Would you feel comfortable with this?

[Cruiser Elite]

No I could not comment at all - the only times I have ever transmitted Changi on diff carrier than SQ it has been collection and checkin again so no exp at all

 

[RooFlyer]

No I could not comment at all - the only times I have ever transmitted Changi on diff carrier than SQ it has been collection and checkin again so no exp at all

That's what the OP is proposing to do, I think, but the Changi 'rules' appear not to allow it? (Must be on same 'itinerary' and bags checked through ...)

 

[jackaroo]

Really grateful for all the replies!

I've just re-read the thread and if someone could advise on one other point. With travel insurance - is it true most are not valid if you have made separate flight bookings? Is that correct or did I misunderstand? I've bought TI before with separate flight bookings . . . Didn't realise most don't cover this!?

 

[VPS]

Really grateful for all the replies!

I've just re-read the thread and if someone could advise on one other point. With travel insurance - is it true most are not valid if you have made separate flight bookings? Is that correct or did I misunderstand? I've bought TI before with separate flight bookings . . . Didn't realise most don't cover this!?

You'll need to check with your insurer. I'd email them and get the response in writing

 

[Pete98765432]

Really grateful for all the replies!

I've just re-read the thread and if someone could advise on one other point. With travel insurance - is it true most are not valid if you have made separate flight bookings? Is that correct or did I misunderstand? I've bought TI before with separate flight bookings . . . Didn't realise most don't cover this!?

I queried this with Covermore (Bankwest credit card insurance) back in 2019. This was their response:

If you hold a travel ticket returning you to Australia, that is considered a return travel ticket.
So if you hold two one way tickets, as long as one of those returns you back to Australia, that will be considered a return travel ticket.

 

[1022]

That's what the OP is proposing to do, I think, but the Changi 'rules' appear not to allow it? (Must be on same 'itinerary' and bags checked through ...)

I suspect this is referring to air-side transfer without crossing the border. Wherease what OP is proposing would effectively be a 9 hour (or preferably 36 hour) "stopover" seeing as it's perhaps unlikely luggage would be through-checked from Sydney anyway from QF to KL on different tickets.

 

[jackaroo]

I queried this with Covermore (Bankwest credit card insurance) back in 2019. This was their response:

I meant with standard insurance, not via a credit card.

I don’t have an insurer yet to email and ask.

If this is the case I would've had null and void insurance policies as I've taken many a trip with separate flight bookings!!!

 

[RichardMEL]

Pretty sure most of the trip based insurance policies will cover this just fine as you're departing from Australia (start of trip) and when you return is the end (assuming you purchase cover for the whole trip duration of course ). I doubt they would worry too much that your outbound from Australia is two bookings Australia->SIN, SIN-Europe. as long as you meet the requirements for cover.

Anyway I would agree to go in the day before if possible just to be sure. I mean look all things being equal 15 hours is an absurdly long connecting time, and 95% of the time you'd be fine and bored stupid (and again another plus for a hotel to break up the journey, relax, etc).. it's that 5% where things go so really pear shaped that you're in a situation. Who needs that stress?

 

[Pete98765432]

I decided to send an email to Chubb seeking confirmation on whether a combination of QF travel pass and Amex qualified for the complementary travel insurance. I'll post the reply when and if I get one.

Below is the reply I received:

Please note that you can use credit from your original flights that was cancelled, as long as you can provide proof that the original flights were paid with American Express Qantas Ultimate Card.

 

[Bolt]

I'm in a similar situation. Trying to book a reasonable ticket back from BKK-BNE. I have already booked a classic reward in business class from SIN T1-BNE on QF52 departing at 1920hrs Singapore time.

To get from BKK-SIN I have a few options.
1. Malaysia airlines BKK-KUL-SIN T1. 1105-1635. I can roll out of bed late but before checkout, I get 40kg baggage, lounge access at BKK, I get a QANTAS points and SC, and it arrives at SIN T1. Downside is a short 1hr connection time at KUL, but it's checked through baggage and it's on the same ticket. Should be ok, right?
2. Bangkok airways BKK-USM-SIN T1. I can go to Koh Samui for a few days stopover before continuing onto Singapore to reduce my risk, and I can book the tickets as a Classic Reward. Nice and cruisy. Not sure about baggage and lounge access.
3. Jetstar Asia BKK-SIN T1 0920-1255 (flying T1 until terminal change 25/03/2023). I can book this classic reward, but I only get 20kg baggage. Kinda sucks though because I'll need to be up early and then sit on an overnight flight, and I'll arrive at Singapore before the lounge opens sometime around 2 or 4pm.

My personal preference would be Malaysia Airlines, but my concern is, if anything goes wrong with the Malaysia Airlines flight, am I covered by travel delay insurance for my connecting flight on a separate ticket?

 

[Bolt]

I've found that with CommBank's Covermore insurance, the PDS says this.

