Changing from SQ to VA in DPS - is there a check in for VA airside?

[SuzieQ68]

Can't seem to locate any info on this here or on VA's website, but as I understand you need to check in (in person) for VA International flights, just wondering if anyone knows if VA have a check in counter airside in DPS or if we will need to pass immigration to check in for a flight back to Australia?

We will be arriving into DPS via SQ (on an SQ booking) and heading straight back to Australia on a separate VA booking (with a 2.5 hour layover). Only have carry-on, so don't need to re-check bags, but wondering if we can check in through a transit counter airside?

Appreciate the advice. Many thanks, Suz

 

[clifford]

I'd be surprised if you didn't have to clear immigration. The Indonesians want you to give them USD 35 pp, plus departure tax, so why would they forego this.

I do know from personal experience that they don't have a functioning transit counter at CGK (Jakarta), so I would expect DPS to be the same.

 

[Austman]

There IS an airside transfer facility at DPS AFAIK. Many have reported that it's there. The problem is that it might not be always staffed or even available for some airlines. I've been to airports where the airside transfer desk for an airline only opens 3 hours before a flight.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Thanks for the replies Austman and clifford - very much appreciated.

Will see how we go - can only try. Worst case scenario will have to clear immigration and re-check back in. Might even give VA a call to see if they do man the airside desk. Will confirm once trip taken.

 

[AIRwin]

Will SQ check you in for the VA flight (even though it is on a separate booking)?
http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/travel-information/checkin-partners/

 

[SuzieQ68]

Will SQ check you in for the VA flight (even though it is on a separate booking)?
Partner Airlines

Unfortunately I don't believe so AIRwin. I'm booking the VA leg as a reward seat via VA directly so not able to check through. I understand from the link that I would have to book the return VA leg via SQ to qualify. Maybe VA might consider online check in for short haul international at some stage soon - that would be ideal!

 

[bubblyguy]

I've done this before.

Sadly there was no staff at all to do anything. Had to pay my USD25 (25 last year, now 35) and walk around to check in and go through everything and pay the PMC.

Hopefully you might find someone to help but every time I've walked past the "transfer" sign it just has a security officer standing there.

 

[SuzieQ68]

I've done this before.

Sadly there was no staff at all to do anything. Had to pay my USD25 (25 last year, now 35) and walk around to check in and go through everything and pay the PMC.

Hopefully you might find someone to help but every time I've walked past the "transfer" sign it just has a security officer standing there.

Thanks bubblyguy. A bit frustrating, but guess we'll just have to run with it. Have sent a message to VA, so will see what they come back with.

 

[williamsf1]

Thanks bubblyguy. A bit frustrating, but guess we'll just have to run with it. Have sent a message to VA, so will see what they come back with.

You could always as SQ to thru check you, ensure you have all ticketing / booking info with you and advise the agent. It is possible in Amadeus ( SQ system) to do this - even on separate tickets- Just ask nicely with a big smile

 

[SuzieQ68]

You could always as SQ to thru check you, ensure you have all ticketing / booking info with you and advise the agent. It is possible in Amadeus ( SQ system) to do this - even on separate tickets- Just ask nicely with a big smile

Might have to give this a go...hopefully my wonderful charm will work as I received a response from the VA GCC advising that I'd need to contact the Denpasar Airport directly to ascertain the availability of the airside transfer desk :shock:. Thought that was a little strange, as I would have expected VA would know if they had a manned airside transfer desk in DPS when VA flights were departing.

I also asked if VA were considering implementing short/long haul online check in (as you can do with SQ) and was advised that, at this stage and although it would be more convenient for guests, they have no plans to implement this feature unless demand dictates it. Maybe all the VA customers on this forum can encourage this whenever the opportunity arises - would definitely be an added bonus to travel OS with VA.

Was hoping for a better outcome, but will see how it all pans out.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Hi all.

Has been awhile since I asked, but have a slightly different skew on this question. Arriving into DPS from SIN on SQ (J class - direct booking with SQ) and then flying on to ADL (J class - reward booking direct with VA). VA have changed their flight time (at least we still make it in before TT take over) and I was wondering if 2 hours would be long enough to clear immigration (if we cannot get SQ to check us all the way through)? We originally had 2.5 hours, but if there are delays, could create an issue if we need to clear immigration and re-check back in. From what I understand you still cannot check in online for international flights (which given that you can with SQ I find a bit behind the times). Haven't been to DPS airport before, so have zero clue on how long it's likely to take if we need to clear immigration.

Any information would be greatly appreciated as I may need to change the booking.

Thanks Suz

 

[ksthommo]

Immigration/Customs line have improved at DPS.
Note there was only 2 arrivals last week when we landed, was through both in less then 30 minutes.

 

[eastwest101]

Might have to give this a go...hopefully my wonderful charm will work as I received a response from the VA GCC advising that I'd need to contact the Denpasar Airport directly to ascertain the availability of the airside transfer desk :shock:. Thought that was a little strange, as I would have expected VA would know if they had a manned airside transfer desk in DPS when VA flights were departing.

