KUL-SIN-DPS-MEL maybe all airside, maybe not…

[Austman]

Later this week I’m taking (risking?) a rather odd route to get from KUL to MEL avoiding overnight flights.

I think there’s a fair potential for many things to go wrong. But it might just work. Or at least most of it. I’m soon to find out!

It’s 2 tickets and 3 flights. One flight on MH (Malaysia Airlines) in Y-class KUL-SIN. Then 2 flights sold as one booking on 3K/JQ (Jetstar) in J-class SIN-DPS-MEL. Although there is no J-class on 3K the fare gives an extra leg room seat, a meal, checked luggage and a 14kg carry on allowance.

I also have an airside overnight transit hotel stay in SIN T1.

The flights:

KUL-SIN 15:25-16:35 on MH605
(overnight in SIN T1)
SIN-DPS 06:55-09:55 on 3K243
xDPS-MEL 12:45-21:15 on JQ44

As a Qantas WP (OWE) I hope to get first class lounge access in KUL and SIN.

I’ll be HLO.

There are many questions that I’m not sure about. But I can take some hits if it does go wrong.

First up is a simple KUL-SIN flight on MH. Hopefully with a visit to MH’s first class lounge before the flight which is scheduled to arrive in SIN T1 at 16:35.

On arrival at SIN T1 I hope to meet friends airside who are booked on that evening’s QF36.

I hope to be able to get my Jetstar boarding passes for the next morning while staying airside. 3K staff at SIN have already told me that I can check-in land-side 12 hours before my flight. I hope that can be done airside as well if I’m HLO. If not, I might stay airside until the next morning.

Then there’s the Qantas lounge access in SIN until about 10pm. Will they even let me in? I think I qualify even if my next flight is technically the next morning… Not sure they’d do it if I don’t have my 3K boarding pass.

And there’s the transit in DPS. How that will go I don’t really know. But I should have nearly 3 hours to do it! And it is a single booking transit.

Lots to go wrong? Is it madness? Let’s see…

Any tips are welcome!

 

[dajop]

And there’s the transit in DPS. How that will go I don’t really know. But I should have nearly 3 hours to do it! And it is a single booking transit.

Can't help you with other questions I'm afraid. , but please keep us informed on how this goes. Late next week I have 2:50 transit from 3K to QF @ DPS all on same award ticket due to the dearth of availability on direct flights (unfortunately overnight flight) . I'll probably have luggage though.

 

[Quickstatus]

Although there is no J-class on 3K

FLounge MAS is Yes

QF SIN FLounge is a No IMO.
For 2 reasons:

The fine print (The + next to Jetstar) says you need to be flying JQ group in J on a business max fare

Additionally lounge eligibility has generally always been for day of travel.

 

[Austman]

The fine print says you need to be flying JQ In J on a business max fare

That’s for access due to a Jetstar ticket paid access.

I’m WP so will have access for any Jetstar flight I take as long as the lounge is open.

I might need the Jetstar BP as well. Next morning flights have caused me an issue before but I think old the “same day” requirement is now “next flight”? That’s the “travelling onwards” … Which I am. I note that QF1 currently departs SIN at 23:55. It’s very nearly a next day flight! And many oneworld or EK flights leave SIN after midnight. Are all those pax refused entry?

But I agree, it’s one of the risks!

 

[dajop]

FLounge MAS is Yes

QF SIN FLounge is a No IMO.
For 2 reasons:

The fine print (The + next to Jetstar) says you need to be flying JQ group in J on a business max fare

Additionally lounge eligibility has generally always been for day of travel.
View attachment 315896

First reason is irrelevant. It is QF WP status that grants access whether flying Jetstar in economy or “business”.

Second reason may be very relevant though, but given lounge is closed in the morning may be worth a try. Worst case is, as we expect, they will say no. The cost of going up an escalator is minimal.

 

[Quickstatus]

It is QF WP status that grants access whether flying Jetstar in economy or “business”.

how should this be interpreted:

Note the "+ " for Jetstar

It's the same for the International Business lounge

 

[Austman]

how should this be interpreted:

Lots of QF status pax get access into Qantas lounges in SIN when flying 3K.

