My understanding and what I have been told by several people differs from what a travel agent is telling a friend of mine.

All flights under the same booking number:
A flight MEL-SYD-YVR-YLW
Qantas MEL-SYD then
Air Canada SYD-YVR-YLW

You can check the bags in MEL all the way through to YLW but will need to collect them in YVR go through customs and then bag drop for the domestic flight. That I know is 100% correct!

However the travel agent is now saying that all boarding passes can be issued in MEL for the Air Canada flights as opposed to checking in at SYD with AC.

I don't believe this is correct, definately wasn't on my flight in January and from what I have been told nothing has changed with the QF/AC systems.

Thoughts ?

While I don't know for sure, I suspect strongly that your friend will have to collect a new boarding pass set in SYD.

I presume that the bags can be checked through though.

The friend can also use the Qantas transfer bus by virtue of one of their legs being on OneWorld per http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying...Guide/sydDomT3 . They may need their itinerary to get access to the bus if they don't have boarding passes.

Yes that is correct

While Qantas and Air Canda have a baggage interline agreement, that is about as far as the friendship goes from memory!

Anyon else ?

Can Qantas check me in for an Air Canada flight ?

I doubt it... My connections FROM QF are usually to NZ and not AC.. but I'd imagine it's the same...... Yes, they will check the bags right through.. but I DO have to go to the NZ desk at SYD to get BP's from NZ....

Exactly my thoughts, and that is was I had to do back in February

A reliable travel agent is giving a friend of mine advice that QF will issue the passes in MEL which is frustrating me