Merging award and revenue bookings on AF and Delta
Jan 12, 2019, 11:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 453
Merging award and revenue bookings on AF and Delta
Hi everyone,
I searched the forum for an answer to this question and I apologize if it's already been asked, but I couldn't find an answer to this very case.
I am flying JFK to CDG next week, on AF007 (arriving at CDG at 8am, terminal 2E I believe). This is a revenue economy ticket that I booked on delta.com, issued on 006 stock.
It turns out I need to go to Nantes after all, and usually I would take a TGV but prices are obscenely high on my day of travel. So I'm looking to book an award ticket CDG to NTE, which are still "reasonably" priced at 6000 FB miles.
Flights to NTE depart from terminal 2F. There is one flight at 9:30am, and one at 12:20pm - neither of those being ideal as one is cutting it very close and the other would make me wait several hours. FYI, had I booked JFK to NTE, I know that taking the 9:30am flight is a legal connection as the ticket is sold by AF (1h30 connection).
So here are my questions:
1) The ideal situation would be for me to book the 9:30am flight with miles, and call up Air France so they can merge my bookings together and hopefully make it one itinerary. Is that possible, knowing that JFK to CDG is a revenue ticket issued by Delta (006 stock) but CDG to NTE would be an award issued by AF?
2) If the answer to 1) is yes, can you confirm that if AF007 is delayed and make me miss my connection, I would be reaccommodated on the next flight to NTE?
3) If the answer to 1) OR 2) is no, does anyone agree that I should probably err on the safe side and book the 12:20pm?
FWIW, I'm FB Gold so I have access to SkyPriority.
Thanks in advance and I hope everyone is having a stellar weekend
.
I searched the forum for an answer to this question and I apologize if it's already been asked, but I couldn't find an answer to this very case.
I am flying JFK to CDG next week, on AF007 (arriving at CDG at 8am, terminal 2E I believe). This is a revenue economy ticket that I booked on delta.com, issued on 006 stock.
It turns out I need to go to Nantes after all, and usually I would take a TGV but prices are obscenely high on my day of travel. So I'm looking to book an award ticket CDG to NTE, which are still "reasonably" priced at 6000 FB miles.
Flights to NTE depart from terminal 2F. There is one flight at 9:30am, and one at 12:20pm - neither of those being ideal as one is cutting it very close and the other would make me wait several hours. FYI, had I booked JFK to NTE, I know that taking the 9:30am flight is a legal connection as the ticket is sold by AF (1h30 connection).
So here are my questions:
1) The ideal situation would be for me to book the 9:30am flight with miles, and call up Air France so they can merge my bookings together and hopefully make it one itinerary. Is that possible, knowing that JFK to CDG is a revenue ticket issued by Delta (006 stock) but CDG to NTE would be an award issued by AF?
2) If the answer to 1) is yes, can you confirm that if AF007 is delayed and make me miss my connection, I would be reaccommodated on the next flight to NTE?
3) If the answer to 1) OR 2) is no, does anyone agree that I should probably err on the safe side and book the 12:20pm?
FWIW, I'm FB Gold so I have access to SkyPriority.
Thanks in advance and I hope everyone is having a stellar weekend
.
Jan 12, 2019, 11:48 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
Itineraries can NEVER be merged.
If incoming flight is delayed, you will be no-show on CDG/NTE.
Did you check TGV from CDG and Montparnasse?
If incoming flight is delayed, you will be no-show on CDG/NTE.
Did you check TGV from CDG and Montparnasse?
Jan 12, 2019, 12:07 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 453
And yes, I checked from both CDG and Montparnasse. Montparnasse is a bit cheaper but the bus ticket will null the price difference with CDG, and I don't feel like trekking in the RER and metro to get there after a red eye in coach.
Thanks @carnarvon !
Jan 12, 2019, 4:17 pm
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
Damn, that is news to me, apologies. I never realized that merging bookings wasn't an option, so that answers the problem and I will book the 12:20pm.
And yes, I checked from both CDG and Montparnasse. Montparnasse is a bit cheaper but the bus ticket will null the price difference with CDG, and I don't feel like trekking in the RER and metro to get there after a red eye in coach.
Thanks @carnarvon !
And yes, I checked from both CDG and Montparnasse. Montparnasse is a bit cheaper but the bus ticket will null the price difference with CDG, and I don't feel like trekking in the RER and metro to get there after a red eye in coach.
