TAP - TMS-ACC-LIS one flight, two tickets
Jan 15, 2018, 12:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Qatar, Turkish, Aeroflot
Posts: 546
TAP - TMS-ACC-LIS one flight, two tickets
Hey all,
So, this is a weird question regarding TAP. Since TAP fly TMS-ACC-LIS with ticketing rights on all sectors, I have considered flying from TMS to LIS on two tickets: TMS-ACC and ACC-LIS on the same flight and aircraft. However, is something like this even possible or legal? I imagine they would check for valid visas for ACC, but at the same time, if they saw the two back to back tickets for the same flight and aircraft and would presumably give the boarding passes at the same time, it should be OK?
Food for thought!
So, this is a weird question regarding TAP. Since TAP fly TMS-ACC-LIS with ticketing rights on all sectors, I have considered flying from TMS to LIS on two tickets: TMS-ACC and ACC-LIS on the same flight and aircraft. However, is something like this even possible or legal? I imagine they would check for valid visas for ACC, but at the same time, if they saw the two back to back tickets for the same flight and aircraft and would presumably give the boarding passes at the same time, it should be OK?
Food for thought!
Jan 16, 2018, 12:57 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Hey all,
So, this is a weird question regarding TAP. Since TAP fly TMS-ACC-LIS with ticketing rights on all sectors, I have considered flying from TMS to LIS on two tickets: TMS-ACC and ACC-LIS on the same flight and aircraft. However, is something like this even possible or legal? I imagine they would check for valid visas for ACC, but at the same time, if they saw the two back to back tickets for the same flight and aircraft and would presumably give the boarding passes at the same time, it should be OK?
Food for thought!
So, this is a weird question regarding TAP. Since TAP fly TMS-ACC-LIS with ticketing rights on all sectors, I have considered flying from TMS to LIS on two tickets: TMS-ACC and ACC-LIS on the same flight and aircraft. However, is something like this even possible or legal? I imagine they would check for valid visas for ACC, but at the same time, if they saw the two back to back tickets for the same flight and aircraft and would presumably give the boarding passes at the same time, it should be OK?
Food for thought!
The only reason i can see for doing this would be:
1) to gain extra miles from flying two sectors (though 20 miles wouldn't float the boat for most people), or
2) finding a significant difference in the cost of two tickets v one
It certainly wouldn't be illegal in the sense of breaking any law. But it would be cumbersome, likely entail explanation at each step of the journey, particularly in Ghana, confine you to hand-baggage only, and probably require a YF vaccination as an arrival at TMS from Accra rather than Lisbon. I imagine TP would expect you to have a visa for Ghana, in case your attempt to "transfer" fails. You are not making a transfer in the normally accepted definition of the term, and transits stay on board at ACC.
It's not the most pleasant journey. The overnight fight back to Europe is particularly awful. Adding in the stress of turning the Accra transit into a transfer seem silly.
Jan 16, 2018, 12:59 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Jan 16, 2018, 3:34 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
Theoretically you can get transit VOA in ACC (see multiple reports positive on tripadvisor forums). You should be able to transit without a visa as well.
My only concern would be - will you have enough time to get off the plane, go through transit formalities and get back on the plane?
Does TP allow online check-in at ACC?
Someone that's flown through ACC could answer that.
My only concern would be - will you have enough time to get off the plane, go through transit formalities and get back on the plane?
Does TP allow online check-in at ACC?
Someone that's flown through ACC could answer that.
Jan 16, 2018, 7:28 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Theoretically you can get transit VOA in ACC (see multiple reports positive on tripadvisor forums). You should be able to transit without a visa as well.
My only concern would be - will you have enough time to get off the plane, go through transit formalities and get back on the plane?
Does TP allow online check-in at ACC?
Someone that's flown through ACC could answer that.
My only concern would be - will you have enough time to get off the plane, go through transit formalities and get back on the plane?
Does TP allow online check-in at ACC?
Someone that's flown through ACC could answer that.
TAP doesn't doesn't do online check-in at ACC. Or didn't as of September last year. But if the airline wanted to pay ball i'm pretty sure they could issue one at Lisbon. Not so sure about this in São Tomé !
Jan 16, 2018, 8:44 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Qatar, Turkish, Aeroflot
Posts: 546
Weird indeed - especially as much the same question was raised last year. What is the attraction of this oddness?
