Changing Airlines at CDG?
Jan 24, 2022 | 7:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DC/SF/Herault
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; AA 2MM
Posts: 201
Changing Airlines at CDG?
I am arriving at CDG on UA and am considering taking Air France from CDG to Montpellier. In the past, I have had bad experiences at CDG trying to check in for Air France flights with bags to check when I can't check the bags all the way through to my destination. Now that everyone is in Terminal 2, I would hope that it would be easier to retrieve my bags from UA and check in on Air France.
Can someone with recent experience there give me some idea about what to expect? I would particularly appreciate any advice about do's and dont's to facilitate the process.
Can someone with recent experience there give me some idea about what to expect? I would particularly appreciate any advice about do's and dont's to facilitate the process.
Jan 25, 2022 | 3:01 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 25,149
There's nothing special to know. UA won't check your bags through so you'll have to collect them and walk to 2F to check in with AF.
Jan 25, 2022 | 3:11 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor Silver
Posts: 370
As long as you are traveling on two separate PNRs, it is your own problem. Better to buy a ticket on a single PNR in which case the first airline is responsible for all transfers.
Jan 25, 2022 | 7:48 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DC/SF/Herault
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; AA 2MM
Posts: 201
Thanks - you have both confirmed my fears. I guess I can explore with UA whether they will check bags all the way to Montpellier. There is some anecdotal evidence that they will do that for 1Ks, so I can ask (but will keep my expectations low).
Jan 25, 2022 | 7:50 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DC/SF/Herault
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; AA 2MM
Posts: 201
Jan 25, 2022 | 11:38 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 25,149
I really dont see what I can share with you about AF. Its like with other airlines. Check in counters can be crowded or empty, lines can be slow or fast. If you travel on separate tickets, you need to schedule ample time between the 2 flights (at least 3 hrs).
Jan 26, 2022 | 10:52 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor Silver
Posts: 370
Just get a ticket on UA from your starting point to Montpellier. It is not rocket science, since airlines everywhere in the world work together for multi destination flights even when they are not in a marketing alliance. True, it might cost a bit more than getting separate tickets, but that is the price of a safe connection that will guarantee to get you to your destination even if you miss your original connection for some reason. It's better than completely losing the fare of the second ticket.