Lengthy Transit in Kuala Lumpur

[Durin's Bane]

G'day guys,

I was hoping someone could provide advice on accommodation options for lengthy transits at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

My wife and I were planning a trip to Bangkok at the end of the year, via Kuala Lumpur (transit). As MH are now part of OneWorld we wanted to take advantage of some of their well priced J class flights (~$3,000 each PER to BKK return). The transit time in Kuala Lumpur is 11 hours on both sets of legs (transit is from late night to morning) so we were hoping for some sleep. Does MH provide vouchers or complimentary hotel accommodation for these long transits? The fare rules are a little confusing on their website.

If the answer to the above is 'no', I've read on another thread that my wife and I will have access to the MH Platinum Lounge as a OneWorld Emerald. The factsheet on the MH website states that the lounge is open 24 hours. Is this truly the case? If so I was thinking we could use the slumber rooms as opposed to hiring a airport hotel room for the evening. Is this feasible? Do these need to be booked in advance?

Thanks,
DB.

 

[Timtammi]

I cant really help on what MH may or may not offer but I can tell you that the Pan Pacific at KLIA is quite nice and a good place to get some sleep with very comfortable beds etc. Its very close to the airport, in fact if I remember correctly its actually connected via a covered walkway and they offer a complimentary buggy transfer from arrivals.

Cheers

Timmi

 

[opusman]

Check the fare rules as there's a good chance you are entitled to a free room at the airport hotel. The STOPOVERS section in the fare rules will say something like:

note - stpc- kul hotel accommodation provided on a through fare if no scheduled connection operating within 6 hours transit time for travel beyond malaysia/sin/bwn

 

[Durin's Bane]

Thanks, the fare rules state the following for a dummy booking on the dates and times I'd like:

[TABLE="class: monoText, width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD]9.
[/TD]
[TD]STOPOVERS

9.1

note - general rule does not apply 6 stopovers permitted on the pricing unit at aud 150.00 each. note - stpc- kul hotel accommodation provided on a through fare if no scheduled connection operating within 6 hours transit time for travel beyond malaysia/sin/bwn. stpc does not apply if subclass is not available on connecting flight or if connecting flight is fully booked.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
So it sounds like I will be provided this accommodation for the potenial 11 hour transit overnight.

 

[MH_fan]

If you are travelling in J, MH will put you up at the Sama-Sama Hotel (previously the Pan Pacific) if your transit is over 6 hours. That will be infinitely better than the First class/Platinum lounge at KLIA.

My question is how does this happen? After disembarking, where do you go to? I'm assuming you have to go through immigration first because you are physically leaving the airport. Is there a particular desk or area passengers have to get to? Any advice from people who have done this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kinkacruiser]

If you are confined to the salettlite terminal, we recently stayed at the Airside Hotel (near gate 5) It has a ground floor entrance with a lift to reception area. You can purchase by the hour stay, freshen up and have a sleep. We stayed for 12 hours and that cost about 370 rm. The rooms have been recenly refurbished and were fine for our needs. Beds are hard and they don't give you enough pillows, so ask for extra.