Transiting via Bankgok on 2 separate tickets

[gourmet333]

Hi everyone,
My ongoing issue is still ongoing - I'm traveling to Europe (to MXP or Zurich) in May trying to use my points for a J class ticket.
I have now found a nice J class EK flight BKK- DXB and then onwards from DXB -MXP. The flight departs BKK at 09.30am so have to somehow get to Bangkok from MEL by 06.30/07.00am to catch that flight.
I can't find anything that would get me there at that time. The closest would be a MEL- BKK Qantas flight which arrives at 7.40pm the night before.
Does anyone know what the transfer situation is through BKK if I was on 2 separate tickets? Maybe I could stay airside in an airport motel over night?
Any information or suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi everyone,
My ongoing issue is still ongoing - I'm traveling to Europe (to MXP or Zurich) in May trying to use my points for a J class ticket.
I have now found a nice J class EK flight BKK- DXB and then onwards from DXB -MXP. The flight departs BKK at 09.30am so have to somehow get to Bangkok from MEL by 06.30/07.00am to catch that flight.
I can't find anything that would get me there at that time. The closest would be a MEL- BKK Qantas flight which arrives at 7.40pm the night before.
Does anyone know what the transfer situation is through BKK if I was on 2 separate tickets? Maybe I could stay airside in an airport motel over night?
Any information or suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks

The current restrictions are these (taken from the QF website today, updated 7 March):

Transiting in Thailand​

In line with Thailand Government regulations, if you're transiting between international flights in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, your itinerary must be booked on the same ticket and you must not leave the transiting area and enter Thailand. You must check with your destination country government requirements to ensure transiting via Thailand is permitted. You’ll also be required to have evidence of:

• A negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before your scheduled departure time; and
• A valid travel insurance policy to cover medical expenses in Thailand with a minimum coverage of US$20,000, unless you are a Thai national.

You cannot transit unless on a single ticket.

your options would be to enter thailand, meeting all the necessary requirements, or to perhaps look at award flights out of somewhere like DPS or SIN where entry might be easier. Or find a travel agent that can get your award and connecting flight on the one PNR. I think SQ has some late night arrivals into BKK.

On separate tickets with an 0930 departure you'd want to arrive in BKK (or other connecting city) no later than 5-6 hours prior. It's fairly common for flights to be delayed these days because of document checking or having to find another crew member if one tests positive for covid, etc. And of course on arrival from your inbound there could be lengthy document checks or covid testing required.

 

[gourmet333]

Getting me to Europe in comfort episode #37!
Ok, I have ditched the idea of going via Bangkok as that was too complicated. I have now found a flight with QF FF points from Melb- Dubai with Qantas in Business class and then DPS - Dubai with Emirates Business class and finally Dubai -MXP with Emirates in Economy. It's all on the same ticket but as soon as I bought it, someone I know said they has seen a notification that said that "international transit through Indonesia" was not allowed at this time.
I've gone onto smart traveller and can't see anything about transiting travellers. Neither can I find it mentioned on any Indonesian government website. Can anyone shed any light on this? Do I have to cancel this one too and keep looking again? Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This link seems to suggest that all transits through DPS require a visa: Transit Information - IndonesiaAirport.com

The wording isn’t exactly clear, but it seems you can transit through Jakarta (less than 24 hours), or other airports (less than 8 hours), *with the exception* of DPS for which it looks like you need a visa regardless?

You could try arriving the day before and entering Indonesia at Bali? There’s a novotel attached to the airport, dunno if it is an approved quarantine hotel.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I'm unclear what OP is trying to do.

If you want to go to Europe by Business class classic rewards, then just go straight there. Plenty of seats via Dubai (and some via Doha and Abu Dhabi). I think Middle East still has the easiest transits and you are booking on the one itinerary. Just search Oz-Middle East-Europe using Qantas multicity search. About 160k plus taxes for one way from what I'm seeing.

Its hard getting reward seats back.

 

[gourmet333]

I'm unclear what OP is trying to do.

If you want to go to Europe by Business class classic rewards, then just go straight there. Plenty of seats via Dubai (and some via Doha and Abu Dhabi). I think Middle East still has the easiest transits and you are booking on the one itinerary. Just search Oz-Middle East-Europe using Qantas multicity search. About 160k plus taxes for one way from what I'm seeing.

Its hard getting reward seats back.

Hi Happy Flyer Family, Yes I'm trying to get to Milan (the quickest and most direct route) using business classic rewards but on the days I'm trying (24 & 25 May) there are economy seats but nothing at all business class with EK or QR. I'll search again. Thanks.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Closest I could find was by searching one way Mel-Mxp on 24/5 I could secure Premium economy Mel-Lhr then Lhr-Mxp, arriving 25/5 11am (Edit: 128k +$4xx taxes)

Using multicity, I could find quite a bit of Middle East to Milan business class seats, but nothing from Mel to Middle East for 24/5. I found business class reward seat Mel-Doha-Milan 3/6 but the connection in Spain (I think Barcelona) was a bit tight even for a one itinerary/booking situation.

