Self-Transfer through Changi

[SCM]

Hi

I'm thinking of booking separate ticket flights, possible either EK or SQ rewards EU <> SIN and then separate qantas ticket or something between SIN <> SYD.

In terms of self-transfer between different airlines/tickets/whatever, how does luggage and check-in work in Singapore? Is it possible to grab and re-check your luggage airside or do I need to go through border?

 

[luxury-lizard]

When booking separate tickets (paid or awards) I would assume you need to go through immigration and customs to collect your checked luggage and re-checkin for your next flight. I would also recommend only booking your onward flight the following day just in case your incoming flight to SIN is delayed - you would not be protected if this happened.

Others can chip in as there may be some combinations of airlines (eg. EK -> QF) where they would check your luggage through but I doubt it.

 

[muppet]

Hi

I'm thinking of booking separate ticket flights, possible either EK or SQ rewards EU <> SIN and then separate qantas ticket or something between SIN <> SYD.

In terms of self-transfer between different airlines/tickets/whatever, how does luggage and check-in work in Singapore? Is it possible to grab and re-check your luggage airside or do I need to go through border?

Yes, you should be able to transfer baggage airside.

Find the Transfer Lounge Qantas uses (EDIT: I think C or D) and that desk will issue your boarding pass, collect your bag and reroute it.

Obviously you need your baggage receipt for this to work. I usually end up with the same baggage receipt and number - it will just have a sticker placed on the top with new flight details.

I’ve done this many times with airlines that refuse to interline baggage.

 

[SYD]

If flying QR ex Europe, they’ll happily interline to a seperate QF ticket home. So one less transit to worry about.

 

[papeto]

We did Etihad from Milan to Singapore and then Jetstar from Singapore to Melbourne in October (Two seperate tickets). We had to collect our luggage and go through customs. We had a stopover of 11 hours. Changi has an early check in facility at the Jewel, so we checked in early for the Jetstar flight there and went to town for site seeing and lunch. Make sure you check which terminal you land and depart from. T4 can only be reached by bus from T1, T2, T3 and the Jewel and is a 15 min busride ( bus every 24 min).

 

[dajop]

If you fly SQ from Europe to Singapore, they will through check your bags to Qantas. You just need to go to the QF transfer desk at Changi, give them your bag tags and they will issue your onward BP.

The reverse is not true (QF->SQ), although as pointed out above for carriers that don't through check the airport itself will retrieve bags and tag them for the onward flights.

Also, as always with separate tickets, at your own risk, and no protection if the inbound flight is delayed.

 

[SCM]

Another related question - I'm now thinking of doing SQ there and back - both rewards with velocity.

The problem is on the way back, its not possible to get J both legs, it would need to be J then P, and velocity doesn't do multi-city reward bookings or anything, it doesn't seem like I can add them both to a single booking. Should I call up velocity help to get them to make the booking with both flights or can I buy them as separate bookings, and just tell SQ check-in in AMS for example to check it through to SYD, even though I'm flying on separate tickets, as it's both with SQ?

 

[JohnK]

Are the transfer desks functional again after Covid? That's good to know.

 

[jase05]

If flying QR ex Europe, they’ll happily interline to a seperate QF ticket home. So one less transit to worry about.

I’ve mentioned this in another post but as of about 2 weeks ago QR’s published policy on checking baggage through on separate PNRs was removed from their website so will be interesting to see if it’s still done going forward. I really hope they haven’t stopped it

 

[dajop]

or can I buy them as separate bookings, and just tell SQ check-in in AMS for example to check it through to SYD, even though I'm flying on separate tickets, as it's both with SQ?

You won't necessarily be protected in case of delays to the first flight (but as it is SQ->SQ if you are lucky you might be if you are checked in at AMS for both flights), however SQ should have absolutely no problem checking your luggage through to SYD.

My last point of reference was SQ->SN in April (SIN-FRA-BRU), and I was checked through on separate PNR's without an issue, and SQ even issued my BP for the SN flight, so should have zero problems doing it for SQ->SQ.

 

[SYD]

Positive news if SQ is involved. We‘re flying home from Thailand via SIN today. SYD-SIN (return) on QF J (Classic Reward) and HKT-SIN on SQ whY (reward seats booked with UA miles).

Luggage happily checked through all the way to SYD. They even issued QF BPs!