Tips for connecting to a flight on a different carrier?
Oct 27, 2008 | 8:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: SPG, NW Worldperks
Posts: 148
Tips for connecting to a flight on a different carrier?
I'm on the east coast US and planning a trip to Asia. I've found a lot of the Asian carriers only fly to the west coast airports, so to use them I would need to buy a separate transcon flight on a US carrier and connect in LAX or SFO.
It seems like not having it ticketed through could be a disaster if the transcon flight is delayed. From the Asian carrier's perspective, they'd have no idea and I'd just be screwed.
Anyone have any tips on booking this, and/or horror stories?
It seems like not having it ticketed through could be a disaster if the transcon flight is delayed. From the Asian carrier's perspective, they'd have no idea and I'd just be screwed.
Anyone have any tips on booking this, and/or horror stories?
Oct 27, 2008 | 9:11 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 6,058
It should not be too difficult to just book all your flights on one carrier that belongs to an airline alliance program (eg Star Alliance or OneWorld), with appropriate codeshares for either the domestic or the international flights. That way you have the whole thing on one ticket and will have protection against missed connection.
For instance, on OW you could book your transcon on AA and then transPacific on CX. On Star Alliance you could, theoretically, book the whole thing on UA. You don't say where you are leaving from or going to, so it's impossible to give more specific advice.
For instance, on OW you could book your transcon on AA and then transPacific on CX. On Star Alliance you could, theoretically, book the whole thing on UA. You don't say where you are leaving from or going to, so it's impossible to give more specific advice.
Oct 27, 2008 | 9:34 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
You are correct that if you buy the tickets separately and mis-connect you'll be hosed. The solution to this is to just buy a single ticket combining the various carriers. The 3rd party sites (expedia, orbitz, travelocity, etc.) are very good at piecing these together. And depending on which alliance/carrier you want to fly on some of their sites do a pretty good job of it, too.
Do you have a preference of carriers for your two trips? That may dictate the booking channel you use.
Do you have a preference of carriers for your two trips? That may dictate the booking channel you use.
Oct 27, 2008 | 9:50 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 6,058
For simplicity's sake, start at the website of the carrier you want to earn the miles on (UA? AA?) and then ask for the destinations you want. They will show code-share flights.
See memberships of the alliances for Star Alliance and for OneWorld.
Oct 27, 2008 | 9:56 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
The global alliance thing is way oversold.
Through ticketing doesn't demand all carriers be in the same global alliance.
Interlining a bag doesn't require all carriers be in the same global alliance.
The party that delivers you late to your connecting point is, by IATA standard, responsible (both as reservation process and cost) responsible for getting you to your ticketed destination. IMO you are correct to worry about separate tickets given weather and ATC issues most every day.
Through ticketing doesn't demand all carriers be in the same global alliance.
Interlining a bag doesn't require all carriers be in the same global alliance.
The party that delivers you late to your connecting point is, by IATA standard, responsible (both as reservation process and cost) responsible for getting you to your ticketed destination. IMO you are correct to worry about separate tickets given weather and ATC issues most every day.