OneWorld inter-airline baggage tagging to destination

19 replies

boghraty

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 30 Jul 2017

Total posts 15

Hi everyone,


I'm flying to Europe in July - BNE -> SIN -> HEL and the same on the way back. The Finnair flights were booked as Classic Rewards through Qantas. The BNE-SIN flights are in Qantas economy, the SIN-HEL flights are Finnair business. I'm not quite clear on the OneWorld rules on baggage check-in between airlines. Can they tag my bags all the way through from Brisbane to Helsinki, or do I have to go through customs at SIN just to check in one suitcase? Thanks in advance

Fatherdamo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Feb 2017

Total posts 10

As your itinerary partly contains a redemption booking , qantas will tag your bags all the way to hel as they make an exception in that case

Michael Kao

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Nov 2014

Total posts 164

It depends on the gate agent. In theory as these are 2 PNR, current OW policy is no, they don't have to tag the luggage through. But if the gate agent is having a good day you'll be fine.


On the other hand, if they are having a bad day, they'll be impossible to deal with. On my most recent trip, I had a booking of BNE-MEL-NRT on QF to JL all on one PNR, one ticket issued by JL. The agent refuse to check through the luggage for me. She said because they are different airline. I pointed out that not only both are in OW alliance, it is in the same booking, same ticket. No luck. She said until recently they allowed it, but now they don't check through baggage for different airlines. We were forced to collect our luggage in MEL. I told her star alliance would allow it, she simply told me to fly with them then.

In the lounge, the more I think about it, the more I believe the agent was wrong as I could not see any recent changes about QF won't check through luggage to another airline (and it didn't make sense!) I spoke with the lounge agent. She pulled out the reservation then she said the reason was cuz JL is flying out a day later. Even though the departure time was 00:35, the layover was less than 24 hours, it was considered "overnight layover" so we still had to collect our luggage.

Over all it ruined our brief layover in MEL as we had to stroll around the city with 2 huge suitcases.

NQflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jun 2015

Total posts 64

They should check you through all the way given it’s a mixed award flight.

nixjet

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 Jan 2013

Total posts 31

It depends on the gate agent. In theory as these are 2 PNR, current OW policy is no, they don't have to tag the luggage through. But if the gate agent is having a good day you'll be fine.

On the other hand, if they are having a bad day, they'll be impossible to deal with. On my most recent trip, I had a booking of BNE-MEL-NRT on QF to JL all on one PNR, one ticket issued by JL. The agent refuse to check through the luggage for me. She said because they are different airline. I pointed out that not only both are in OW alliance, it is in the same booking, same ticket. No luck. She said until recently they allowed it, but now they don't check through baggage for different airlines. We were forced to collect our luggage in MEL. I told her star alliance would allow it, she simply told me to fly with them then.

In the lounge, the more I think about it, the more I believe the agent was wrong as I could not see any recent changes about QF won't check through luggage to another airline (and it didn't make sense!) I spoke with the lounge agent. She pulled out the reservation then she said the reason was cuz JL is flying out a day later. Even though the departure time was 00:35, the layover was less than 24 hours, it was considered "overnight layover" so we still had to collect our luggage.

Over all it ruined our brief layover in MEL as we had to stroll around the city with 2 huge suitcases.

You could've stored your bags at MEL, the bag storage is on the arrival level near where you collect your bags.

Red Cee

Member since 15 Feb 2018

Total posts 151

It is up to the individual agent taking your luggage. If you are unfortunate to be dealing with a machine, you may have a problem. A person will be more simpathetic than a self service check in.

RR

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 45

Some OW airlines seem to recognise the dilemma of pax using a mix of paid and awards for travel.

This from the Qantas agent's site suggests that the Qantas paid connecting to Finnair awards flight would allow thru-checking:
^ Exemptions apply for customers travelling on a oneworld separate PNRs
when using a combination of award travel and revenue travel.

Happy Trails

Member since 11 Apr 2012

Total posts 86

As mentioned above, it should be through-checked, but worst case the SIN transfer desk will sort it for you.

