Booking extra flight to connect with international (HKT-BKK to EK0418)

[john john]

In October we're returning from a holiday on QF8418 (EK0418) BKK to SYD. Does anyone have any advice on whether and how we might be able to book a flight HKT to BKK same day that would allow us to check baggage through to SYD? I notice a few Bangkok airways flights have EK codeshares and two even have QF codeshares. I've tried to find/book the flights on both Qantas and Emirates websites but when I put HKT as origin BKK doesn't exist as a destination. I'm reluctant to telephone either airline and pay the call centre booking fee as there are five of us. Current booking is BNE-SYD-BKK return via Qantas website and call centre 'negotiations'.

BTW when I plugged our booking number into Emirates website it included our 'confirmed' flight details but there was a message that our tickets hadn't been issued yet and to contact our agent. Should I be worried? There was a bit of a booking/cancel/rebooking problem during booking due to a website and call centre issue.

 

[madrooster]

You can add a BKK-HKT QF codeshare on PG, or a PG prime on the fare for very little extra. The website probably won't let you do it though and it will definitely involve a call.

 

[JohnK]

You can add a BKK-HKT QF codeshare on PG, or a PG prime on the fare for very little extra. The website probably won't let you do it though and it will definitely involve a call.

Changing the point of origin on a confirmed booking via the call centre? How do you get around the change fees?

 

[madrooster]

Changing the point of origin on a confirmed booking via the call centre? How do you get around the change fees?

Change of destination. The keyword being they are returning to SYD.

 

[JohnK]

Change of destination. The keyword being they are returning to SYD.

Even change of destination incurs huge change fees on Qantas bookings. My next BNE-SIN-HKT//BKK-SIN-BNE has changes fees of $400 per person.

With this particular situation they have an existing booking BNE-SYD-BKK and want to add another sector to HKT. In my experience BNE-SIN-HKT can be as cheap as BNE-SYD-BKK but if I add CNX or HKT to the routing the airfare shoots up exponentially. I'm not sure how they can add HKT as destination to existing booking and not incur huge change fees unless booking is flexible.

 

[madrooster]

With this particular situation they have an existing booking BNE-SYD-BKK and want to add another sector to HKT. In my experience BNE-SIN-HKT can be as cheap as BNE-SYD-BKK but if I add CNX or HKT to the routing the airfare shoots up exponentially. I'm not sure how they can add HKT as destination to existing booking and not incur huge change fees unless booking is flexible.

Considering it sounds like it is not even ticketed, it should be quite simple.

 

[john john]

Thanks all. Qantas call centre couldn't sell us the HKT-BKK leg, perhaps to do with the original fare and restrictions (i.e. changing from a return trip to open jaw). I have bought the one way fare from Bangkok airways and as one last hail mary I might ask EK or PG if they can combine the two bookings after we get to Bangkok. Otherwise we'll just have to manage our own bags at BKK.

Seems like there was some confusion re the ticketing as the call centre couldn't make up their mind whether it was ticketed or not but that is sorted now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks all. Qantas call centre couldn't sell us the HKT-BKK leg, perhaps to do with the original fare and restrictions (i.e. changing from a return trip to open jaw). I have bought the one way fare from Bangkok airways and as one last hail mary I might ask EK or PG if they can combine the two bookings after we get to Bangkok. Otherwise we'll just have to manage our own bags at BKK.

Seems like there was some confusion re the ticketing as the call centre couldn't make up their mind whether it was ticketed or not but that is sorted now.

The HKT-BKK would need to be purchased in conjunction with the long-haul leg, which is why you didn't find it by itself with a QF or EK flight number. This is because QF and EK don't have traffic rights HKT-BKK and vv. They only have the traffic rights AU-HKT, or Europe-HKT (etc).
If you flight wasn't ticketed they should have been able to add the extra sector, but once ticketed you'd be up for the change fees unfortunately.

If you buy a separate ticket just allow plenty of time in BKK for the connection, and I'd still try for through check of baggage anyway at HKT. Just ask for this at check-in. No need to call the airline in advance or anything - it will be a waste of time.