Jun 18, 2016, 2:27 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
oneworld announces alliance airlines no longer required to honor missed connections or interline baggage for those on separate PNRs
NOTE: See AA Protection on separate oneworld tickets / PNR
AA policy: “Through Checked Baggage Policy – Separate Tickets“ - see PDF available attached to post #1.
Background:
oneworld airlines are not required to provide connecting passenger protection of through checked baggage to passengers on separate PNRs; individual airlines may still choose to do so, but it is not required. AA, BA, QF (9/2016) have modified their policies regarding connection protection and baggage through checking of passengers flying on separate PNRs. Read on. (Yes, it means on separate PNRs AA won't even through check on AA to AA - link to ODF.))
Qatar Airways / QR has verified as of 1 March 2017 they will interline baggage on separate PNRs. They must be the first airline (not one honoring the original oneworld policy) one checks in with, and the connection must meet MCT (usually two hours). See more in post quoted below, and link to Australian Business Traveller article. (26 Feb 2017)
MH / Malaysia Airlines STILL HONOR connection protection and through checking / interlining on separate PNRs.
Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon reversed their policy and through check baggage on separate PNRs as of 1 Jan 2017. See post #1.
JL / Japan Airlines began through checking to oneworld partners again in Oct 2016.
Qatar Airways will through check baggage to oneworld partners if it’s the trip origin airline.
See Wikipost for this thread in oneworld forum for the list of oneworld airlines and known through checking policies.
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016. Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
As well, “if you book an award ticket and a paid ticket at the same time, there are mixed reports here of well trained agents being able to combine these into a single PNR at the time of booking, which enables bags to be through checked. But this takes a good agent, probably several HUCAs, and can only be done at the time of booking. “ - JJeffrey
When issuing separate tickets it is important your customer be informed that American is unable to ‘through-check' bags with 2 separate tickets (PNRs) if they are traveling on American and non-oneworld carriers. This will result in an airport check-in representative collecting the required baggage fees based on each airline's established policies.
Please advise the customer to allow additional time to claim their baggage, present the required travel documents to enter the country, if relevant, and meet check-in requirements for the connecting flight. The Minimum Connecting Time (MCT) will usually not be sufficient when the customer has separate tickets issued for each airline.
Link
(One PNR can be comprised of several tickets - up to 16, if memory serves.)
Those also announcing they will NOT HONOR connection protection and through checking / interlining on separate PNRs, even on oneworld airline partners. (AA still honors connection protection if your next flight is on AA.)
E.g. CX new policy in line with above:
NOTE: CX will still offer protection and baggage interlining between Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon.
Link to update of Aus BT article with airline announcements of their positions
On FT: oneworld no longer interlining between separate tickets / PNRs?
On FT: BA no longer interlining baggage with separate tickets
On FT: CX will not interline to other oneworld airlines if travelling on separate PNRs
On FT: JAL will continue to interline to other oneworld carriers on separate PNRs (4 Oct 2016)
On FT: Qantas - no checking of luggage separate itineraries from 1 Sep (2016) [some exceptions]
Archived previous thread: ARCHIVE: Change to through-checking Oct 2014 (interlining) baggage on separate tickets
Updated 26 Feb 2017 - JDiver
NOTE: See AA Protection on separate oneworld tickets / PNR
AA policy: “Through Checked Baggage Policy – Separate Tickets“ - see PDF available attached to post #1.
Background:
Originally Posted by OAG
According to OAG’s most recent report, “Self-Connection: The Rise and Roadblocks of a Growing Travel Booking Strategy,” 40 percent of U.S. travellers are bypassing typical booking practices, such as through an airline, travel agency or OTA, and are beginning to self-connect when they travel.
Self-connecting passengers are defined as those that book separate tickets to fly from City A to City C, via City B.