 

[Quickstatus]

Lots of QF status pax get access

Agree, but what should we make of the "disclaimer"?

 

[dajop]

Agree, but what should we make of the "disclaimer"?

Bad proofing. It really only applies to those accessing lounge on the basis of BusinessMax fares, and not status.

I’ve accessed the QF business lounge in SIN travelling in economy on both 3K and JQ, by virtue of gold status. And in MEL travelling JQ.

 

[Quickstatus]

Does Changi still do Transfer desks at T1 and does 3K use them?

 

[Austman]

Does Changi still do Transfer desks at T1 and does 3K use them?

That’s one of my questions.

I’ll be finding out if no-one knows for sure.

I don’t think it will matter much to me if they don’t. They (3K check-in staff at SIN) have already (just the other day) told me they’ll issue my boarding pass land-side at least 12 hours before my flight. Airside would save me a bit of time.

 

[henrus]

I hope to be able to get my Jetstar boarding passes for the next morning while staying airside. 3K staff at SIN have already told me that I can check-in land-side 12 hours before my flight. I hope that can be done airside as well if I’m HLO. If not, I might stay airside until the next morning.

3K have a single desk at T1's Transfer C area that is open till late given they have flights through to 2am.

Then there’s the Qantas lounge access in SIN until about 10pm. Will they even let me in? I think I qualify even if my next flight is technically the next morning… Not sure they’d do it if I don’t have my 3K boarding pass.

I've asked about this before and QF lounges follow the oneworld rules regarding timing (even for JQ/3K access) where access is only same day (or before 6am the following day). Obviously your 3K flight leaves at 6:55am so if therefore a next day flight (although it wouldn't hurt to ask expect to be told no).

And there’s the transit in DPS. How that will go I don’t really know. But I should have nearly 3 hours to do it! And it is a single booking transit.

I flew 3K243 about 3 weeks ago. There were lots of people transiting via DPS through to Australia and all of them had been issued onward JQ boarding passes in SIN. After getting off the jetbridge there were staff holding a sign up directing those with an onward boarding pass through transit security.

In fact I was staying landside at changi and checked in at the 3K desks the night before, during check in they asked if I had another onward JQ flight to Australia same day because they were willing to through check.

Does Changi still do Transfer desks at T1 and does 3K use them?

Yes they've been open for quite a while post covid, 3K's operations at Changi are basically back to normal but expect this to change on 22 March when they change terminal (although I suspect 3K check in will still be possible in Jewel's early check in facility via kiosk).

 

[Austman]

I've asked about this before and QF lounges follow the oneworld rules regarding timing (even for JQ/3K access) where access is only same day (or before 6am the following day).

Great post. Thank you for the information!

But Qantas don’t say that, any longer, on their website. Not the same day or the 6am limit bit. And Jetstar is not oneworld.

I’ve been admitted before.

But we’ll see !!

 

[Austman]

And so it begins.

On board MH, KUL-SIN now.

First class MH lounge in KUL was as good as always. Not an extensive menu but a good one:

 

[Austman]

MH in 737 Y class has appalling leg room. Just 30 inches and thick seats.

Row 5 is the best apart from exit rows:


Standard seat selection is free if you have oneworld status. As is priority boarding.

 

[AIRwin]

On board MH, KUL-SIN now.

MH605?

 

[SYD]

And so it begins.

On board MH, KUL-SIN now.

First class MH lounge in KUL was as good as always. Not an extensive menu but a good one:

Did your flight depart from the satellite terminal or did you need to schlep back and fourth to get to the lounge? I’ve only ever (from memory) arrived and departed from the satellite terminal. Handy for maxing lounge time.

 

[AIRwin]

Did your flight depart from the satellite terminal or did you need to schlep back and fourth to get to the lounge?

Gate G006 if it's MH605 - would that be in Main terminal?

 

[dairyfloss]

SIN flights are almost always in the regional / main terminal. Hopefully the train is running again after being closed for some time

 

[Quickstatus]

arrived and departed from the satellite terminal.

The international flights operate to/from there
But I think the MH SIN flights operate from M.

I've not done MH5xx_ codeshare with SQ SIN flights. I believe these are Sat terminal as well?.