Oneworld separate ticket interline changes

[Red Roo]

Qantas will be implementing the new oneworld ticketing arrangements on 1 September 2016. From 1 July Qantas check-in agents will be informing customers checking in on separate oneworld tickets the policy has changed and that for travel from 1 September, they will need to book connections in a single booking to be eligible for through check-in to their final destination. Hopefully this clarifies and answers some of your queries.

Red Roo

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Thanks MR and OBB - appreciate the comments, looks like I might be ok, less stress till we get to the airport and if the Sh^&t hits the fan Mrs ZX will go ballistic if she has to exit and recheck in Tokyo, mostly at me .

I think Japan will be the least of your worries Andy - if your missus is going to crack it, it'll be in LHR after a 24 hour flight from Oz and not even upgrading to F will help you there. What were you going to do at NRT for 7 hours? Do you have lounge access?

If JL can't check you in early you could always store your luggage then get the train into TYO for a quick look. Make sure you have sufficient JPY cash as we couldn't pay by cc for rail tickets. Thankfully there was free airport wi-fi so I quickly logged on to Qantas Cash and transferred some USD to JPY then withdrew the cash from an ATM.

Dec is BA SYD-LHR via SIN on a single Tkt / PNR but we have some friends that have moved to BCN so want to add a side trip.

We arrive LHR T5 and LHR BCN leaves T3. We use Heathrow express and train wait plus travel is 35 minutes plus get our bags etc, probably 90+ minutes plus recheck - who knows in Dec. I am thUnking 3 hour minimum connection vs less than an hour if we only have to transit T5 to T3 i am sure it will be fun after the 24hr flight from Sydney - hmm maybe an F upgrade might be in order...

For your own sanity I would try to add in BCN to the award booking and have them re-issue the eticket as any penalties won't be as harsh as if it was a commercial ticket.

If there aren't any award seats LHR/BCN the day after then I would just stay overnight at LHR then fly LHR/BCN the day after as the rockshow of clearing customs and havng to checkin again on separate tickets isn't worth the risk.

 

[cmon0005]

Qantas will be implementing the new oneworld ticketing arrangements on 1 September 2016. From 1 July Qantas check-in agents will be informing customers checking in on separate oneworld tickets the policy has changed and that for travel from 1 September, they will need to book connections in a single booking to be eligible for through check-in to their final destination. Hopefully this clarifies and answers some of your queries.

Red Roo

Thank you for clarifying RR, however disappointing that Qantas has agreed to implement the policy, considering lots of legitimate scenarios where Qantas can't sell certain destinations on a single ticket or at all.

Please pass feedback to QF management that they really need to make more interline only destinations visible in the booking tool and have pricing arrangements in place, examples I can think of: MLE, KTM, LGK.etc. at the very least this would allow people to book single itineraries to places they want to go. Otherwise our only alternative is to use Travel agents to book complex tickets.

 

[Red Roo]

Thank you for clarifying RR, however disappointing that Qantas has agreed to implement the policy, considering lots of legitimate scenarios where Qantas can't sell certain destinations on a single ticket or at all.

Please pass feedback to QF management that they really need to make more interline only destinations visible in the booking tool and have pricing arrangements in place, examples I can think of: MLE, KTM, LGK.etc. at the very least this would allow people to book single itineraries to places they want to go. Otherwise our only alternative is to use Travel agents to book complex tickets.

Thanks for your feedback. Please be assured that I will be passing comments and concerns on to the relevant team.

Cheers,
Red Roo

 

[Andyzx]

Qantas will be implementing the new oneworld ticketing arrangements on 1 September 2016. From 1 July Qantas check-in agents will be informing customers checking in on separate oneworld tickets the policy has changed and that for travel from 1 September, they will need to book connections in a single booking to be eligible for through check-in to their final destination. Hopefully this clarifies and answers some of your queries.

Red Roo

BOO @Red Roo

 

[dajop]

Qantas will be implementing the new oneworld ticketing arrangements on 1 September 2016. From 1 July Qantas check-in agents will be informing customers checking in on separate oneworld tickets the policy has changed and that for travel from 1 September, they will need to book connections in a single booking to be eligible for through check-in to their final destination. Hopefully this clarifies and answers some of your queries.

