VA / TG Flights - Separate Booking Question

[SuzieQ68]

This is a bit left field, but wondering if anyone here has had any experience with the following and can provide guidance.

Flying Thai Air (BKK-DPS) next month and then (same day) flying Virgin Australia (DPS-MEL). Both flights booked separately. I know that TG & VA are not partner airlines, but wondering if it was actually possible to ask TG to check baggage all the way to MEL (from BKK) and, if so, is it possible to check in for the VA flight to MEL when we are airside in DPS (if the baggage is checked through to MEL) and not clear immigration?

If this is not possible, is there a day hotel located at the airport we can walk to & use once we clear immigration (will have about 6 hours between flights)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Saab34]

No chance.

I have tried with this Virgin probably a dozen times over the last 20 years, they only did it for me once and that was a Virgin America connection, and I have no idea why they offered anyway.

 

[HS-TQE]

VA generally doesn't do interline on separate PNRs.

Although VA and TG does have a interline agreement, they generally don't interline on separate tickets as that is only for "same ticket" (same PNR) only.

 

[dajop]

Just pointing out that what VA would or wouldn’t do is not that relevant. As with all though checking of baggage (assuming an agreement is place re through checking)) it is the policy of the first carrier that determines if they will do it on separate bookings and to which carriers, if they would do it.

For example QF will not through check to SQ if on a separate booking but SQ will to QF.

So the policies of TG are what is important here, not the policies of VA. I suspect unlikely.

Then the second question is whether VA have a presence at the transit desk at DPS where you can obtain a BP and let them know your bag tag number (if TG do through check).

 

[SuzieQ68]

Just pointing out that what VA would or wouldn’t do is not that relevant. As with all though checking of baggage (assuming an agreement is place re through checking)) it is the policy of the first carrier that determines if they will do it on separate bookings and to which carriers, if they would do it.

For example QF will not through check to SQ if on a separate booking but SQ will to QF.

So the policies of TG are what is important here, not the policies of VA. I suspect unlikely.

Then the second question is whether VA have a presence at the transit desk at DPS where you can obtain a BP and let them know your bag tag number (if TG do through check).

Thank you . I’ll have a look at the TG interline policy to see what that says. Understand re VA transit desk. I think there’s a flight leaving to another Aus destination around an hour after we land, so might be able to get some assistance. I don’t like our chances, but I guess if you don’t try you’ll never know. Appreciate the response

Post automatically merged: Oct 17, 2023

VA generally doesn't do interline on separate PNRs.

Although VA and TG does have an interline agreement, they generally don't interline on separate tickets as that is only for "same ticket" (same PNR) only.

Thank you

Post automatically merged: Oct 17, 2023

No chance.

I have tried with this Virgin probably a dozen times over the last 20 years, they only did it for me once and that was a Virgin America connection, and I have no idea why they offered anyway.

Initial flight with TG, but do appreciate the response.

 

[dajop]

I’ll have a look at the TG interline policy to see what that says.

That might be the challenge, these sort of things might not be written (or written and available) and even then could be subject to the whims and capabilities of a check in agent (although at least at BKK you're not dealing with an outstation). Having a look around on the Thai forum on Flyertalk might help (or it might not).

 

[SuzieQ68]

Just pointing out that what VA would or wouldn’t do is not that relevant. As with all though checking of baggage (assuming an agreement is place re through checking)) it is the policy of the first carrier that determines if they will do it on separate bookings and to which carriers, if they would do it.

For example QF will not through check to SQ if on a separate booking but SQ will to QF.

So the policies of TG are what is important here, not the policies of VA. I suspect unlikely.

Then the second question is whether VA have a presence at the transit desk at DPS where you can obtain a BP and let them know your bag tag number (if TG do through check).

Looking at FlyerTalk, as we’re departing from BKK, it appears there may be a small chance of having the bags checked right through to MEL. No guarantees, but will see how we go. Can’t remember if you can check in online for a VA international flight, but if we can do that, then may not need to clear immigration. Thanks again. Appreciate your help.

 

[bcworld]

Looking at FlyerTalk, as we’re departing from BKK, it appears there may be a small chance of having the bags checked right through to MEL. No guarantees, but will see how we go. Can’t remember if you can check in online for a VA international flight, but if we can do that, then may not need to clear immigration. Thanks again. Appreciate your help.

I flew VA from DPS-MEL on Sunday...there is no online check in.

 

[SuzieQ68]

I flew VA from DPS-MEL on Sunday...there is no online check in.

Thank you for confirming . Out of curiosity, did you happen to notice a VA manned service desk airside (other than gate staff)? I’d assume not, but you never know …

 

[dajop]

Thank you for confirming . Out of curiosity, did you happen to notice a VA manned service desk airside (other than gate staff)? I’d assume not, but you never know …

Passengers departing from DPS would not observe a transfer desk, that is located in the arrivals area just before immigration. Unless paying specific attention because you are transiting, I expect most arriving passengers wouldn't even notice or pay attention to the transfer desk area.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Passengers departing from DPS would not observe a transfer desk, that is located in the arrivals area just before immigration. Unless paying specific attention because you are transiting, I expect most arriving passengers wouldn't even notice or pay attention to the transfer desk area.

