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
May 6, 2019, 1:54 pm
#841
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"Linking" is nothing more than entering one PNR in the Notes section of the other ticket. Possibly useful in IRROPS so that the agent handling rebooking knows the size of the party. But, then again, you've presumably told them as well.
Otherwise, linking does nothing for baggage allowance, seat assignments and the like. It is simply that AA is fairly decent about affording family members these benefits and waiving the fees.
Otherwise, linking does nothing for baggage allowance, seat assignments and the like. It is simply that AA is fairly decent about affording family members these benefits and waiving the fees.
May 6, 2019, 2:05 pm
#842
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Avon, CT
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Posts: 103
There's no such thing as linking PNR's. When you call in to get your companions seated with you in MCE, they are not linking the PNRs, but just waiving any seat charges for your companions. There might be a note in your companion's PNR that says they're traveling with someone else, but that's basically it. There is nothing concrete in your companion's PNR that says they now shouldn't be charged for bags, or anything like that.
So it's completely a YMMV situation as to whether the check-in agents will try to charge your companions for bags or not. In most cases, as you've seen, they probably realize that you get 3 bags by yourself and won't bother trying to nickel and dime your family members. But if you get an agent like the one you got at LAX, then unfortunately they're within the rules to try and charge your companions for bags.
So it's completely a YMMV situation as to whether the check-in agents will try to charge your companions for bags or not. In most cases, as you've seen, they probably realize that you get 3 bags by yourself and won't bother trying to nickel and dime your family members. But if you get an agent like the one you got at LAX, then unfortunately they're within the rules to try and charge your companions for bags.
Just have never been questioned on it until this past week (both directions) and as a customer made to feel like I had been getting away with something I shouldn’t have been all these years.
May 6, 2019, 3:31 pm
#843
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Right - aware of the policies and that “linking” isn’t really linking as we all might expect. I was surprised that after never having been asked to pay for bags that I was asked and challenged to pay in this situation on both the outbound and the return. LAX was the return flight (coming back Disneyland).
Just have never been questioned on it until this past week (both directions) and as a customer made to feel like I had been getting away with something I shouldn’t have been all these years.
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page for further details.
And PNRs can not be “linked” other than adding a TCP note in the OSI field, which doesn’t change anything regarding baggage. FAQ: TCP, "Linking" / link / merge itineraries / PNR (master thread)
May 6, 2019, 3:48 pm
#844
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Avon, CT
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Posts: 103
You have been getting away with it if you’ve had baggage through-checked on separate PNRs since the oneworld and AA policy changes made September 2016, if you were flying AA, BA, IB, QF, etc. (though not all oneworld airlines changed their policies). On AA the sole exception is when an award and paid sectors are within a connection.
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page for further details.
And PNRs can not be “linked” other than adding a TCP note in the OSI field, which doesn’t change anything regarding baggage. FAQ: TCP, "Linking" / link / merge itineraries / PNR (master thread)
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page for further details.
And PNRs can not be “linked” other than adding a TCP note in the OSI field, which doesn’t change anything regarding baggage. FAQ: TCP, "Linking" / link / merge itineraries / PNR (master thread)
Why has no agent said anything about this in the past? Done this at least 5 times on various - just this past week was scolded twice. Again, get the point and if that's the policy, I will deal with it going forward, but seems odd that all of a sudden this was a problem.
IMO, not very customer friendly, but again, nothing AA does these days is customer friendly.
Last edited by BDLMSYDL; May 6, 2019 at 3:58 pm
May 6, 2019, 4:37 pm
#845
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You have been getting away with it if you’ve had baggage through-checked on separate PNRs since the oneworld and AA policy changes made September 2016, if you were flying AA, BA, IB, QF, etc. (though not all oneworld airlines changed their policies). On AA the sole exception is when an award and paid sectors are within a connection.
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page for further details.
And PNRs can not be “linked” other than adding a TCP note in the OSI field, which doesn’t change anything regarding baggage. FAQ: TCP, "Linking" / link / merge itineraries / PNR (master thread)
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page for further details.
And PNRs can not be “linked” other than adding a TCP note in the OSI field, which doesn’t change anything regarding baggage. FAQ: TCP, "Linking" / link / merge itineraries / PNR (master thread)
I think that's the point here. The flight is a simple nonstop AA domestic flight, BDL-LAX RT. I was on paid, family on award - separate PNRs because that’s what the system supports.
