Where to transit?

[Battymum]

Hi there
We are headed to Italy in September -
I currently have 3 separate award flights itineraries booked to get us there.
My first booking is SYD-HKG-FCO on Cathay all in J. This is my preferred route, but the situation in HKG and the viability of Cathay Pacific worries me, so I had to have a backup plan.

Then a few weeks back I was looking and could book SYD-SIN-HEL-FCO two days earlier with the SYD-SIN leg in Y on Qantas and the rest on Finnair. So booked that as backup. Taking an extra two days off work on top of the five weeks we are taking was something I haven’t even brought up with DH yet.
Now I have found flights on the original date - SYD-BKK-HEL-FCO on Qantas and Finnair - so now have a second backup.

Obviously I am going to cancel one of these flights - probably the SIN transit - but thought I should ask here first whether there is any preference for transit SIN or BKK.
The flight times are similar and both have the first leg in Y. (I am hoping if the CX flight does get cancelled QF will upgrade us on this leg)

We are both fully vaccinated - each option is fully booked on its own PNR.

Thanks for your help.

 

[lp137]

I was in a similar situation to you (deciding between SIN and BKK) and ultimately went with SIN. My SYD-SIN/BKK legs were both in Y, and the BKK-HEL was in J while the SIN-HEL is in Y. I gave up my J seat from BKK because AFAIK at the moment, transit in BKK is restricted to a singular room and you are not allowed to roam around the airport/go to the lounge etc.

Reports that I read said there is often no food provided in the transit area and not really any option to stretch your legs, so I went with SIN as I wanted to be able to go for a walk around, have a shower and have a bite to eat in the lounge.

If that doesn't bother you then go with BKK but just depends on what you'd prefer.

 

[Big John]

I agree with IP137. SIN is the preferred option.

A lot of the restrictions at Changi seem to have been relaxed (as long as you are not from a "restricted country").

Have a look at their website :

Transiting through Changi | Covid-19 Information Hub | Singapore Changi Airport

www.changiairport.com

 

[Townsend]

Currently in Singapore. Changi fully open with the exception of a few shops. Need to wear a mask inside but this has been the only restriction. Much prefer it to Bangkok.

 

[jase05]

Is SYD-BKK in J?
If so that is the way I’m going
For me flying in J is the deciding factor rather than transit location

 

[Battymum]

No, both flights out of Sydney are on QF in Y.
My hope is that if CX is cancelled QF would upgrade us on these flights.

I am reading that BKK requires proof of insurance and PCR even for transit.
I am planning on using our Westpac complimentary insurance which does not cover pandemics - but our final destination is Italy that has reciprocal health care. Cancellation would not be covered anyway.

SIN would be the preferred option I guess, just gotta convince DH to have two days off work.

Think I will sit on it for a while.

 

[Quickstatus]

SIN preferred over BKK
However as per @jase05, a J sector trumps transit location even if PCR for transit at BKK

 

[Battymum]

Obviously - but unfortunately both QF legs are in Y.

 

[jase05]

Obviously - but unfortunately both QF legs are in Y.

I’d run the gauntlet with CX then

 

[Battymum]

Yeah that’s my first option - but I am not confident it will fly.

Then SIN
Then BKK

I am going to hold onto these flights for a while - sorry, not sorry

 

[astrosly]

Yeah that’s my first option - but I am not confident it will fly.

Then SIN
Then BKK

I am going to hold onto these flights for a while - sorry, not sorry

Agreed with the order. Also wouldn't be sorry for holding on ... in times past I would have felt guilty doing this even with refundable hotel stays but when it comes to the disproportionate rules that airlines had pre-covid and changes and cancellations with what they are asking of the passengers now then, yeah, not sorry.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I would say SIN too.
Edit: I see you are umming and ahhing about it, now!
Someone I know, who was in BKK for a few weeks, a long time ago, had their credit card sucked dry by someone doing a cash transfer, daily while they were at it.
As the travelling party, couple are older, and don't check OLB (online banking), they were none the wiser till they returned to Aust.
They are both Malaysians, though, and believed it must have occurred when they were buying things in shops.
I have been to SIN many times, latest was in 2013, and card returned all ok with me, no scams.
Of course, it you like to see different cultures, then Thailand will be an eye opener, the foods they have on the streets, crickets, grasshoppers, scorpions, etc...
But to each their own, to sum up tho, SIN is it.

