Originally Posted by
gsq_tsien
Getting kind of nervous about my upcoming flights via AMS this month. Because I assumed the self-transfer 'interline' is possible (as long as the airlines have agreement or in the same alliance). Oh, until this moment I checked here, I found out it's not the case at all. So, about my itinerary, I booked my flight BHX-AMS (KL metal, KL ticket, econ with 2 pcs allowance), and AMS-TPE-HKG (CI metal, CI ticket, econ with 2 pcs allowance) separately. Similar to palmanfr's transfer time, as schedule, I got 2 hours 50 mins at AMS. I guess self-transfer (re-checking my bags) is doable even if they cannot check through, but I'll be wishing they would, cuz I got 2 big bags going back home.
Interlining across multiple tickets, when it involves KL/AF/DL/VS, always works out. I've been able to do this without issues and without any pushback. But interlining bags across other Skyteam airlines is a bit of a hit and miss. I've on one occasion managed to do a CI to KL interline, while returning from Asia. This was done in Vietnam, and the agent didn't raise any questions. Before CZ left Skyteam, I was able to interline from AF/KL to CZ, though returning from BKK once the agent seemed to really not like the idea of interlining to AF. A bit of polite insistence though worked in that instance. Don't assume they won't interline, and give it a shot.
Otherwise, as
Fabo.sk says, you can try to go via transfer immigration, then down into arrivals for baggage claim. Though, for me the issue at AMS is usually that the bags take a lot of time to arrive. But with nearly 3hrs to make the connection, you should be fine. It's never taken more than an hour to get my bags at AMS.