SIN O/Night Transfer, Ambassador & Using Baggage Services as Storage

[Sequel]

Looking at going through SIN on the way to Malaysia (using points to SIN, then MH/SQ/AK to KUL). Problem is the flight I am looking at arrives later than the last departure to KUL.

As QF no longer interline/through check for separate PNR's, thinking of getting off the plane, checking in at the Ambassador transfer hotel for a few hours (travelling with Mrs Sequel and a couple of jnr's, and 7 hours in the lounge is not her thing) and leaving the bags to be collected by baggage services. Get up in the morning, through immi, pick up bags from baggage services, up stairs and check in for the next flight.

The risk I can see is baggage services forwarding/destroying the bags for some reason. Any ideas?

Edit - May have just answered my own question in a way. Just looked at the Jetstar Asia site and they have a comparable time/fare, and according to the FAQ's Ready to Fly – Changes to Through Check Processes/Frequently Asked Questions/Effective: 3 November 2010 the bags should still be checked through SYD-SIN (QF), SIN-KUL (3K), meaning we can just crash at the Ambassador?

 

[thewinchester]

On the original question, new QF rule took affect on 3 NOV 2010 which prohibits interlining for pax on seperate PNR's. More information is available in their FAQ (which you've subsequently found) and this thread on the topic.

Additionally, the Ambassador Transit Hotel is airside - so in your original scenairo, you would have needed to collect your bags from the QF flight, then proceed to the early check-in desk for your next carrier and lodge your checked luggage.

Baggage services provided at SIN are brilliant, and they have early check-in down cold. All bags are securely stored and managed by the baggage control system, and there's almost no risk of your bags being damaged or missing your flight. Simply put, there's no need to worry about your bags if checking in early at SIN.

If you're still concerned, but wanted to stay near the hotel on a long connection - the Crowne Plaza at Changi Airport offers day room rates between 1100-1900hrs. Online this rate is around GBP120.00 (can't find an AUD or SGD price). The advantage is the Crowne Plaza is on airport, so you can just wheel your bags over and keep them in your room before moving onto your next flight.

There's also other options which can be accessed within a 5-15min taxi or shuttle from the hotel.

On your later scenairo going from QF INT to 3K, as you picked up in the FAQ interlining and through-check of baggage and onward check-in is offered - so you can just head to the Ambassador transit hotel.

 

[yohy?!]

I would take a longer connection and stay at the crowne plaza having done a 7 hour transit at SIN last year...... ambassador accommodations are not the nicest but early check in is a doddle.

 

[Sequel]

...they have early check-in down cold... Simply put, there's no need to worry about your bags if checking in early at SIN.

Thanks for that. I didn't realise they had early check in. I have been caught in HKG before, where I didn't check in in town (available any time), but upon arriving at the airport, I had to wait an hour for check-in to open.

Is the early check-in for all airlines do you think, including the LCC's such as AK?

Not that it matters anymore as we will probably go with 3K and the interline.

 

[Sequel]

... ambassador accommodations are not the nicest

Now are you used to 5 star and saying the Ambassador is not that good, or are you comparing it to 3 star??

I travel allot through country Oz, and so your idea of "not the nicest" may be a bit different to mine. Saying that, every time I stay in the $99 motels, all that keeps running through my mind is "wow, this bed must be as old as the building, I wish I was in a Starwood heavenly bed".

 

[rtyuiop]

I can recommend that 11am-7pm rate at the Changi Crowne Plaza from a stay mid-2010 - if memory serves it's something like $180 SGD.

*Excellent* shower, comfy room, very good food and coffee available - I'm planning on using it again shortly in a few weeks!

Danny

 

[yohy?!]

Now are you used to 5 star and saying the Ambassador is not that good, or are you comparing it to 3 star??

I travel allot through country Oz, and so your idea of "not the nicest" may be a bit different to mine. Saying that, every time I stay in the $99 motels, all that keeps running through my mind is "wow, this bed must be as old as the building, I wish I was in a Starwood heavenly bed".

I must confess I checked out of the W Hong Kong the day before my 5 hour stop there!

I stayed in one of the non-bathroom rooms which was also windowless....disappointing as i'd heard of people having Tarmac views from their room which would've been cool. The communal bathroom like the entire place was very tired.... it does the job for the price but it's pushing it to class it as 3 star.

 

[JohnK]

As QF no longer interline/through check for separate PNR's, thinking of getting off the plane, checking in at the Ambassador transfer hotel for a few hours (travelling with Mrs Sequel and a couple of jnr's, and 7 hours in the lounge is not her thing) and leaving the bags to be collected by baggage services. Get up in the morning, through immi, pick up bags from baggage services, up stairs and check in for the next flight.

Sounds like a good plan.

The risk I can see is baggage services forwarding/destroying the bags for some reason. Any ideas?

From my eperience there is no risk. Have done this twice recently and I stayed in the Skyview Lounge overnight and went to collect luggage and golf clubs in morning.

On the original question, new QF rule took affect on 3 NOV 2010 which prohibits interlining for pax on seperate PNR's.

Irrespective of whether on same PNR or not, in my experience QF will not allow through check of luggage in SIN or most overseas airports. They do not want to accept responsibility of what may happen to luggage overnight.

Additionally, the Ambassador Transit Hotel is airside - so in your original scenairo, you would have needed to collect your bags from the QF flight, then proceed to the early check-in desk for your next carrier and lodge your checked luggage.

No problem what so ever staying at the Ambassador hotel airside and then in the morning going to collect luggage from baggaga services and then head back upstairs to check-in for next flight.

Baggage services provided at SIN are brilliant, and they have early check-in down cold. All bags are securely stored and managed by the baggage control system, and there's almost no risk of your bags being damaged or missing your flight. Simply put, there's no need to worry about your bags if checking in early at SIN.

If you're still concerned, but wanted to stay near the hotel on a long connection - the Crowne Plaza at Changi Airport offers day room rates between 1100-1900hrs. Online this rate is around GBP120.00 (can't find an AUD or SGD price). The advantage is the Crowne Plaza is on airport, so you can just wheel your bags over and keep them in your room before moving onto your next flight.

There's also other options which can be accessed within a 5-15min taxi or shuttle from the hotel.

On your later scenairo going from QF INT to 3K, as you picked up in the FAQ interlining and through-check of baggage and onward check-in is offered - so you can just head to the Ambassador transit hotel.[/QUOTE]

 

[Sequel]

QF Int to 3K looks like the preferred option. As it will be overnight (23:00-07:00) the day rates at the Crowne Plaza aren't applicable.

Coming back it looks like it may be either AK or TG onto QF. I am guessing being a LCC AK wont check through the bags but TG might?

 

[JohnK]

In my experience TG will not check bags through to QF if on separate tickets. Tried that in BKK a couple of weeks ago and the answer was no.

Not sure what happens if TG and QF flights are on the same itinerary.

 

[Sequel]

They will be separate itineraries, so will just work on the assumption that whoever we fly there will be no through check, and if there is then it will be a bonus.

 

[gilly]

Just a +1 on these experiences. Last October I came into SIN on a flight at about midnight and checked into the Ambassador. I was worried about my bag being either lost or confiscated by security but the Ambassador staff seemed to think it would be fine.
Sure enough in the morning I was able to find it and claim it from staff before taking it to Left Luggage for my day of sightseeing before checking in for my evening flight.