Singapore Changi - Tiger to Emirates - ambassador transit hotel and bags

[5teve]

Hi All

In early May we are flying DPS to SIN on Tiger airways, arriving 1140pm Terminal 2 then back to LGW on Emirates (QF flight number) that morning at 9:35am Terminal 1. Of course, they are separate itineraries.

I know from reading on here (JohnK had some great posts from a few yrs ago - thanks) that we do not clear immigration, and instead get the bags from "Lost luggage" after our sleep before the next flight. One thing I am not clear about, however:

That morning will we pick the bag up, clear immigration, go to Terminal 1 and check in as a normal passenger (only to go through immigration again)

OR

That morning, do we go to the transfer desk airside (In terminal 2 or 1?) and check if they can issue a boarding pass and call through to lost luggage to retag our bags to London? Then transfer to Terminal 1 thus avoiding the need to clear immigration and extra lounge time

People report both methods but I am unsure if its purely to do with the airline combination or some other factor.

Has anyone done this combination or have any advice?

Thanks all for any help - its always valuable!
Steve

 

[mushez]

It is up to you.

You can go to the transfer desk, however it is a lottery and time consuming at times.

If you have time, do immigration and recheck your bags.

If you are not stressed your bags may miss your flight and come a day or four later, do the transfer counter option.

However if you ask me, getting them, passing through immigration and rechecking them while uses a bit of energy lugging them, is faster and more assuring when you get to your final destination.

 

[5teve]

It is up to you.

You can go to the transfer desk, however it is a lottery and time consuming at times.

If you have time, do immigration and recheck your bags.

If you are not stressed your bags may miss your flight and come a day or four later, do the transfer counter option.

However if you ask me, getting them, passing through immigration and rechecking them while uses a bit of energy lugging them, is faster and more assuring when you get to your final destination.

Thanks very much for the advice. I just wish the actual hotel website itself explained things better and that - its very worrying letting our bags pass through to "lost luggage" / letting them go round and round on the carousel for a few hours!

 

[mushez]

It isn't that bad, they tend to take off the last 10 bags at the end of the carasol and then if they still are there after a period take them over to the lost luggage area, which is all out in the open with a chain through all the bag handles and locked so you can walk through and find your one, look interested in it, and the person related to it comes over and checks you have the luggage receipts for the bags in question and let's you have them.

It is a uniquely common thing in SIN given the unique arrangements of the transit hotels or people remaining in transit for periods of time before coming out to recheck bags 3 hours prior to their next flight.

 

[markis10]

It is up to you.

You can go to the transfer desk, however it is a lottery and time consuming at times.

If you have time, do immigration and recheck your bags.

If you are not stressed your bags may miss your flight and come a day or four later, do the transfer counter option.

However if you ask me, getting them, passing through immigration and rechecking them while uses a bit of energy lugging them, is faster and more assuring when you get to your final destination.

Collecting bags and trying to checkin will probably result in you being stranded outside to checkin opens in the morning. While EK are open for checkin until 1AM, I am not sure they will accept check in for flights later in the morning. The best path is to leave the baggage to left baggage, collect in the morning and checkin then.

 

[mushez]

Collecting bags and trying to checkin will probably result in you being stranded outside to checkin opens in the morning. While EK are open for checkin until 1AM, I am not sure they will accept check in for flights later in the morning. The best path is to leave the baggage to left baggage, collect in the morning and checkin then.

Correct, they are looking to stay at the transit hotel, then in the 3 hour window before their flight go out and get their bags and recheck them for their next flight.

One would be silly to not remain in transit and only go through immigration when their next flight is ready for check in.

 

[5teve]

Hello all and thanks again for advice mushez and markis10.
just tried to book and got a response:

"Since we are situated in Departure Transit Lounge (Restricted Area) of Changi Airport, please be informed that you are unable to access our hotel if you don"t have a valid boarding pass for your next flight. Since you have check in luggage, you need to clear immigration, and QF flight can only provide boarding pass two hours before departure. We advice you to make booking to other City Hotel. Nearest Hotel in the airport is Crowne Plaza, other options are; once you clear immigration there will be a Hotel Reservation Counter they can advice you which hotel in the city is cheaper, or nearer, or convenient for you. Thank you!"

