First trip to Europe:
MEL-HKG-FRA-TXL

CX up to FRA, then take AB to AXL.

Got told by my travel agent today that I will need to collect and rechk bags at FRA both ways.

I can understand I would need to clear customs/immigration arriving at FRA to take a domestic flight, but can't see why I would need to do so on the way back?

Has anyone done a CX to AB trip to report?

Is it to do with AB? Would taking LH to TXL change the situation?

Sounds like your travel agent has never been to Europe (or had a connecting flight there)!

There is no need to pick up your bags in FRA when flying MEL-HKG-FRA-TXL.

When you arrive in FRA, all you need to do is follow the signs for connections to the gate of your AB flight to TXL (you may need to visit the AB transit counter in case CX could not issue your AB boarding pass). On the way to the gate, you will pass through passport control to enter the Schengen area (eg. Europe). Once you arrive in TXL, you will pick up your bags. It might be possible in TXL that your bags might come out of a separate baggage claim for bags originating from non-EU destinations, but usually it should come out of the same baggage claim as other passengers.

As you exit the baggage hall in TXL, the customs agent will keep an eye out to see if your bag has a white baggage tag or a green baggage tag. Those passengers who originated from another EU destination would have green baggage tags and not be subject to customs inspection. Those passengers who originated from outside the EU (your case) would have a white baggage tag and may be subject to customs inspection.

When flying TXL-FRA-HKG-MEL, there is also no need to pick up your bag in FRA. Once you arrive in FRA, follow the signs for connections and go to the gate for the HKG flight (you may need to go to the CX transit counter if AB didn't already give you a boarding pass). On the way to the gate, you will pass through passport control where you will be exiting the Schengen area.

Thanks daniellam.

I've just checked with the agent - she has to issue two separate tickets - one for CX and another for AB.

Is that why interlining cannot be guaranteed? (The check in agent may or may not be able to combine two separate bookings, right?)

Is there a reason why a travel agent cannot issue a ticket with both CX and AB sectors??

And yes, I will seriously think about changing agents next time.

As it looks like you are originating in Australia, your travel agent may be booking you on special CX fares that are only available through them (eg. they have contracts with CX). These special fares tend to not allow combinations with fares on other airlines or to cities not specified on their contract with CX.

CX and AB have interline agreements. Just make sure you show CX your AB ticket and they should be able to tag your bag to TXL. If interline through check-in is available, CX should also be able to issue your FRA-TXL boarding pass as well.

Since CX uses Amadeus Altea as their check-in system, the check-in agent should use the "modify itinerary" function to manually add your AB segment to your check-in record before processing check-in.

Note: Coming back, it might be possible that AB could refuse to tag your bag all the way to MEL due to their own internal policy (I know that BA has such a policy) overriding the interline agreement due to the flights being on separate tickets. It would be best to check with AB as to what their policy is regarding separate tickets. (Note: LH does not have such a policy and can interline to CX even when on separate tickets)

Thanks.

I think you are right about the fare combo thing - I have asked another agent and they cannot interline CX and AB.

I will try to get them to interline both tickets, not too much trouble to collect and rechk bags. What I am most worried about is if the inbound flight to FRA is late I could miss the AB connection. Since they are on separate tickets I would have to pay for a new ticket right?

AB uses Amadeus, too, so unless the TA booked the AB segments in a seperate reservation (you can have 2 seperate tickets in one reservation), CX sees everything at check-in.

I've bought my ticket - Both AB and CX segments have the same booking reference but different e-ticket numbers.

It shows up as one whole trip on the CX website.

Does this mean for all intents and purposes it is "one booking"?

Yes, it is one booking with different tickets. CX and AB see everything. They are not obligated to through-check the bag for you, but I don't see any reason why they would not, given it's one booking and same alliance.

Have you checked the WIKI : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...gage-faqs.html

CX can interline to AB. Period. Whether separate tickets or same.