Why not book each leg on separate PNR?

[Youfah Mizzum]

I typically book my air travel on a single PNR, working out each leg & booking online when I know each date and airport.

But I find it's a hassle when you just need to change 1 element...say you quite like a city and you want to change the day you fly.
Or you've booked a Y classic reward seat and then a few months later a J classic reward seat becomes available.

Phoning the airline I've often had the response "we can't do make that change (or whatever excuse). You're better to cancel and rebook". I had that last year for example on a simple return flight to Tokyo, HND.

I just think it's easier to book each leg as a one way flight, on its own PNR.
That way you can cancel or change without stuffing up the whole itinerary.

I have just booked a return flight next Feb/Mar SYD-HND-SYD, both legs booked with QFF points. Outbound in Y and return in J. 1 PNR.
But I know that if a J reward seat (well 2 actually for me & Mrs Mizzum also) becomes available on the outbound, I'll make a call to the CS agent and they'll be unable to make to upgrade change from their end. It would be a simple matter to just cancel that leg (if it was on its own PNR) and rebook.

Am I missing something?

I get a OWA needs to be on a single PNR for the benefits of the point limit, but otherwise?

 

[Pushka]

I typically book my air travel on a single PNR, working out each leg & booking online when I know each date and airport.

But I find it's a hassle when you just need to change 1 element...say you quite like a city and you want to change the day you fly.
Or you've booked a Y classic reward seat and then a few months later a J classic reward seat becomes available.

Phoning the airline I've often had the response "we can't do make that change (or whatever excuse). You're better to cancel and rebook". I had that last year for example on a simple return flight to Tokyo, HND.

I just think it's easier to book each leg as a one way flight, on its own PNR.
That way you can cancel or change without stuffing up the whole itinerary.

I have just booked a return flight next Feb/Mar SYD-HND-SYD, both legs booked with QFF points. Outbound in Y and return in J. 1 PNR.
But I know that if a J reward seat (well 2 actually for me & Mrs Mizzum also) becomes available on the outbound, I'll make a call to the CS agent and they'll be unable to make to upgrade change from their end. It would be a simple matter to just cancel that leg (if it was on its own PNR) and rebook.

Am I missing something?

I get a OWA needs to be on a single PNR for the benefits of the point limit, but otherwise?

Yes. The cost difference booking return versus one way. eg I priced Sydney Tokyo for next year. One way, $5000 Return $7000.

Your strategy of separate PNR works well for award flights. Edited. But must always allow fat in the booking if not return flights but sectors.

 

[Dr Ralph]

One PNR always. If your connected flight is cancelled or delayed the result will be catastrophic if not on the one PNR.

 

[Pushka]

One PNR always. If your connected flight is cancelled or delayed the result will be catastrophic if not on the one PNR.

I understood that the reference was for return flights and not multi sector. But yes your point is spot on for connecting flights unless there's a gap of many hours in the schedule.

 

[Youfah Mizzum]

So the gist I get from the replies so far, if flying on points, and no connecting segments then maybe there's something to be said for separate PNRs.

I guess I was only thinking of the situation where there are several days between flights.

 

[Dr Ralph]

So the gist I get from the replies so far, if flying on points, and no connecting segments then maybe there's something to be said for separate PNRs.

No. Never separate PNR's.

 

[Pushka]

No. Never separate PNR's.

When booking coveted award flights it’s always separate pnr for flight out then when released grab the return flight asap. I always do this.

 

[p--and--t]

So the gist I get from the replies so far, if flying on points, and no connecting segments then maybe there's something to be said for separate PNRs.

I guess I was only thinking of the situation where there are several days between flights.

If you...

. Not attempting a OWA
. Not on a multi sector flight
. Simple go and return
. Several days between outward flight and return

Then your strategy is fine.

 

[SYD]

By the sounds of it, OP is talking about flights either side of a stopover - so mis-connects etc are less of an issue.

I’d certainly consider seperate PNRs to make up an entire itinerary but rarely have same day connections.

