Can't check in for the return trip although I am within 24 hours of the retrun.
Feb 2, 2010, 1:42 am
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
Can't check in for the return trip although I am within 24 hours of the retrun.
I am doing a same day BWI-DTW-SEA-DTW-BWI mileage run. I was able to check-in on line for the outbound trip, but not for the inbound trip. Called DL elite line, which says I can't check in for the return until I land at my destination. Has DL always had this rule, is it something new or the agent just made it up?
Feb 2, 2010, 1:47 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Gold, MR Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,003
If you skip one leg the rest of the reservation gets canceled. I'm assuming DL won't let you check in for the return until the outbound segments have been completed. It sort of makes sense; otherwise you could potentially check-in to fly A-B-C but only fly A-B and then fly back C-B-A.
Feb 2, 2010, 5:23 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: DL 0.22 MM, AA 0.34 MM, PC Plat Amb, Hertz #1 GC 5*
Posts: 7,511
Can't speak for DL. At least for NW, I've checked-in many times (more like every time) for all legs, specifically for same-day business trips (arrive/depature 10 hours apart), and MRs (arrival/departure 1 hour apart).
If I can't check in for all segments on an MR, this is going to get interesting. Guess that means checking in for the return via smartphone when the plane lands, then dealing with the GA "where'd your BP go", "use the kiosk", etc.
If I can't check in for all segments on an MR, this is going to get interesting. Guess that means checking in for the return via smartphone when the plane lands, then dealing with the GA "where'd your BP go", "use the kiosk", etc.
Feb 2, 2010, 5:53 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Now just a lowly DL PM/1MM. This industry needs some competition. It's just not enjoyable anymore.
Posts: 3,543
As I recall NW did let you check in for all legs on a same day return, and on one BP at that. DL wouldn't until you completed the outbound leg(s).
However, on a recent MR OLCI did let me check in for both outbound and return (DL metal outbound, NW metal back, checked in at DL.com (and I still got three BPs).
Bottom line, I know it has worked recently, so it is possible.
However, on a recent MR OLCI did let me check in for both outbound and return (DL metal outbound, NW metal back, checked in at DL.com (and I still got three BPs).
Bottom line, I know it has worked recently, so it is possible.
Feb 2, 2010, 6:41 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL DM 1MM, Marriott Platinum,Avis First
Posts: 185
On an all DL MR it has never let me check in for the return until my last outbound BP has been scanned. Once that has happened I have been able to check-in on my phone / GoGo service right afterward.
Feb 2, 2010, 7:14 am
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
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That's what I do, check-in with my phone to check-in for the return. To board, I use my old BP or Delta AmEx or Sky Club card or Medallion card (anything with a barcode that contains my SkyMiles number).
Feb 2, 2010, 8:18 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Delta, Starwood, Hyatt
Posts: 123
Had the EXACT same problem on a MR on Sunday/Monday (IND-DTW-SEA-DTW-BWI). Tried to get all boarding passes in IND but was unable to even with ticket counter help. Got to SEA and went to GA and asked them to reprint my boarding passes. An inconvenience but not the end of the world.
Feb 2, 2010, 8:20 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Delta, Starwood, Hyatt
Posts: 123
New one for me. You could board with just your Delta SkyMiles card or Medallion tag?
Feb 2, 2010, 8:34 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
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Yep. You do have to be checked in. The gate scanners will recognize your SM number and spit out that little slip of paper with your seat assignment. Not many flyers or gate agents know about this. You'll get funny looks doing it but it is pretty cool.
Feb 2, 2010, 8:37 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Now just a lowly DL PM/1MM. This industry needs some competition. It's just not enjoyable anymore.
Posts: 3,543
Yes, I've been meaning to try that, just for kicks. The scanner reads your FF numbers and spits out a mini boarding pass, just like a BF upgrade. It's got to be the best kept secret around (next to successful low-level award redemption techniques).
Feb 2, 2010, 8:52 am
#11
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
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Can't speak for DL. At least for NW, I've checked-in many times (more like every time) for all legs, specifically for same-day business trips (arrive/depature 10 hours apart), and MRs (arrival/departure 1 hour apart).
If I can't check in for all segments on an MR, this is going to get interesting. Guess that means checking in for the return via smartphone when the plane lands, then dealing with the GA "where'd your BP go", "use the kiosk", etc.
If I can't check in for all segments on an MR, this is going to get interesting. Guess that means checking in for the return via smartphone when the plane lands, then dealing with the GA "where'd your BP go", "use the kiosk", etc.
Feb 2, 2010, 8:54 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
Unfortunately sometimes GA's decide you "can't board that way" so I show them exactly how you can by scanning the bar code. Out pops the seat assignment and they let me go on my way.
Feb 2, 2010, 9:13 am
#14
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I have had business trips on DL where I went from A to B in the morning and from B to C later that evening. Could not check in for B to C until after I flew A to B. PITA
Most likely, the accounting trolls in Revenue Management have a rationale for this.
Probably to prevent you from buying a less expensive A to B to C to B to A ticket, and not flying the B to C to B legs... as opposed to buying the ridiculously more expensive A to B to A ticket (remember CVG at the height of the DL fare abuse program).
Most likely, the accounting trolls in Revenue Management have a rationale for this.
Probably to prevent you from buying a less expensive A to B to C to B to A ticket, and not flying the B to C to B legs... as opposed to buying the ridiculously more expensive A to B to A ticket (remember CVG at the height of the DL fare abuse program).
Feb 2, 2010, 9:33 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,975
It can be somewhat nerve wracking if you're on a MR, returning on the same aircraft, and the outbound flight (the one you're on) is arriving late. I came very close to missing the 30 minute check-in cutoff for my return flight once.
In these situations can you call to check in?
In these situations can you call to check in?