Already popular in Europe, self-connecting is beginning to increase in popularity in the U.S. market as passengers look to save money. Passengers can mix and match airlines in order to score the best deal or connect through a city they would like to visit on the way to their final destination. But what are some of the roadblocks and challenges to successfully self-connect, and how can airlines or airports make this process easier?
According to OAG’s most recent report, “Self-Connection: The Rise and Roadblocks of a Growing Travel Booking Strategy,” 40 percent of U.S. travellers are bypassing typical booking practices, such as through an airline, travel agency or OTA, and are beginning to self-connect when they travel.
Self-connecting passengers are defined as those that book separate tickets to fly from City A to City C, via City B.
Already popular in Europe, self-connecting is beginning to increase in popularity in the U.S. market as passengers look to save money. Passengers can mix and match airlines in order to score the best deal or connect through a city they would like to visit on the way to their final destination. But what are some of the roadblocks and challenges to successfully self-connect, and how can airlines or airports make this process easier?
Qatar Airways / QR has verified as of 1 March 2017 they will interline baggage on separate PNRs. They must be the first airline (not one honoring the original oneworld policy) one checks in with, and the connection must meet MCT (usually two hours). See more in post quoted below, and link to Australian Business Traveller article. (26 Feb 2017)
MH / Malaysia Airlines STILL HONOR connection protection and through checking / interlining on separate PNRs.
Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon reversed their policy and through check baggage on separate PNRs as of 1 Jan 2017. See post #1.
JL / Japan Airlines began through checking to oneworld partners again in Oct 2016.
Qatar Airways will through check baggage to oneworld partners if it’s the trip origin airline.
See Wikipost for this thread in oneworld forum for the list of oneworld airlines and known through checking policies.
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016. Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
As well, “if you book an award ticket and a paid ticket at the same time, there are mixed reports here of well trained agents being able to combine these into a single PNR at the time of booking, which enables bags to be through checked. But this takes a good agent, probably several HUCAs, and can only be done at the time of booking. “ - JJeffrey
Code:
Through Checked Baggage Policy (AA, 1 Sep 2016) (link to PDF) To align American Airlines (AA) with our oneworld partners and to reduce baggage mishandlings, we will now only through check customers and baggage when all the tickets are in the same PNR. Through check-in will be honored between the following carriers only:
- Code:
American Airlines and American Eagle
- Code:
oneworld airlines and affiliates
Code:
What if I have separate tickets in the same PNR for itineraries with
American to a non-oneworld carrier?
"Our policy on American to non-oneworld airline tickets has not changed.
We will not through check customers or bags even if the tickets are in
the same PNR."
What would be the bag charges if the customer holds separate tickets
in separate PNRs?
American will not through check a customer’s bag, regardless if it is
a oneworld carrier. The customer will need to collect their bag at
the final destination on the AA ticket. They will pay for the bag on the
second ticket when they recheck it. This may involve exiting the secure
area, then claiming and re-checking the bags. The Minimum Connecting
Time (MCT) will usually not be sufficient when the customer has separate
tickets issued for each airline.
International flights on separate PNRs (or to non-oneworld carriers) will usually require claiming bags, clearing customs and rechecking bags on another carrier to be continued to their next destination.
What will customers be charged if we can through check the bag?
The charges would depend on what tickets the customer holds in the same PNR.
Do Alaska and our other codeshare/interline partners count as affiliate airlines?
No, the oneworld affiliate airlines are generally the regional partners of the other oneworld carriers. If a customer held an AS ticket and an AA ticket in the same PNR we would not through check the bag. They would need to reclaim then recheck their bag with AS.
Please advise the customer to allow additional time to claim their baggage, present the required travel documents to enter the country, if relevant, and meet check-in requirements for the connecting flight. The Minimum Connecting Time (MCT) will usually not be sufficient when the customer has separate tickets issued for each airline.
Link
(One PNR can be comprised of several tickets - up to 16, if memory serves.)