Thanks @carnarvon !
Jan 12, 2019, 5:09 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: FlyingBlue Plat
Posts: 500
Hi everyone,
I searched the forum for an answer to this question and I apologize if it's already been asked, but I couldn't find an answer to this very case.
I am flying JFK to CDG next week, on AF007 (arriving at CDG at 8am, terminal 2E I believe). This is a revenue economy ticket that I booked on delta.com, issued on 006 stock.
It turns out I need to go to Nantes after all, and usually I would take a TGV but prices are obscenely high on my day of travel. So I'm looking to book an award ticket CDG to NTE, which are still "reasonably" priced at 6000 FB miles.
Flights to NTE depart from terminal 2F. There is one flight at 9:30am, and one at 12:20pm - neither of those being ideal as one is cutting it very close and the other would make me wait several hours. FYI, had I booked JFK to NTE, I know that taking the 9:30am flight is a legal connection as the ticket is sold by AF (1h30 connection).
So here are my questions:
1) The ideal situation would be for me to book the 9:30am flight with miles, and call up Air France so they can merge my bookings together and hopefully make it one itinerary. Is that possible, knowing that JFK to CDG is a revenue ticket issued by Delta (006 stock) but CDG to NTE would be an award issued by AF?
2) If the answer to 1) is yes, can you confirm that if AF007 is delayed and make me miss my connection, I would be reaccommodated on the next flight to NTE?
3) If the answer to 1) OR 2) is no, does anyone agree that I should probably err on the safe side and book the 12:20pm?
FWIW, I'm FB Gold so I have access to SkyPriority.
Thanks in advance and I hope everyone is having a stellar weekend .
I searched the forum for an answer to this question and I apologize if it's already been asked, but I couldn't find an answer to this very case.
I am flying JFK to CDG next week, on AF007 (arriving at CDG at 8am, terminal 2E I believe). This is a revenue economy ticket that I booked on delta.com, issued on 006 stock.
It turns out I need to go to Nantes after all, and usually I would take a TGV but prices are obscenely high on my day of travel. So I'm looking to book an award ticket CDG to NTE, which are still "reasonably" priced at 6000 FB miles.
Flights to NTE depart from terminal 2F. There is one flight at 9:30am, and one at 12:20pm - neither of those being ideal as one is cutting it very close and the other would make me wait several hours. FYI, had I booked JFK to NTE, I know that taking the 9:30am flight is a legal connection as the ticket is sold by AF (1h30 connection).
So here are my questions:
1) The ideal situation would be for me to book the 9:30am flight with miles, and call up Air France so they can merge my bookings together and hopefully make it one itinerary. Is that possible, knowing that JFK to CDG is a revenue ticket issued by Delta (006 stock) but CDG to NTE would be an award issued by AF?
2) If the answer to 1) is yes, can you confirm that if AF007 is delayed and make me miss my connection, I would be reaccommodated on the next flight to NTE?
3) If the answer to 1) OR 2) is no, does anyone agree that I should probably err on the safe side and book the 12:20pm?
FWIW, I'm FB Gold so I have access to SkyPriority.
Thanks in advance and I hope everyone is having a stellar weekend
.
Jan 12, 2019, 8:31 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
While bookings cannot be merged and AF doesn’t have any responsibility, I have been able to get a note on both PNRs and once this made the difference. My SDQ-JFK flight on DL was severely delayed and upon arriving at JFK I was already rebooked to the next AF flight. Agent said they knew my previous flight was delayed, although this could have been because their system showed that I had a bag checked in all the way to CDC.
Jan 12, 2019, 9:56 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 453
Thanks for the input everyone.
Given your response and advice, I think that I'll just book the 12:20pm flight. @carnarvon, I checked any option offered by SNCF whether it's the regular TGV, Ouigo and they even have a low cost Corail Intercites from Austerlitz... but no thanks
. I also much much prefer to transfer at CDG, whether it's to a plane or train, rather than trekking to Paris (I usually value convenience over price if the price difference isn't ridiculous).
To @SDQBound 's point, I'll call to have them adding a note on both bookings, and I'll ask at JFK that they check my luggage all the way through to NTE. I'll have a couple of hours to kill at CDG, but that's ok, I'll probably be happy to go take a shower and refresh in the lounge and have some breakfast anyway, after the meager economy breakfast I will get on the plane.