Red Roo

Will the same rules apply for QF->QF on different tickets as well (I.e. No through connection unless on same PNR)?

 

[BD1959]

BOO @Red Roo

Shoot the message, not the messenger.

I doubt that Red Roo has implemented this policy.

Regards,

BD

 

[Mattg]

Qantas will be implementing the new oneworld ticketing arrangements on 1 September 2016. From 1 July Qantas check-in agents will be informing customers checking in on separate oneworld tickets the policy has changed and that for travel from 1 September, they will need to book connections in a single booking to be eligible for through check-in to their final destination. Hopefully this clarifies and answers some of your queries.

Red Roo

:evil:

Where is the dislike button?

I am extremely disappointed that Qantas would do this. It undermines the whole point of sticking with an alliance and choosing to pay more for a supposedly premium airline.

While this is not something I use often, the inability to interline baggage on separate tickets has the potential to cause myself and other travellers massive amounts of inconvenience - presumably just to save Qantas a few dollars. There are many legitimate reasons that you may wish to connect on separate tickets. One is the inability to book flights to certain destinations on the Qantas website (or if they can be booked, the QF website wants to charge a ridiculous amount of money). Another is if combining points/paid bookings. A third scenario is if you want to book the long-haul flights before confirming all the internal flights.

This is a terrible move and will absolutely make me question whether I choose Qantas on my next overseas trip. Way to shoot one of your competitive advantages of being in the oneworld alliance in the foot.

Please reconsider!!!

 

[RooFlyer]

Qantas will be implementing the new oneworld ticketing arrangements on 1 September 2016. From 1 July Qantas check-in agents will be informing customers checking in on separate oneworld tickets the policy has changed and that for travel from 1 September, they will need to book connections in a single booking to be eligible for through check-in to their final destination. Hopefully this clarifies and answers some of your queries.

Red Roo

Well, yes, its only to be expected that Qantas, given the choice, will implement only the minimum standard. Its what we expect from Qantas nowadays.

The convergence of Qantas and Jetstar service continues ...

Thanks for your feedback. Please be assured that I will be passing comments and concerns on to the relevant team.

Cheers,
Red Roo

I wouldn't bother; I'm sure they are very pleased about their latest enhancement.

 

[Red Roo]

Will the same rules apply for QF->QF on different tickets as well (I.e. No through connection unless on same PNR)?

The only change will be when separate tickets are with different oneworld carriers. QF->QF can be checked through to the final destination.

Thanks!
Red Roo

 

[RooFlyer]

Shoot the message, not the messenger.

I doubt that Red Roo has implemented this policy.

Regards,

BD

When Alan Joyce, or any of his management team members front up on AFF ( ), I'm sure we will address them directly. In the meantime, the Authorised Company Representative is it.

 

[BD1959]

:evil:

Where is the dislike button?

I am extremely disappointed that Qantas would do this. It undermines the whole point of sticking with an alliance and choosing to pay more for a supposedly premium airline.

While this is not something I use often, the inability to interline baggage on separate tickets has the potential to cause myself and other travellers massive amounts of inconvenience - presumably just to save Qantas a few dollars. There are many legitimate reasons that you may wish to connect on separate tickets. One is the inability to book flights to certain destinations on the Qantas website (or if they can be booked, the QF website wants to charge a ridiculous amount of money). Another is if combining points/paid bookings. A third scenario is if you want to book the long-haul flights before confirming all the internal flights.

This is a terrible move and will absolutely make me question whether I choose Qantas on my next overseas trip. Way to shoot one of your competitive advantages of being in the oneworld alliance in the foot.

Please reconsider!!!

This was certainly a differentiator when considering who to book with - especially given the paucity of the Qantas network.

I'm guessing that we'll now see a move of bookings away to travel agents who offer far more flexibility around the ability to put several airlines on the one booking - less revenue for Qantas since they'll now need to pay commission for the QF portion which could have been booked directly on QF.com previously. Not sure of the business sense there.

