So. I would like to do the following: United flight from ORD to LHR, then on to AMS. From Amsterdam I'll be travelling by train, ending back at LHR. If I book a roundtrip ORD-LHR, and then book a separate, one way ticket on BMI from LHR to AMS, it will cost about $750. If I do this via United's website, so that the ORD-LHR-AMS portion is all on one ticket (exact same flights), it's about $350 more.

Is the first scenario I laid out considered a no-no by the airlines, especially as United and BMI have a codeshare agreement? I don't want to risk losing miles, getting booted from my return flight, etc. I realize the ramifications of booking two separate tickets if my first flight is delayed and miss the second. More wanting to know if this is breaking the rules.

Thanks!

Jen, I don't know why you think it is breaking the rules if you buy a round trip ORD/LHR and a one way LHR/AMS.

Well, I don't know. Which is why I asked.

Thanks!

Jen, I share your concern about delays as I recently ended up traveling on two separate tickets and was worried about delays. I think as long as you leave a comfortable connection time you will be OK. I was in Amsterdam last summer and really liked it. Enjoy your trip.

ok, so it looks like it's not a back-to back ticketing situation to book the BMI flight separately. I'll have 4 hours and 40 minutes between, so I should be ok, and even have time for a $25 bagel.

Since this is not against United's rules, and BMI is a codeshare, can I have my luggage checked all the way through to AMS? Anyone done this?

That's not "nesting" or anything else. Nothing to worry about.


Just so you know. I don't think you'll be able to book the BMI flight as a codeshare. If bought separately, it will book under BMI flight number. Not sure if it makes a difference to you, but just wanted you to know.

I have no experience with United or BMI. But last month when I traveled on NWA and KLM on separate tickets, they refused to check my luggage all the way even though they're partners and the agent on the phone said it could be done. Interestingly, I was "connecting" in AMS so I had to collect my bag, go through customs and then go right back through security and check it again.

Hope it works for you.

esm,
Who refused to through check - NW or KL - and which airport?

Patty, I started in my small town airport CMI and they said it couldn't be done. I flew CMI/DTW/AMS on NWA and then AMS/TLS on KLM Cityhopper. Same on the way back and in Toulouse a very nice KLM lady tried and couldn't pull my reservation up in her system.

Jen - what you're describing is close to "end on end" ticketing and is allowed on practically ALL tickets. In this case, the fact that it's not the same metal from LHR to AMS means that there's NOTHING wrong with it.

You should have no problem with interlining your luggage with UA/BD.
Best, Dave

We did something like what you describe a few years ago but in reverse. When we were checking-in at AMS the BMI agent asked us if we wanted our bags checked through to YYZ on our Air Canada flight from LHR. We declined because our "conection" was two days! I recall reading a notice from BMI a while back that they will now NOT check bags through if the passenger did not buy both flights as one continuous ticket. Unfortunately you will have to recheck your bags.