This is strange because it sounds like we are trying to do what everyone else has done. We may even have a confirmation from OLCI...

to be clear we are flying DPS to SIN on Tiger airways, arriving 1140pm Terminal 2 then back to LGW on Emirates (QF flight number) that morning at 9:35am Terminal 1 on separate itineraries, and I tried to book the Terminal 2 hotel as this is where we will arrive.

I have responded with some questions but has anyone else received a response like this?

This is strange

 

[erkpod]

Hello all and thanks again for advice mushez and markis10.
just tried to book and got a response:



This is strange because it sounds like we are trying to do what everyone else has done. We may even have a confirmation from OLCI...

to be clear we are flying DPS to SIN on Tiger airways, arriving 1140pm Terminal 2 then back to LGW on Emirates (QF flight number) that morning at 9:35am Terminal 1 on separate itineraries, and I tried to book the Terminal 2 hotel as this is where we will arrive.

I have responded with some questions but has anyone else received a response like this?

This is strange

When I was in SIN a month ago, I was flying in on SQ from NRT & then spending a week in SIN before flying home. By the time my flight arrived, I was walking through the door of the transit hotel in T3 at 0400 local. I didn't have a booking & the lady at reception asked me where I was transiting to. I told her that I'd just come off a flight & had a hotel room booked for later that day down town. So on the form that you have to fill out on arrival, she wrote "City" for next destination. I paid my money (I paid for 8 hours) and then went to the room. I woke up, checked out & then had a leisurely breakfast airside.

Then I cleared immigration & the officer noted that my flight had arrived much earlier. I explained to him that due to the early arrival of the flight, I needed sleep & went to the transit hotel. He thought that was a good idea.

I went to the lost luggage office & claimed my bags. A few minutes later, my bags came out on the over-sized luggage belt. Then I cleared Customs.

 

[5teve]

Thanks erkpod. great to know

I just got a second response from the hotel who, once again, said I am not meant to stay there in my situation!

Dear ,

We are advised from Tiger Airways (TR) that if you have checked-in luggage than you are to collect it after arrival of Aircraft as luggage will be left at the conveyor belt unattended and other people might take it and leave the airport.

You have to clear Immigration to collect your luggage. Once you clear Immigration you will not be able to re-enter Departure Transit Lounge (Restricted Area) where the Ambassador Transit Hotels are located.

As Emirates Airlines (EK) do not have an early check- in, regret to inform you that you are unable to stay with us if you are travelling with check -in luggage.

Kindly check with the respective Airlines and advise us if you would like to proceed with the booking.

Should you have any further enquiry please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Thank You.


Ambassador Transit Hotels
Terminal 1, 2 & 3

this seems to be opposite to what everyone is saying. Is there something different because I will be with Tiger airways in Termba

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks erkpod. great to know

I just got a second response from the hotel who, once again, said I am not meant to stay there in my situation!

this seems to be opposite to what everyone is saying. Is there something different because I will be with Tiger airways in Termba

sounds like there has maybe been a change in policy?

I know last year when i did the same (checked-in immediately after arrival), the left luggage area was overflowing with bags. Maybe they've decided to clean it up?

 

[erkpod]

Thanks erkpod. great to know

I just got a second response from the hotel who, once again, said I am not meant to stay there in my situation!




this seems to be opposite to what everyone is saying. Is there something different because I will be with Tiger airways in Termba

It's a lot harder to argue with a tired guy who rocks up at 0400 without notice than someone who tries to book beforehand.

 

[5teve]

Hello all,

As an update for future searchers...

When departing Singapore I enquired directly with the transit hotel and his advise matched that on here. My only guess is they are not allowed to give the advice over email hence their initial "no" responses. (Maybe it's frowned upon but tolerated by the airport?). Made the booking and canceled the crowne plaza changi booking.

Going through customs and collecting bags from "lost and found" was an easy process. Customs did make an enquiry as to what we were doing for 6 hrs but transit hotel is an acceptable answer.

I'm currently sitting in the emirates lounge awaiting flight to DXB refreshed after 6hrs sleep in a pretty decent hotel.

Thanks again for the advice on here which has once again proven rock solid.

Steve

 

[NFF]

Is it safe to leave luggage at "lost and found" ?

 

[JohnK]

Is it safe to leave luggage at "lost and found" ?

I have left luggage and golf clubs there a number of times without any issues.

Head over in the morning and show them passport and you are able to take possession of your luggage.