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.

 

[dajop]

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.

Ok, yes, just like Singapore, but are there also time limits on purchasing (at SIN it's 90 mins cutoff before departure)?

 

[bcworld]

Ok, yes, just like Singapore, but are there also time limits on purchasing (at SIN it's 90 mins cutoff before departure)?

Yes but Singapore is different because everyone does security for the FIRST time when entering the gate area...regardless of the destination...there is no special nonsense required to cater to Australia's paranoia.

 

[dajop]

...there is no special nonsense required to cater to Australia's paranoia.

There is. You need to have DF delivered to gate, and need to order it at least 90 mins before departure time of your flight. For other most other destinations (US being the other notable exception) you can take tamper-proof DF purchased at Changi, or elsewhere (eg. before or onboard connecting flight) through gate security. Even flying to Auckland (which ironically flies over Australia for 3+ hours).

 

[albatross710]

I've made a draft itinerary for an upcoming trip thinking of going to BKK via DPS. The return connection

TG 431 BKK-DPS Arrives 14:15
VA48 DPS-BNE departs 15:10

From this thread I can see this is unlikely to be possible at DPS. Is there any more recent experience that might persuade me to risk it?

 

[SuzieQ68]

I've made a draft itinerary for an upcoming trip thinking of going to BKK via DPS. The return connection

TG 431 BKK-DPS Arrives 14:15
VA48 DPS-BNE departs 15:10

From this thread I can see this is unlikely to be possible at DPS. Is there any more recent experience that might persuade me to risk it?

I’m going to say a hard no with a 55 minute layover, not being able to check bags through to final destination and not being able to check in online for the VA flight. We did a similar itinerary and it took the best part of an hour to clear immigration in DPS. Mind you we knew we wouldn’t make an earlier departure from DPS so took a flight back to Aus that departed around 10.00pm same night. Did mean a few hours to kill before we could check in again though….

 

[HS-TQE]

Too risky and if one or the other doesn't 'through check bags' (which is highly likely with the TG/VA "interline") you'll be required to clear immigration at DPS anyway.

55 minutes isn't enough to clear immigration and re-check bags and go through outbound immigration.

 

[sydunipete]

Here is a list of TG interline partners. Sometimes the attitude or experience of the check in agent can come into play too. (VA is on the list.)

https://www.thaiairways.com/en/Terms_condition/interline_partner.page

 

[albatross710]

thanks gang. it was going to be too tight.

 

[Scarlett]

thanks gang. it was going to be too tight.

The real question @albatross710 is, who is going to sell you that ticket and connection? If it’s TG or VA, I’d jump on it and then expect the airline to put me up in a hotel near DPS if it went pear shaped.

Now, if it’s a dodgy online consolidator, well there’s probably a ‘self-connection’ clause or some other kind of out where they take no responsibility for the connection.

I guess it also depends on whether it’s a leisure trip and you can afford to take your sweet time, or whether you do need to be back in BNE as planned.

I’m not wearing any of the risk so I say go for it! Take one for the team and report back! Especially if it is TG selling the ticket.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There's also the excellent Novotel attached to the terminal in DPS. Even if not staying, you can enjoy the rooftop bar, and tap to pay, so no need for any cash.

If it's sold as a single ticket I would expect through check? And boarding passes issued at the first check-in desk? The OP's case was separate tickets.

 

[albatross710]

The real question @albatross710 is, who is going to sell you that ticket and connection?

I was planning to book directly with the two airlines. but I've moved away from this connection based on the feedback.