Checking bags through on 2 separate ST airlines/PNRs
Nov 16, 2007, 11:52 am
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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Checking bags through on 2 separate ST airlines/PNRs
(Sorry if this is a well-known question - I searched the archives, and couldn't find anything.)
Next week, we're flying PIT-EWR on CO and then EWR-CDG-FCO on AF (on a different ticket) around 6 hours later. From all of the SkyTeam materials that I've seen, it seems that CO would be able to check our bags all the way to Europe. Is this actually the case?
The reason that I ask is that I normally fly on the Star Alliance, where they claim that any member airline can check bags all the way through, check passengers in for connecting flights on a different airline, etc., but the reality is often far different.
Thanks!
Next week, we're flying PIT-EWR on CO and then EWR-CDG-FCO on AF (on a different ticket) around 6 hours later. From all of the SkyTeam materials that I've seen, it seems that CO would be able to check our bags all the way to Europe. Is this actually the case?
The reason that I ask is that I normally fly on the Star Alliance, where they claim that any member airline can check bags all the way through, check passengers in for connecting flights on a different airline, etc., but the reality is often far different.
Thanks!
Nov 17, 2007, 10:18 am
#3
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FYI, CO routinely checks (interlines) my bags through to various international carriers - it takes a little longer (I typically allow an extra 45 minutes in case I get someone who is not skilled at doing this) and just ensure you check that they have the flight #s and city codes correct. I've had a flight left off a time or two so it pays to double/triple check.
Nov 17, 2007, 1:54 pm
#4
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CO's official policy is that they don't have to do it. They always have for me, but you may get some pushback from the agent. Definitely bring a printout of the ongoing flight information and be polite about it. But they should do it without any problem.
Nov 17, 2007, 6:50 pm
#6
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I will go through the same thing in a few weeks, except I will be flying Alitalia to Moscow and connect to Aeroflot for another international leg! Anyone has experienced the same? Input appreciated.
Nov 19, 2007, 5:50 pm
#8
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my experience has been no problem FROM the US to Italy but out of Italy two tickets/PNRs...generally they are adamant about not allowing bags to be checked through. 20 years of back and forth and only had it done ex-Italy once...
Nov 21, 2007, 2:13 pm
#9
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would that be because the US segments have a domestic flight and you need to clear customs?
Nov 21, 2007, 6:38 pm
#11
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I think it has to do with a lack of customer service focus at the European carriers. From what I understand, the process of tagging the bag through is actually a bit difficult as they have to false book the flights to add a record on the initial PNR or something like that. So it isn't a piece of cake, but it should be part of the training for any agent. Whether they choose to remember it and/or acutally do it is a whole dfferent story.
Nov 21, 2007, 8:26 pm
#12
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actually they're not supposed to do it (which is foolish in today's alliance environment...logic being you can't prove you're really traveling on PNR B when you're checking in for PNR A)...
just be forewarned that it's more the rule in Europe that you'll face the adamant "checked bags only on the same ticket/PNR"...
just be forewarned that it's more the rule in Europe that you'll face the adamant "checked bags only on the same ticket/PNR"...
Nov 24, 2007, 9:39 am
#13
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Just as a follow-up to my own question, this worked pretty well. The CO agent in PIT was pretty surly, but did manage to check our 2 bags all the way through to FCO. As a side note, we also had to check a booster seat in EWR, gate check a stroller in EWR, and check a stroller and car seat in CDG (our itin was CO:PIT-EWR/AF:EWR-CDG-FCO). The two things checked in EWR took a few extra days to show up in Rome, but all the bags did make it.