Linking two itineraries
 

I am trying to link two link itineraries, the first one YVR-NRT(AC) and the second one NRT-TPE(ANA), on two different tickets. This way if my first flight is delayed, the 2nd flight will be notified(i think?) of the late arrival and hopefully it will not be a NO SHOW.

I talked to the reservations agent and they said they can cross reference the two reservations without any problem. However, I want to wait until I check in for the YVR-NRT flight before linking the two reservations so that I can check in 24 hours before the departure of first segment rather than 24 hours before the final segment to maximize my chance for the upgrade standby.

Anyone knows if I can still cross-reference the two itineraries after checking in on the first flight?

Thanks!

i believe linking it wouldnt affect your checkin time because its not an interlined ticket.....

one risky of buying 2 separate tickets instead of 1 with all the trips is that if your YVR - NRT is delayed and missed the connection from NRT - TPE, the both airlines (AC / NH) are not obliged to provide you any service (offer you another flight, hotel accomodation etc....)

However, they may do so as a courtesty.

that's a bit worrying...

The trip is in December, and there is only a 1-hour connection time between the flights in NRT. Initially I tried to book the ticket from Air Canada and they quoted me the same itinerary and considered the connection time legal.

However, for some complicated reason I only purchased the YVR-NRT segment on AC and redeemed my Aeroplan points for NRT-TPE on NH.

If I link the two itineraries and the YVR-NRT flight does arrive late, will NH know that I am on a late-coming AC flight? Or will they consider me as no-show and I lose my ticket entirely?

It's less of a problem if they don't provide me with accomodation for the night, but it will be disastrous if my ticket gets invalidated.

I was actually on a similar itinerary(YVR-NRT on AC, NRT-TPE on JL) last December, but both segments were on 1 ticket. The AC flight came in 6 hours late(the day that YVR got paralyzed with the snowfall..) into NRT. As we got off the plane, there was a welcome booth set up by ANA ground staffs at the gate, with free hotel and flights rebooked for next morning for everyone who missed their connection. However, since this time I am on two separate tickets so I don't know if ANA will still be this nice. Would travelling in J and being an SE help?

As I've mentioned in other threads, I've had no issues linking two itineraries at check-in. In one case, there were severe disruptions due to mechanical issues, but they made good and booked me all the way home. I have a sneaking suspicion that this would not have occurred, had I not linked the two itineraries.

Glad to hear things went well for your however the term linked isn't correct as once issued as two completely separate tickets there's no way to join or link them in airline CRS systems. The more correct term as mentioned is cross referencing, which simply means that a note is placed on one PNR alerting the airline to the existence of another PNR with onward travel. However this cross referencing is more of a courtesy than much else and doesn't mean you'll benefit from any of the same provisions as if you were travelling on one ticket should a connection be blown. Agree with global_happy_traveller that often the airline, and especially fellow alliance members, will try and do what they can however it's not something they aren't obligated to do and relaying upon their good graces isn't something I would rely upon as a general rule.

Also worth noting that a quoted one hour connection on one through ticket does not mean the same connection is valid when joining two separate tickets.

BTW it won't matter at all to UG's when you cross reference the files.

I buy separate tickets all the time, especially when connecting through south-east Asia, London or Frankfurt as it often saves a fortune. However, I wouldn't dream of attempting this with anything less than an 5 or 6 hour connection as too much can go wrong and cross-linking the tickets is unlikely to help very much. Normally I would plough some of my "profit" back into an overnight stay, thus pretty much guaranteeing the connection. This also helps solve jet lag.

according to AP reward terms, a ticket will be invalidated if there is a NO SHOW for one of the flights without calling in 2 hours ahead. If I am on a delayed flight coming in, there would be no way for me to notify them. In this case, will I lose my reward ticket? Or will AP be gracious and leave my tickets alone since they're(or their brother AC) the one with the delayed inbound flight.. Is it up to ANA to decide whether to rebook me in this situation or is it still AP that I will need to deal with?

Gracious? Hardly. Understanding? Perhaps, though why risk it? Why not change as many of the segments as you can in advance with AP to avoid misconnections?