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Separate ticketing / PNR: AA, oneworld, through baggage & protection issues > 2016

Old Jun 18, 2016, 2:27 pm
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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:
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?
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

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.
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.)

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.
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:

"+ 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."
NOTE: CX will still offer protection and baggage interlining between Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon.

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
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
"
  • 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:

Originally Posted by JDiver
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)

Link to full article on Australian Business Traveller
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
Print Wikipost

Separate ticketing / PNR: AA, oneworld, through baggage & protection issues > 2016

Old Jul 13, 2017, 7:50 pm
  #541  
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Originally Posted by GaryZ
Asked to have this done precisely but getting pushback from two different agents...maybe will try again - but would appreciate validation from others who have been successful.
Yeah, it's tough-- not surprised. I'm also under the impression that it will only work (as in actually work at the airport as well) if it's AA<->AA or AA<->OneWorld.
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Old Jul 13, 2017, 8:01 pm
  #542  
 
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I can assure you that it's definitely possible. HUCA, even if it's 3, 4 or 5 times.

When I requested this, the AAgent offered it to ME... so those AAgents do exist on the phone lines. Good luck! ^
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Old Jul 13, 2017, 8:13 pm
  #543  
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Originally Posted by econometrics
I can assure you that it's definitely possible. HUCA, even if it's 3, 4 or 5 times.
^ Great advice and good to hear (well, not that it took you so many attempts, needless to say.)


Originally Posted by econometrics
...When I requested this, the AAgent offered it to ME... so those AAgents do exist on the phone lines. Good luck! ^
Now THAT'S a good AAgent!!!

FWIW (nothing, as it turns out,) I posed the question about the CR reply upthread about "PNR linking (to get this done)" to the chair-moisteners at AA social media today:

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Old Jul 20, 2017, 11:08 pm
  #544  
 
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So, stupid question, but seeking confirmation none-the-less.

If I book LHR-ORD-LHR on BA (Club World) via BA.com with a nested ORD-DFW-ORD on AA (Economy) via AA.com because the LHR-DFW nonstops are $800 more pp, then I will not be able to through check my bags in either direction?
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Old Jul 20, 2017, 11:15 pm
  #545  
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Originally Posted by Phasers
So, stupid question, but seeking confirmation none-the-less.

If I book LHR-ORD-LHR on BA (Club World) via BA.com with a nested ORD-DFW-ORD on AA (Economy) via AA.com because the LHR-DFW nonstops are $800 more pp, then I will not be able to through check my bags in either direction?
Not really my area of expertise but you will have to pick up your bag and recheck in ord no matter what so the only question there is whether the line outside customs at the counter is long or whether you want to carry your bag to the terminal on the train. The way I see it, it is the return that is your real issue.
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Old Jul 21, 2017, 12:49 am
  #546  
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Originally Posted by Phasers
If I book LHR-ORD-LHR on BA (Club World) via BA.com with a nested ORD-DFW-ORD on AA (Economy) via AA.com because the LHR-DFW nonstops are $800 more pp, then I will not be able to through check my bags in either direction?
Originally Posted by abk
Not really my area of expertise but you will have to pick up your bag and recheck in ORD no matter what so the only question there is whether the line outside customs at the counter is long or whether you want to carry your bag to the terminal on the train. The way I see it, it is the return that is your real issue.
AA & BA will not transfer baggage on separate itineraries.
OW: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...d-threads.html
AA: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ne-2016-a.html
BA: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...e-tickets.html

If the first flight is late the airline has no obligation to fix your problem (Have a credit card at the ready). AA may assist, but not a 100% guarantee.

Edit
Post 507, 508 & 509 were moved here from another thread

Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jul 21, 2017 at 3:51 am
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Old Jul 27, 2017, 9:25 am
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I apologize if this has been explained or the question should be in a different location but I’ve been reading so much I’m getting confused.
I have an award ticket through AA on JAL NRT – ORD. I actually need to get back to Denver but there were no AA saver awards available for the ORD-DEN portion so I couldn’t book at the time of JAL award.

I am not as concerned about interline because I believe I will have to get my bags at ORD to clear customs and recheck anyway. I am concerned about protection for any delays on the JAL flight. I can give myself about 3 hours between landing at international on JAL and departure on AA but you never know.

My thought was to book the AA F award ticket through AA.com and ask to have the tickets connected so I would be protected from flight delays but now it sounds like that isn’t possible. However, it seems like it may be possible to purchase an ORD-DEN Y ticket by calling AA and asking them to add it to the current NRT-ORD award ticket. I certainly don’t want to buy a ticket if I can avoid it, but it’s cheap enough that it may be worth the possibility of having both flights under the same PNR.
Am I missing something or is my only option for protection to call and purchase ORD-DEN with an AA rep?
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Old Jul 27, 2017, 10:07 am
  #548  
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Originally Posted by jtm1631
I apologize if this has been explained or the question should be in a different location but I’ve been reading so much I’m getting confused.
I have an award ticket through AA on JAL NRT – ORD. I actually need to get back to Denver but there were no AA saver awards available for the ORD-DEN portion so I couldn’t book at the time of JAL award.

I am not as concerned about interline because I believe I will have to get my bags at ORD to clear customs and recheck anyway. I am concerned about protection for any delays on the JAL flight. I can give myself about 3 hours between landing at international on JAL and departure on AA but you never know.