No need to go land-side.

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

It depends on the gate agent. In theory as these are 2 PNR, current OW policy is no, they don't have to tag the luggage through. But if the gate agent is having a good day you'll be fine.

On the other hand, if they are having a bad day, they'll be impossible to deal with. On my most recent trip, I had a booking of BNE-MEL-NRT on QF to JL all on one PNR, one ticket issued by JL. The agent refuse to check through the luggage for me. She said because they are different airline. I pointed out that not only both are in OW alliance, it is in the same booking, same ticket. No luck. She said until recently they allowed it, but now they don't check through baggage for different airlines. We were forced to collect our luggage in MEL. I told her star alliance would allow it, she simply told me to fly with them then.

In the lounge, the more I think about it, the more I believe the agent was wrong as I could not see any recent changes about QF won't check through luggage to another airline (and it didn't make sense!) I spoke with the lounge agent. She pulled out the reservation then she said the reason was cuz JL is flying out a day later. Even though the departure time was 00:35, the layover was less than 24 hours, it was considered "overnight layover" so we still had to collect our luggage.

Over all it ruined our brief layover in MEL as we had to stroll around the city with 2 huge suitcases.

Agent was wrong. Same PNR is the key there, alliance makes no difference.

Forever_red

Member since 15 Dec 2017

Total posts 5

is this a one world limitations? I travelled on 2 different tickets last month with a layover in hk. one with royal brunei and another on eva air to taipei. there is no alliance between the 2 airlines.


No problem checking my luggage through to the final destination both ways.

I always thought only budget airlines won't do this.

Forever_red

Member since 15 Dec 2017

Total posts 5

is this a one world limitations? I travelled on 2 different tickets last month with a layover in hk. one with royal brunei and another on eva air to taipei. there is no alliance between the 2 airlines.

No problem checking my luggage through to the final destination both ways.

I always thought only budget airlines won't do this.

when in hongkong, i simply head to the transfer counters to check in for the connecting flights. There even have staff meeting us at the gate with sign board directing us to the correct transfer areas for our connecting flight airlines.


The transfer desk staff then asked for the baggage stubs and check to ensure the luggage checked through correctly before issuing us the boarding pass.

Dachie

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 05 Feb 2017

Total posts 3

Seeking advice on whether Malaysia Airlines will transfer luggage from Qantas flight in Singapore and opinion of safety and service on Malaysian these days. Is it worth taking Malaysian for status run.

BJVincent

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 May 2016

Total posts 14

We have experienced no issues since the change at DFW when flying on to IAH with AA after QF7 or return. Later this year we will be flying QF1 to LHR and four hours later with BA to Rome; QF call centre has said there will be no problems. Equally, our daughter is flying QF to Hawaii and then Alaskan to Seatle, and QF have assured her all will be well. Her return flight will be Seattle to San Francisco and then QF to Sydney, and again she has been assured by call centre all will be well. Let's see!

BJVincent

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 May 2016

Total posts 14

Seeking advice on whether Malaysia Airlines will transfer luggage from Qantas flight in Singapore and opinion of safety and service on Malaysian these days. Is it worth taking Malaysian for status run.

We flew with Malaysia from Sydney to Penang via KL last year, and all four flights were without difficulty. Two grandparents (us), two parents and one 3 yo grandchild. The temporary lounge in KL was pretty basic, but staff courteous. Believe the new lounge is terrific. Enjoy.

attimo69

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Mar 2018

Total posts 2

Checked with my Finnair ground-staff friend. Yes, correct, they will not check the baggage through all the way on TWO DIFFERENT PNRs. In Singapore however, the ground-staff are so good, that you will not have to go Landside to get your luggage, you just go to the appropriate transfer desk and they will retrieve your luggage from the belt and re-check it for you onto your next flight. (most airports don't do this however). My friend has not yet confirmed whether the fact that part of the journey is on a reward makes any difference to that.

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