Interline baggage PER-SIN on SQ then SIN-USM on Bangkok - on separate tickets?!

[thehound]

Hi everyone, I am trying to plan a trip to Koh Samui next year (where we got married 14 years ago ;-), and connections have always been a pain ex Perth. SQ have a PER-SIN flight which arrives at 1910, and I have reserved a J redemption using KF miles. Bangkok Airways, who I believe has a codeshare arrangement with SQ, have a SIN-USM departure at 2015. This would give a connection time of 65 mins, which is only a bit longer than the Changi 50 minute MCT - but of course the Bangkok Air fare will be a revenue fare, and thus on a separate ticket!

Does anyone know if, because of the interline agreement between the two airlines, I can check baggage in at Perth all the way through to Koh Samui, on two separate tickets? I would be concerned about booking all of this and leaving it to chance on the day!

If not, any suggestions on how I could make this work? Is it possible to somehow get the 2 tickets combined?

And BTW, given the apparent codeshare between the airlines I did check if I could book the SIN-USM leg via the Singapore website, but none of the flights show up. Not sure if this could be done on the phone with an SQ office though. Many thanks in advance for any help, much appreciated!

 

[JohnK]

One possibility is to use the transfer desk in SIN to get connecting boarding pass and transfer luggage but 65 minutes is a little too tight.

No earlier availability ex-PER?

Safest bet is Scoot next morning or Bangkok Airways at lunchtime and spend the night in SIN airport.

 

[Jacques Vert]

This would give a connection time of 65 mins, which is only a bit longer than the Changi 50 minute MCT - but of course the Bangkok Air fare will be a revenue fare, and thus on a separate ticket!

A 65min transit on separate tickets? You'ld have to be mad IMHO. What happens if your first flight is delayed? And please don't suggest travel insurance because you won't be covered.

 

[dajop]

SQ do have agreements with Bangkok Airways so are likely to through check your luggage from PER - they do tend to be fairly generous as far as thorough checking on separate tickets.

However the risk of missing that flight is entirely yours - if you have a fare on Bangkok Airways that allows refunds even after departure (as you would be a no-show) and have cheap or refundable accommodation for your first night in Koh Samui - then maybe that’s something you could consider.

Personally no way I’d consider this - I’m with JohnK, stay overnight in SIN and fly the next morning. You’re not going to be at your hotel anyway in Koh Samui until probably 10pm or later.

BTW, they are a codeshare partner but not a redemption partner so that’s why you can’t get it all on the one booking.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Last time i checked paid fares SIN-USM were quite expensive… another option is to use Qantas points, just 14,000 per person each way. Saved me about $400 on the one way fare even after taxes fees and charges.

Given the cash prices the flight was only about 60% full, with good award availability.

 

[docjames]

Change the second flight to the next day, overnight at SIN.

 

[MathNerd]

A 65 minute transfer on separate tickets? NO WAY. It could go perfectly on the day, or it could go HORRIBLY WRONG.

Trust me - I've just been through the ringer, and that's on a through, single, ticket with SQ. An 1.5 hour delay on the first flight, with a transit that was scheduled at 1 hour, of course the connecting flight was missed. Problem - all other alternatives that could get us home were full - zeroed out on all fare buckets.

The journey that ensued, and what it took to get home at a decent day/time, is something enough for a book or a movie. It will be a separate thread - I won't take away from the OP and their scenario.

Good luck - I'd highly recommend an overnight at SIN (if you continue to hold a redemption for SQ226). Alternatively, take the morning's SQ224 (ETA 1145) and then you'll have plenty of time to catch the Bangkok Air service to USM, even if a delay hits SQ224 (it has been delayed only once in the last ~2 weeks, and that only by 36 mins). SQ226, on the other hand, has had delays of around half an hour, multiple times over the past ~2 weeks.

Can you change the redemption to SQ224?

 

[thehound]

Thanks to all for your replies. I would only have considered it if everyone said that SQ will definitely through check baggage, but given that's a big IF, I'm not mad enough to try!
I've ended up booking PER-BKK in J on Thai miles, ends up working out much better given the better Thai 2:1 rate for Amex compared with the 3:1 for SQ. Bangkok Air have flights from BKK to Samui every hour so a much safer alternative.
And thank you MEL_traveller for your Qantas suggestion - I had no idea they were a redemption partner, so managed to use them for 3 seats for BKK-USM, and 2 seats for USM-SIN. Finally a way to usefully use Qantas points, who would have thought!!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks to all for your replies. I would only have considered it if everyone said that SQ will definitely through check baggage, but given that's a big IF, I'm not mad enough to try!
I've ended up booking PER-BKK in J on Thai miles, ends up working out much better given the better Thai 2:1 rate for Amex compared with the 3:1 for SQ. Bangkok Air have flights from BKK to Samui every hour so a much safer alternative.
And thank you MEL_traveller for your Qantas suggestion - I had no idea they were a redemption partner, so managed to use them for 3 seats for BKK-USM, and 2 seats for USM-SIN. Finally a way to usefully use Qantas points, who would have thought!!

It’s arguably one of the better economy class redemptions given the high fares! There are some ‘ok’ fares on PG from BKK to USM, but often those are super early in the morning. Anything at a reasonable time is expensive.

Be prepared for a pretty good experience on Bangkok Airways… not sure if you’ve flown the, before. But for anyone who hasn’t, full hot meal (2 courses) on the 40 or so minute flight from BKK to USM, then a round of tea or coffee. That’s for economy. Plus don’t forget the bangkok airways lounge in bangkok - again for all economy pax.Its basic, but you can get a coffee or soft drink plus some sarnies or other snacks.

 

[thehound]

It’s arguably one of the better economy class redemptions given the high fares! There are some ‘ok’ fares on PG from BKK to USM, but often those are super early in the morning. Anything at a reasonable time is expensive.

Be prepared for a pretty good experience on Bangkok Airways… not sure if you’ve flown the, before. But for anyone who hasn’t, full hot meal (2 courses) on the 40 or so minute flight from BKK to USM, then a round of tea or coffee. That’s for economy. Plus don’t forget the bangkok airways lounge in bangkok - again for all economy pax.Its basic, but you can get a coffee or soft drink plus some sarnies or other snacks.

Yes we've flown with them before, and they're terrific! A few years ago we did the same itinerary as we're doing next year (PER-BKK with Thai then BKK-USM with Bangkok), and given we were on separate tickets I booked something like a 4 hour layover to allow for delays from Perth. When we arrived on time, I asked the Bangkok Airways check in staff if we could get on the next earlier flight, which they were only too happy to do!

For next year I've booked with a 2 hour layover, hopefully no issues