Jq/ay mel-bkk-hel-fco

[Timtammi]

Hi there all

I'm looking for some comments/feedback/advice on the following. I have had a FASA booking LHR-MEL for a while and have been looking for a good and affordable J class one-way option to get me to Europe. Its been hard to find as most airlines one way prices seem to be almost as high as their rtn price. We are starting out in FCO so I have now booked the following:

1. JQ29 *class MEL-BKK arr BKK 20.40
2. AY96 J BKK-HEL dep 00.15.
3. AY781 J HEL-FCO

I realise that I have no protection on the BKK connection and so it could all go pear shaped but for the cheap price I paid ($499 *class special) + under $2000 for BKK-FCO I'm happy that I have a good deal and with 4 hours connection time it should (fingers crossed) be ok.

Questions:

1. I assume I have to go through imi at BKK and recheck? Visa on arrival for UK/Kiwi pp right?
2. Anyone know which concourse JQ arrive and AY depart? (I remember BKK is HUGE!)
3. Anything else I need to be wary of/have not thought of/general advice..
4. If worse comes to worse and I realise we cant make the connection (JQ plane goes tech, is going to be severely delayed etc) what are my choices? What are JQ likely to offer given this flight is only 3 times a week? As I'm booked in J in AY I know I can change my flight so how would I go about contacting them if I'm at MEL and know I wont make it? Do they have representation at MEL?


Have managed to snag 2D and 1E on JQ29 and 2A and 2L in the new AY J config so I'm pretty happy with seat choices but want to make sure I get to sit on those seats!

Cheers and thanks in advance

Timmi

 

[arraitch]

Re Question 4: the experiences of several AFFers in the context of MEL-SIN JQ flights has recently been discussed at http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-frequent-flyer-program/jq-mel-sin-29385.html.

 

[KitKat]

Is there a possibility of having at least a one night stopover in BKK, to give you a better buffer?

 

[browski]

1. Yes, u must go through immigration and collect bages, then recheck. Kiwi ppl may require evidence of possession of hard currency.
2. JQ arrive/depart in E concourse.
3. If they give you an immigration express card, the VIP immigration is about 30 metres after the regular immigration entrance.
4. Just check your T&C regarding a no-show on your AY ticket. Flying in J, you should be ok

For future reference, you might consider flying Air Berlin from Bangkok to Milan, via Berlin. They sell for AUD $1400
Here a little video of their Business class seats, they are not great but should do the job nicely
airberlin.com - Business Class

They typically have morning departures from BKK, so if flying in on Jetstar then you have to stay the night.

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks all for the feedback that is pretty much what I thought re immi etc, didn't know about the hard currency thing though? Weird?!

Also, thanks for the headsup on air berlin. Seat looks a bit like JQ*class but for my money (I paid about $1800 AUD) I would rather have the new Finnair lie-flat J seats especially as its an overnight flight.

Time is tight so we can't afford the extra overnight in BKK so I just want to minimise the chances of issues and have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.

If JQ only offer a rebook/refund in case of severe delay/cancellation then I guess we would go for the refund (I know it takes 15 working days) and try and get a last minute ticket on something else, maybe TG?

Cheers

Timmi

 

[browski]

Thanks all for the feedback that is pretty much what I thought re immi etc, didn't know about the hard currency thing though? Weird?!

Also, thanks for the headsup on air berlin. Seat looks a bit like JQ*class but for my money (I paid about $1800 AUD) I would rather have the new Finnair lie-flat J seats especially as its an overnight flight.

Time is tight so we can't afford the extra overnight in BKK so I just want to minimise the chances of issues and have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.

If JQ only offer a rebook/refund in case of severe delay/cancellation then I guess we would go for the refund (I know it takes 15 working days) and try and get a last minute ticket on something else, maybe TG?

Cheers

Timmi

.........I was just joking about your weak New Zealand dollar. They won't need to see any evidence of funds.

 

[Timtammi]

.........I was just joking about your weak New Zealand dollar. They won't need to see any evidence of funds.

DOH! Actually its my husband who is the Kiwi not me and luckily we live in Aus so don't need to worry about the bad kiwi dollar!

Cheers