AA Check-in from OZ

[Shano]

I have a trip to the US next month and was considering doing all bookings on-line myself, rather than the hassles with the TA we use.

I am looking at booking a MEL-LAX return via the QF website and need to get to PIT once I arrive in the US. I have been looking at YUPP / KUPP fares LAX-PIT (via DFW and ORD) and the ability to book these via the AA website.

Assuming I do this (two separate on-line bookings), will QF be able to check me in for my LAX-DFW-ORD-PIT flight while I am checking in for the flight to LAX (or at least LAX-DFW). I assume that I would at least have to give them the e-ticket # or the AA PNR? Essentially I would be hoping to avoid check-in at LAX by having QF issue the BP's in MEL.

 

[Dave Noble]

They should be able to do it, however I wouldn't be too concerned. You have to collect your luggage anyway at LAX and have to clear security ; having to visit check in won't make much difference to the whole thing

Assuming that your credit card is in AUD rather than USD, I would suggest just holding the booking online and then phoning the Australia Office to pay for it. That way you will avoid any currency exchange fees

Dave

 

[Tiki]

They will check your bag through, you just pick it up, clear it through customs and drop it before you move on to your next flight. The line will be much shorter at the recheck than if you had to go outside and check in like for a new flight.

 

[Shano]

Thanks Dave and Tiki,

I was thinking after I posted that through check of luggage would not be an issue, so having to front up at AA check-in sans luggage to get BP's issued would not be such a big deal.

 

[DTM1]

I think it makes a big difference, particularly if you're an AA member. If you have checked your luggage all the way through (even with re-check in LA), then you can get your BP from the automatic machines at LAX and avoid the queues (my QF card has never worked in the LAX machines).

If you have to re-queue (ie you have no AA card), then it's just as bad as re-checking luggage from scratch IMO.

 

[serfty]

I avoid checked luggage if at all practical, so the following may not be pertinent.

In June I flew SYD-HNL on QF to commence a 3 segment AA YUP (separate bookings, 4 hour HNL transit.).

I used AA OLCI before departing Sydney as the first segment was within 24 hours, but I did not print BP's - this was not deliberate, the QP printer chucked a wobbly and endeavors to use the AA 'reprint' facility failed (seemingly due to the subsequent segments being more than 24 hours away).

After clearing HNL immigration I went to the AA check-in area and was able to print BP's using one the the machines with the Sabre PNR.

FWIW, my QFF number did not print on these paper slips so I went to the check-in desk to check it out. The AAgent there confirmed the number was 'in the booking' then printed fresh BP's on standard BP card containing my QFF number and status for my edification.

Presumably in a similar circumstance, you may be able to OLCI your AA flights and print BPs.

 

[Shano]

Ahh yes... I had forgotten about using AA OLCI. I could do this from MEL as it will fall in the < 24 hour window.

I will have checked luggage as this will be a 2 week stay in the US.

At least if I can print my own AA BP in MEL and have QF check luggage through to PIT, then it will be straight to the T4 FLounge once I have cleared C&I in LAX.

FWIW, the KUPP fare I am looking at LAX-DFW-ORD-PIT should earn 230 SC for aroun A$1,000. Unfortunately ORD-PIT is a single class Beagle flight.

And unlike mAAny others, I need to make sure that my QFF number is in the booking.

I would also get to sample the ORD Flagship lounge for the first time.

 

[serfty]

Remember that, even if your luggage is checked through to PIT, you still need to collect it at LAX and redeposit it.

* Just be wary of the pitfalls of multi segment routings and checked luggage, ref JohnK's and simongr's recent problems.

 

[Shano]

Yep, was aware of the requirement to re-deposit baggage.

The recent luggage plights of JohnK and simongr have me contemplating if this will be worthwhile. I have tried to keep reasonable connection times for each transit to improve chances of the luggage ending up on the same flight as me.

The first two days in PIT will be at our head office so if I needed to duck out and grab a couple of sets of clothes then it wouldn't be too big a deal.

What have I got to lose......

 

[simongr]

OK - let's put my luggage problems to bed for a little while. The first luggage failure was I think the 4 segement itinerary on a 2 segment trip. Unless you are doing that then I think you are safe.

The second failure was a lack of enough time at BGI to collect bags and an unclear baggage collection process. In retrospect I should have checked in online at LGW if I could or pushed them on checking me in. I wasted a lot of time trying to work out which carousel my bags might be at.

I am however aiming for hand luggage only on the next trip (anything i buy in NYC might be shipped back through internal mail - or by the vendor - looking at getting a Kitchenaid mixer and some knives) - just wondering if the "trial" of two bags at LHR will still be happening...

 

[simongr]

I have tried to keep reasonable connection times for each transit to improve chances of the luggage ending up on the same flight as me.

The first two days in PIT will be at our head office so if I needed to duck out and grab a couple of sets of clothes then it wouldn't be too big a deal.

What have I got to lose......

I went to PIT on short notice last year and flew SYD-LAX-DFW-PIT - no problems whatsoever.

 

[Shano]

I went to PIT on short notice last year and flew SYD-LAX-DFW-PIT - no problems whatsoever.

I have had quite a few 3 segment trips to PIT without issue as well. the problem is my desired itinerary this time would be MEL-SYD-LAX-DFW-ORD-PIT which may be pushing it a bit too far. Perhaps just MEL-LAX instead of MEL-SYD-LAX.....

I also looked at a straight LAX-ORD/DFW-PIT fare for simplicity, which is actually more expensive than the proposed route. All flights ot PIT are only single class so I wanted to add a second P class segment for the extra SC.

The motivation behind this is that I was comp'd WP earlier this year and want to try and make sure I earn all 1,200 SC this year.