Transit Experience inDPS, Bali- changing airlines - separate PNRs - from SQ to VA

[AviatorPJ]

Hoping that some experienced AFFs can guide me. I'm combining an up-coming trip back to Australia and VA status run. Flying O/w SQ in J, BKK-SIN-DPS. Then, connecting in DPS (2.5 hours lay over) to a VA flight(s), DPS-PER-MEL-CBR (an A49, J reward, on the VA Status Run thread). Separate PNRs and tickets. The info I have about transit/transfer to another carrier in DPS is not so flattering, but it is dated as well. Could I reasonably expect SQ to through check baggage in BKK, to the VA flight departing DPS-PER? Just to make it curly, the SQ connection departing from SIN to DPS, lays over in SIN for 9 hours. Currently, separate PNRs for obvious reasons (VA J Reward flight on VA"795" ticket, status run condition etc.). Should I prepare to exit immigration/customs in DPS collect bags (pay for Visa on arrival and departure tax).and then immediately Check in for VA thereafter? Or, is there an air-side transfer/transit counter in DPS airport that could issue the VA BP? Could SQ issue the VA flight BP in BKK (or in SIN) if they check through my bags to PER. Keeping in mind the SQ/VA partnership, etc?

 

[jetlagger]

Hoping that some experienced AFFs can guide me. I'm combining an up-coming trip back to Australia and VA status run. Flying O/w SQ in J, BKK-SIN-DPS. Then, connecting in DPS (2.5 hours lay over) to a VA flight(s), DPS-PER-MEL-CBR (an A49, J reward, on the VA Status Run thread). Separate PNRs and tickets. The info I have about transit/transfer to another carrier in DPS is not so flattering, but it is dated as well. Could I reasonably expect SQ to through check baggage in BKK, to the VA flight departing DPS-PER? Just to make it curly, the SQ connection departing from SIN to DPS, lays over in SIN for 9 hours. Currently, separate PNRs for obvious reasons (VA J Reward flight on VA"795" ticket, status run condition etc.). Should I prepare to exit immigration/customs in DPS collect bags (pay for Visa on arrival and departure tax).and then immediately Check in for VA thereafter? Or, is there an air-side transfer/transit counter in DPS airport that could issue the VA BP? Could SQ issue the VA flight BP in BKK (or in SIN) if they check through my bags to PER. Keeping in mind the SQ/VA partnership, etc?

Interesting & certainly complex set of arrangements..
I have done all of the above mentioned flights, though have always stopped over in each port for several days to savour the (at least food specialties) of each.
I would contact VA call centre & duly enquire regarding the DPS issue, IIRC don't think SQ/VA interline on those sectors.
Cheers,
jl

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hoping that some experienced AFFs can guide me. I'm combining an up-coming trip back to Australia and VA status run. Flying O/w SQ in J, BKK-SIN-DPS. Then, connecting in DPS (2.5 hours lay over) to a VA flight(s), DPS-PER-MEL-CBR (an A49, J reward, on the VA Status Run thread). Separate PNRs and tickets. The info I have about transit/transfer to another carrier in DPS is not so flattering, but it is dated as well.

Could I reasonably expect SQ to through check baggage in BKK, to the VA flight departing DPS-PER? Just to make it curly, the SQ connection departing from SIN to DPS, lays over in SIN for 9 hours. Currently, separate PNRs for obvious reasons (VA J Reward flight on VA"795" ticket, status run condition etc.).

Should I prepare to exit immigration/customs in DPS collect bags (pay for Visa on arrival and departure tax).and then immediately Check in for VA thereafter? Or, is there an air-side transfer/transit counter in DPS airport that could issue the VA BP? Could SQ issue the VA flight BP in BKK (or in SIN) if they check through my bags to PER. Keeping in mind the SQ/VA partnership, etc?

I know you have 9 hours in SIN but how long do you have in DPS? AFAIK you can't transit longer than 8 hours in DPS, not that I think anyone would want to without going stir crazy.

I would ask SQ if they can through check your bag as far as PER only on VA but it would depend on whether they have a baggage agreement with SQ. They may be a bit more inclined to assist you seeing as though you're flying J BKK-SIN-DPS. I believe VA have an interline baggage agreement with MI eg for BNE VA DRW MI SIN fare combos but not sure whether it would have to be booked on the one pnr like it used to be when VA used the Navitaire system for checkin. It might be different now with VA using Sabre.

It SQ only check your bag to DPS, before clearing customs in DPS I would seek assistance from SQ ground staff to walk you to the transit desk & see if they can a) check you in for the VA flight & b) retrieve your bag tagged to DPS & re-tag it to PER. Not sure whether VA permit OLCI for intl flights DPS-PER which may assist the process.