And to @ok986 's point, if I end up making it really early I'll see if they can switch me over to the 9:30 am flight, hoping that my checked luggage will follow.
Given your response and advice, I think that I'll just book the 12:20pm flight. @carnarvon, I checked any option offered by SNCF whether it's the regular TGV, Ouigo and they even have a low cost Corail Intercites from Austerlitz... but no thanks
. I also much much prefer to transfer at CDG, whether it's to a plane or train, rather than trekking to Paris (I usually value convenience over price if the price difference isn't ridiculous).To @SDQBound 's point, I'll call to have them adding a note on both bookings, and I'll ask at JFK that they check my luggage all the way through to NTE. I'll have a couple of hours to kill at CDG, but that's ok, I'll probably be happy to go take a shower and refresh in the lounge and have some breakfast anyway, after the meager economy breakfast I will get on the plane.
And to @ok986 's point, if I end up making it really early I'll see if they can switch me over to the 9:30 am flight, hoping that my checked luggage will follow.
Jan 13, 2019, 12:48 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
While bookings cannot be merged and AF doesn’t have any responsibility, I have been able to get a note on both PNRs and once this made the difference. My SDQ-JFK flight on DL was severely delayed and upon arriving at JFK I was already rebooked to the next AF flight. Agent said they knew my previous flight was delayed, although this could have been because their system showed that I had a bag checked in all the way to CDC.
Depending on several factors (airlines involved, fare, status, load, mood of the employee...), the airline may, I repeat, may, accommodate you on the next flight.
That is if they bother reading the notes, or even notice them in the first place.
There is however no guarantee that they do.
Jan 13, 2019, 4:42 am
#10
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And to @ok986 's point, if I end up making it really early I'll see if they can switch me over to the 9:30 am flight, hoping that my checked luggage will follow.
Jan 13, 2019, 6:47 am
#11
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While bookings cannot be merged and AF doesn’t have any responsibility, I have been able to get a note on both PNRs and once this made the difference. My SDQ-JFK flight on DL was severely delayed and upon arriving at JFK I was already rebooked to the next AF flight. Agent said they knew my previous flight was delayed, although this could have been because their system showed that I had a bag checked in all the way to CDC.
That is not OP's situation. PNR notes can certainly be added to the PNR containing the AF ticket. But, it will not matter to AF because it won't protect here.
Jan 13, 2019, 7:52 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
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Posts: 4,630
That is simply a matter of convenience. DL also has the capacity to track this without the PNR notes and as a policy matter will rebook across tickets when it is the cause of a delay.
That is not OP's situation. PNR notes can certainly be added to the PNR containing the AF ticket. But, it will not matter to AF because it won't protect here.
That is not OP's situation. PNR notes can certainly be added to the PNR containing the AF ticket. But, it will not matter to AF because it won't protect here.
Jan 13, 2019, 8:58 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 453
Now that I know that bookings can't be merged, I fully realize and accept that there isn't any failproof solution to my problem, and that is fine. My plans changed last minute so I have to live with it, now I'm just trying to mitigate the risks. And as others said, I'll count on AF agents being gracious if something goes completely awry (most of the time they have been very helpful with me in the past, a smile and being nice usually goes a long way).
I still think that the 12:20pm flight is the good option for me at this point; it means that even if AF007 is 3 hours late, I can still make it as long as my bags are checked through, which shouldn't be a problem. And chances are that if it's 3 hours late or more, I'll know it already at JFK so I can cancel the award flight and find another solution (unless things go wrong in the air with a mechanical issue, which is not out of question with the A380 ).
I still think that the 12:20pm flight is the good option for me at this point; it means that even if AF007 is 3 hours late, I can still make it as long as my bags are checked through, which shouldn't be a problem. And chances are that if it's 3 hours late or more, I'll know it already at JFK so I can cancel the award flight and find another solution (unless things go wrong in the air with a mechanical issue, which is not out of question with the A380
).
Jan 13, 2019, 3:27 pm
#14
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You could, though end up in a dilemma situation of a 2+hours delay on departure, where you could not be sure whether you would land in time to make the connection or not. But, frankly, we are talking about relatively low probability events and where the downside (losing a cheap award flight) is also pretty low: it is not as if you stand to lose a non-flex long-haul premium class flight ticket so I would not sweat it if I were you.