Why has no agent said anything about this in the past? Done this at least 5 times on various - just this past week was scolded twice. Again, get the point and if that's the policy, I will deal with it going forward, but seems odd that all of a sudden this was a problem.
IMO, not very customer friendly, but again, nothing AA does these days is customer friendly.
Why has no agent said anything about this in the past? Done this at least 5 times on various - just this past week was scolded twice. Again, get the point and if that's the policy, I will deal with it going forward, but seems odd that all of a sudden this was a problem.
IMO, not very customer friendly, but again, nothing AA does these days is customer friendly.
The policy JDiver mentioned above, and the one this thread covers, is about checking bags through across separate tickets/PNRs, which AA definitely does not do anymore as per policy. If you buy LGA-DFW on one PNR and DFW-LAX on another PNR, AA will not check bags through. You will have to collect your bag in DFW and check it again to LAX.
This is a different issue than the one BDLMSYDL encountered, whereby his family was traveling on the exact same flights as him but different PNR, and the check-in agents tried (rightfully so, sort of) to charge the family members baggage fees. As mentioned above this is completely YMMV depending on the check-in agent.
May 9, 2019, 2:09 pm
#846
Join Date: May 2019
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Two ticket question (baggage through-checking)
Long time lurker here, have been following for 5 years or so for informational purposes only. Quick question, when did AA stop checking bags through for separate tickets both booked on AA? I've had considerable experience doing this on AA and all One World Carriers but today AA refused to check my bag through from Dallas-LAX-PVG due to two tickets, LAX-PVG and DFW-LAX. Just curious, I felt bad afterwards for griping at the ticket agent, he was just doing his job. Apparently AA knows why we book two tickets, $8,600 vs $4,400 J class nonstop vs two ticket connection.
May 9, 2019, 2:26 pm
#847
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Long time lurker here, have been following for 5 years or so for informational purposes only. Quick question, when did AA stop checking bags through for separate tickets both booked on AA? I've had considerable experience doing this on AA and all One World Carriers but today AA refused to check my bag through from Dallas-LAX-PVG due to two tickets, LAX-PVG and DFW-LAX. Just curious, I felt bad afterwards for griping at the ticket agent, he was just doing his job. Apparently AA knows why we book two tickets, $8,600 vs $4,400 J class nonstop vs two ticket connection.
Yes, they have, as of 1 Sep 2016. And yes, they do know why we book that way and want to punish us for that.
Please see the Wikipost at the top of the page. (After thread merge).
Last edited by JDiver; May 20, 2019 at 1:59 pm
May 20, 2019, 9:34 am
#848
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: PHX
Programs: AA, United
Posts: 21
can I check baggage to final destination with separate pnr's? (to merge)
I have an international trip coming up PHX-SFO-HKG. The way it was booked, the Phx-SFO leg is not on the same reservation as the SFO-HKG leg. The international leg was sold as an AA marketed flight. Question is can I have my bags checked in PHX all the way through to HKG? Will there be a bag fee? (I know domestic requires 25$, but usually International let's you check a bag for free. Any help would be appreciated as I do not know if I will have time to wait at baggage claim AND check-in/clear security again in SFO.
May 20, 2019, 9:49 am
#850
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May 20, 2019, 9:56 am
#851
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Hi.
Who are you flying with from sfo to hkg ie is the flight operated by cathay Pacific but with an aa code.
If so you could have 2 pnrs but on 1 ticket which as should check through but on 2 separate tickets aa will not.
Regards
Tbs
Who are you flying with from sfo to hkg ie is the flight operated by cathay Pacific but with an aa code.
If so you could have 2 pnrs but on 1 ticket which as should check through but on 2 separate tickets aa will not.
Regards
Tbs
May 20, 2019, 10:01 am
#855
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: PHX
Programs: AA, United
Posts: 21
That's what I feared. first flight on AA metal, second on CX. I was advised that AA can put on two bag tags as there is an interline aggrement, and it should be fine. (all-be-it I might need to cough up 25$ for the SFO leg). If that's a no go, is hoofing it to baggage/international check-in/security feasible in an hour and a half?