RolfD

Maybe your have the combine fortunes of Gates, Slim, Buffett and Ortega. that money is of no importance to you

gilfiom

It was two entirely separate bookings for which I had checked in online. I didn't even converse with the check-in agent, the luggage tag was simply produced after I handed over my passport. It was almost as if the system had recognised I was flying onward to Glasgow without agent intervention,

This was not the case - it was not an agent intervention as I had not even mentioned LHR to GLA to her. Unless there was a link between the bookings or something automated on the system, she would not have seen the LHR -GLA sector on my MEX - LHR PNR. I actually asked after the bags were tagged how they managed to be tagged through as it wasn't on the same booking and she looked surprised and said it must have been linked or on the same booking (which I know it 100% wasn't as I didn't book the Glasgow sector until a few days before).

Perhaps - then - there has been a small change in the way some bookings are handled.

As an aside - in Mexico if you are in J or F, you are greeted at the queue by an agent with an iPad who the directs you to a desk. I am almost positive that there is a connection from the ipad to the agent as I was greeted by name before handing over my passport and the luggage tag was produced as I placed a bag on the scale. I do 80-100 sectors on BA a year and this is the only airport it happens in.

JayeJ

I'm part of the even smaller percentage of a small percentage. I tend to spend Avios getting to London then paying money for the onward flight, and I'd happily pay a fee to get my bags interlined BA to BA.

simons1

Indeed and BA are free to implement the baggage policy they want.

Exactly my point....on the one hand you want to use separate tickets to generate savings, whilst retaining the benefits applicable to the more expensive fare.

RolfD

Dave Noble

It could give every 10th passenger a pony, but it doesn't

When purchasing 2 tickets, there are 2 separate independant journeys; BA simply treats these 2 tickets as what they are - independant itineraries

If buying them for benefits that can exist of lower fares , then plan accordingly and allow enough time / have a stopover. If the luggage through checking is that big an issue, then don't buy separate tickets or just book on an airline which will meet your personal desires; BA is not the only airline operating

simons1

If you had read the thread properly you would see that in post 1711 I already agreed with the idea of the fee and that this could be an option.

However BA has clearly decided not to follow this approach.

flashware

All the best planning in the world and all that though, about to depart on a journey today where we had a nice 3 hour connection however both BA and QR re-timed flights which reduced that connection time so it now becomes a bit of a rush. Still doable, but delays could make it interesting. Such is the gamble you take.

gilfiom

I have booked a variety of through tickets as well as independent journeys. My bookings aren't driven by cost but my schedule which is often varied and involves last minute bookings, often back to back with existing trips where I'm returning to LHR. I think the crux of the issue for me is that the blanket rule of not interlining doesn't recognise extended customer loyalty as well as the practicalities of those who travel for business and don't fit into your 'book a through ticket every time' category, which for me is usually impossible as when I book one trip, I don't know if/ where I will be going when I return.

I recognise I might be in a small percentage of people, but for me, the BA to BA interlining was a definite benefit to being a loyal customer of one airline. It is a shame it isn't a paid option or indeed a BA benefit for Silver/ Gold members. It won't (hasn't) make me ditch BA, but it just makes the customer experience a little less palatable on the occasion that I could make use of the service.

That said, if my recent experience at MEX is reflective, changes maybe afoot.

simons1

At last a balanced assessment of the issues.

You are right, there is a small percentage of customers adversely affected. This is why BA could indeed usefully add a fee type model to overcome this or perhaps to 'link' bookings for other reasons including obtaining a boarding pass, or retaining IRROPS protection (a form of insurance if you like).

I would not be so confident about Mexico, I would think more likely this was an agent who did not follow the SOP. On the other hand we have seen BA row back on various changes over the months so perhaps something is in the offing.

Globaliser

I do.

That is why I know from personal experience that you were wrong when you said:-

RolfD

KARFA

Have you managed to aavoid the largest airline in the world then?

Globaliser

Then maybe it is you who should fly more airlines instead of making sweeping assertions of universal generality when your experience is obviously limited.

I don't like BA's policy any more than you do, and it adversely affects numerous trips that I have to plan. But there is a world of difference between that, and becoming so obsessed - on the basis of one solitary experience - about this aspect of BA's policies and practices to the extent that you (wrongly) cast them as the only villain in the universe in relation to baggage through-checking.

flashware

Interesting chat at LHR T5 F check in today, asked where I was travelling so said "Going to XYZ but connecting on another ticket, I don't think you can check through?". She said she wasn't sure and would try, did a few taps and then said unfortunately not. Not a problem! Much friendlier than some of the other grumpies that usually man the T5 F check in desk.

Was surprised she didn't flat out say no, though.