My thought was to book the AA F award ticket through AA.com and ask to have the tickets connected so I would be protected from flight delays but now it sounds like that isn’t possible. However, it seems like it may be possible to purchase an ORD-DEN Y ticket by calling AA and asking them to add it to the current NRT-ORD award ticket. I certainly don’t want to buy a ticket if I can avoid it, but it’s cheap enough that it may be worth the possibility of having both flights under the same PNR.
Am I missing something or is my only option for protection to call and purchase ORD-DEN with an AA rep?
AA will protect you on separate tickets as long as the other carrier is oneworld. If you were to miss the ORD-DEN flight they will rebook you on the next available option. However 3 hrs should be plenty of time at ORD, especially as you're coming from the JL flight which lands in the morning. I wouldn't worry about it.

That said...what class of service is your NRT-ORD award? If its F or J, and there's now sAAver F space available on ORD-DEN, you can call AA to have it added on to your existing award. You'd have to pay the $150 fee if you're not EXP, but it wouldn't cost any add'l miles, and everything would be on the same PNR.
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Old Jul 27, 2017, 1:53 pm
  #549  
 
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Originally Posted by JJeffrey
AA will protect you on separate tickets as long as the other carrier is oneworld. If you were to miss the ORD-DEN flight they will rebook you on the next available option. However 3 hrs should be plenty of time at ORD, especially as you're coming from the JL flight which lands in the morning. I wouldn't worry about it.

That said...what class of service is your NRT-ORD award? If its F or J, and there's now sAAver F space available on ORD-DEN, you can call AA to have it added on to your existing award. You'd have to pay the $150 fee if you're not EXP, but it wouldn't cost any add'l miles, and everything would be on the same PNR.
Flying F on JAL but no sAAver space available on direct ORD - DEN. Y fare is $125, F is $270 for the flight. Both Y & F are pretty cheap right now so contemplating just buying a couple seats and being done.

I appreciate the info.
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Old Jul 27, 2017, 10:23 pm
  #550  
 
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Originally Posted by jtm1631
I apologize if this has been explained or the question should be in a different location but I’ve been reading so much I’m getting confused.
I have an award ticket through AA on JAL NRT – ORD. I actually need to get back to Denver but there were no AA saver awards available for the ORD-DEN portion so I couldn’t book at the time of JAL award.

I am not as concerned about interline because I believe I will have to get my bags at ORD to clear customs and recheck anyway. I am concerned about protection for any delays on the JAL flight. I can give myself about 3 hours between landing at international on JAL and departure on AA but you never know.

My thought was to book the AA F award ticket through AA.com and ask to have the tickets connected so I would be protected from flight delays but now it sounds like that isn’t possible. However, it seems like it may be possible to purchase an ORD-DEN Y ticket by calling AA and asking them to add it to the current NRT-ORD award ticket. I certainly don’t want to buy a ticket if I can avoid it, but it’s cheap enough that it may be worth the possibility of having both flights under the same PNR.
Am I missing something or is my only option for protection to call and purchase ORD-DEN with an AA rep?
If there is F availability, why not reissue the ticket to include the ORD-DEN segment?
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Old Jul 28, 2017, 7:52 am
  #551  
 
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Originally Posted by shd9
If there is F availability, why not reissue the ticket to include the ORD-DEN segment?
Because there is no sAAver F availability. The NRT-ORD is sAAver so the additional segment would have to be as well. Only options right now are to book separate anytime F award for 45,000 miles per ticket for ORD-DEN or buy oneway fare.
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Old Jul 29, 2017, 4:16 am
  #552  
 
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Originally Posted by jtm1631
Because there is no sAAver F availability. The NRT-ORD is sAAver so the additional segment would have to be as well. Only options right now are to book separate anytime F award for 45,000 miles per ticket for ORD-DEN or buy oneway fare.
Long story short, my recommendation is to just buy an oneway fare.

First of all, JAL runs very reliable operation (according to flightstats it is the most on time airline) so the chance of JAL delivering you very late to ORD is quite slim. JAL also through check-in and check through baggage to any oneworld member even on separate tickets/PNRs, so in NRT you will receive both boarding passes and your bags tagged to DEN (although you still need to retrieve your bag in ORD and drop them back shortly after CBP in T5).

AA also offers connection protection from/to oneworld flights in case of IRROPS even across separate PNRs, so when your incoming JAL flights is delayed you should be protected.
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Old Jul 29, 2017, 7:36 am
  #553  
 
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Originally Posted by shd9
Long story short, my recommendation is to just buy an oneway fare.

First of all, JAL runs very reliable operation (according to flightstats it is the most on time airline) so the chance of JAL delivering you very late to ORD is quite slim. JAL also through check-in and check through baggage to any oneworld member even on separate tickets/PNRs, so in NRT you will receive both boarding passes and your bags tagged to DEN (although you still need to retrieve your bag in ORD and drop them back shortly after CBP in T5).

AA also offers connection protection from/to oneworld flights in case of IRROPS even across separate PNRs, so when your incoming JAL flights is delayed you should be protected.
Great information, thank you very much. Purchased the tickets this morning.
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Old Jul 29, 2017, 8:20 am
  #554  
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Originally Posted by shd9
...the chance of JAL delivering you very late to ORD is quite slim.
Right, there are never weather events at ORD!
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Old Jul 29, 2017, 8:46 pm
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Originally Posted by LondonElite
Right, there are never weather events at ORD!
Well, if there is a major weather event in ORD, AA would likely have an rebooking/rerouting fee waiver, right? And I would say sitting in the Flagship lounge ORD isn't the worst thing either
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