Mar 21, 2013, 8:17 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
FAQ: "Linking" or Combining of Separate PNRs / Itineraries / Tickets
Q. Can we have our bookings / reservations / awards merged to have them on the same PNR?
A. No; it's generally not possible unless you cancel what you have and get it all done on one PNR. Some agents may be able to merge PNRs if one has contiguous paid and award tickets on hold.
Q. Can I have separate PNRs merged so I can Through-check baggage? No. And with separate PNRs, baggage can not be through-checked.
Q. Can I have PNRs linked so status benefits can be shared?
No. But notes can be added to the OSI field, and status “linking” can occur for upgrades, etc.
Q. Can I "link" my partner's and my PNRs (so we can sit together, stay together in OSO / IROPS, check luggage through, etc.)?
A. "Linking" (or combining) PNRs is not actually possible. There is no way of establishing a "hard" electronic link between PNRs.
Q. What can the airline do in this regard?
A, Requesting "linking PNRs" causes a note to be entered into the PNR OSI (Other Service Information) field (usually a TCP (To Complete Party) note). There is no physical or other actual connection to one's PNR; the field must be read by an airline agent for requested actions to be implemented. (See hillrider's post #9 and link below.)
Q. How can that help?
A. In case of OSO (IROPS/IRROPS) an agent can read the reference and work to keep the parties together when reaccommodating in OSO.
GLOSSARY (specifically for airline use)[/color]
Q. Can we have our bookings / reservations / awards merged to have them on the same PNR?
A. No; it's generally not possible unless you cancel what you have and get it all done on one PNR. Some agents may be able to merge PNRs if one has contiguous paid and award tickets on hold.
Q. Can I have separate PNRs merged so I can Through-check baggage? No. And with separate PNRs, baggage can not be through-checked.
Q. Can I have PNRs linked so status benefits can be shared?
No. But notes can be added to the OSI field, and status “linking” can occur for upgrades, etc.
Q. Can I "link" my partner's and my PNRs (so we can sit together, stay together in OSO / IROPS, check luggage through, etc.)?
A. "Linking" (or combining) PNRs is not actually possible. There is no way of establishing a "hard" electronic link between PNRs.
Q. What can the airline do in this regard?
A, Requesting "linking PNRs" causes a note to be entered into the PNR OSI (Other Service Information) field (usually a TCP (To Complete Party) note). There is no physical or other actual connection to one's PNR; the field must be read by an airline agent for requested actions to be implemented. (See hillrider's post #9 and link below.)
Q. How can that help?
A. In case of OSO (IROPS/IRROPS) an agent can read the reference and work to keep the parties together when reaccommodating in OSO.
GLOSSARY (specifically for airline use)[/color]
- IROPS / IRROPS: Irregular Operations - see OSO
- OSI: Other Supplementary / Service Information- PNR field for supplemental information; low-priority messages usually used for information purpose only.
- OSO: Off Schedule Operations - when schedules are disrupted by various factors
- PNR: itinerary reference "handle", six letters with AA; temporary, as PNRs recycle - only ticket numbers are permanent
- TCP: To Complete Party - a note indicating passenger is traveling with another, etc.
FAQ: TCP, "Linking" / link / merge itineraries / PNR (master thread)
Mar 29, 2019, 8:38 am
#152
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,649
I booked my DFW-CLT-BNC ticket through Business Extra and my wife's ticket through the AMEX travel website. AA was not able to combine to one PNR. They did, however, cross-reference each ticket in the remarks section that we are traveling together.
Mar 29, 2019, 8:57 am
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,214
This is a different situation of 2 passengers and "linking" PNRs. The OP was inquiring about having multiple tickets for themselves.
Mar 29, 2019, 9:55 am
#154
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It is not the same situation and merely done by AA as a courtesy. It does not change any aspect of your travel and is possibly helpful in the situation where your traveling companion does not speak English or requires your assistance to interact with AA.