Well thats a cop-out response from VA - worth following that one up for a start. :evil:

Maybe just lateral thinking but others ideas to try to get SQ to issue boarding passes when you leave SQ may be worth trying (as they say ask nicely and explain the tight connection). Try to get SQ to through check you but maybe use 'disposable baggage' as a backup plan in case you get a 'computer says no' checkin person (which you hopefully shouldn't if you are checking in at the SQ Business Class checkin counters at SIN).

The backup plan is maybe in this particular case, checked in baggage may be your freind. Obviously you want to travel HLO which is fine - do that - but buy a small expandable $5 bag in SIN and have it handy at SIN for checkin. When checking in at SIN at the SQ desk ask to be through checked to ADL with boarding passes first, and if denied then ask if you can get your luggage checked all the way through to ADL. If the answer to this is no try another desk, if the answer is yes - its your insurance policy against the the DPS-ADL flight leaving without you in DPS. The beauty of this is that if the DPS airside transfer desk is unmanned and you have to clear customs and immigration, then the baggage will either expedite your clearance through customs as VA will rush you through onto your ADL flights rather than spend at least 30 mins unloading the aircraft to offload your bag containing a pillow or newspapers. If the airside transfer desk is open then you are fine. If the DPS baggage handlers are lazy or incompetent with the transfer at DPS from SQ to VA then you have only lost a $5 bag with a few newspapers/pillows inside, but still get home to ADL on your VA flight.... if the DPS baggage handlers just offload the bags onto the SQ baggage claim belt at DPS then you can either pick it up, toss out the newspaper/pillow and put into your HLO before checkin if convenient or simply abandon it in DPS and checkin with VA at DPS. Don't forget that abandoning baggage in public areas is a surefire way to get a terminal evacuation and delays accross the board so definately not advised (especially in DPS).

I am assuming the DPS-ADL flights cannot be changed, or the SIN to DPS flights. What exact flights and dates are you on? The length of time will definately affect your chances of making this connection.

 

[SuzieQ68]

I like your thinking eastwest101! SQ have been good in the past. We flew SQ from BKK to BNE via SIN when Etihad was running a flight from SIN to BNE and SQ (who we flew SIN-BKK return) checked our luggage all the way through to BNE. We only had to obtain boarding passes from the Etihad transfer desk in SIN (they couldn't issue). Bags arrived - tick! Should be so simple given the tie between SQ & VA, but it appears not.

May be able to change the flights, I think there's a cost (& availability) for the VA reward flight and just taxes/fare difference for the SQ flight. Will have to work out which will cost me less. Currently flying out of BKK to DPS via SIN on 3 Feb 2016 (late flight from BKK to SIN). Depart SIN on 4 Feb on SQ938 @ 08:20 (arrives DPS @ 11:05). VA34 flight to ADL now departs @ 13:10 (was about 30 minutes later).

Bit of a long winded way to travel back from BKK, but doing a bit of a status credit run - had some time so said, why not! We don't really want to overnight in DPS on our way home if we can avoid it. There is a Silk Air flight that arrives into DPS from SIN @ 09:35, but wanted to enjoy the SQ J service. Silk Air is a good airline, but don't think their J class product is up to the standard of SQ J class. Might have to just SIU and give it a go.

Appreciate the advice! Always learning.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Following on from my earlier posts re availability of a VA check-in airside in DPS, we've now done the trip and it doesn't appear there is an airside check-in available in DPS for VA if you're travelling HLO and just transiting.

However, we checked into our SQ flight from BKK-DPS (via SIN) and asked the lovely check-in agent in BKK if it would be possible to check our bag through to ADL (via DPS & MEL) and if they could issue boarding passes for the VA legs (DPS-MEL-ADL). We were expecting they could check the bag through, but as the VA booking was on a completely separate VA (not SQ) ticket, that we'd have to clear immigration in DPS and check-in through VA. To our surprise, they managed to check the bag through AND provide BP's for all of our legs - including the DPS-MEL-ADL flight. Think our jaws hit the floor, but we were super appreciative that they managed to make it work.

It did take a bit of time on their part to organise and, to be honest, not sure if flying J or having status with VA (WP & SG) made the difference between being able to do this or not, but we're not complaining. As such, we didn't have to clear immigration in DPS.

Have to say the service offered by SQ's teams is absolutely fantastic and they truly are a credit to SQ. It's why we try and fly with them as much as possible (not always in J though unfortunately).

So it can be done, but I won't be doing it again......

 

[AIRwin]

Welcome back and thanks for the update! I can also report that SQ was able to check my bag through and issue boarding passes for my flights SIN-CGK on SQ and CGK-SYD on QF without the need to clear immigration in CGK even though the bookings were on completely separate tickets. Again not sure if flying J or having status with VA and QF made the difference...