JQ interline questions - separate PNRs

[Alanslegal]

Hi Guys,

Just a quick query, some of you may know that yesterday I flew 3K554 SGN-SIN and onto BA15 SIN-SYD, these were on separate PNRs. At SGN check-in I was denied the convenience of having my checked luggage sent all the way through to SYD which meant at SIN I had to go pass Immigration, clear Customs, and then go back upstairs to the departure hall for check-in to BA15.

I have in the past utilised the interline arrangements successfully eg. Nov 11 BKK-SIN-SYD 3K to QF320 (operated by BA15) and May 11 KUL-SIN-SYD on 3K to BA15 (c/s QF320), where my bags were sent to the final destination, I pick up the BP at the SIN T1 transfer desk and head straight to the QF/BA lounge.

I had a look at JQ's definitions, Flight Connections | Jetstar, and it does not confirm BA as an interline partner but more importantly it reads as JQ has a discretion whether or not to invoke the agreement if the bookings are not on the one ticket.

On arrival at SIN I asked the BA transfer desk if what the situation was, and they confirmed that JQ and BA has an agreement to interline baggage and that the staff at SGN 'did not do it correctly'.

So now, I'm going to ask:- who is right? as I may be relying on these interlining process a few times this year and do want to know what is correct or incorrect, as if JQ/3K is reluctant to interline as they did yesterday, I could be looking at BFOD or in yesterday's case, a good excuse to fly VN and tick another airline off my box and utlise my AF WP card (given VN's ST alliance) and access their lounge.

Furthermore, assuming I ticket all my ex-SIN flights as QF codeshares (as I have a preference to fly BA metal) then would I still get access to interline ... or does it come down to JQ's discretion at time of check in as its on separate PNRs even though JQ<->QF are Ok.

 

[TheInsider]

JQ to QF is fine, JQ to BA is not. The only exception to this is if the booking has been made on the one reference and then an Interline partner.

 

[yohy?!]

My experience also, they won't interline unless it's a single PNR (even 3K to QF) - presumably they recoup the cost from the other carrier.

 

[Austman]

JetStar (JQ, JQi, 3K, VF) interlining to any airline (even themselves) is a complete mess. And the sooner they fix it up and publish it comprehensively and accurately, the better. If there is a fine for inconsistency, inaccuracy and omissions in the information provided, they should get it!

 

[TheInsider]

Seems pretty simple from what that website shows though?

 

[Austman]

My experience also, they won't interline unless it's a single PNR (even 3K to QF) - presumably they recoup the cost from the other carrier.

Not in my experience, x 4. So see post #4.

 

[Austman]

Seems pretty simple from what that website shows though?

It's just not right!

 

[yohy?!]

Not in my experience, x 4. So see post #4.

I've only tried it at HKG In-Town Check-In previously which may be why it's not worked for me

 

[Alanslegal]

Thanks for all the replies. Seems like inconsistencies in terms of what really happens [eg. transfer desk says JQ <-> BA is all OK, my own experience has been OK except the last one .... then some posters examples of not being allowed at all].

 

[serfty]

The main issue is separate bookings. If the travel is on the one PNR then it should happen.

If not, then you are at the whim of the check-in staff.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

JetStar (JQ, JQi, 3K, VF) interlining to any airline (even themselves) is a complete mess. And the sooner they fix it up and publish it comprehensively and accurately, the better. If there is a fine for inconsistency, inaccuracy and omissions in the information provided, they should get it!

I think this is just another example of what happens when you don't keep all operational aspects of an airline in-house. A lot of these ground handling companies would have a very high turnover of staff & there would probably be very limited training for them & they don't have nearly as much experience as employees of legacy airlines as they don't hang around as long.

When you outsource ground handling arrangements to the lowest bidder/common denominator this stuff will continue to happen. I believe the expression is 'pay peanuts & get monkeys'.

The reputation of a full service airline is only as good as the services provided by its sub-contractors.

 

[Timtammi]

Last year I flew MEL-BKK on JQ and the AY BKK-HEL-FCO. Separate tickets. I fully expected to have to collect bags and recheck in BKK but when the check-in agent asked where we were going after BKK (it was a one way MEL-BKK) she offered to check the bags through for us, much to our surprise and delight! She did go and check with a supervisor, and then fiddled around for ages trying to get the bag tags to print correctly and in the end she had to handwrite some info on the bag tag (which made me very nervous about it actually getting there) but it all turned out fine in the end and the bags came out the other end when we finally arrived at FCO. We were flying JQ *class and AY J so that may have made a difference I guess but we were very pleasantly surprised that they offered to do this for us!

cheers

Timmi