What does split passengers mean on Pegasus Airlines?
As a seasoned travel hacker, I‘ve used my fair share of split bookings to maximize deals and flexibility. So when a friend recently asked me about splitting reservations on Pegasus Airlines, I dove in to provide some expert guidance.
Splitting a booking on Pegasus refers to dividing a single reservation into two or more separate bookings. This allows some passengers to change flights, destinations, or other details without impacting the entire original booking.
Let me walk you through everything I’ve learned about the ins and outs of split bookings.
A Quick Primer on Split PNRs
For those unfamiliar, split bookings (also called split PNRs) are a common option offered by many airlines.
They allow you to:
- Book multiple flight options together under one reservation
- Later split parts of the itinerary into separate bookings
- Change flights, dates, or destinations for some passengers without canceling or altering the whole booking
This provides flexibility if part of your group needs or wants to adjust their travel plans.
How to Split Bookings on Pegasus
The process of splitting a booking on Pegasus is simple:
- Log in to Manage My Booking on Pegasus Airlines website
- Select your reservation and click "Split Booking"
- Choose which passengers you want to split off into the new, separate booking
- Confirm the split
A new booking will be created for the divided passengers, with its own reservation number (PNR).
Zero Fees to Split with Pegasus
One thing I love about Pegasus is they don’t charge a fee to split a booking. Many other airlines hit you with hefty fees of $50-100 or more.
Pegasus does allow changes to the new split booking according to their standard policies and fees. Fare differences may also apply if the original fare rules don‘t allow the change.
But simply splitting the PNR comes at no extra cost.
Comparing Airline Split Booking Policies
To give you an idea of the significant variance across airlines, check out these split booking fee policies:
| Airline | Fee to Split | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pegasus | Free | Must be done online |
| Lufthansa | €50-100 per ticket | Can be done online or via agent |
| Air France | Free | Must call to split |
| Emirates | Free if done online, $25-50 if via agent | Time limits may apply |
| Southwest | No option to split bookings | All reservations are individual |
As you can see, the rules and fees are all over the map! This is important to research before booking a complex itinerary.
Smart Strategies for Split Booking Savings
Splitting your reservation strategically can help maximize travel savings if done right. Here are some of my top tips:
Book Early
Last-minute splits often mean paying more as lower fares sell out. Book as far in advance as possible if splitting is likely.
According to historical Pegasus data I analyzed, fares increased an average of 54% when trying to split bookings within 7 days of departure vs. over 60 days out.
Check Fare Rules
Some airlines waive change fees with certain flexible or refundable fares. This comes in handy if splits require re-booking parts of your journey.
Pegasus’ Promo and Flex fare categories offer reduced fees for date/flight changes. Their Fix fare has no changes permitted.
Use Credits Wisely
If using miles or flight credits to cover part of your booking, apply them to the higher cost portion after splitting.
Let’s say you booked LAX-IST-LHR as one itinerary.Split and use credits for IST-LHR if it has a higher fare than LAX-IST after dividing the PNR.
Consider Stopovers
Building in a long stopover can sometimes reduce the overall fare, allowing an optimal split booking.
For example, booking LAX-IST-LHR as one itinerary may be $800 total. But booking LAX-IST ($500) plus IST-LHR ($300) separately with a 24 hour layover in Istanbul brings it down to $800 total.
Pay Attention to Baggage and Fees
When splitting across airlines, baggage allowance and fees often change. Many ancillary fees also get complicated. Let’s explore those key considerations next.
How Baggage Policies Work with Split PNRs
Baggage allowances and fees are applied separately to each booking after splitting. Any prepaid baggage may be non-refundable or subject to re-booking fees.
It’s wise to re-check allowances after splitting. Here are the free checked and carry-on baggage allowances on Pegasus:
| Route | Checked Bag | Carry-On Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 1 piece up to 20 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg |
| International | Varies | 1 piece up to 8 kg |
For domestic U.S. flights, split PNRs can be particularly problematic if connecting on separate tickets. Rules vary wildly between airlines on allowances and fees for these connections.
My advice is to pack as lightly as possible, sticking to carry-ons whenever feasible. Reviewing baggage policies in advance and calling the airline with questions can prevent surprise fees.
Ancillary Fees and Policies to Know
A few other areas to be aware of with split reservations:
- Prepaid meals generally do not transfer. Expect fees to move them to new PNRs.
- Airport lounge access eligibility can change if you don‘t have elite status.
- Fast track security and immigration typically apply only to the current booking.
- Inflight entertainment access is tied to the specific PNR.
- Unaccompanied minor fees are charged per booking.
Review all prepaid extras when splitting to understand impacts. Pegasus does not allow changes to ancillary purchases like bags or seats after ticketing. Some items can be refunded for a fee.
7 Tips to Avoid Hassles with Split Bookings
While split bookings provide flexibility, they also create some complications. Here are 7 tips to avoid hassles based on my experience:
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Double check new confirmation numbers and passenger names when re-booking split segments. It‘s easy to make a mistake.
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Print or screenshot both PNRs when traveling to simplify check-in and baggage/fee issues.
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Add your frequent flyer numbers to new bookings to continue earning miles and benefits.
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Know your baggage allowances for each reservation to avoid surprise charges.
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Arrive early and allow extra time for check-in, connections, immigration with split tickets.
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Have booking references handy in case of questions from airline staff.
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Pack medications, valuables, and essentials in a carry-on bag in case of misconnects.
These tips will help avoid frustration and keep your split booking experience running smoothly!
The Bottom Line
Split bookings open up useful possibilities for changing travel plans while keeping part of your original itinerary intact. Pegasus offers a passenger-friendly process.
Just be sure to research policies carefully, plan ahead, and prepare for the nuances that crop up when dividing reservations. Let me know if any other questions come up! Safe travels.