Transiting QF <---> EY in Jakarta CGK

[SCM]

Hello

I'm hoping to make use of the cheap EY J fares from CGK to EU for a return/multi city journey next Feb. To get to CGK, I plan to book a reward seat with QF ( from SYD) which is pretty cheap points/taxes.

It's the first time I'd be doing that, so I just wanted to get some advice, in particular how would transiting work here as these are both totally separate airlines and tickets?

Is it possible to somehow get luggage at CGK terminal 3 without leaving the airside part of the airport (avoiding the customs, immigration and the $50 visa fee) and re-check in to EY (and conversely QF on the way back) somehow?

Also what happens if the flight to CGK is delayed, would travel insurance generally cover such an event, I presume the next airline will want some fee to bump me to the next flight?

Is 3 hours long enough for transit/delays? Has anyone done this trek and has any advice?

Thanks

 

[jase05]

You will need to go through immigration and collect your bags so will need to pay the $50. You will need to check in again at the EY counter.
Even though I like CGK and find it an easy airport to navigate there is no way I’d allow 3hrs to transfer. We always stay 1 night minimum both directions as any delay and you are strife. The flight could be delayed, immigration can be hit or miss at CGK and bags can come out horrendously slow.
Check in is generally a breeze and the process is fairly quick to get through immigration but I wouldn’t chance 3hrs

 

[Scr77]

As to the travel insurance question, unless you’re a lawyer who writes/reads insurance PDS, I wouldn’t expect to be covered for a missed connection on separate tickets. At best, you may get some small amount for a delay of more than 3 hrs etc.

 

[dajop]

Even though I like CGK and find it an easy airport to navigate there is no way I’d allow 3hrs to transfer. We always stay 1 night minimum both directions as any delay and you are strife.

I’m ok with less than 1 night connections on the return (maybe 5hrs +) if booked on a QF award for CGK to SYD, unless it is Australian school holidays or end of Ramadan). As it’s not that difficult to get home from CGK (through Bali) if things go pear shaped. And awards can be cancelled for a small fee. But no way I would be risking a short connection on the outbound journey - discounted J fare and long haul need to be conservative with separate ticket connections.

 

[jase05]

I’m ok with less than 1 night connections on the return (maybe 5hrs +) if booked on a QF award for CGK to SYD, unless it is Australian school holidays or end of Ramadan). As it’s not that difficult to get home from CGK (through Bali) if things go pear shaped. And awards can be cancelled for a small fee. But no way I would be risking a short connection on the outbound journey - discounted J fare and long haul need to be conservative with separate ticket connections.

Yeah, even though my preference is an overnight stay I could cope with 5+ hrs on the way back.
Without being fully across the schedules since Covid I’m not sure where the 3hr transit comes from as EY used to depart CGK a good hour or so before the QF flight arrived. Have EY changed their schedule?

 

[SYD]

Hello

I'm hoping to make use of the cheap EY J fares from CGK to EU for a return/multi city journey next Feb. To get to CGK, I plan to book a reward seat with QF ( from SYD) which is pretty cheap points/taxes.

It's the first time I'd be doing that, so I just wanted to get some advice, in particular how would transiting work here as these are both totally separate airlines and tickets?

Is it possible to somehow get luggage at CGK terminal 3 without leaving the airside part of the airport (avoiding the customs, immigration and the $50 visa fee) and re-check in to EY (and conversely QF on the way back) somehow?

Also what happens if the flight to CGK is delayed, would travel insurance generally cover such an event, I presume the next airline will want some fee to bump me to the next flight?

Is 3 hours long enough for transit/delays? Has anyone done this trek and has any advice?

Thanks

We’re not long back from a similar trip except on CX to/from Europe.

Apart from the A$50 eVOA (which is a relatively small price for the overall savings on a J fare), staying in Jakarta is otherwise a cheap stopover and worth it for the peace of mind.

