Interline agreement

[Maki]

Hello,

not sure if this is the group to post this one in, but since my upcoming flight is on CX and CX gets mentioned quite alot...

Last year we had a couple of trips, where itineraries consisted of separate bookings.

On a trip from SYD-ZRH, SYD-HKG leg was on CX , onwards journey to ZRH was on AY via HEL. SYD-HKG was a redemption booking with QF and HKG-ZRH a redemption booking with AY. Despite me asking (and insisting that it is possible) to check in luggage to the final destination, CX check in agents in Sydney advised that it is not possible due to separate tickets. I eventually gave up.

On a trip SYD-KEF, SYD-SIN was a Qantas redemption booking on QF and SIN-KEF revenue ticket on AY. QF check in agent in Sydney advised that they can’t check in luggage to the final destination due to separate tickets. Same thing as above, I gave up. Instead went to the transfer desk in SIN and they had someone collect our luggage in SIN and check it in and all showed up at the final destination.

On the return ZAG-SIN, we had revenue ticket ZAG-CPH on OU and an award redemption CPH-SIN on AY. The check in agent in Zagreb checked in our luggage all the way to Singapore without any issues, I had two separate tickets but he was still available to check my luggage to the final destination.

In both of these cases, the airlines in question had interline agreements. I still don’t understand why the QF and CX agent advised me that checking in the luggage to final destination is not possible despite there being interline agreements in place between these airlines. What am I missing here? Is having a separate ticket a deal breaker? Or is it down to the agent and their level of knowledge?

Which leads me to an upcoming itinerary ZRH-SYD, currently via HEL/HKG on AY and HKG-SYD on CX. First leg is on AY redemption, second leg is QF redemption. Judging from experience, I might be facing the same issue. Subject to flight availability, I am looking to changing the SYD-HKG leg to a direct flight on CX connecting to another CX flight to Sydney. Two separate bookings, same airline, that should be able to work and get my luggage checked in all the way?
Please share your opinions and experiences.

Thank you.


Cheers,

Mark

 

[RealtimeY]

It depends on the first airline that you are checking in with.

CX policy is to check it through even if separate. They've happily done this for me from overseas before. Perhaps it needed to be escalated to a supervisor?

QF policy is that they won't, except if doing so between a redemption and cash booking.

 

[trooper]

Aren't interline agreements mainly in place for single ticket bookings?

 

[Maki]

It depends on the first airline that you are checking in with.

CX policy is to check it through even if separate. They've happily done this for me from overseas before. Perhaps it needed to be escalated to a supervisor?

QF policy is that they won't, except if doing so between a redemption and cash booking.

Thank you for sharing these, RealtimeY.

 

[ozflier]

Just another question on interlining baggage on different tickets .
I have done it in the past - about a year ago but from what I read , It is getting harder with some airlines .
I'm travelling MEL-LAX( QF) LAX-SFO (AA) on a QF award ticket connecting with an Alaska airlines revenueticketed flight onto Anchorage. ) Its a long story why I had to do this so i will spare you.
Suffice to say , if I can persuade QF checkin staff at MEL to interline bags thru to the final destination , even though though on separate tickets , is there any reason why they would be offloaded at SFO or is it likely they would be successfully transferred to Alaskan and onto Anchorage.
I am wondering if anyone has anyone has any experience in this issue over the last 12 months ?

 

[oz_mark]

Aren't interline agreements mainly in place for single ticket bookings?

From the airlines perspective that is what an interline agreement is for.

Around fora and boards such as these, its generally used to mean baggage through check.

 

[madrooster]

Suffice to say , if I can persuade QF checkin staff at MEL to interline bags thru to the final destination , even though though on separate tickets , is there any reason why they would be offloaded at SFO or is it likely they would be successfully transferred to Alaskan and onto Anchorage.

Make sure AS can see your bag tag number in their PNR. Otherwise they may not onload it as it won't reconcile.

As you've found it's becoming harder and harder to do separate ticket through checks on separate PNRs... for this reason it's better to have it all ticketed on one PNR to curb any issues.

 

[ozflier]

Make sure AS can see your bag tag number in their PNR. Otherwise they may not onload it as it won't reconcile.

As you've found it's becoming harder and harder to do separate ticket through checks on separate PNRs... for this reason it's better to have it all ticketed on one PNR to curb any issues.

Agree , sadly my AA award flight MEL - LAX-SEA was cancelled and only offered MEL-LAX-SFO and no award seats beyond that - left me with no choice but to pay a revenue fare with Alaskan SFO-SEA. So no chance of a single ticket.
How can I make sure AS "can see the bag tag number in their pnr" - would this be done on checkin at SFO or is there another way?
I am not optimistic QF will thru tag it anyway but I'll think of it as an experiment for the AFF team.

 

[madrooster]

Agree , sadly my AA award flight MEL - LAX-SEA was cancelled and only offered MEL-LAX-SFO and no award seats beyond that - left me with no choice but to pay a revenue fare with Alaskan SFO-SEA. So no chance of a single ticket.
How can I make sure AS "can see the bag tag number in their pnr" - would this be done on checkin at SFO or is there another way?
I am not optimistic QF will thru tag it anyway but I'll think of it as an experiment for the AFF team.

Who was the original LAX-SEA operator? AS or AA? Regardless of who it was, they should've opened up alternative flights for you.

Ask AS at SFO or even at LAX T6 to confirm they can see you've got a bag coming + the tag number is visible to them.

 

[ozflier]

Who was the original LAX-SEA operator? AS or AA? Regardless of who it was, they should've opened up alternative flights for you.

Ask AS at SFO or even at LAX T6 to confirm they can see you've got a bag coming + the tag number is visible to them.

Original operator American Airlines. They cut back from 3 to 2 flights per day. Now a disconnect. Asked QF to approach Alaskan to replace the flight. They did . Alaskan refused !
Will take your advice and check with AS at Los Angeles.