 

[gourmet333]

Yes, I saw most of those too. June 3rd is too late for me. And the Premium economy was ok time wise and transit wise but I'm trying to hold out for a J class fare (tricky back). I did find a SIN-HEL-MXP in J class with Finnair but getting to Singapore was time consuming as there were no direct flights from Melbourne and it took 11 hours via Sydney. I'll keep looking every day to see if something else pops up - does anyone know if they ever release more FF seats closer to departure date if the flights aren't full? Or is that like asking how long is a piece of string.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Closest to goal:

Searching 23/5 Mel-Doha-Mxp.

Got domestic to Brisbane, Business to Doha (tight connection in Doha), Business to Helsinki, Business to Milan (I believe 185k plus taxes). There was also an option via Kuala Lumpur to Doha then via Madrid (maybe) to Milan for 230k plus taxes.

There was also some business class for the long haul parts on 26/5

Edit: I should add, I don't know the covid rules for transiting elsewhere outside Middle East

 

[Notyourbag]

Watching with interest.

Flying through BKK on two separate J award tickets on the 3rd June.

Hoping they might ditch their rules in time! Thailand Looks At Abandoning The Test&Go Scheme From June 1, 2022 As Neighboring Countries Reopen

 

[gourmet333]

Watching with interest.

Flying through BKK on two separate J award tickets on the 3rd June.

Hoping they might ditch their rules in time! Thailand Looks At Abandoning The Test&Go Scheme From June 1, 2022 As Neighboring Countries Reopen

In the end I ditched that idea as too complicated and was lucky to find a J Class Melb- LHR -LIN which suited because I think the UK have ditched most of their transit rules. I'll still keep looking for a one stop option with Qatar or Emirates (unlikely but I'll keep trying). Good luck Notyourbag, fingers crossed the rules get relaxed. I'm still not sure if I have to get a PCR test before I go to Italy but I'm not worrying about that at the moment as rules everywhere seen to be changing constantly.

 

[Notyourbag]

In the end I ditched that idea as too complicated and was lucky to find a J Class Melb- LHR -LIN which suited because I think the UK have ditched most of their transit rules. I'll still keep looking for a one stop option with Qatar or Emirates (unlikely but I'll keep trying). Good luck Notyourbag, fingers crossed the rules get relaxed. I'm still not sure if I have to get a PCR test before I go to Italy but I'm not worrying about that at the moment as rules everywhere seen to be changing constantly.

I'm in the same boat as you. Flying to FCO but looking at award availability through any of the AU cities or even Singapore as back up in case Thailand don't change their current policy.

 

[sqrt()]

Watching with interest.

Flying through BKK on two separate J award tickets on the 3rd June.

Hoping they might ditch their rules in time! Thailand Looks At Abandoning The Test&Go Scheme From June 1, 2022 As Neighboring Countries Reopen

How was your BKK transit? I have a five hour layover there at the end of July (on one ticket) and I can't quite figure out how the transit works - you have to stay in a designated "transit area?".

QF website summarises it as:

In line with Thailand Government regulations, if you're transiting between international flights in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, your itinerary must be booked on the same ticket and you must not leave the transiting area and enter Thailand. You must check with your destination country government requirements to ensure transiting via Thailand is permitted.

 

[clifford]

How was your BKK transit? I have a five hour layover there at the end of July (on one ticket) and I can't quite figure out how the transit works - you have to stay in a designated "transit area?".

QF website summarises it as:

This may or may not help...

Thailand Pass, Travel Insurance & Outdoor Mask Requirement Eliminated From July 1, 2022

Thailand removes most Covid restrictions as well as Thailand Pass.

clicks.aweber.com

 

[Notyourbag]

How was your BKK transit? I have a five hour layover there at the end of July (on one ticket) and I can't quite figure out how the transit works - you have to stay in a designated "transit area?".

QF website summarises it as:

Qantas couldn't check our bag through to Rome (BKK legs were with Qatar) and ended up going out to dinner with our bags. Heads up the luggage storage provider at BKK had a sign saying they closed at 10pm too.

 

[sqrt()]

Qantas couldn't check our bag through to Rome (BKK legs were with Qatar) and ended up going out to dinner with our bags. Heads up the luggage storage provider at BKK had a sign saying they closed at 10pm too.

I have MH/AY SIN-KUL-BKK-HEL as part of a OWA. Hopefully they can check bags through...

Did you go though immigration then straight back into the terminal, or stay airside?

 

[Notyourbag]

We went through immigration as dinner wasn't at the airport

I have MH/AY SIN-KUL-BKK-HEL as part of a OWA. Hopefully they can check bags through...

Did you go though immigration then straight back into the terminal, or stay airside?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have MH/AY SIN-KUL-BKK-HEL as part of a OWA. Hopefully they can check bags through...

Did you go though immigration then straight back into the terminal, or stay airside?

no problems being all on the one ticket. Notyourbag was on two separate tickets.