Against my better judgement, SYD+1 wanted to stay in town and explore Jakarta for a day. I wouldn’t do that again - by other accounts, there are plenty of great options out by the airport. But if you do, the all Seasons Jakarta Thamrin (book thru Accor is basically an Ibis Styles like hotel) is just around the corner from the airport train station. The hotel is comfortable and super cheap. The train costs about $5 ea (takes about 40 mins). A taxi could take 30 mins to 2 hrs depending on traffic!

We flew in on QF41 (Classic Reward in J) which arrived on time and immigration was very quiet (it was a Sunday). In hindsight, we probably could have checked through to CX (revenue flight) but still wouldn’t risk that on the outbound.

The downside was that CX departed at midnight the next day and their checkin opened on the dot of 3 hrs prior. So that was a bit of a drag. If EY has a morning departure, that could work better? I think CX had a morning option also but we committed to the day in town.

We returned via Bali (double open jaw ticket CGK-HKG-LHR//MAD-HKG-DPS CX J for $4k ea before ~$250 worth of discount vouchers and cash backs!

I‘d do CX again, but will be keeping an eye out for a good QR fare next time.

 

[jase05]

I‘d do CX again, but will be keeping an eye out for a good QR fare next time.

I don’t know if it’s a fact or just my perception but QR and EK seem to have sales out of MNL a lot more than CGK.

 

[SYD]

I don’t know if it’s a fact or just my perception but QR and EK seem to have sales out of MNL a lot more than CGK.

I have zero interest in going via MNL. All the horrible reports of the airport are a turn off.

 

[jase05]

I have zero interest in going via MNL. All the horrible reports of the airport are a turn off.

It’s really not that bad.
I find it worse if transiting. If you stay in Manila it’s not too bad
In comparison to CGK though it’s bad

 

[SCM]

Thanks for your advice guys.

The QF flight (there's only one) arrives at 17:30, and leaves at 19:00.

The ideal EY flights for me, leaves at 00:40 (giving a nice 7h layover, which I think is adequate, even though it's outbound so I guess greater risk), and arrives back at 14:15 giving only 4.75h layover, which seems a bit risky after reading the above.

After checking my PDS, the limits for missed connecting flights are indeed very low. I believe the applicable limit is "Up to $150 per 24-hour period to a maximum of $600", which is certainly not much at all.

If I need to book overnight accommodation, it does seem like it's more hassle, and waste of time and money, but I guess still may be worthwhile.

Another question I just thought of, would I need to pay the $50 fee both ways?

 

[SydneySwan]

After checking my PDS, the limits for missed connecting flights are indeed very low. I believe the applicable limit is "Up to $150 per 24-hour period to a maximum of $600", which is certainly not much at all.

I am not sure that your travel insurance would regard flights on separate bookings as connecting. They may do but I would seek clarification from them first.

I recently transited in CGK from QF to JL but it was a bit of a mess. You can read about it here.

Tourist visa for Indonesia

I'm travelling to Bali on JQ106, what is the best place to find information about the visa process? From reading news articles they have suspended the free visa and visa upon arrival.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[jase05]

Thanks for your advice guys.

The QF flight (there's only one) arrives at 17:30, and leaves at 19:00.

The ideal EY flights for me, leaves at 00:40 (giving a nice 7h layover, which I think is adequate, even though it's outbound so I guess greater risk), and arrives back at 14:15 giving only 4.75h layover, which seems a bit risky after reading the above.

After checking my PDS, the limits for missed connecting flights are indeed very low. I believe the applicable limit is "Up to $150 per 24-hour period to a maximum of $600", which is certainly not much at all.

If I need to book overnight accommodation, it does seem like it's more hassle, and waste of time and money, but I guess still may be worthwhile.

Another question I just thought of, would I need to pay the $50 fee both ways?

