DTW-YYZ-PVG thru check bags DL to MU
 

Couple questions .....
On separate tickets (I think, I have a DL and an MU confirmation number), can I through check baggage?
DL DTW-YYZ
MU YYZ-PVG
tickets purchased through Concur in one multi city search/booking, and the MU flights do show up in my Delta online itinerary (with MU flight numbers, not Delta flight numbers)

Assume 2.5 hrs is enough time in YYZ to make this transfer even if I have to enter Canada and check in at MU counter .... but can I just stay in the terminal?.

DL should check your bags thru to PVG, but you will have to clear customs and go thru security again. So you will have to collect and recheck your luggage in Toronto.

Another option is going through Chicago O'Hare (ORD) as MU flies ORD-PVG 5x weekly.

Are you sure they're separate tickets? You said you bought them using the multi-city feature in Concur. IME, Concur will ticket a multi-city itinerary on one ticket if at all possible.

I'm not certain this is accurate. Both DL and MU are in T3 according to YYZ's website, and multiple threads (1) (2) state that USA-INTL can stay airside.

To answer the OP's other question, regarding checked bags, yes, DL will check all the way through. Whether one ticket or two, MU is a tier one Delta partner and on the list. They may need to ask the agent to check the list, but they can do it.

On your return, you will go thru Canada customs and immigration, and then pre-clear US customs too. No customs in Detroit when you deplane here.

Even if on separate to let's DL will thru check bags to MU. Same in reverse. On way out you will have to clear Canadian immigration and pickup bags at YYZ, AND RECHECK WITH MU. Thus there's little benefit in thru checking them. Unlike YVR, there's no ability to skip Canadian immigration at YYZ T3 and bags don't transfer.

T1 where AC and UA operate I believe has a setup that allows you to skip entering Canada. However T3 doesn't.

Sorry for taking so long to respond to this. I did receive two invoices from Concur (well, actually Amex Global Business Travel, who does our bookings) - 1 each for DL and MU.

Thanks, I did check ORD, LAX, JFK and all were a little too much on my dates.

So this is how it worked today ....
<flew PXH-DTW redeye last night, but that is besides the point>

At DTW, checked in, and bags checked through from DTW-YYZ (on DL) and YYZ-PVG (MU) - separate tickets

Arrived in YYZ, through immigration, claimed bags, through customs, turned left for connections and handed off bags there. Was a little confusing as signage made it look like it was only for WestJet connections. Was glad I could use the connections baggage drop, as I didn't want to have to spend a couple hours landside waiting for check in counters to open

Went upstairs and through security and sitting in KLM (not a great lounge) and then Plaza Premium (very crowded, tasty jerk chicken) lounges for a few hours (I ended up changing to an earlier DTW-YYZ flight, so have almost 5 hours in YYZ).

Leaving lounge in a few minutes to board

Glad it all went well for you. But for me, it is a little disconcerting that Concord would book split tickets, especially on an international route.

There are many dangers in this for those who do not know what they are doing.

How did you get word that your checked baggage didn't make the flight? My experience when checking bags across separate tickets like this is that the tracking through the app becomes "lost" once you cross from the flight(s) on the first ticket to the flight(s) on the second ticket - I've had this be the case even on DL to DL separate tickets.