FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike...
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,339
In the last few years, any time I've asked, "to be protected" on another flight in case of a misconnect the agent has managed to screw up my reservation. This was with a single reservation, not two as you propose. With two reservations you have no recourse under a strict interpretation of the rules. You might find an agreeable agent who understands that your delay was really caused by CO and a delayed inbound flight. Then again, you might not. I agree with channa -- don't do this unless there is a real and compelling reason to book it as two records.