Australian Business Traveller (in part): “Despite the two airlines' (AA and QF) joint venture across the Pacific, check-in staff are no longer obliged to tag your baggage through to your final destination from September 1 2016 if your flights are booked separately (separate ONRs) rather than under the one reservation.”
Instead, those bags will only be tagged as far as the destination shown on each individual booking – not where you’re actually headed at the end of the trip. Both Qantas and American Airlines have confirmed the new arrangements to Australian Business Traveller.
Instead, those bags will only be tagged as far as the destination shown on each individual booking – not where you’re actually headed at the end of the trip. Both Qantas and American Airlines have confirmed the new arrangements to Australian Business Traveller.
E.g. CX new policy in line with above:
"+ oneworld Ticketing and Disruption Policy 01 Jun 2016
Separate Ticket Policy - Revised Through Check in Handling
With effect from 01 Jun 2016, all oneworld carriers have agreed that through* check-in will apply ONLY to passengers travelling on an oneworld itinerary ticketed on a single ticket or where segments are ticketed separately but in the same PNR.
*=Through services are defined as the customer and their baggage being through checked to their final destinations.
To align with the change, disruption policy will also be revised to exclude protection for passengers holding separate tickets that is not booked under the same PNR."
Separate Ticket Policy - Revised Through Check in Handling
With effect from 01 Jun 2016, all oneworld carriers have agreed that through* check-in will apply ONLY to passengers travelling on an oneworld itinerary ticketed on a single ticket or where segments are ticketed separately but in the same PNR.
*=Through services are defined as the customer and their baggage being through checked to their final destinations.
To align with the change, disruption policy will also be revised to exclude protection for passengers holding separate tickets that is not booked under the same PNR."
Oneworld (sic) communications chief Michael Blunt tells Australian Business Traveller that “individual member airlines are free to offer service above and beyond the (Oneworld) alliance minimum standard if they so choose, so some may continue to offer through check-in for customers travelling on separate bookings.”
"All our member airlines will be delighted to continue to check them and their baggage through to any of the 1,000 plus destinations on the alliance network, on multiple sectors,” Blunt says, “provided the itinerary is all on one booking so we are aware of where they and their baggage want to end up and we can plan accordingly and ensure the best possible customer service delivery throughout the journey.”
M. Blunt, as quoted in Australian Business Traveller
"All our member airlines will be delighted to continue to check them and their baggage through to any of the 1,000 plus destinations on the alliance network, on multiple sectors,” Blunt says, “provided the itinerary is all on one booking so we are aware of where they and their baggage want to end up and we can plan accordingly and ensure the best possible customer service delivery throughout the journey.”
M. Blunt, as quoted in Australian Business Traveller
Gary Leff, View from the Wing, 16 Aug 2016: reached out to American and learned this new policy goes into effect September 1 although I’m not sure how they can retroactively apply it to tickets purchased before the new policy was implemented.
There’s one small saving grace. Customers traveling on separate tickets where one segment is an award ticket and another has been purchased can through-check bags. Travel must be on American or oneworld partners, and not on partners outside the oneworld alliance (like Etihad or Air Tahiti Nui). Tickets much be in the same reservation. Link
There’s one small saving grace. Customers traveling on separate tickets where one segment is an award ticket and another has been purchased can through-check bags. Travel must be on American or oneworld partners, and not on partners outside the oneworld alliance (like Etihad or Air Tahiti Nui). Tickets much be in the same reservation. Link
"
As of June 1, 2016, the oneworld alliance has eliminated these benefits for passengers booked on separate tickets. Oneworld carriers no longer have to check your bags through to other oneworld carriers if booked on a separate ticket, and no longer have to protect you in the event of a misconnect when on separate tickets."
Link to full article in Boarding Area
- If you’re booked on two separate PNRs on oneworld carriers, you’ve previously been able to check your bags through to your final destination
- If you’re booked on two separate tickets on oneworld carriers, you’ve been protected in the event of a misconnect or cancelation
As of June 1, 2016, the oneworld alliance has eliminated these benefits for passengers booked on separate tickets. Oneworld carriers no longer have to check your bags through to other oneworld carriers if booked on a separate ticket, and no longer have to protect you in the event of a misconnect when on separate tickets."