I wouldn't ask them to tag it beyond PER as asking SQ to tag your bag BKK-SIN-DPS-PER-MEL-CBR sounds like a perfect scenario for the 'too hard basket'. In any case you've got to claim your bag in PER whether it's tagged to PER or CBR so you can clear customs so I would imagine VA have some kind of bag drop-off facility at the international terminal where you drop your bag & checkin in for the PER-MEL-CBR flights before taking the shuttle around to the domestic terminal in PER.

To be perfectly honest I wouldn't even bother asking the call centre as what they tell you & what the airport staff are prepared to do can be total opposites.

 

[AviatorPJ]

Thanks jl, I've enjoyed the food specialties in the past. Appreciate the advice. VA call centre, yes, possibly, but not so easy from Cambodia... Cheers, PJ

 

[AviatorPJ]

hi Oz, all helpful suggestions. Thank you. I have 2.5 hours in DPS between the scheduled arrival in DPS on SQ, J - and departure of VA DPS-PER (J reward). Yes I would be pleased with through check to PER. I have (hopefully) more than enough time in PER, 4+ hours, before the VA MEL-CBR sectors.

 

[jetlagger]

Thanks jl, I've enjoyed the food specialties in the past. Appreciate the advice. VA call centre, yes, possibly, but not so easy from Cambodia... Cheers, PJ

Cheers, I'm sure you will get it sorted.. Happy travels

 

[Wayne Herring]

I've been through DPS many times though I've always stopped over, can't say I've ever noticed a functioning transfer desk on arrival.

If you're unable to use the transfer desk a 2.5 hour transit in DPS isn't likely to be enough. Worst case scenario is you may need to go through immigration (after buying a US$25 visa on arrival), check in and come back through immigration. The time to get through inbound immigration can vary widely - I think my record is about 2 hours standing in the queue. Virgin closes check in 90 minutes before departure, you can't do it online. You'd also need RP150K to pay departure tax at outbound immigration (it's not included in tickets) so you'd need to factor in time to change some currency (or use a A$50 note to buy your visa and use the change to pay it - it's given in Rupiah).

 

[AviatorPJ]

Thanks Wayne Heerring. All great tips. I think that will be plan B. I'll get a transit visa here in Cambodia ($US20, I checked this atfernoon) for Indonesia, if needed and to cut down the inbound Immigration time in DPS.

 

[dajop]

I can't comment on DPS specifics. SQ seem to interline to most non-LCCs without a fuss (ie even if on separate tickets), and I think VA should be OK on this basis. I have done two transfers at CGK on separate tickets (admittedly different airport, but not too different in terms of infrastructure and attitude). One was without baggage - from Jetstar(Valuair) to QF, the other with baggage from QF to SQ (when QF used to interline baggage on separate tix). The process seemed to very manual (ie. at transfer desks they went off and after quite a while returned with BP and escorted me to departures - I think someone walked across to airline check in desk to get BPs, and maybe even to luggage carousel to collect then re- check luggage). They were a bit perplexed though during the Valuair->QF transfer that I actually had a QF BP already (that was printed in SIN QF lounge), and that caused a bit of fuss :!:

 

[AviatorPJ]

I know you have 9 hours in SIN but how long do you have in DPS? AFAIK you can't transit longer than 8 hours in DPS, not that I think anyone would want to without going stir crazy.

I would ask SQ if they can through check your bag as far as PER only on VA but it would depend on whether they have a baggage agreement with SQ. They may be a bit more inclined to assist you seeing as though you're flying J BKK-SIN-DPS. I believe VA have an interline baggage agreement with MI eg for BNE VA DRW MI SIN fare combos but not sure whether it would have to be booked on the one pnr like it used to be when VA used the Navitaire system for checkin. It might be different now with VA using Sabre.

It SQ only check your bag to DPS, before clearing customs in DPS I would seek assistance from SQ ground staff to walk you to the transit desk & see if they can a) check you in for the VA flight & b) retrieve your bag tagged to DPS & re-tag it to PER. Not sure whether VA permit OLCI for intl flights DPS-PER which may assist the process.

I wouldn't ask them to tag it beyond PER as asking SQ to tag your bag BKK-SIN-DPS-PER-MEL-CBR sounds like a perfect scenario for the 'too hard basket'. In any case you've got to claim your bag in PER whether it's tagged to PER or CBR so you can clear customs so I would imagine VA have some kind of bag drop-off facility at the international terminal where you drop your bag & checkin in for the PER-MEL-CBR flights before taking the shuttle around to the domestic terminal in PER.

