Comair PLZ - JNB misconnect protection on separate PNR?
 

I have a return CW reward flight from JNB to LHR next easter and was looking to book a Comair flight from PLZ to get to JNB on the same day.

There are 2 options that I am considering.
The first leaves PLZ at 10:35 and reaches JNB at 12:30.
Now I enjoy a lounge as much as the next person, but 6 hours in a lounge is a bit excessive.

Ideally i would prefer to take the later flight that leaves PLZ at 13:30 and reaches JNB at 15:05. The flight from JNB to LHR is at 19:20 so even if there is a long-ish delay I should be fine, my issue is cancelling the flight.

In case the flight gets delayed/cancelled is there any protection for the return flight? or I am on my own? Anyone had prior experiences with Comair/BA handling potential misconnects?

I would be less worried if there was another flight that would land me in JNB before my flight to LHR in case of a delay, but there seems to be no such option.

I had a similar dilemma for a trip after Christmas. In the end I settled for a 2.5hr connection - though mine is the CPT-JNB route so lots of flights each day.

I think it's fair to say that there is no entitlement to protection, but given the comair/BA relationship, there are anecdotal reports of effective protection - though usually with an int-dom connection.

Ultimately if you have taken reasonable care, as you have, travel isurance is your protection. That's my angle for my own trip anyhow!

Best of luck, and enjoy the trip.

^

When you say there is no other option, are you looking only at Comair flights or SAA too?

From experience Comair will put you on another airline in circumstances where you'll miss a LH connection.

BA's Separate Tickets Policy guidelines state that customers on separate tickets "may not necessarily be re-routed if they miss their onward (separate ticket) connection, even if it is BA who has brought them in late." Full details attached below...

http://i.imgur.com/PrTzBgq.jpg

This is extremely risky.

If OP no shows on his BA ticket, it will be cancelled and it will retain whatever value if has under the fare rules for that ticket. While on a single ticket (not PNR, but ticket), MN as the late delivering carrier would be obligated to rebook (and BA would know that OP was a misconnecting passenger), MN would have to be willing to go with its proverbial hat in hand to BA to have BA reinstate the cancelled ticket. Alternatively, OP would have to go hat in hand to BA to seek reinstatement.

That might all be done without cost, with a penalty fee or with an entirely new ticket, all depending on the BA fare conditions and the whim of someone at BA in JNB.

Anecdotally, people get lucky and they get unlucky. If you rely on travel insurance, be certain that it covers missed flights on separate tickets. Many policies do not.

thanks the replies. I think we will go for the earlier flight eventually.

@FrancisA no there is no other (direct) flight that would get me to JNB on time for my flight after the Comair flight that I am considering.

If it was me I would have planned it differently :)

Leaving PLZ to CPT the day before the long-haul flight, maybe with 4.20 pm (SAA). Spend the evening in CPT and then enjoy a nice hotel.

The next day CPT-JNB, maybe 2pm with BA/Comair, in club of course ^

There are multiple benefits here:

No early flights (I hate those)
A night and half day in CPT (my favourite place)
Plenty of options to reschedule if flight is cancelled

Although BA/Comair should be able to check the luggage all the way to LHR, they might refuse or not have the knowledge, this is still Africa :) With this flight you will not be forced to loiter landside at JNB if that happens. You can pick up the luggage and check-in, I believe 3h before JNB-CPT.

Comair PLZ - JNB misconnect protection on separate PNR?
 

The check in at JNB usually only opens 4-hours before the early flight, so if you are on separate tickets, Comair sometimes will not check your baggage through. If this happens, go to the Intercontinental bar just outside the terminal, it's quite pleasant to pass a couple of hours

What I would do is this...

Step 1: 1035 PLZ JNB 1230
Step 2: take the complimentary shuttle to the Emperor's Palace Hotel and Casino
Step 3: find the Tribes steakhouse
Step 4: eat a tasty, cheap steak
Step 5: take the complimentary shuttle back from the Emperor's Palace Hotel and Casino to OR Tambo
Step 6: head back through security and enter the lounge.

Then you will perhaps have three hours in the lounge rather than six.

Caution: while Tribes is good, other restaurants at the Emperor's Palace Hotel and Casino should be treated with caution.

Alternatively, the Nando's land-side at OR Tambo is the best Nando's I have ever eaten at! :D

I am spending 5 nights in CPT at the beginning of the trip then driving to the wineries for a few nights there, a few days at various places on the the garden route (including a couple of nights at a game reserve).

On the final day I will drive to PLZ rather than turn back to CPT.

There are lots of flights from PLZ (not as many as CPT). If I had the later flight from JNB i would have another 4-5 flight options.

To be honest I was quite keen to fly a day or two early to Jo'burg but I got a negative from the GF.

Actually come to think of it the best option would have been to fly out of CPT back to LHR. But some FT'er stole my seat while I was waiting on the Japanese call centre, so I had to settle for the JNB option.:D

Haha, sounds like a plan. I will skip the nandos I think but the casino is not a bad option, albeit not a very wise one after a 2 week holiday.;)