Link to full article in Boarding Area
"In a move which could cause connection chaos for many travellers, airlines belonging to the Oneworld (sic) alliance ... are no longer required to check passengers and their baggage through to their final destination on some connecting flights.
"The new scheme, which came into effect from June 1st (2016), impacts passengers whose journey involves flights on more than one airline where their travel encompasses more than one booking, rather than all flights being listed under a single booking reference. "
But, good news for those flying Qatar Airways:
Link to full article on Australian Business Traveller
"The new scheme, which came into effect from June 1st (2016), impacts passengers whose journey involves flights on more than one airline where their travel encompasses more than one booking, rather than all flights being listed under a single booking reference. "
But, good news for those flying Qatar Airways:
Important change! Qatar Airways has announced they will no longer adhere to oneworld's draconian baggage transfer policy when flights are booked on separate PNRs.
As long as MCT / minimum connection times are met, QR will interline baggage on separate oneworld PNRs as of 1 March 2017.
Australian Business Traveller found the change in the QR ground services manual issued 23 Feb 2017, verified by a QR spokesperson.
NOTE: If one is beginning travel with a one world airline adhering to the oneworld policy and continuing on Qatar, one flying on separate PNRs is still going to have to collect baggage and recheck with QR.
E.g. SFO-LAX on AA, LAX-DOH-CMB on QR, two PNRs - the first sector on AA, remainder on QR, AA will not respect QR ground handling rules so one will have to recover baggage at LAX and transfer it to the QR checkin counter.
(Added to Wikipost 26 Feb 2017)
As long as MCT / minimum connection times are met, QR will interline baggage on separate oneworld PNRs as of 1 March 2017.
Australian Business Traveller found the change in the QR ground services manual issued 23 Feb 2017, verified by a QR spokesperson.
NOTE: If one is beginning travel with a one world airline adhering to the oneworld policy and continuing on Qatar, one flying on separate PNRs is still going to have to collect baggage and recheck with QR.
E.g. SFO-LAX on AA, LAX-DOH-CMB on QR, two PNRs - the first sector on AA, remainder on QR, AA will not respect QR ground handling rules so one will have to recover baggage at LAX and transfer it to the QR checkin counter.
(Added to Wikipost 26 Feb 2017)
Link to full article on Australian Business Traveller
On FT: oneworld no longer interlining between separate tickets / PNRs?
On FT: BA no longer interlining baggage with separate tickets
On FT: CX will not interline to other oneworld airlines if travelling on separate PNRs
On FT: JAL will continue to interline to other oneworld carriers on separate PNRs (4 Oct 2016)
On FT: Qantas - no checking of luggage separate itineraries from 1 Sep (2016) [some exceptions]
Archived previous thread: ARCHIVE: Change to through-checking Oct 2014 (interlining) baggage on separate tickets
Updated 26 Feb 2017 - JDiver
Separate ticketing / PNR: AA, oneworld, through baggage & protection issues > 2016
Oct 16, 2017, 5:15 pm
#631
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Oct 19, 2017, 5:04 am
#632
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
Currently on RTW trip built from 3 tickets. A 16 sector DONE3, a 7 sector DAS13 and 2 sector LAX-SFO return.
The 3 tickets are under 2 PNRs. Travel agent attempted to get them all in one, but the computer refused due to "too many sectors". The PNR split is DONE3 and DAS13/SFO return. Problem is the SFO is connected to flights on the DONE3...
JFK-xLAX-SFO and SFO-xLAX-SEA (with DONE3 as JFK-LAX-SEA). Booked as such as not possible to do JFK-SFO-SEA and not enough sectors available on DONE3 for JFK-SFO-xLAX-SEA.
