checkin bags for same flight numbers on different tickets

[wrldtrvllr]

Have an existing ticket I need to connect to.

20/2: AA6093 PDX-LAX 1732-2013 connecting to AA28, a red-eye to JFK @ 2145.

So happens that one of my options is to separate ticket AA6093 LAX-PDX to arrive 1700. Chances are it's the same plane turnaround so I just need to deplane at PDX and wait for flight to be reopened for boarding. But what of checked bags? Will AA staff allow me to check bags at LAX when boarding for the 1st #6093? I suspect the computer spits a dummy, as previously occurred years ago, and a manual baggage tag needs to be generated (IIRC). Will that still be the case these days? From past experience they now really try avoid manual taggging and cap it at 4 segments meaning those multi-leg MR are best done without checked bags. It's bitterly cold over there at the moment so I'm going to need those extra layers I'm taking. Lol.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Have an existing ticket I need to connect to.

20/2: AA6093 PDX-LAX 1732-2013 connecting to AA28, a red-eye to JFK @ 2145.

So happens that one of my options is to separate ticket AA6093 LAX-PDX to arrive 1700. Chances are it's the same plane turnaround so I just need to deplane at PDX and wait for flight to be reopened for boarding. But what of checked bags? Will AA staff allow me to check bags at LAX when boarding for the 1st #6093? I suspect the computer spits a dummy, as previously occurred years ago, and a manual baggage tag needs to be generated (IIRC). Will that still be the case these days? From past experience they now really try avoid manual taggging and cap it at 4 segments meaning those multi-leg MR are best done without checked bags. It's bitterly cold over there at the moment so I'm going to need those extra layers I'm taking. Lol.

AA won't transfer bags on separate tickets even AA->AA. You'll need to collect your bag then head back up to check-in, clear security and head back to the gate. Bag fees will then apply for each sector if applicable.

 

[Himeno]

As mentioned, since the oneworld interline changes in mid 2016, AA won't transfer across tickets, even to itself. They are meant to have an exemption to this where it isn't possible to book both flights on the same ticket (the example they use is a revenue ticket connecting to an award ticket), but getting check in agents to understand this hasn't worked.

The computer will also refuse to check bags on a return flight at the same time. The computer will go 'nope' and error if you tried to check bags LAX-PDX-LAX (yet it will give boarding passes for both sectors just fine).

If I'm reading this right, you currently have a PDX-xLAX-JFK ticket and want to add an LAX-PDX at the start to connect to your existing flights?
If so, you may be better off forgetting about the bags on LAX-PDX-LAX and just asking for the bags to be checked right to AA28.

 

[wrldtrvllr]

As mentioned, since the oneworld interline changes in mid 2016, AA won't transfer across tickets, even to itself. They are meant to have an exemption to this where it isn't possible to book both flights on the same ticket (the example they use is a revenue ticket connecting to an award ticket), but getting check in agents to understand this hasn't worked.

The computer will also refuse to check bags on a return flight at the same time. The computer will go 'nope' and error if you tried to check bags LAX-PDX-LAX (yet it will give boarding passes for both sectors just fine).

If I'm reading this right, you currently have a PDX-xLAX-JFK ticket and want to add an LAX-PDX at the start to connect to your existing flights?
If so, you may be better off forgetting about the bags on LAX-PDX-LAX and just asking for the bags to be checked right to AA28.

Yes that's correct. I'm happy to do just check bags for AA28 segment, but I'm not sure the agent will agree to that. I can do the award ticket to connect so it's non-revenue to revenue and push that line. However, I've had issues previously where they claim the bag must go with you on your flight for security purposes...but then wait happens when bags go missing - yeah no security issues there...[sigh]

I'm hoping someone with more recent empirical evidence can shed further light/expectations.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes that's correct. I'm happy to do just check bags for AA28 segment, but I'm not sure the agent will agree to that. I can do the award ticket to connect so it's non-revenue to revenue and push that line. However, I've had issues previously where they claim the bag must go with you on your flight for security purposes...but then wait happens when bags go missing - yeah no security issues there...[sigh]

I'm hoping someone with more recent empirical evidence can shed further light/expectations.

There is no requirement in the USA for domestic bags to travel with passengers, whether voluntary or involuntary.

Getting an award ticket is no guarantee AA will through check the bags. Not a problem if you have plenty of time for the connection through.

 

[Quickstatus]

So...
You will be in LAX but your flight is PDX-LAX-JFK which is on the one ticket?.

And so you need to do an LAX-PDX to commence that flight?.

Disregard whether one or more is an award ticket. Irrrespective of type of fare you will not be able to get AA to check through luggage across separate tickets even if both tickets are issued by AA.

I believe the bags will need to be checked in at PDX and the checkin agent will not accept the bags for a part itinerary.

You will need an earlier flight LAX-PDX

Or cancel the PDX-LAX leg

What does AA say?

 

[wrldtrvllr]

So...
You will be in LAX but your flight is PDX-LAX-JFK which is on the one ticket?.

And so you need to do an LAX-PDX to commence that flight?.

Disregard whether one or more is an award ticket. Irrrespective of type of fare you will not be able to get AA to check through luggage across separate tickets even if both tickets are issued by AA.

I believe the bags will need to be checked in at PDX and the checkin agent will not accept the bags for a part itinerary.

You will need an earlier flight LAX-PDX

Or cancel the PDX-LAX leg

What does AA say?

Cancelling the PDX-LAX is not viable, as there are another 6 or so segments thereafter, and would quite possibly force a significant repricing (probably tens of thousands of dollars...)

I have in the past had the agent effectively check bags for the second part of the itinerary in similar circumstances. IIRC I had a DEN-LAX-xx_-yyy flight and had a separate ticket LAX-DEN to connect, so they just checked LAX-xx_-yyy portions. So need clarification from someone who has had a more recent experience.

Anyone successfully combined separate tickets into one PNR? I believe this is an option, but heard it sometimes gets accompanied with a fee for the change...

 

[Quickstatus]

You can’t combine separate PNR into one. But I think you can add a new flight within an existing PNR - so that there is always ever only one PNR.

This is generally only available through Travel agents.

But sounds like you have done it before?

 

[Himeno]

Anyone successfully combined separate tickets into one PNR? I believe this is an option, but heard it sometimes gets accompanied with a fee for the change...

My trip last year had 3 tickets. A maxed out 16 sector DONE3, a 8 sector DAS13 and a LAX-SFO-LAX side trip. Asked travel agent to put them all on one PNR (due to this baggage issue). Got the side trip and the DAS13 on one PNR without issue. When they went to add them to the DONE3, which is what the single PNR was needed (LAX-SFO-LAX fitting in between JFK-LAX and LAX-SEA on the DONE3), the computer said no, too many sectors. Claiming that 2 different tickets on the same PNR still had to meet the IATA 16 sector e-ticket limit (which I later found wasn't the case and they weren't trying to add them to the PNR correctly).

 

[Quickstatus]

@Himeno,

Were these all separate PNR to start off with via the same travel agent?

 

[wrldtrvllr]

footnote: I ended up travelling with carry-on only to minimise risk. Turnaround was staffed by different set of crew.