No worries. I think I’m clutching at straws, but (if the bags are checked through to MEL) will see if we can check in at the transit desk and stay airside rather than clear immigration & hang around waiting to check in again at the 3 hour prior mark. It’s probably a stretch, but you never know. Cheers

 

[bcworld]

If this is not possible, is there a day hotel located at the airport we can walk to & use once we clear immigration (will have about 6 hours between flights)?

Thanks in advance.

Some friends stayed here following a late night arrival and before we all checked into our villa the next day.

Hotel Tuban | HARRIS Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali

Searching for a hotel in Tuban for your next holiday? HARRIS Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali offers guests an ideal place to unwind and relax.

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I understand its extremely close to the terminal...although to what extent its walkable / there's a footpath I couldn't really say. My friend has mobility issues and I know they struggled to get a taxi to go there. Maybe they offer airport transfer?

If booking in advance it looks like rates are as low as $50...so even if you couldn't get a day rate that would be OK.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Some friends stayed here following a late night arrival and before we all checked into our villa the next day.

Hotel Tuban | HARRIS Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali

Searching for a hotel in Tuban for your next holiday? HARRIS Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali offers guests an ideal place to unwind and relax.

www.discoverasr.com

I understand its extremely close to the terminal...although to what extent its walkable / there's a footpath I couldn't really say. My friend has mobility issues and I know they struggled to get a taxi to go there. Maybe they offer airport transfer?

If booking in advance it looks like rates are as low as $50...so even if you couldn't get a day rate that would be OK.

Brilliant. Thank you for the info (& apologies for late response). I’ll check it out.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Ok, so to answer my original question, the posters here were absolutely correct - TG are not able to check bags through to a VA flight on separate tickets. The lovely TG check in agent at BKK did try to see if she could do it, but alas it was not to be. Lesson learnt.

As an aside, if I had the opportunity to do the same routing / timing again, I probably wouldn't do it (unless I desperately needed the SC's / ES). Clearing immigration in DPS is crazy and takes a very very long time if there are multiple flights landing. Once you manage to clear immigration, you need to find your bag (which is probably sitting around the baggage carousel given the length of time it takes to clear immigration). Making your way back up to departures, there really isn't anywhere to just sit and wait before check in (that we could find) other than bars / restaurants - so you need to change some $$ to be able to purchase something while you wait. Once you check in and get airside, you can go to the gate to sit (or grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants/cafes). The strange thing here was when the aircraft landed from Aus, security came to the gate, cleared everyone sitting at the gate (which is not closed off), and submitted everyone to another bag check (we'd already passed two security checks prior to this). What was also strange, any water bottle bigger than 100ml had to be drunk or disposed of at the gate - I always thought that if you purchased water airside, you were ok, but apparently that's not the case. It was a different experience I have to say. The locals were so lovely, and I'm sure Bali is beautiful, but I'm not sure that's enough to entice me back.

 

[bcworld]

The strange thing here was when the aircraft landed from Aus, security came to the gate, cleared everyone sitting at the gate (which is not closed off), and submitted everyone to another bag check (we'd already passed two security checks prior to this). What was also strange, any water bottle bigger than 100ml had to be drunk or disposed of at the gate

It is the Australian government that enforces secondary security screening and confiscation of liquids...its not the Indonesian govt that requires this. If you watch a flight boarding to Singapore, Thailand, Dubai or Europe you would not see this happen. The same thing would happen in Bangkok if you flew direct to Australia.

 

[Mattg]

I flew TG last week, connecting to a VA flight on the same ticket, and TG in BKK wasn't even able to check my bag through or issue my VA boarding pass on that itinerary!

 

[SuzieQ68]

It is the Australian government that enforces secondary security screening and confiscation of liquids...its not the Indonesian govt that requires this. If you watch a flight boarding to Singapore, Thailand, Dubai or Europe you would not see this happen. The same thing would happen in Bangkok if you flew direct to Australia.

Oh that's interesting - and definitely strange given that you can (to my knowledge) buy water airside in Aus International airports and take it on. Thanks for the heads up.

Post automatically merged: Dec 6, 2023

I flew TG last week, connecting to a VA flight on the same ticket, and TG in BKK wasn't even able to check my bag through or issue my VA boarding pass on that itinerary!

So guessing it's not just a separate ticket issue. Thanks for the info.

 

[bcworld]

Oh that's interesting - and definitely strange given that you can (to my knowledge) buy water airside in Aus International airports and take it on. Thanks for the heads up.

It's utterly stupid. Put it in the context that liquid regulations are basically non-existent on Australian domestic flights.

 

[dajop]

Isn’t it just a protection racket for Australian airports (duty free outlets?)

 

[Mattg]

Isn’t it just a protection racket for Australian airports (duty free outlets?)

You can still buy duty-free alcohol at airports in Thailand, Indonesia, etc. - they just deliver it to you in a sealed bag immediately after the liquids check.