BKK Intl to Intl transfer - bags not tagged all the way

[cmon0005]

Hi All,

I will be flying MEL-SYD(QF)-BKK(EK with QF flight#) on one ticket, then about 5 hours later BKK-KUL(MH) on separate ticket.
As we all know QF don't check through to OW on separate tickets anymore..

Whilst the BKK airport site has a good guide on Intl to Intl transfer without onward BP it doesn't mention about luggage. International to International (no boarding pass)

Will BKK transfers desk retrieve and retag my bags like they do in SIN or will I have to clear customs and do checkin from scratch?
Anyone had any experience with this?

 

[JohnK]

I have this suspicion the BKK transit desk only covers onward boarding passes. If luggage is not checked through then you will need to clear customs and check-in again. If flying business class this is a minor inconvenience.

 

[cmon0005]

I have this suspicion the BKK transit desk only covers onward boarding passes. If luggage is not checked through then you will need to clear customs and check-in again. If flying business class this is a minor inconvenience.

Problem is I land at 1am and next flight is at 6am would have liked to just go straight through transfer security and to the louis tavern transit hotel to maxamise sleep.

I wonder if emirates does through check on separate tickets? If so I could just get qf to check through to syd then recheck at ek checkin desk in syd intl.

 

[jwak]

EK have an interline agreement with MH which I have used on seperate tickets. I suspect even though you are on a QF flight number the EK agent will ticket through to KL. Having said that, if Qantas won't, you would need to check-in in Sydney, i.e collect your bag in SYD domestic and check-in at the international terminal. Easier than doing it in BKK.

 

[JohnK]

I wonder if emirates does through check on separate tickets? If so I could just get qf to check through to syd then recheck at ek checkin desk in syd intl.

As mentioned above that could bean option.

As a referenced point I had a QF SYD-BNE flight on one booking a QF award on EK-3K BNE-SIN-BKK and bags were checked through in SYD.

Sure it's not another Oneworld airline but have a feeling EK will check bags through.

 

[cmon0005]

As mentioned above that could bean option.

As a referenced point I had a QF SYD-BNE flight on one booking a QF award on EK-3K BNE-SIN-BKK and bags were checked through in SYD.

Sure it's not another Oneworld airline but have a feeling EK will check bags through.

Only annoying part would be making my way from syd dom to intl with all my bags. But at least I wouldn't have to do it at bkk at 1am i guess!

Though I will try my luck with qf checkin first considering second flight isn't even with them.

 

[cmon0005]

So after a bit of language barrier have been chatting with a rep from AOT official fb page they have indicated they will retrieve and retag at the transfer desk... Though not sure if I believe it, surely someone here on aff has tried this out?

 

[JohnK]

Though not sure if I believe it, surely someone here on aff has tried this out?

BKK is not a popular international transit point. When are you going?

 

[cmon0005]

December, Christmas break period

 

[JohnK]

December, Christmas break period

I'll find out for you next month.

 

[cmon0005]

I'll find out for you next month.

Thank you that would be appreciated!

 

[cmon0005]

Messaged MH on fb messenger, got this reply though not sure if they're talking about checkin or transfer desk like I asked. I would have thought transfer desk would be available greater than just 2.5 hours before flight.. I arrive 6 hours before flight.. Hmm.

"Bangkok Airport opens 2 hours and 30 minutes before departure time. In regard to your second question, yes, they will re-tag your bag. Kindly inform our check-in staff and provide both your tickets for the baggage check through service upon check-in in Kuala Lumpur. Hope this answers your query."

 

[JohnK]

Messaged MH on fb messenger, got this reply though not sure if they're talking about checkin or transfer desk like I asked. I would have thought transfer desk would be available greater than just 2.5 hours before flight.. I arrive 6 hours before flight.. Hmm.

Not always the case in BKK and not quite the same type of setup as SIN/HKG/KUL. Some transfer desks are literally open the same time as check-in.

 

[cmon0005]

I'll find out for you next month.

Hi JohnK, just a reminder when you visit BKK this month if you could double check what the deal is with transfer counters (MH) if you can? Thank you !

 

[JohnK]

Hi JohnK, just a reminder when you visit BKK this month if you could double check what the deal is with transfer counters (MH) if you can? Thank you !

Haven't forgotten. We arrive BKK Tuesday around lunchtime 26 September. I'll head off to Transfer counter. There's an MH flight at 2:15pm and 5:05pm so transfer counter should be open.

 

[JohnK]

Sorry mate. Answer to your question not easy.

I've just arrived and I'm at transfer West but on level 2 arrivals. I've asked at information counter and they don't know the answer. Only MH transfer counter can answer the question but MH transfer counter is on level 3 and only way to get to transfer counter is to go through security and I cannot do as I don't have onward flight.

Sorry.

 

[cmon0005]

Sorry mate. Answer to your question not easy.

I've just arrived and I'm at transfer West but on level 2 arrivals. I've asked at information counter and they don't know the answer. Only MH transfer counter can answer the question but MH transfer counter is on level 3 and only way to get to transfer counter is to go through security and I cannot do as I don't have onward flight.

Sorry.

Thanks John for trying appreciate it! When do you leave BKK? is access to the transfer desk available when in airside departures?

 

[JohnK]

Thanks John for trying appreciate it! When do you leave BKK? is access to the transfer desk available when in airside departures?

Leave 04 October. I'll try again next week.

Boomy is transferring that morning but not sure how to get in touch with him beforehand. I was going to keep an eye out on his departure gate and if timing suits have quick catch up. Perhaps send him message.

 

[JohnK]

I have the answer but may not be the answer you wanted to hear.

The MH transfer desk in BKK does manually transfer luggage to next MH flight but MH transfer desk strictly opens 2.5 hours before flight as I found out today. Transfer desk is located at West2.

With you arriving at ~1:00am with a ~6:00am flight you will not get the uninterrupted sleep you wanted. Also I would not want the bags on the carousel for ~2.5 hours let alone longer.

Your best bet is QF/EK check-in. Good luck.

 

[cmon0005]

I have the answer but may not be the answer you wanted to hear.

The MH transfer desk in BKK does manually transfer luggage to next MH flight but MH transfer desk strictly opens 2.5 hours before flight as I found out today. Transfer desk is located at West2.

With you arriving at ~1:00am with a ~6:00am flight you will not get the uninterrupted sleep you wanted. Also I would not want the bags on the carousel for ~2.5 hours let alone longer.

Your best bet is QF/EK check-in. Good luck.

Thanks John! Yes I think my best bet will be try and convince QF to tag it all the way, otherwise I'll ask them to tag it from MEL-SYD only, then re-check with EK @ Syd who should tag through to MH without troubles.. Just means I'll have to lug my bags from syd dom to syd intl.. Still better than re-checking at BKK..