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
Feb 16, 2018, 7:07 pm
#676
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lafayette, LA
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, BA Gold, UA Gold MM, DL SM MM, Hyatt Glob, HH Diam, Marriott Ti/LT Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 274
I had the same situation in reverse a year or two ago, and CX in HKG was most helpful. I was traveling on a CX ticket/PNR from Jakarta to HKG, then on an AA ticket/PNR from HKG to DFW. The CX office in Jakarta had informed me of the policy (then recently adopted, later rescinded) that CX would no longer check bags through to OW partner airlines on separate PNRs. I appealed to the CX airport manager in Jakarta, who said there was nothing he could do but that he would send a message to Hong Kong asking for their help in transferring the bags without my having to go through immigration to retrieve them. On arrival in HKG I went to one of the CX lounges (The Pier) where the staff found the message in my record. They were extremely helpful, escorting me through security to consult with the AA transit desk. The AA representative (a contract worker) treated the request with contempt. She not only refused to have someone pick up the bags and re-check them, but also asked to look at my AA boarding pass for DFW and then refused to give it back to me, claiming I wasn't entitled to it. The CX employee argued calmly and patiently with her in Cantonese until the AA rep reluctantly agreed to call a manager. The manager agreed that AA would agree to pick up and re-check the bags -- to the evident disgust of the AA contract person -- and the CX rep escorted me back to the lounge. So the bottom line is that airlines in HKG do have the ability to retrieve bags and re-check them.
Feb 18, 2018, 3:17 am
#677
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 34
AA through check/(short) check
I have an existing paid booking PDX-LAX-JFK, AA6093 + AA28
I need a flight from LAX-PDX to connect to this and one option is to actually award ticket on the incoming #6093 . There is a a mere 32mins between scheduled arrival and departure but I believe it will be the same plane so I would just need to deplane and hop back on once GA reopen boarding process.
Question is will the agents at LAX through check bags on this non-revenue and revenue ticket? It would be a coach LAX-PDX, but first/business PDX-LAX-JFK. I see it's explicitly ruled out for separate tickets but there seems to conflicting evidence on revenue/non-revenue connections. I am QF Platinum so there's no financial gain for AA to have me re-check bags. I should also point out this would be a QF award as opposed to AA, but don't suppose that would change how agents view the situation?
Other option is to request bag check on just LAX-JFK leg when I checkin for the first LAX-PDX segment. Kind of a short check if you like. This would save AA fuel costs and I have had this done in the past under similar circumstances but am not sure how this would now be viewed.
Or is there some way to connect the two tickets into 1 PNR?
I need a flight from LAX-PDX to connect to this and one option is to actually award ticket on the incoming #6093 . There is a a mere 32mins between scheduled arrival and departure but I believe it will be the same plane so I would just need to deplane and hop back on once GA reopen boarding process.
Question is will the agents at LAX through check bags on this non-revenue and revenue ticket? It would be a coach LAX-PDX, but first/business PDX-LAX-JFK. I see it's explicitly ruled out for separate tickets but there seems to conflicting evidence on revenue/non-revenue connections. I am QF Platinum so there's no financial gain for AA to have me re-check bags. I should also point out this would be a QF award as opposed to AA, but don't suppose that would change how agents view the situation?
Other option is to request bag check on just LAX-JFK leg when I checkin for the first LAX-PDX segment. Kind of a short check if you like. This would save AA fuel costs and I have had this done in the past under similar circumstances but am not sure how this would now be viewed.
Or is there some way to connect the two tickets into 1 PNR?
Feb 18, 2018, 6:02 am
#678
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,470
I have an existing paid booking PDX-LAX-JFK, AA6093 + AA28
I need a flight from LAX-PDX to connect to this and one option is to actually award ticket on the incoming #6093 . There is a a mere 32mins between scheduled arrival and departure but I believe it will be the same plane so I would just need to deplane and hop back on once GA reopen boarding process.
Question is will the agents at LAX through check bags on this non-revenue and revenue ticket? It would be a coach LAX-PDX, but first/business PDX-LAX-JFK. I see it's explicitly ruled out for separate tickets but there seems to conflicting evidence on revenue/non-revenue connections. I am QF Platinum so there's no financial gain for AA to have me re-check bags. I should also point out this would be a QF award as opposed to AA, but don't suppose that would change how agents view the situation?
Other option is to request bag check on just LAX-JFK leg when I checkin for the first LAX-PDX segment. Kind of a short check if you like. This would save AA fuel costs and I have had this done in the past under similar circumstances but am not sure how this would now be viewed.
Or is there some way to connect the two tickets into 1 PNR?
I need a flight from LAX-PDX to connect to this and one option is to actually award ticket on the incoming #6093 . There is a a mere 32mins between scheduled arrival and departure but I believe it will be the same plane so I would just need to deplane and hop back on once GA reopen boarding process.
