Flying two different airlines and checking in baggage

[Happy2B]

Hello, I am trying to figure out the most affordable way to get to Orlando and so far I think it would be to purchase two separate tickets from two different airlines. My question is would I have to get my baggage during the connection and check it in again, or will my baggage get checked all the way through to Orlando even if I got tickets through two separate airlines?

 

[NancyIL]

Instead of buying two separate tickets on different airlines - I would check a site like www.kayak.com. If the lowest price involves multiple airlines, you will be ticketed that way. Otherwise you would have to claim your baggage after the first flight and recheck it for the 2nd. If your first flight were delayed and you missed the 2nd flight, the 2nd airline would have NO obligation to put you on a later flight.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hello, I am trying to figure out the most affordable way to get to Orlando and so far I think it would be to purchase two separate tickets from two different airlines. My question is would I have to get my baggage during the connection and check it in again, or will my baggage get checked all the way through to Orlando even if I got tickets through two separate airlines?

It depends on what the two airlines are, it seems. We've done Continental/United and Continental checked our luggage all the way through, so we didn't have to retrieve it. However, one time we did Southwest/United and they wouldn't transfer luggage to another airline, so we had to retrieve it. Not very convenient!

 

[TaraPA]

This is very very risky! Yes you will most likely have to claim your baggage & re-check it. We had to exit the airport & go through security again as well when we did this. This took a good 90 minutes - we barely made our connection. Like the OP stated, if they are code share airlines you may be able to get the baggage checked all the way through. Both times we did this, it didn't work that way. The next time we did this we really learned our lesson. We were flying international (Caribbean) and had a 1-hour connection. For whatever reason, baggage claim was really backed up & our luggage didn't appear (no one's did) for the 45 min. we stood there. We had no choice but to abandon our luggage & hop on our charter flight, since that charter flight only flew to this island once every 2 days. The charter air company assured us that they would claim it & get it to the island within 48 hours. Long story short, it never came. It was MIA. Airline A claimed no responsibility since they did deliver it to baggage claim, just an hour after the flight landed. Airline B claimed no responsibility since technically we checked no luggage with them when we boarded. We were on a very secluded British Virgin Island, no phone in the room, no cells, no nothing. For 4 days we paid a taxi $60 to drive us to the airport in hopes of sorting it out. On day 4 they found the bag at the previous airport - which we told them to hold there since we were leaving the next day. Thank goodness we had enough clothing & toiletries packed in our carry-ons to get us through the 5-day stay, but spending 2 hours a day at the airport (and paying for the taxis) really put a damper on the trip.

Please try not to use 2 different airlines!!!!

 

[eeyore45]

Actually it could work if you shipped your luggage UPS - friends of ours no longer trust Heathrow Airport in England - they always ship luggage, take on luggage + shipping their important clothes!! Its worked for them... I think there was 50# for $20 but its been awhile..

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Booking two flights on the same day on two different tickets is very risky, especially if you are using restricted, nonrefundable tickets.

If flight "A" is delayed, you could arrive at the connecting airport too late to board flight "B." The airline providing flight "B" can keep your money and cancel all your remaining flights on that ticket.

It's okay to connect from one airline to another airline if both flights are on the same ticket. That way, you'll be protected if flight "A" is delayed. The airline providing flight "B" will re-accommodate you to the best of their ability.