 

[sudoer]

My hope is that if CX is cancelled QF would upgrade us on these flights.

Sorry to say, this is highly unlikely to happen.

 

[sudoer]

Someone I know, who was in BKK for a few weeks, a long time ago, had their credit card sucked dry by someone doing a cash transfer, daily while they were at it.
As the travelling party, couple are older, and don't check OLB (online banking), they were none the wiser till they returned to Aust.
They are both Malaysians, though, and believed it must have occurred when they were buying things in shops.
I have been to SIN many times, latest was in 2013, and card returned all ok with me, no scams.
Of course, it you like to see different cultures, then Thailand will be an eye opener, the foods they have on the streets, crickets, grasshoppers, scorpions, etc...
But to each their own, to sum up tho, SIN is it.

Writing off an entire city as a transit option because you know someone who had their card skimmed there.. seriously?

 

[DC3]

I would say SIN too.
Edit: I see you are umming and ahhing about it, now!
Someone I know, who was in BKK for a few weeks, a long time ago, had their credit card sucked dry by someone doing a cash transfer, daily while they were at it.
As the travelling party, couple are older, and don't check OLB (online banking), they were none the wiser till they returned to Aust.
They are both Malaysians, though, and believed it must have occurred when they were buying things in shops.
I have been to SIN many times, latest was in 2013, and card returned all ok with me, no scams.
Of course, it you like to see different cultures, then Thailand will be an eye opener, the foods they have on the streets, crickets, grasshoppers, scorpions, etc...
But to each their own, to sum up tho, SIN is it.

Oh, Poochie. You’ve done it again. You little devil.

 

[Battymum]

Sorry to say, this is highly unlikely to happen.

Booo
I live in hope that if a J award that I am currently holding is cancelled they will try an re route me to something equivalent and I could offer up that as an option.
If not - it’s a daytime flight, it won’t be the end of the world.

Post automatically merged: Apr 20, 2022

I would say SIN too.
Edit: I see you are umming and ahhing about it, now!
Someone I know, who was in BKK for a few weeks, a long time ago, had their credit card sucked dry by someone doing a cash transfer, daily while they were at it.
As the travelling party, couple are older, and don't check OLB (online banking), they were none the wiser till they returned to Aust.
They are both Malaysians, though, and believed it must have occurred when they were buying things in shops.
I have been to SIN many times, latest was in 2013, and card returned all ok with me, no scams.
Of course, it you like to see different cultures, then Thailand will be an eye opener, the foods they have on the streets, crickets, grasshoppers, scorpions, etc...
But to each their own, to sum up tho, SIN is it.

Just a few hours in the airport.

 

[jase05]

Booo
I live in hope that if a J award that I am currently holding is cancelled they will try an re route me to something equivalent and I could offer up that as an option.
If not - it’s a daytime flight, it won’t be the end of the world.

Post automatically merged: Apr 20, 2022

Just a few hours in the airport.

If you don’t mind me asking, how many points were the bookings and did you check other Asian ports for offerings?

 

[Battymum]

If you don’t mind me asking, how many points were the bookings and did you check other Asian ports for offerings?

The original CX flights were 159000 points each and 625.00 total in taxes
The SIN transit was 144400 and $376
The BKK transit was 129700 and $338
Each of these has the QF sector in Y and I have requested an upgrade I think that was 58000 points.

I didn’t really look any more than that,
Luckily I had points to burn

 

[RB]

No, both flights out of Sydney are on QF in Y.
My hope is that if CX is cancelled QF would upgrade us on these flights.

I am reading that BKK requires proof of insurance and PCR even for transit.
I am planning on using our Westpac complimentary insurance which does not cover pandemics - but our final destination is Italy that has reciprocal health care. Cancellation would not be covered anyway.

SIN would be the preferred option I guess, just gotta convince DH to have two days off work.

Think I will sit on it for a while.

I think I would be spending more time convincing myself that I am happy with the reciprocal health care but you are obviously comfortable with your $$$ priorities

 

[Battymum]

Yeah I have posted a thread on that but not getting any replies.
Still mulling on that one.