Just checked in at JFK. Explained all this to them. Check through to SFO refused - which appears to go against the no interline exceptions.
The 3 tickets are under 2 PNRs. Travel agent attempted to get them all in one, but the computer refused due to "too many sectors". The PNR split is DONE3 and DAS13/SFO return. Problem is the SFO is connected to flights on the DONE3...
JFK-xLAX-SFO and SFO-xLAX-SEA (with DONE3 as JFK-LAX-SEA). Booked as such as not possible to do JFK-SFO-SEA and not enough sectors available on DONE3 for JFK-SFO-xLAX-SEA.
Just checked in at JFK. Explained all this to them. Check through to SFO refused - which appears to go against the no interline exceptions.
Oct 19, 2017, 6:19 am
#633
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Posts: 44,600
If the journey that you are doing is purely related to 1 ticketed itinerary ( e.g. all part of the DONE3 ) then it should be checked through of course
Oct 19, 2017, 1:05 pm
#634
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Ticket 2: DAS13 CBR-SYD-HND[DONE3]-ITM-HND-SIN-MEL-CBR
Ticket 3: LAX-SFO-LAX
Tickets 2 and 3 are on 1 PNR, Ticket 1 is on another. Only reason for that is because the computer refused to put them under a single PNR.
Oct 19, 2017, 1:19 pm
#635
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
If I read it correctly, when you checked in, the 1st sector was part of the DONE3 and then continuing onwards to SFO as part of ticket 3
If this is correct, then the agent was correct in not checking the bag through
If this is correct, then the agent was correct in not checking the bag through
Oct 26, 2017, 10:17 pm
#636
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 67
Aa - lax lhr - lhr muc - ba
Hi All,
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I keep getting different answers. We booked our flights on AA from LAX - LHR a few months ago, and recently decided to add LHR - MUC on BA. We have a 7 hour layover in Heathrow and I thought we could check our bags through to MUC.
Today when talking to AA, they told me that if the flights are not ticketed together I could not check my bags to the BA flight.
Not sure if it makes a difference, but I'm Platinum on AA. Any help would be appreciated since I booked the LHR - MUC flights on BA since they were oneworld.
Thanks in advance!
Reza
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I keep getting different answers. We booked our flights on AA from LAX - LHR a few months ago, and recently decided to add LHR - MUC on BA. We have a 7 hour layover in Heathrow and I thought we could check our bags through to MUC.
Today when talking to AA, they told me that if the flights are not ticketed together I could not check my bags to the BA flight.
Not sure if it makes a difference, but I'm Platinum on AA. Any help would be appreciated since I booked the LHR - MUC flights on BA since they were oneworld.
Thanks in advance!
Reza
Oct 26, 2017, 10:31 pm
#637
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
If you have booked 2 separate tickets then you will need to collect the bags at Heathrow and then take them to BA check in desk in Terminal 5
It doesn't matter what status you have or whether the onward flight is on a oneworld airline or another airline
If you want the benefits of a through ticket, then rather than buy a separate ticket, you need to change the original booking to be to Munich rather than London
It doesn't matter what status you have or whether the onward flight is on a oneworld airline or another airline
If you want the benefits of a through ticket, then rather than buy a separate ticket, you need to change the original booking to be to Munich rather than London
Oct 26, 2017, 10:45 pm
#638
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 67
Dang - I was going to book a low-cost carrier within Europe, but booked BA because I read somewhere that the airport would likely check my bags through since it was a OneWorld member.
We wanted to have enough time to take the train to central London for a few hours.
We wanted to have enough time to take the train to central London for a few hours.
Oct 27, 2017, 7:21 am
#639
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If you are booked in Club Europe on the LHR-MUC flight then you can check-in your bags at any time after 5am.