Question is will the agents at LAX through check bags on this non-revenue and revenue ticket? It would be a coach LAX-PDX, but first/business PDX-LAX-JFK. I see it's explicitly ruled out for separate tickets but there seems to conflicting evidence on revenue/non-revenue connections. I am QF Platinum so there's no financial gain for AA to have me re-check bags. I should also point out this would be a QF award as opposed to AA, but don't suppose that would change how agents view the situation?
Other option is to request bag check on just LAX-JFK leg when I checkin for the first LAX-PDX segment. Kind of a short check if you like. This would save AA fuel costs and I have had this done in the past under similar circumstances but am not sure how this would now be viewed.
Or is there some way to connect the two tickets into 1 PNR?
When you first arrive at LAX, I would certainly ask if you can check your bag just for the LAX-JFK segment. I'm guessing this will be a YMMV situation depending on the AAgent. The problem is if they don't let you, then you don't really have a back up option at that point.
Feb 19, 2018, 1:06 am
#679
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Here today gone tomorrow
Programs: *G, ow Saph
Posts: 2,865
I have an existing paid booking PDX-LAX-JFK, AA6093 + AA28
I need a flight from LAX-PDX to connect to this and one option is to actually award ticket on the incoming #6093 . There is a a mere 32mins between scheduled arrival and departure but I believe it will be the same plane so I would just need to deplane and hop back on once GA reopen boarding process.
I need a flight from LAX-PDX to connect to this and one option is to actually award ticket on the incoming #6093 . There is a a mere 32mins between scheduled arrival and departure but I believe it will be the same plane so I would just need to deplane and hop back on once GA reopen boarding process.
That *could* work in your favor towards an agent writing a LAX-JFK tag and skipping sending the bag LAX-PDX-LAX...*if* you got an agent who understood the issues, and felt helpful. But the odds of that are vanishingly low, not to mention you're looking for assurance prior to day of departure. If you want the most likely answer, book an earlier LAX-PDX flight, suck it up and go through to claim and re-check. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Mar 3, 2018, 7:04 pm
#680
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SMF
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 77
Hello,
I have a group of friends flying from MCI-ORD on AA connecting on an AA-coded and ticketed BA flight to LHR this June. The layover was about three hours but due to a schedule change the BA flight was moved 25 minutes earlier which cuts their layover to 2:30ish.
I believe that this is an adequate layover for them even if they have to change terminals. I wanted to know what will happen in case something goes wrong in the first flight and they end up missing the BA flight. Do they get some sort of protection from AA? Any recent experiences?
Thanks!
I have a group of friends flying from MCI-ORD on AA connecting on an AA-coded and ticketed BA flight to LHR this June. The layover was about three hours but due to a schedule change the BA flight was moved 25 minutes earlier which cuts their layover to 2:30ish.
I believe that this is an adequate layover for them even if they have to change terminals. I wanted to know what will happen in case something goes wrong in the first flight and they end up missing the BA flight. Do they get some sort of protection from AA? Any recent experiences?
Thanks!
Mar 4, 2018, 10:38 am
#681
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
Hello,
I have a group of friends flying from MCI-ORD on AA connecting on an AA-coded and ticketed BA flight to LHR this June. The layover was about three hours but due to a schedule change the BA flight was moved 25 minutes earlier which cuts their layover to 2:30ish.
I believe that this is an adequate layover for them even if they have to change terminals. I wanted to know what will happen in case something goes wrong in the first flight and they end up missing the BA flight. Do they get some sort of protection from AA? Any recent experiences?
Thanks!
I have a group of friends flying from MCI-ORD on AA connecting on an AA-coded and ticketed BA flight to LHR this June. The layover was about three hours but due to a schedule change the BA flight was moved 25 minutes earlier which cuts their layover to 2:30ish.
I believe that this is an adequate layover for them even if they have to change terminals. I wanted to know what will happen in case something goes wrong in the first flight and they end up missing the BA flight. Do they get some sort of protection from AA? Any recent experiences?
Thanks!
Edited to add: But if your friends are indeed travelling with separate PNRs for each leg, AA will likely not through-check their checked baggage -- if they have any.
Last edited by guv1976; Mar 4, 2018 at 10:43 am
Mar 4, 2018, 10:46 am
#682
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Join Date: Feb 2005
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Posts: 11,453
So I'll be having a flight on AA, PHX-LAX (separate ticket) then LAX-LHR-DUB in F will AA check the bag all the way to DUB when I check in at PHX? Or will I have to get the bag in LAX and recheck it?
Mar 4, 2018, 11:36 am
#683
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,470
Nope, AA won't check it through. You'll have to grab it in LAX and recheck it.
Mar 4, 2018, 3:21 pm
#685
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
AA will check bags through on multiple tickets if they are in the same PNR (reservation). A PNR can have up to 16 tickets. AA stubbornly refuses to check bags through if they are in two separate PNRs.
