Originally Posted by
DCdeacon
I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, because it feels like a very rookie question given how long I've hung around these boards. But here goes, and I thank you in advance for your knowledge...
My wife and I have a trip later this month:
CLT-ORD (UA)
ORD-WAW (LO)
WAW-BUD (LO)
PRG-FRA (LH)
FRA-IAD (LH)
IAD-CLT (US)
I've actually never flown on a mixed partner international itinerary like this before, and I just want to understand how things are actually going to play out at the airport, at check-in, etc.
To begin, when I check in for CLT-ORD through United, am I going to be able to get BP's all the way to BUD? Or once I get to ORD, am I going to have to check in again with LO? It's confusing because my UA PNR shows all outbound trip segments (CLT-ORD-WAW-BUD), whereas my LO PNR only shows the segments that are actually flown on LO (ORD-WAW-BUD). So I'm not clear how this works.
Basically, once we check in initially, are we set? Or do we have to do it all over again for each carrier? I always tend to at least try and check in online the night before (I know that doesn't always work when flying internationally), but didn't know if I need to separately check in on UA, and then go to the LOT website and check in there as well. Or, once we land in ORD, if we have to physically walk to the LO check in counter, and check in there.
Besides this, are there any other considerations we should be aware of as first time mixed-alliance partner flyers?
Thank you!
your bags should be checked through no problem. you may or may not receive all the boarding passes you need, or you may have to exchange a UA issued boarding pass for an LO issued boarding pass at some stage. it varies between airlines and I'm not sure of the procedure for UA->LO (just by way or example I have had to have a TG issued boarding pass for Lufthansa resisted in Frankfurt before).
with IRROPS united generally excel! if you are yet to take your UA flight, they will sort out any missed connections. if they have flown you then it is up to LO to rearrange travel if there are subsequent problems (if LO is closed or their rep has left the airport then go back to UA). LO is covered by EU261 both inbound and outbound to/from the EU, so you are well covered.
the UA PNR is correct... it should show the entire itinerary as far as they need to check bags on the day... which is all the way through to BUD. i would have expected the LO PNR to show your connecting flight in from CLT (so they know where you're coming from). but I don't think that's a major issue.
the only thing you need to ensure is that bags are checked through to your final destination. collect as many boarding passes as you can, then enjoy
