Originally Posted by
canadianidol
I have a ticket YYZ-DEL on AC with a separate onward ticket DEL-KTM. Based on my understanding, I am allowed to transit in India to my final destination as long as I don't leave the secure area. My onward ticket is with Air India. Both inbound into DEL and outbound from DEL leave from Terminal 3. There is a transit hotel in T3 that I can stay overnight. My layover is about 10 hours. Does anyone know if they is workable? Obviously I cannot get a transit/tourist visa right now as a Canadian. I am also assuming that AC can tag my bags from YYZ to my final destination KTM even though they are 2 separate tickets but I'm staying with *A.
I recently got back from India to KTM and on the way out I did transit. I had a granted eVisa not yet in my passport and they didn't ask for it in the transit lounge. I had the help of the AC Concierge though and they got me through. I went DEL-KTM-DEL.
A few things, Star Alliance no longer gives you through checking of bags, if it's on a 014 AC ticket on Aeroplan the rules say it can be checked through but you may have to get the check-in agent to look it up. A friend in the same situation as you wasn't allowed to board in Canada with a second ticket on AI so be careful as it may not work. He had to buy a new Air India ticket. The rule in DEL transit lounge (no services just hard chairs) is that they will only issue a boarding pass and let you through 4 hours before flight. They will not accept an AC issued boarding pass for the Air India flight.
So two big issues. You may not be able to board in Canada as they won't check bags through unless on an Air Canada issued or Aeroplan ticket. Second if you can get bags checked through you may end up in transit lounge for 6 hours. Aeroplan redemptions from India can be a very good deal if available the day you need it and as issued on AC stock should allow you to have bags checked through. That's what I did for my flight DEL-KTM. This also depends on if you get a informed and cooperative agent.