Linking different flight itineraries on Air Canada

[Magicat]

Hi, has anyone ever tried to link 2 different itineraries on Air Canada?  For example, we are flying from Mexico on one flight reservation and then 5 1/2 hours later flying to FLL on a different flight booking.

Another question if it is possible to link the different flights, if we arrive in YYZ from MEX on an Air Canada flight and then fly out on a connection to FLL, we would have to clear Canadian Customs and go to US pre clearance.  Would we be required to collect our bags and recheck them? This part is new to us as YYZ is usually our final destination.  Thanks in advance for your answers.

Edited December 13, 2023 by Magicat

[LHT28]

I am guessing  they are 2 separate tickets  so yes you will clear  Canadian customs  then collect luggage & check in with the new  booking   then clear  US Immigration 

 You could always call AC  & see if you can connect the 2 bookings  but you will still need  to go through US immigration   for the  FLL  flight

 

 

[gnome12]

1 hour ago, Magicat said:

Hi, has anyone ever tried to link 2 different itineraries on Air Canada?  For example, we are flying from Mexico on one flight reservation and then 5 1/2 hours later flying to FLL on a different flight booking.

Another question if it is possible to link the different flights, if we arrive in YYZ from MEX on an Air Canada flight and then fly out on a connection to FLL, we would have to clear Canadian Customs and go to US pre clearance.  Would we be required to collect our bags and recheck them? This part is new to us as YYZ is usually our final destination.  Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

I am guessing  they are 2 separate tickets  so yes you will clear  Canadian customs  then collect luggage & check in with the new  booking   then clear  US Immigration 

 You could always call AC  & see if you can connect the 2 bookings  but you will still need  to go through US immigration   for the  FLL  flight

 

 

MagiCat

I would think that IF it is possible to link the 2 itineraries that you would not need to go through Canadian customs and immigration; you would be treated as a transit passenger and would go straight to US pre-clearance. 
 

If you remain on 2 separate tickets I think you would need to go through Canadian customs and immigration before claiming your luggage and checking in for the second flight. 

[Magicat]

I will have to call, thanks.  Just wondering if we do connect the flights will we have to collect our luggage and recheck them for the flight to FLL?

 

[Magicat]

1 minute ago, gnome12 said:

 

MagiCat

I would think that IF it is possible to link the 2 itineraries that you would not need to go through Canadian customs and immigration; you would be treated as a transit passenger and would go straight to US pre-clearance. 
 

If you remain on 2 separate tickets I think you would need to go through Canadian customs and immigration before claiming your luggage and checking in for the second flight. 

 

Interesting, thanks

[gnome12]

Just now, Magicat said:

I will have to call, thanks.  Just wondering if we do connect the flights will we have to collect our luggage and recheck them for the flight to FLL?

 

If you connect the flights you will be able to check your bags through to FLL. 

[LHT28]

28 minutes ago, Magicat said:

I will have to call, thanks.  Just wondering if we do connect the flights will we have to collect our luggage and recheck them for the flight to FLL?

 

if you somehow  can connect the  bookings

https://www.torontopearson.com/en/connections

 

Wondering why you just not  fly from Mexico to FLL & avoid the trex back to Toronto?

[burnabyjean]

We had a cruise with included air, but only from a major airport, so we separately booked a flight from our regional airport to Calgary. The short flight was with Air Canada and the long haul was with Lufthansa (which are, of course, partner airlines). We didn't even ask, but the check in agent asked us if Calgary was our final destination. When we said Budapest with Lufthansa, she was able to link the flights and we didn't have to collect and recheck in Calgary ... we picked up our luggage in Budapest.

[gnome12]

10 minutes ago, burnabyjean said:

We had a cruise with included air, but only from a major airport, so we separately booked a flight from our regional airport to Calgary. The short flight was with Air Canada and the long haul was with Lufthansa (which are, of course, partner airlines). We didn't even ask, but the check in agent asked us if Calgary was our final destination. When we said Budapest with Lufthansa, she was able to link the flights and we didn't have to collect and recheck in Calgary ... we picked up our luggage in Budapest.

Do you have Aeroplan, and were the same Aeroplan numbers used on both flights? That might have helped link the two.

[burnabyjean]

3 minutes ago, gnome12 said:

Do you have Aeroplan, and were the same Aeroplan numbers used on both flights? That might have helped link the two.

No, we don't have Aeroplan (we usually fly Westjet :)). It was pure luck that we booked the short haul with Air Canada.

[Magicat]

On 12/13/2023 at 4:39 PM, LHT28 said:

if you somehow  can connect the  bookings

https://www.torontopearson.com/en/connections

 

Wondering why you just not  fly from Mexico to FLL & avoid the trex back to Toronto?

Long story.... but one reason was that the flight times direct from Monterrey for a reasonable cost were less than desirable.  Using a combination of cash and Aeroplan points we found this as our best option.  There were other factors that played into this decision as well.