Mar 29, 2019, 10:54 am
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
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Posts: 11,214
one caveat - it does allow the lower status pax to inherit the higher status benefits. When my mother and I flew together, despite being on separate PNRs, she was able to select MCE for free and was up near the top of the upgrade list with my status.
Mar 29, 2019, 11:19 am
#156
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Read the Wikipost at the top of the page. You could have an agent add your itineraries in the OSI fields of your PNRs, though I’m not sure this would be of actual help, given AA will protect you anyway.
Mar 30, 2019, 11:07 am
#157
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 37
Linking two itineraries
Hi Flyertalkers....I am flying on an AA Award flight BNE to LAX on their partner Qantas(AA miles on Qantas Metal)...Then continuing on from LAX to ALB an AA "Paid" flight(AA Metal) ...as I could not get an award for LAX To ALB.... The BNE/LAX flight is one PNR, the paid LAX/ALB flights is a separate PNR, My Question is, can I get these two interaries somehow linked so when I check in at Brisbane my luggage will get checked all the way through to my final destination(ALB)??
Mar 30, 2019, 11:11 am
#158
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: BGI | MIA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro | Hyatt Globalist | HH Diamond | SPG Gold
Posts: 316
Mar 30, 2019, 11:14 am
#159
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,662
Mar 30, 2019, 11:20 am
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,990
https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect...-united-states
Exemptions apply for customers travelling on a oneworld separate PNRs when using a combination of award travel and revenue travel. Note: This is a Qantas exemption and may not be supported by all oneworld airlines.
* Provided Qantas Interline and Inter-Airline Through Check-in (IATCI) agreements exist.
* Provided Qantas Interline and Inter-Airline Through Check-in (IATCI) agreements exist.
Great Circle Mapper
Mar 30, 2019, 11:50 am
#161
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Hi Flyertalkers....I am flying on an AA Award flight BNE to LAX on their partner Qantas(AA miles on Qantas Metal)...Then continuing on from LAX to ALB an AA "Paid" flight(AA Metal) ...as I could not get an award for LAX To ALB.... The BNE/LAX flight is one PNR, the paid LAX/ALB flights is a separate PNR, My Question is, can I get these two interaries somehow linked so when I check in at Brisbane my luggage will get checked all the way through to my final destination(ALB)??
But you are still protected under AA rules if you are connected to/from OneWorld. If you miss your connection they will simply rebook you to your final destination at no charge (if MCT was met for your original flights)
Mar 30, 2019, 12:07 pm
#162
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 37
Well.... I called AA.and seemed to answer my own question...... with two separate PNR's Qantas will not check the bags thru or .. or issue boarding passes for my final leg of the trip....I will have to collect my bags and got to AA's terminal, check in bags and get boarding passes... I have a 5 hour connection time....so shouldn't be a problem.... Thanks for all your replies!!
Mar 30, 2019, 12:08 pm
#163
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Well.... I called AA.and seemed to answer my own question...... with two separate PNR's Qantas will not check the bags thru or .. or issue boarding passes for my final leg of the trip....I will have to collect my bags and got to AA's terminal, check in bags and get boarding passes... I have a 5 hour connection time....so shouldn't be a problem....
Mar 30, 2019, 1:24 pm
#164
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,240
Well.... I called AA.and seemed to answer my own question...... with two separate PNR's Qantas will not check the bags thru or .. or issue boarding passes for my final leg of the trip....I will have to collect my bags and got to AA's terminal, check in bags and get boarding passes... I have a 5 hour connection time....so shouldn't be a problem.... Thanks for all your replies!!
Mar 30, 2019, 2:16 pm
#165
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
If on the same ticket, QF would have checked the bags through to ALB. You would nontheless have claimed the bags at LAX, dragged them through CBP and then dropped them immediately after CBP with AA. No need to recheck as they would already have been checked in.
In OP's case, he will need to drag the bags to AA check-in (and pay any applicable baggage fees).