Even though my preference would be an overnight stay I’d do those transfer times.
The way out is a piece of cake ( QF has been 4-5hrs late a couple of times this month though). 7hrs is more than enough time and 4.75 should be fine on the way back.
$50 applies both ways

 

[Scarlett]

Personally, I wouldn’t do it without greater than 24hr between flights. You have no recourse if the QF flight is late or cancelled and your whole EY ticket will be gone for a no show. It’s not the couple of thousands that’s you’d be out for the EY but the fact you’d then also need to buy a new walk up fare if you still wanted to travel from CGK to Europe.

For the cost of a hotel for the night, the piece of mind is invaluable. Plenty of hotels in downtown Jakarta, or near the airport you have the T3 Anara, T2 Airport hotel, or a bunch five minutes away like Ibis Styles and Swiss Bel. Only Anara will be more than $100. I routinely stay at the Ibis Styles or FM7 hotel when flying out of CGK. Both hotels have shuttles and if their timings don’t work for you, just take a Bluebird taxi for less than $5.

 

[SCM]

I'm just reading about it here

The Official Indonesian e-Visa Website

Indonesian e-Visa, This application is used for the issuance of e-Visa for foreigners who will enter Indonesia

molina.imigrasi.go.id

If they put a visa sticker for 30 days on your passport - in my case my trip is about 2 weeks, why wouldn't I be able to enter again with the same visa? Is there some rule somewhere that it can only be once for one entry into the country or something?

Thanks

 

[SYD]

I'm just reading about it here

The Official Indonesian e-Visa Website

Indonesian e-Visa, This application is used for the issuance of e-Visa for foreigners who will enter Indonesia

molina.imigrasi.go.id

If they put a visa sticker for 30 days on your passport - in my case my trip is about 2 weeks, why wouldn't I be able to enter again with the same visa? Is there some rule somewhere that it can only be once for one entry into the country or something?

Thanks

Unfortunately, they’re “Single entry” visas. Well, that’s what both of mine say.

Apparently, Precovid there was a free 3 day transit visa but they’ve not returned…

 

[newmarket]

The Anara in T3 is really convenient. It would be less than a 5 minute walk from arrivals and t3 departures. There are plenty of dining options in t3 landslide too.

I wouldn't risk it. Stay overnight.

 

[SYD]

The Anara in T3 is really convenient. It would be less than a 5 minute walk from arrivals and t3 departures. There are plenty of dining options in t3 landslide too.

I wouldn't risk it. Stay overnight.

Did you post that pearl of wisdom a few weeks/months ago? I recall seeing a good recommendation for an Airport hotel but didn't jot it down... But I have now!

 

[AIRwin]

Did you post that pearl of wisdom a few weeks/months ago?

It may have been @ALH ?

AFF Review: Qantas A330 Business Class (MEL-CGK inaugural flight)

Qantas A330 Business Class Review (Melbourne-Jakarta) is an article written by the AFF editorial team: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-a330-business-review-melbourne-jakarta/ You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[SYD]

It may have been @ALH ?

AFF Review: Qantas A330 Business Class (MEL-CGK inaugural flight)

Qantas A330 Business Class Review (Melbourne-Jakarta) is an article written by the AFF editorial team: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-a330-business-review-melbourne-jakarta/ You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Yes, it probably was!

Hey, I forgot the bit about CX lounge reopening. We were directed to what I’m sure was a contract lounge flying out on CX J! But it was quite decent, cooked to order food and reasonable bar.

 

[exLXCXFF]

If they put a visa sticker for 30 days on your passport - in my case my trip is about 2 weeks, why wouldn't I be able to enter again with the same visa

Because your Visa Letter will say „single entry only“.

The likelihood that you miss your EY connection and forfeit your EY ticket is very high given that you have to do Immigrasi & Customs in Jakarta - for my risk appetite, your proposed connection is a 100% no.

Even for transiting, I would be nervous (see my post about QF-QR interline agreement which is about transiting in Jakarta).