Regards,

BD

 

[kreuky]

As predicted, QF follows suit. What a joke...no point giving business now to oneworld airlines for connecting flights. I fly to SIN a lot and typically choose 3K or MH for connections and book SIN flights direct on Qantas.com. Now I might as well do price/schedule (most likely airasia) or get a TA to connect flights IF it's cheaper (which is unlikely). Yes, I know SIN can search for your luggage at the transfer desk, but that increases the chances of my luggage going missing.

When I fly to HK, I'll choose CX, because at least they will interline between themselves and they have a better schedule. I actually haven't flown CX to HKG in a very long time. If I book QF and later decide I want to take a side trip somewhere in Asia, I won't be able to interline on the way back. Defeats the purpose of an alliance - different airlines working together for the benefit of the customers. Now they are all just 100% frenemies.

So less revenue for QF/Oneworld all round.

 

[RooFlyer]

The only change will be when separate tickets are with different oneworld carriers. QF->QF can be checked through to the final destination.

Thanks!
Red Roo

What about international codeshares? Will a QF metal, QF flight number connecting to CX metal, Qantas codeshare connection be interlined if on different PNRs?

If it will, then why the hell can't a QF to CX flight number be interlined? Of course, it can be done - as we've seen for the past X years. Its just now Qantas have decided they won't do it.

Fancy making passengers - Qantas' passengers - in some cases get a visa, go through immigration, collect bags, go to check-in in the 'transit' country then back through security just to continue their journey. Remember, this new policy was not imposed on Qantas. They chose to bring it in.

 

[atreides]

This was certainly a differentiator when considering who to book with - especially given the paucity of the Qantas network.

I'm guessing that we'll now see a move of bookings away to travel agents who offer far more flexibility around the ability to put several airlines on the one booking - less revenue for Qantas since they'll now need to pay commission for the QF portion which could have been booked directly on QF.com previously. Not sure of the business sense there.

Regards,

BD

Agreed.

But I have to give QF credit, at least they gave us advance notice, unlike OW. I found the way this was handled by OW extremely unprofessional and will no doubt cause extreme stress and heartache for those who booked their tickets for travel after June 1 based on a policy advertised at the time. The fact there was no grace period for pre-exisitng bookings is completely unacceptable.

 

[amaroo]

I'm guessing that we'll now see a move of bookings away to travel agents who offer far more flexibility around the ability to put several airlines on the one booking - less revenue for Qantas since they'll now need to pay commission for the QF portion which could have been booked directly on QF.com previously. Not sure of the business sense there.

I've already started

QF - I see your minuscule saving initiative and raise you a truckload of TA commissions. Feels good too

 

[kreuky]

haha yeah, it literally takes check in agents like 2 minutes to interline a bag. They'll save that time but will end up costing them more revenue and commissions.

 

[BD1959]

I've already started

QF - I see your minuscule saving initiative and raise you a truckload of TA commissions. Feels good too

Care to start a new thread which would hopefully show QF the error of their ways?

Entitled: Deliberately chose not to book with QF.com because of their lack of Interline (or some such)

Those outraged here who are venting in typical "I'll never book on QF.com again" can post their booking details there. Hopefully it'll become large enough that QF will - eventually - rescind, plus it'll give some idea of the booking options available away from separate itins.

Regards,

BD

 

[kreuky]

hey I wonder why this wasn't posted on qantasnewsroom.com.au
announcements and policy changes are normally posted there

 

[Quickstatus]

Qantas will be implementing the new oneworld ticketing arrangements on 1 September 2016. From 1 July Qantas check-in agents will be informing customers checking in on separate oneworld tickets the policy has changed and that for travel from 1 September, they will need to book connections in a single booking to be eligible for through check-in to their final destination. Hopefully this clarifies and answers some of your queries.

Red Roo

is this change for tickets purchased after 1 July2016?. What about tickets purchased prior to 1 July?

This will reduce the value of award tickets because onward journeys from award destinations are common and are usually booked after award seats have been secured because return revenue seats are not released at the time of booking an award seat.