One pitfall, even for Reward bookings is the fees/taxes can vary. They’re not supposed to but can. Obviously there’s also the issue of FOREX to consider.

I’m not on top of the details but another reason to have seperate PNRs on mixed class itinerary can be fare conditions (most restrictive can apply to total booking)?

 

[elanshin]

One situation where i regularly book one segment is domestic. I rarely book it as return as the prices are the same but there are often benefits.

For Int'l i try to keep things on one PNR.

 

[DC3]

Am I missing something?

DONE4, DONE5, for example, need to be on one PNR

 

[dajop]

No. Never separate PNR's.

Never say never. Many times it is ok.

Certainly we almost always use a mix of seperate bookings. To maximise the utility and minimise the cost. Noting we are not tied down to QFF.

I mean on a recent trip we had four separate PNRs

First a one way long haul Y redemption on SQ, four days then a one way cash Y fare on BA, a week and a one way cash Y fare on SK then 2.5 days before a one way cash J long haul on LX. There was no way and no reason to have these on the one PNR.

Probably wouldn’t have changed anything f even if the return had have been a SQ redemption, still would have had it in separate booking.

 

[dajop]

DONE4, DONE5, for example, need to be on one PNR

Yes no way to even purchase these on separate PNRs.

But you could have nested returns on a different ticket/ different PNR during one of the stopovers on a xONEx itinerary.

 

[Youfah Mizzum]

If you...

. Not attempting a OWA
. Not on a multi sector flight
. Simple go and return
. Several days between outward flight and return

Then your strategy is fine.

That was pretty much the scenario I had in mind. As well as a 5th point, only travelling on awards, no revenue fares.
As well as the scenario mentioned up-thread (quoted here)

I mean on a recent trip we had four separate PNRs

First a one way long haul Y redemption on SQ, four days then a one way cash Y fare on BA, a week and a one way cash Y fare on SK then 2.5 days before a one way cash J long haul on LX. There was no way and no reason to have these on the one PNR.

I was only just pondering the flexibility of having separate PNRs but others have shed more light on the pros and cons.

 

[tdimdad]

No. Never separate PNR's.

I'm intrigued to hear more about this 'never separate'. What's the benefit of always forcing everything on a single PNR regardless of the scenario?

 

[p--and--t]

I'm intrigued to hear more about this 'never separate'. What's the benefit of always forcing everything on a single PNR regardless of the scenario?

Me too.!

At least on domestic on single sector trips, I "always" book separately.

International, multi sector revenue "usually" one PNR but not always. e.g. found great price SG BNE<->BKK, found separate great price TG BKK<->DEL two days gap for contingency each side 2x PNRs, two different airlines two different alliances.

International OWA no choice but to "mostly" have all on one PNR to achieve points cap.

Not interested in chasing status, but the dates times pricing class flexibility and routing that suits my plans.

 

[frodo]

I asked a similar question about multiple bookings/PNRs when planning my trip a couple of years ago.

I ended up making separate award bookings from Aus to Europe and return due to the flexibility to cancel and re-book either the outbound or inbound leg without having to ring the call centre and take the risk that they would mess things up.

The only disadvantages mentioned were 2 sets of cancellation fees if I had to cancel the trip, and the taxes for the return leg would be charged in foreign currency (additional credit card fees).

 

[AIRwin]

found great price SG BNE<->BKK, found separate great price TG BKK<->DEL two days gap for contingency each side 2x PNRs, two different airlines two different alliances

Both SQ and TG are members of Star Alliance

 

[JohnK]

It's been quite some time but I used to have issues with surcharges booking one-way awards.

e.g. surcharges for classic reward say SYD-BKK + classic reward BKK would be more than surcharges for classic reward SYD-BKK return.

 

[dajop]

Well if using EK, you don’t want redeem SIN-MEL and put MEL-SIN on a different booking (nor do you want to book MEL-SIN-MEL).

Not that we ever do this as we simply don’t like using EK from MEL-SIN any more. Not a fan of a circa 3am departure.