Connection to a different Itin?
 

In a couple weeks I'm flying NRT-MSP for business, arriving 11:00. I have award travel booked MSP-DTW-TVC departing at 13:10 same day. If (let's hope not) my flight from NRT is significantly delayed such that I'd miss my 13:10 flight, will they honor it as a "missed connection" and re-route or try otherwise to get me there? Or will they say "tough luck" since it's on two different itineraries?

Normally I wouldn't care since there's plenty of MSP-DTW flights, but I need to make that 17:14 DTW-TVC connection.

Thx
MSP_vibe

They would probably say you are out of luck if you are not a Plat or Gold (even if you are they would be doing you a favor to re-accommodate as it is not an obligation for them to do so). Having said that, you can have the itineraries linked I believe. That will not get you the same "protection" as a single ticket but at least they would know you are connecting.

Assuming the NRT-MSP is a revenue ticket and it is impossible to issue a single ticket for a mixed (revenue+award) itinerary, wouldn't NW still be obligated to re-accommodate if NRT-MSP is delayed/canceled?

Obligated? No.

If you're delayed in-bound on a NW itinerary, they'll probably book you on the next available NW routing in the same class of paid service, without a fee. I've had same-day and next-day travels on separate tickets interrupted and never have been given a hard time, even if delays were due to weather or ATC.

You should not have a problem checking a bag all the way from beginning to end. Once you do that the itineraries should be linked for a mis-connect.

You can just call the Plat line and they will link them. The issue is: are they obligated to get you all the way to the final destination should you miss the connection and the answer is no. I have never had an issue but I am a Plat. I am guessing that with no status they may take a hard stand that you should have:

a. Used more miles and gone all the way
b. Used more money and bought the entire itin.

I am in no way saying i think this is right..just that by the letter of the terms it is not NW's obligation to connect 2 separate Itins for you. They are obligated to get you from A to B and C to D but not A to D.

Heck, NW will often say they are not obligated even if all the segments were on one ticket (think: weather).

But I am puzzled - you "need to make" the 17.14 connection DTW-TVC. But if the NRT-MSP flight is delayed enough to miss the 13.10 flight from MSP to DTW, there is no way you will get on that DTW-TVC flight. So I guess your question doesn't seem to make sense - yes, if the first flight is delayed they will probably reaccommodate you even with separate tickets. But no, they won't be able to manufacture a supersonic plane that day to get you from MSP to DTW in time for the 17.14 flight to TVC. Note that they would probably rebook you onto the non stop MSP -TVC flight later that evening.

John