then the airline does take care of you by putting you up in hotels etc. if necessary. Just something else to consider.

 

[markis10]

Doing connections on separate itineraries has more issues than just through checking bags. If your flights are not on the same itinerary, then if your inbound connecting flight gets delayed, and you then miss your outbound connection, then you've just missed that flight and it is too bad. The airline won't put you up in a hotel and make sure you can get the next connecting flight. If those flights are on the same itinerary, then the airline does take care of you by putting you up in hotels etc. if necessary. Just something else to consider.

Thats a given, but sometimes its not possible, as in the example yesterday where its cheaper points wise to buy a fare to Sydney then do a redemption rather then use points all the way.

 

[notzac]

If your flights are not on the same itinerary, then if your inbound connecting flight gets delayed, and you then miss your outbound connection, then you've just missed that flight and it is too bad.

A very fair consideration and one of the reasons I wouldn't expect VA to check through to a separate itinerary with a partner airline .. but when it's VA-VA, MCT is met and if the pax are warned that they may not be accommodated if there is a misconnect .. I don't see a problem with it.

 

[williamsf1]

I think what the OP is trying to clarify is why it apparently no longer possible in the Sabre and if this will be fixed . It was never a issue in Amadeus . Late last year I had 2 seperate PNRs ( one on EY using VA points and another on VA using VS points ) and was no issue to thru check....

It appears even VA to VA in seperate PNRs is no longer possible