If economy then it's 3 hours before departure though there is a left luggage facility at T5
If economy then it's 3 hours before departure though there is a left luggage facility at T5
Oct 27, 2017, 7:54 am
#640
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Long story short, a delay in PHL-MUC in September caused us to miss our separately ticketed AB flight upon arrival. AA representative in baggage claim told us too bad (in terms of the cross ticket OW protection), so we bought new tickets on the next flight after AB said too bad (no flat tire rule there!).
I wrote in to see about getting a refund on the new flights after we returned home per the cross ticket OW protection policy mentioned on the forum. Received a $400 AA voucher as "goodwill" with a reminder that AA does not take responsibility for separately purchased tickets.
Not cash, but $400 is about what I spent all in on both AB tickets, so I'm fine with it. Not sure how else I could have gone about this in MUC day of to have gotten the protection taken care of then.
I wrote in to see about getting a refund on the new flights after we returned home per the cross ticket OW protection policy mentioned on the forum. Received a $400 AA voucher as "goodwill" with a reminder that AA does not take responsibility for separately purchased tickets.
Not cash, but $400 is about what I spent all in on both AB tickets, so I'm fine with it. Not sure how else I could have gone about this in MUC day of to have gotten the protection taken care of then.
Oct 27, 2017, 9:14 am
#641
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Long story short, a delay in PHL-MUC in September caused us to miss our separately ticketed AB flight upon arrival. AA representative in baggage claim told us too bad (in terms of the cross ticket OW protection), so we bought new tickets on the next flight after AB said too bad (no flat tire rule there!).
I wrote in to see about getting a refund on the new flights after we returned home per the cross ticket OW protection policy mentioned on the forum. Received a $400 AA voucher as "goodwill" with a reminder that AA does not take responsibility for separately purchased tickets.
Not cash, but $400 is about what I spent all in on both AB tickets, so I'm fine with it. Not sure how else I could have gone about this in MUC day of to have gotten the protection taken care of then.
I wrote in to see about getting a refund on the new flights after we returned home per the cross ticket OW protection policy mentioned on the forum. Received a $400 AA voucher as "goodwill" with a reminder that AA does not take responsibility for separately purchased tickets.
Not cash, but $400 is about what I spent all in on both AB tickets, so I'm fine with it. Not sure how else I could have gone about this in MUC day of to have gotten the protection taken care of then.
I think AA did the right thing
in giving you a $400 voucher; good on the, good for you.
Oct 27, 2017, 9:52 am
#642
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AA rather uniquely offers oneworld separate ticket protection if you misconnect due to a delayed oneworld flight, but unfortunately it doesn't work the other way unless the airline's representative is kind to you.
I think AA did the right thing in giving you a $400 voucher; good on the, good for you.
I think AA did the right thing
in giving you a $400 voucher; good on the, good for you.
Oct 27, 2017, 10:20 am
#643
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I don't know where you read that, but of course it wasn't here.
AA rather uniquely offers oneworld separate ticket protection if you misconnect due to a delayed oneworld flight, but unfortunately it doesn't work the other way unless the airline's representative is kind to you.
I think AA did the right thing in giving you a $400 voucher; good on the, good for you.
AA rather uniquely offers oneworld separate ticket protection if you misconnect due to a delayed oneworld flight, but unfortunately it doesn't work the other way unless the airline's representative is kind to you.
I think AA did the right thing
in giving you a $400 voucher; good on the, good for you.Here, though, AA was the late-delivering carrier (PHL-MUC flight was delayed), and AA was responsible for getting the passenger to the final destination. The AA agent who said "tough luck" because of separate tickets was simply wrong; AA's reaccommodation policy on separate AA-oneworld tickets should have been brought to the AA agent's attention, and the matter escalated to a supervisor, if necessary.
Oct 27, 2017, 10:40 am
#644
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AA rather uniquely offers oneworld separate ticket protection if you misconnect due to a delayed oneworld flight, but unfortunately it doesn't work the other way unless the airline's representative is kind to you.
I think AA did the right thing
in giving you a $400 voucher; good on the, good for you.AA MUC agent was misinformed (assuming policy still in effect).