Question about changing airlines?

[Dachiri]

So I just got word today that I MIGHT GET TO GO SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN CHINA on an upcoming trip. However, as some of you know, the government has "city pairs" for airfares. They award a contract between two cities to a specific airline at a negotiated price for the fiscal year. This trip wouldn't take place until next fiscal year, so a lot of this is speculative, but I wanted to see how possible this would be should everything be the same come October 1.

So, if we take the city pair contract from DC to our destination, the flight would (a) be a net of $180 more each way; and (b) be on an airline other than United (whom I have all my miles with). So being both selfish about my miles and cost-conscious (maybe that's an excuse, but it's a good one ;)), I figured out that we can fly a domestic contract to a different U.S. city and then to our final destination and (a) save the U.S. taxpayer almost $1000 total (maybe a drop in the bucket, but if every gov't trip did this it would add up to a lot); and (b) get most (7800/10000) of our miles on United.

Alright...here's the question. If we land from our domestic flight at 10:45, and our international flight takes off at 12:40, on two different airlines, how possible is that? If it's impossible, how about 1:15? Is there anyway to get our bags from one airline to the other other than going out, getting them off the carousel, and checking them and ourselves back in?

[tusphotog]

Alright...here's the question. If we land from our domestic flight at 10:45, and our international flight takes off at 12:40, on two different airlines, how possible is that? If it's impossible, how about 1:15? Is there anyway to get our bags from one airline to the other other than going out, getting them off the carousel, and checking them and ourselves back in?

You sound like someone on FlyerTalk! And I applaud your initiative to a) save me money (yet I still have to pay the government the equivalent of a first class ticket to Australia every year in taxes) and b) earn miles on one airline. Not many people think about this!

Congratulations. :D

To do what you say isn't very difficult. If what you want to do is fly DCA/IAD/BWI-ORD-XYZ and fly on American to O'Hare then jump to United, you should be able to check your bag through to your final destination. They might not be happy about it, but they do interline (i.e. transfer you and your bags to each other).

Your best bet, however, is to stick with an airline that's in an alliance with United. That would be Star Alliance: United, US Air and soon to be Continental. If you fly any of the three, you can a) get United mileage credit/EQMs b) theoretically get checked in all the way through and c) theoretically have reciprocal upgrades if there's space.

However, if you fly in on another airline outside Star Alliance, I'd give myself at least 2:30 or 3 hrs, especially at ORD just in case you have to go get your bag and recheck them. If on a Star Alliance carrier, no less than 2:00 hrs at ORD.

What city pair/airlines would you be flying on?

Caveat 1: None of this will work on Southwest, they don't interline with anyone.

Also, do register for the Double EQM promo on United. If you flew to China you could hit their second status level in one trip.

[MathFox]

As far as I understood (but that is for non-gov tickets and mainly European law) the airline has the obligation to transport you to your final destination on your ticket; if there's a delay, they'll have to arrange alternative flights. However, when you are late for other reasons, the airline can leave you stranded.

When you book two tickets with different airlines, the risk of a delay on your first flight and missing the connecting flight is for you and you should make all arrangements (and pay for it) to get to your destination. Yes, this is definitely a question better asked on another forum.

[Dachiri]

Because of the contracts, we don't get to be that choosy. We would fly Virgin America to SFO and then United to Ho Chi Minh City.

Given that all the flights either on our DC direct contract or the mixed-contract scenario have connections AND the final flight out departs within a few hours of our arriving connection, we would be darned if we do and darned if we don't on delays. A delay of more than, maybe, an hour would result in us overnighting somewhere, so I think that's a risk most of us are willing to take. The government contract can usually get us on a new flight if something goes disastrously wrong (happened to us back in June, we had to call in the big dogs - er, our travel agents - to get us on a new connecting flight, even though it was a United code share).

So call Virgin an see if they can "interline" with United for our bags?

[MathFox]

So call Virgin an see if they can "interline" with United for our bags?

Or call your travel agents, as they know the government specific rules in more detail.

[tusphotog]

So call Virgin an see if they can "interline" with United for our bags?

I'm pretty sure they do. But you need to call and double check. They should do it.

Depending on when you fly through SFO give yourself a pretty good buffer. The fog, especially in the summer, can really throw a wrench into your plans. The good news is Virgin America flies into the international terminal. It's been eons since I've been on the sterile side of the terminal, but I think the UA side is connected to the other side. It's a long walk, but should be doable in less than 20 minutes. Good food outside security, too.

[Dachiri]

Snuckers...they don't check any baggage through. I thought Virgin was all about the customer. Oh well, maybe they'll change our contract carrier next FY. :(