To be perfectly honest I wouldn't even bother asking the call centre as what they tell you & what the airport staff are prepared to do can be total opposites.

Hi Oz and the other AFFs who helped; here is my reply from SQ about the interline and transfer - which is very positinbe>
Dear Mr. PJ

Thank you for your email.

Please note that the Singapore Airlines booking reference for your
reservation is xx_xx_.

Kindly note that you would be able to through check-in your baggage at the
departure airport provided your total transit time in Singapore is less
than 48 hours and all the flights in your booking are either operated by
the Singapore Airlines or the operating airlines has a baggage agreement
with the Singapore Airlines.

Please be advised that we do have an interline baggage agreement with
Virgin Australia International (VA)

However, since both your flights are issued on separate tickets, may we
request you to kindly contact Virgin Australia direct, to check if you are
able to check your baggage through to your final destination.

If Virgin Australia permits a through check-in for your baggage, please
ensure that you present all your tickets (for both the flights) to the
check in staff when you are checking in for your first flight with them.
Let the counter staff know that you have an onward flight and would like
your bags checked all the way through to your final destination. However,
your baggage transfer would be subject to security restrictions.

We hope the above information helps with your enquiry.

Thank you for choosing Singapore Airlines.

 

[AviatorPJ]

Oh sorry for the spelling - that was supposed to be " positive"

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hi Oz and the other AFFs who helped; here is my reply from SQ about the interline and transfer - which is very positive>

Dear Mr. PJ

Thank you for your email.

Please note that the Singapore Airlines booking reference for your
reservation is xx_xx_.

Kindly note that you would be able to through check-in your baggage at the
departure airport provided your total transit time in Singapore is less
than 48 hours and all the flights in your booking are either operated by
the Singapore Airlines or the operating airlines has a baggage agreement
with the Singapore Airlines.

Please be advised that we do have an interline baggage agreement with
Virgin Australia International (VA)

However, since both your flights are issued on separate tickets, may we
request you to kindly contact Virgin Australia direct, to check if you are
able to check your baggage through to your final destination.

If Virgin Australia permits a through check-in for your baggage, please
ensure that you present all your tickets (for both the flights) to the
check in staff when you are checking in for your first flight with them.

Let the counter staff know that you have an onward flight and would like
your bags checked all the way through to your final destination. However,
your baggage transfer would be subject to security restrictions.

We hope the above information helps with your enquiry.

Thank you for choosing Singapore Airlines.

Make sure you take a copy of that email with you just in case there are any issues with the SQ checkin staff in SIN but it does seem pretty encouraging.

I'm a bit bemused by the above two paragraphs that I have bolded when it says to contact VA about whether they'll allow bags to be checked through to your final destination. Maybe they think you are doing the reverse itinerary also and are flying PER/DPS on VA then DPS/SIN on SQ in which case it would be up to VA if they were to through check bags on separate tickets.

As far as I'm concerned if SQ have said they do have a baggage agreement with VA and they are still happy to through check your bags to PER even on separate tickets then that's all you need to know. I don't see the point asking VA if they're happy for SQ to check through to VA as I think it will only confuse the call centre staff.

 

[Mal]

Does VA allow duty free to be bought in dps and carried onboard? I think jq doesn't allow duty free liquids over 100ml...

 

[AviatorPJ]

Make sure you take a copy of that email with you just in case there are any issues with the SQ checkin staff in SIN but it does seem pretty encouraging.

I'm a bit bemused by the above two paragraphs that I have bolded when it says to contact VA about whether they'll allow bags to be checked through to your final destination. Maybe they think you are doing the reverse itinerary also and are flying PER/DPS on VA then DPS/SIN on SQ in which case it would be up to VA if they were to through check bags on separate tickets.

As far as I'm concerned if SQ have said they do have a baggage agreement with VA and they are still happy to through check your bags to PER even on separate tickets then that's all you need to know. I don't see the point asking VA if they're happy for SQ to check through to VA as I think it will only confuse the call centre staff.

I'm with you on that one Oz, your earlier advice and follow though from SQ as really encouraged, Cheers and thanks, PJ

 

[AviatorPJ]

Does VA allow duty free to be bought in dps and carried onboard? I think jq doesn't allow duty free liquids over 100ml...

e
Mal, i did a VA HKT PER in Oct 2012, and restrictions were as your question - no liqiuds over 100ml from the DF. I wont be chancing DF liquids in DPS on past experience in coughet, cheers, PJ

 

[casanovawa]

So how did this end up PJ???

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I know this is a very old thread but relevant to something I might be doing early next year. I was wondering if you could report back on your transit experience?