Early Check-In @ SIN

[yohy?!]

Good Evening AFFers

Shortly it'll be time for me to head to HKG again (and for my first flights in J ). I'm returning HKG-SIN-PER-SYD with HKG-SIN on 3K and SIN-PER-SYD on QF.

I know I'll have to collect my bags and check in again at SIN but I'm wondering if I do Early Check-In at say 12:30am can I then clear immigration and stay at the transit hotel if my flight is at 9am?

Given SIN's user-friendliness I have a feeling it will be ok but can't find the question specifically answered anywhere.

Thank you!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Yes should be fine.

If you're in J on QF, you can use the SATS check in if QF checkin isn't open.

 

[thewinchester]

Yes, I know from experience that QF happily accept bags for early check-in at SIN.

From QF's information for SIN:

Check-in
A 24 hour check-in facility is also provided by Singapore Airport Terminal Services at row 3.

 

[yohy?!]

Thanks! Unfortunately Y on the way back (and my 1st time travelling QF internationally) but at least I get the A330 PER-SYD

 

[JohnK]

Yes, I know from experience that QF happily accept bags for early check-in at SIN.

I did not realise that everyone flying QF could use SATS check-in. I thought it was only there for premium passengers and possibly QF Platinum.

Anyway if worse comes to worse once you land go to transit hotel and have your 6 hours sleep and then go back downstairs and collect luggage from keeper to check-in for remainder of your flights that day.

 

[timster]

Last month I checked in for QF flight in Y at around lunch time, for 9pm flight. The QF / BA early checkin desk was in the far hall of Terminal 1.

Terminal 1 is being renovated so there's not much on the land side (most of the eateries have gone). Things are not so bad on the airside.

 

[albatross710]

Given SIN's user-friendliness I have a feeling it will be ok but can't find the question specifically answered anywhere.
Thank you!

SIN does have a good reputation. Easy to get into and out of, hotels, taxis etc.

 

[thewinchester]

SIN does have a good reputation. Easy to get into and out of, hotels, taxis etc.

I couldn't agree more with that statement. In terms of airports, it has to be right at the top of my list for just how passenger friendly it is.

Having said that, and going slightly OT, I do have two gripes about SIN;

1. Changing off baggage trolleys: While trolleys are free here - if you've loaded your carry-on stuff for two or more people in landside departures - forget about going airside with it. You've got to unload all your stuff, carry it through Departure Customs, then hope you can find one of the smaller trolleys once you've cleared there (location of them isn't clearly indicated in T1).
   
   It's one frustration they should do away with IMHO.
2. Gate lounge screening: This pretty much speaks for itself, and I really hate this method as it can lead to crowds and overloaded gate holding areas. It also eats into valuable lounge time too as you have to figure out when to go to the gate lounge for minimal queuing & being guaranteed a seat so you don't have to stand up while waiting to board.

Fix those two things at SIN, and I'd marry the place and sire its children.

 

[dajop]

[*]Gate lounge screening: This pretty much speaks for itself, and I really hate this method as it can lead to crowds and overloaded gate holding areas. It also eats into valuable lounge time too as you have to figure out when to go to the gate lounge for minimal queuing & being guaranteed a seat so you don't have to stand up while waiting to board.

I love gate lounge screening, it works really well for me, and does away with the squeeze points on airport entry that hold everyone up. My tip is leave the lounge to go to the gate as late as you feel comfortable with, as the later you get there the less queues. I will typically try and reach the gate 15 mins before departure, maybe a little earlier for airlines of unknown quantity. I have rarely struck gate queues this late in the piece, and usually just breeze through (I just cannot fathom why people, for example get off QF9 and queue up immediately to go straight back into lounge for the continuation to LHR, I need to walk for a bit on layover on flights like that, but I guess they don't know any better).

And if you get there and there are queues/nowhere to sit inside, just camp on a chair outside the gate area for a while and wait for the queue to die down, the chairs are no different. I can't ever recall having a problem with o/h luggage even with rollaboard, people seem to carry lot less on intl flights compared to domestic (and lockers usually bigger) - the exception to all of this being for LCC flights.

But I do love an airport where you can get to the airport for an intl flight as lates as 35 mins before departure, have 10mins in a J lounge and still make your flight.

 

[yohy?!]

Pleased to report that SIN did not disappoint...

Arriving on 3K696 from HKG last night I cleared immigration at around midnight no questions asked. Then collected bags and passed the cigarette inspection before heading upstairs to check-in - row 1 'Affinity Check-In' handles QF Early Check-In from 11pm-5am approx.

I have to say SIN's decor and interior design (including plastic palm trees) straight from 'Muriel's Wedding' was highly amusing following the several cans of Jetstar-Asia Wine I'd enojoyed prior.