Originally Posted by stex

As reported on other threads and here, OW airlines have been consistently enforcing the rule change for interlining bags. I think I only read one FT report of someone successfully having bags interlined after the rule changed. I personally experienced it this past summer on a LHR-CDG-DOH flight with two PNRs (BA first segment then QR second), BA was not bending the rule in any way regardless of my efforts. I also had issues with two connecting CX flights DPS-HKG-MNL booked on two PNRs, CX did not really want to interline even if both flight were CX. I had to insist and ask for a supervisor to push them to do it, and eventually they did. I agree that having a ticketed flight departing JNB should be enough to allow you to board in DOH. I am not familiar with JNB airport, but I assume checking bags will most likely be an issue for you without a visa to pass immigration and retrieve the bags, unless JNB QR or IB staff have a way to pick up the bags for you and take them to their check-in counter. Not sure if this is an option at some airports, I tried once in DOH (two QR connecting flights with two PNRs, asked QR to pick up my bags so I did not have to pay the entry visa etc, but they said there was no way for them to do that. I guess a last resort option would be to downsize luggage and only travel with carry on to eliminate this potential problem.