Two separate reservations -tips?
 

I never gave much thought on separate reservations but am now quite worried about check-in/baggage.

I will be flying Delta CLE-JFK and then on SIA JFK-KUL. My concerns and if anyone can advice:

1. Will I be able to check my bags through all the way from CLE through to KUL? Will I have to re-check them in JFK?

2. Does the 1 free check-in and second paid for domestic travel count since my final desination is international and I really should be able to bring 2 check-ins for free?

Any tips or either items I should be worried about?

Thanks!

<b>Will I be able to check my bags through all the way from CLE through to KUL? Will I have to re-check them in JFK?</b>

DL and SQ have interline agreements, so you should be able to check them in to KUL. However, the check-in agent in Cleveland may give you a hard time about it. And, it is very unlikely that you will be able to actually check in for the SQ flight in Cleveland. I would recommend that you not check the bags all the way through, anyway, unless your connection time is very tight.

<b>Does the 1 free check-in and second paid for domestic travel count since my final desination is international and I really should be able to bring 2 check-ins for free?</b>

That's a very interesting interpretation of the rule ("I really should be able..."). Interesting, but wrong. Different itineraries, different rules. CLE-JFK and you travel on DL's domestic rules. JFK-KUL you travel on SQ's rules.

I can't tell you about your luggage--check through depends on interline agreements that others can explain to you. However, if you have 2 separate tickets, then the first one is a domestic ticket and DL's domestic rules apply.

I am one of those people who usually avoids separate tickets. I had to do some a few years ago because I was attending several business events and taking some personal travel, so had 3 or 4 sources of funding who required specific tickets for their segments. I booked an overnight in Brussels at my expense to make sure I made the onward flight--but I chose Brussels because I had never been there and made it a vacation day/night.

Just last month I had the same problem--had to have separate tickets for each funding source. So, I did try booking with a 3.5 hour layover. Take off delay for crew rest, then thunderstorms in the NYC area--we had to be diverted and sat on the ground in Baltimore for 3 hours. My 3.5 hours were gone and I missed my second flight along with most everyone coming into the NYC area that afternoon. I had to pay to get on a much later flight, but did reconfirm and use my return. It was very stressful and tiring with a mix of helpful airline personnel and misinformation from others, but luckily was not too expensive in this case as it was a short segment. So, I am going back to my rule of no separate tickets on same day. That would concern me more than the luggage.

Oh yeah. You asked for tips.
When I had to be rerouted due to missing flight, it was helpful that I only had carryon luggage. They could put me on most anything leaving in the right direction without having to find my bags and send them along.

Thanks for the replies. I've always flown on the same reservation until someone told me that it possible to do it in separate reservations. I never realized separate itineraries meant separate rules. Obviously I was misinformed when someone told me that the domestic rules did not matter if I was going to be travelling internationally. Should've checked with the airlines.

The luggage allowance would be the least of my concerns here. Kay referred to this above.

How much time do you have for connections in both directions? If your incoming CLE-JFK flight is so delayed that you can't make your connection, Singapore will regard you as a no-show for their segment and cancel your reservation with them. You're not protected in the case of a misconnect, and won't automatically be put on the next flight. Depending on the terms of that ticket, you could be on your own to buy a whole new ticket. Same potential problem returning. If KUL-JFK is late and you miss your Delta flight, Delta might be under no obligation to put you on the next flight out. You'd also be a no-show.

Whereas, if it's all one ticket, they have to get you there.

I won't ever try to book separate tickets again. I've done so two times. The 1st time due to a flt cancelation leaving the 1st city, I did not arrive at the 2nd city in time to make the res.
The other time, I got cold feet and changed my res. (paying the high change fee) and was glad I did as again, another flt delay with the original airline.

Just my 2cents worth

Incidentally, JFK is one of the worst airports for delays. But, you can find out how often the CLE-JFK flight is no more than 15 mins late...

Ha-ha!! You have a 50% chance of making your connection -- not bad! The DL6460 from Cleveland to JFK is delayed only 48% of the time, according to the FAA.

Great.

I have 3 hours transit.

All this reminds me of why I hate flying.

Just curious - is there some reason you booked two separate itineraries? Though it cannot always be done online, just about any airline can sell a seat on just about any other airline.
BTW, your friend who told you that int'l rules for baggage apply on the domestic portion would be correct if it was all on the same itinerary.

There was one sad trip report here about someone who had a 3-hour connection at JFK on two separate tickets, and ended up losing many thousands of dollars due to the need to buy walkup tickets. What would it cost to change your first flight to an earlier one (or the previous day)? What would it cost to miss your flight to Singapore and have to buy a new ticket?

Seamus you got it right. We booked online and didn't find the option we wanted. I have a non-refundable domestic flight and am checking with SQ how much it would cost to add the domestic portion of our flight to the reservation on SQ.

Depending on what they come back with, I'll either cancel the domestic flight I have on the other reservation so I only have the one reservation with SQ. OR I'll switch the domestic flight we have to an earlier time (for the outbound) and a later time (for the inbound).

Just to make sure

:-cancelling the non refundable - I'll have to pay $100 per ticket and i will have the credit on that flight for future flight with DL (not sure of timeframe)
:-changing the non refundable - occur a change fee per ticket(I'm not quite sure at this time how much it is)

By the way if i change the flights to earlier/later time, I will have 7 hours transit outbound and 9 hours transit inbound. That is, if those are available

Canceling the ticket - you'll have the value of the original ticket less a $150 fee. Future travel needs to be completed within 1 year from the original ticket issue date.

Changing the ticket - you'll have to pay a $150 fee plus any difference in fare.

When are you traveling and have you had any schedule changes since you booked? A schedule change may allow you to change your flight at no cost or get a refund.

Though riskier, there's also the Same Day Confirmed option. On your day of travel you can call 3 hours prior to the flight you prefer and if space is available, get confirmed on the earlier flight for $50.

The biggest drawback imo about separate tickets, is if you first flight is significantly delayed and you miss your connection, neither airline owes you anything.

DONT WORRY IT WORKS ATLEAST FOR BAGGAGE.

I booked my return ticket from HYD to JFK on Qatar Airways and a seperate ticket from JFK to Washington on Delta Airlines. Qatar airways doesnt have interline agreement with delta and my ticket is 2 different reservation.

Before booking I called up Delta Airline agent in Mumbai, She told me Delta may charge for baggage booked on domestic flight (2 piece). I anyway booked the ticket.

After Booking my online Travel agent in India called me and verified my details and asked me PNR no of International Ticket saying that Delta Airlines asked for it for conformation. He probabilly may have linked my tickets (I received a confirmation email after that) and in JFK Delta Airlines accepted my baggage without charge.

Another Incident to my Cousin in India.

She Booked on Lufthansa flight from chicago to HYD connecting on a separate Ticket to Vishakhapatnam on Indian Airlines.

Booked agent for Indian Airlines said she would charged for 2nd baggage but Ground staff said they wouldnt charge if passenger has international itenary or Boarding pass.

Another Incident to me in India some 2 years back.

Jetairways from hyd to Bom connecting Alitalia to New york on 2 separete tickets. On ticket on jetairways it says allow 20Kgs. But at boarding when I told I have connecting flight to New York they allowed 2 piece at 32Kgs each (at that time it is 32Kgs for USA) .