Question: Skipping Last leg of International Flight, still accrue miles?
Jan 18, 2011, 2:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: BA Silver, Hyatt Discoverist, Hilton Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 83
Skipping Last leg of International Flight, still accrue miles?
Hi guys,
I'm new here.
I'm looking at flying to Italy from the US because Canadian airfares are expensive.
So, I found an itinerary that has all Star Alliance fleet, and I have Aeroplan membership.
On return, the flight lands in YVR and then ends at destination SEA. If I get off at YVR and don't fly all the way to SEA, will I still accrue miles?
What is the graceful way to do this with the airline companies?
I'm new here.
I'm looking at flying to Italy from the US because Canadian airfares are expensive.
So, I found an itinerary that has all Star Alliance fleet, and I have Aeroplan membership.
On return, the flight lands in YVR and then ends at destination SEA. If I get off at YVR and don't fly all the way to SEA, will I still accrue miles?
What is the graceful way to do this with the airline companies?
Jan 18, 2011, 10:24 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YQF
Programs: AC/AP-Elite, *G, HH-G
Posts: 46
I have a career that involves a lot of last second changes, which means that I sometimes change destinations while on layover and have gotten in the habit of checking my bags through only to where I have a major layover if there is a possibility of my travel plans changing.
It sometimes takes some convincing at check-in, but I have never had major issues doing this. Just be nice to the staff at check-in, of course.
Jan 19, 2011, 12:01 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 13,145
That is true. I've never experienced not being able to short-check my luggages with any airlines. And among those that I have heard who weren't able to couldn't do so as a result of an inflexible and/or inexperienced ground agent.
Jan 19, 2011, 1:22 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
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Even if you do check in for your flight, ie you have a boarding pass, but you don't show up for the flight itself, you will NOT get the miles. You need to pass through that final boarding pass check before you're clear to receive the miles.
Jan 19, 2011, 6:00 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
If YVR is the first Canadian city that the traveller enter to Canada, doesn't the traveller need to go thru custom, collect all the bags, and re-drop them off for US connection?
Jan 19, 2011, 6:39 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
At YVR bags are transferred automatically to the US flight, but a photo is taken of each bag. The pax proceeds off the international flight but by-passes Canadian immigration/customs to go through security and then into a waiting room where their boarding pass and baggage stubs are confirmed and matched with the photo of the checked bag(s). Pax then proceeds through US pre clearance. Pax never physically comes in contact with the bag(s).
Jan 19, 2011, 7:14 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YXU / YUL
Programs: AA LT Gold, Aeroplan, Marriott Titanium (LT Platinum), HH Diamond
Posts: 407
Jan 19, 2011, 4:02 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
its a hassle but if you tell them you are not going to go SEA they can get your bags.. 
if you did check your bags Italy-YVR-SEA
if you did check your bags Italy-YVR-SEA
Jan 19, 2011, 6:39 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
This is probably a dangerous assumption to use. Not sure about AC, but US-airlines are wising up to the fact people are using hidden city ticketing to avoid paying higher fares. Part of cracking down on this is that requesting to have your bags short-checked is often denied. A super-long connection, or getting lucky with an agent might allow that. On UA, especially, assume that an agent will not do this.
Jan 20, 2011, 2:25 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: BA Silver, Hyatt Discoverist, Hilton Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 83
Thank you all for your such quick responses!
My routing is SEA->ORD->ZRH->MXP->LHR->YVR->SEA
And essentially, I might be checking in luggage due to the need of warmer spring clothes.
@Shareholder, thanks for your clarification on the YVR-US connection procedures, I wasn't sure and thought it was as easy as checking it in and then getting it from the claim.
One more question for you guys,
If my return trip from Milan is with first w/ Lufthansa than Air Canada, do I check my bags in with Lufthansa all the way to "SEA"? Are they who I need to ask, nicely and with a smile, to check my bags to YVR?
My routing is SEA->ORD->ZRH->MXP->LHR->YVR->SEA
And essentially, I might be checking in luggage due to the need of warmer spring clothes.
@Shareholder, thanks for your clarification on the YVR-US connection procedures, I wasn't sure and thought it was as easy as checking it in and then getting it from the claim.
One more question for you guys,
If my return trip from Milan is with first w/ Lufthansa than Air Canada, do I check my bags in with Lufthansa all the way to "SEA"? Are they who I need to ask, nicely and with a smile, to check my bags to YVR?
Jan 20, 2011, 2:32 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: BA Silver, Hyatt Discoverist, Hilton Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 83
@Rejuvenated and TriumphS3
Out of curiosity, as I notice you guys are high flyers, is it possible the ability to short-check luggage is part of the service provided by the airlines to people in your preferred status?
Out of curiosity, as I notice you guys are high flyers, is it possible the ability to short-check luggage is part of the service provided by the airlines to people in your preferred status?