Let's assume two passengers are flying the same itinerary. Passenger #1 bought (somewhere) to ORD to LHR all on one ticket. Passenger #2 is flying exactly the same route, but on two separate tickets. WHY does pax #2 have to reclaim bags at the connecting point? What benefit is this, to AA, or to the passenger, or to the ramp workers, or to the other passengers, etc? I understand that it's a "rule", but I don't understand WHY it's a rule and WHO it benefits.
Is there any way to combine separate tickets into a single PNR (after purchase but before flight)? If not, then WHY not? What technical glitch prevents a customer from fixing the one thing which makes AA act ridiculously stubborn?
Let's assume two passengers are flying the same itinerary. Passenger #1 bought (somewhere) to ORD to LHR all on one ticket. Passenger #2 is flying exactly the same route, but on two separate tickets. WHY does pax #2 have to reclaim bags at the connecting point? What benefit is this, to AA, or to the passenger, or to the ramp workers, or to the other passengers, etc? I understand that it's a "rule", but I don't understand WHY it's a rule and WHO it benefits.
Is there any way to combine separate tickets into a single PNR (after purchase but before flight)? If not, then WHY not? What technical glitch prevents a customer from fixing the one thing which makes AA act ridiculously stubborn?
Mar 4, 2018, 3:30 pm
#686
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
AA will check bags through on multiple tickets if they are in the same PNR (reservation). A PNR can have up to 16 tickets. AA stubbornly refuses to check bags through if they are in two separate PNRs.
Let's assume two passengers are flying the same itinerary. Passenger #1 bought (somewhere) to ORD to LHR all on one ticket. Passenger #2 is flying exactly the same route, but on two separate tickets. WHY does pax #2 have to reclaim bags at the connecting point? What benefit is this, to AA, or to the passenger, or to the ramp workers, or to the other passengers, etc? I understand that it's a "rule", but I don't understand WHY it's a rule and WHO it benefits.
Is there any way to combine separate tickets into a single PNR (after purchase but before flight)? If not, then WHY not? What technical glitch prevents a customer from fixing the one thing which makes AA act ridiculously stubborn?
Let's assume two passengers are flying the same itinerary. Passenger #1 bought (somewhere) to ORD to LHR all on one ticket. Passenger #2 is flying exactly the same route, but on two separate tickets. WHY does pax #2 have to reclaim bags at the connecting point? What benefit is this, to AA, or to the passenger, or to the ramp workers, or to the other passengers, etc? I understand that it's a "rule", but I don't understand WHY it's a rule and WHO it benefits.
Is there any way to combine separate tickets into a single PNR (after purchase but before flight)? If not, then WHY not? What technical glitch prevents a customer from fixing the one thing which makes AA act ridiculously stubborn?
There is no way to make 2 unrelated bookings into one - what a person can do, if they already have the ORD-LHR booked, is to pay the change fee and any fare difference and rebook to the desired itinerary
AA goes well beyond what it needs to do by actually providing protection where a passenger misses their ongoing flight - it has no requirement to do that
If a person wants the benefits of a through booking, then make a through booking
You might as well argue that if one person has paid the price to have a fully flexible ticket that it is unfair for another person to be expected to pay change fees when they have the same itinerary and want to make a change
Mar 4, 2018, 5:12 pm
#687
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Posts: 11,453
The difference is that 1 passenger has booked a ticket from somewhere to London and the other is doing 2 separate journeys. They do not have the same itinerary.
There is no way to make 2 unrelated bookings into one - what a person can do, if they already have the ORD-LHR booked, is to pay the change fee and any fare difference and rebook to the desired itinerary
AA goes well beyond what it needs to do by actually providing protection where a passenger misses their ongoing flight - it has no requirement to do that
If a person wants the benefits of a through booking, then make a through booking
You might as well argue that if one person has paid the price to have a fully flexible ticket that it is unfair for another person to be expected to pay change fees when they have the same itinerary and want to make a change
There is no way to make 2 unrelated bookings into one - what a person can do, if they already have the ORD-LHR booked, is to pay the change fee and any fare difference and rebook to the desired itinerary
AA goes well beyond what it needs to do by actually providing protection where a passenger misses their ongoing flight - it has no requirement to do that
If a person wants the benefits of a through booking, then make a through booking
You might as well argue that if one person has paid the price to have a fully flexible ticket that it is unfair for another person to be expected to pay change fees when they have the same itinerary and want to make a change
Mar 4, 2018, 5:19 pm
#688
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
AA is a business and sells tickets that have these benefits - why would there be expectation of a "courtesy" that the airline provide it for free - it provides a high level of "courtesy" by protecting people who miss flights already
Mar 4, 2018, 5:48 pm
#689
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Dave, you twist it any way you want, if other airlines do it, then AA should. We know that the airlines watch each other and copy each other. So for me, I now have to leave airside, get my luggage, walk over to Flagship check-in and go the whole dance again.
Mar 4, 2018, 6:08 pm
#690
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
You do not need to do through that process, you can , in most cases, buy a through ticket or take existing ticket and change it as needed
Last edited by Dave Noble; Mar 4, 2018 at 6:25 pm