International connection rules
Dec 8, 2014, 2:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: 9W Plat, UK Plat, AI Silver, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, Taj IC Silver
Posts: 383
International connection rules
I am in Manila right now and due to the typhoon situation, a lot of flights are getting cancelled. I have a MNL-BKK flight tomorrow on PR and then a BKK-BOM flight on 9W, on a separate PNR. In case PR cancels the flight due to typhoon related reasons, I assume it will put me on next available flight, but what should I do about the next leg on 9W. Will PR take the responsibility even if the 9W flight is on a separate PNR. I contacted the call centre but they didnt seem to have much idea. Shall I contact 9W in advance and inform them about the situation? Will 9W do something about it?
It is difficult for me to change the flight since (a). I don't know what wil the situation be tomorrow and (b). the fare difference is too much.
Thanks for the advice.
It is difficult for me to change the flight since (a). I don't know what wil the situation be tomorrow and (b). the fare difference is too much.
Thanks for the advice.
Dec 8, 2014, 6:27 am
#2
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,162
Your contract with 9W is for BKK-BOM, so if you don't report for checkin in BKK, 9W will be out of the equation. I doubt they will do anything for you, expect to pay.
PR is technically required to make sure you get accomodated due to the delay they caused, but this falls under extraordinary circumstances, so be prepared to pay the incidental damage to your 9W ticket.
PR is technically required to make sure you get accomodated due to the delay they caused, but this falls under extraordinary circumstances, so be prepared to pay the incidental damage to your 9W ticket.
Dec 8, 2014, 1:43 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
This is why booking two separate tickets for connecting flights is a Very Very Bad Idea. As far as 9W is concerned, you are starting in BKK and have not turned up for the flight. It will not help to tell them that you are coming from MNL; if the preceding flight is not in the 9W PNR it is not 9W's problem, and if the next flight is not in PR's PNR it is not PR's problem.
Dec 11, 2014, 2:02 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: 9W Plat, UK Plat, AI Silver, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, Taj IC Silver
Posts: 383
It is ofcourse risky but I would not call it a "very very bad idea". I saved almost Rs. 30k which I think was worth taking the risk. While I was travelling BOM-MNL (via HKG with HKG-MNL on PR), I had checked with 9W and was told that if 9W flight on BOM-HKG is delayed by more than 2 hours, it will take responsibility for my onward connection, even if the next ticket is on a different PNR and a different airline. So it seems, airlines have some informal rules which they may or may not follow depending on the situation. In general, I have seen that airlines in Asia are mostly accommodative, so took the chance. I probably would not have done it for Europe or US.
To update on my experience, the typhoon situation fortunately did not turn out to be that bad.
While checking-in in Manila, I checked with PR if they could check my luggage to BOM even if I was holding different tickets (MNL-BKK on PR and BKK-BOM on 9W) on separate PNRs. Surprisingly, they did and when I landed in BKK, a 9W official was for me and escorted me to the transfer area. So essentially, PR could link the two PNRs and through check-in my luggage!
To update on my experience, the typhoon situation fortunately did not turn out to be that bad.
While checking-in in Manila, I checked with PR if they could check my luggage to BOM even if I was holding different tickets (MNL-BKK on PR and BKK-BOM on 9W) on separate PNRs. Surprisingly, they did and when I landed in BKK, a 9W official was for me and escorted me to the transfer area. So essentially, PR could link the two PNRs and through check-in my luggage!