The only reason i can see for doing this would be:
1) to gain extra miles from flying two sectors (though 20 miles wouldn't float the boat for most people), or
2) finding a significant difference in the cost of two tickets v one
It certainly wouldn't be illegal in the sense of breaking any law. But it would be cumbersome, likely entail explanation at each step of the journey, particularly in Ghana, confine you to hand-baggage only, and probably require a YF vaccination as an arrival at TMS from Accra rather than Lisbon. I imagine TP would expect you to have a visa for Ghana, in case your attempt to "transfer" fails. You are not making a transfer in the normally accepted definition of the term, and transits stay on board at ACC.
It's not the most pleasant journey. The overnight fight back to Europe is particularly awful. Adding in the stress of turning the Accra transit into a transfer seem silly.
The only reason i can see for doing this would be:
1) to gain extra miles from flying two sectors (though 20 miles wouldn't float the boat for most people), or
2) finding a significant difference in the cost of two tickets v one
It certainly wouldn't be illegal in the sense of breaking any law. But it would be cumbersome, likely entail explanation at each step of the journey, particularly in Ghana, confine you to hand-baggage only, and probably require a YF vaccination as an arrival at TMS from Accra rather than Lisbon. I imagine TP would expect you to have a visa for Ghana, in case your attempt to "transfer" fails. You are not making a transfer in the normally accepted definition of the term, and transits stay on board at ACC.
It's not the most pleasant journey. The overnight fight back to Europe is particularly awful. Adding in the stress of turning the Accra transit into a transfer seem silly.
There have been cases where separate tickets have been somewhat cheaper than a through TMS-LIS ticket, albeit not so common.
Jan 16, 2018, 10:11 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
YF aint a problem, I've got that already. I have also heard about the issues in ACC but then I would have had some kind of visa to hand before anyway.
There have been cases where separate tickets have been somewhat cheaper than a through TMS-LIS ticket, albeit not so common.
There have been cases where separate tickets have been somewhat cheaper than a through TMS-LIS ticket, albeit not so common.
Jan 16, 2018, 11:28 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Qatar, Turkish, Aeroflot
Posts: 546
To be honest, ACC-TMS or vv is actually, from what I've seen for when I want to travel ideally, is so cheap it's not even worth using miles for. Having said that, I don't have enough miles on any alliance to use!
Jan 17, 2018, 5:36 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
?LIS ACC + ACC TMS
is (can be) cheaper than
LIS TMS
but I guess the difference would have to be significant to weigh against the faff involved .....
I have to go back to São Tomé later this year and i'm looking for a non-TAP route. The ACC TMS component would be an acceptable part of the itinerary, but i think that has to be an add on. Still, Accra is quite easy to get to from London. Otherwise it's difficult/expensive. Which I suppose explains the awfulness of the TAP service!
Jan 17, 2018, 9:34 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Qatar, Turkish, Aeroflot
Posts: 546
So is that the answer to the puzzle ?
LIS ACC + ACC TMS
is (can be) cheaper than
LIS TMS
but I guess the difference would have to be significant to weigh against the faff involved .....
I have to go back to São Tomé later this year and i'm looking for a non-TAP route. The ACC TMS component would be an acceptable part of the itinerary, but i think that has to be an add on. Still, Accra is quite easy to get to from London. Otherwise it's difficult/expensive. Which I suppose explains the awfulness of the TAP service!
?LIS ACC + ACC TMS
is (can be) cheaper than
LIS TMS
but I guess the difference would have to be significant to weigh against the faff involved .....
I have to go back to São Tomé later this year and i'm looking for a non-TAP route. The ACC TMS component would be an acceptable part of the itinerary, but i think that has to be an add on. Still, Accra is quite easy to get to from London. Otherwise it's difficult/expensive. Which I suppose explains the awfulness of the TAP service!
Jan 17, 2018, 2:24 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
The other Lisbon service is by São Tomé's very own. But I'm in UK, so need of a Lisbon connection, although I have a strong luso-afinity.
I think I'll setle for connections to/from TP at Accra. The TP service on an A320 is just about supportable as a day flight, but the true awfulness of TAP only emerges with the return Accra experience and the overnight from there to Lisbon.