Additional Expenses.
We will reimburse your reasonable additional accommodation (room rate only) expenses and additional transport expenses, at the same accommodation standard or fare class as originally booked, if a disruption to your journey arises from any of the following reasons:
...
8. Your scheduled or connecting transport is cancelled, delayed, rescheduled or diverted because of a strike, riot, hijack, civil protest, weather, natural disaster or a collision affecting your mode of transport

We will not pay for claims caused by:
...
7. cancellations, delays, rescheduling or diversions to your scheduled or connecting transport, unless it is due to a strike, riot, hijack, civil protest, weather, natural disaster or a collision affecting your mode of transport

That sounds to me like if there is something else besides that out of your control, such as mechanical fault, or delayed inbound aircraft, or delayed take off, you won't be covered.

 

[ozziflyer]

After saving QF hard for years, finally booked (using points) 3 business class seats on a one-way ticket Singapore to Europe flying KLM. Booked via Qantas website. Flying early December.

I have checked the booking reference number and is showing via KLM's manage booking page.

After reading loads of threads on here I'm feeling worried. We could not afford to just spring 3 x last minute business flights if our ticket was cancelled. I imagine even econ would be high too at such late notice.

We would look to fly to Singapore from Australia on paid for Qantas flights to meet this KLM flight. The flights we're currently looking at would arrive nine hours prior to above-mentioned reward flights.

I would appreciate thoughts on this.

1. Would you feel comfortable with the reward booking.

2. Is 9 hours enough between flights, given I'm reading about so many cancellations/delays or should we look to arrive day before? I'm reluctant to book day before due to high cost of transit hotels in Singapore AIRPORT (we wouldn't want to leave airport).

Thank you anyone who replies.

Flight history for KL836 looks good and consistent. It is an 8xx AM arrival into AMS.
Likely any scheduling change is to the right.

Only real risk is if incoming flight cancels or turns around. If that where to happen it will be while your in the air to SIN but they would need to find you alternative flights or next day etc.

 

[dajop]

1. Malaysia airlines BKK-KUL-SIN T1. 1105-1635. I can roll out of bed late but before checkout, I get 40kg baggage, lounge access at BKK, I get a QANTAS points and SC, and it arrives at SIN T1. Downside is a short 1hr connection time at KUL, but it's checked through baggage and it's on the same ticket. Should be ok, right?

This one I wouldn't risk, as it is two flights, only takes a 20-30 min delay at BKK and you lose your connection at KUL. Not sure when you are travelling, but right now SIN-Australia flights are running close to capacity so finding an alternative may end up quite expensive.

Do you have any velocity points you could try for SQ (although SQ are running quite full too, so probably can't get award), as SQ should connect your luggage through to QF if you ask at check in BKK. Otherwise I'd tend to the Jetstar flight (if you want extra luggage, not sure if you can add it with $$$ by using booking ref on JQ website?)

 

[AIRwin]

3. Jetstar Asia BKK-SIN T1 0920-1255 (flying T1 until terminal change 25/03/2023). I can book this classic reward, but I only get 20kg baggage. Kinda sucks though because I'll need to be up early and then sit on an overnight flight, and I'll arrive at Singapore before the lounge opens sometime around 2 or 4pm.

At least SIN offers early check-in if your baggage is not checked through and you can then explore Jewel if you haven't already until the lounge opens:

Seamless Early Check-In Process at Changi Airport

Experience seamless early check-in at Changi Airport. Streamline your travel with convenient luggage drop-off and start your journey stress-free and in comfort.

www.changiairport.com

 

[Bolt]

Do you have any velocity points you could try for SQ (although SQ are running quite full too, so probably can't get award), as SQ should connect your luggage through to QF if you ask at check in BKK

I might have enough. I'll check.

I'd tend to the Jetstar flight

Just because of the timing? Do you know if you can request a booking reference for a Jetstar Asia (3K) and a QANTAS (QF) flight can be connected as dependent? That might help.

Jetstar flight (if you want extra luggage, not sure if you can add it with $$$ by using booking ref on JQ website?)

Yes, you can add extra luggage if you go to your booking at pay. Jetstar rewards come with 20kg by default. The luggage allowance isn't affected by QANTAS membership level unfortunately.

 

[Bolt]

I found the following

Covermore will cover you for missed connections, but only if you planned for 90 minutes between your connections. But they won't pay out if the delayed leg arrives less than 90 minutes late. Which, seems as though there's an additional dead zone there. So realistically, you'd need to allow at least 180 minutes (3 hours) between connections.

FastCover only covers you for delays of more than 6 hours, and has a benefit limit of $2K.

Insure4Less looks exactly like Travel Insurance Saver

InsureAndGo doesn't cover you where your connecting flight has a connection time of less than 6 hours. But they will cover you if a travel leg is delayed more than 12 hours.

Jane/Kit are similar to Zoom, and don't cover delays unless for a specific unlikely reason (strike, riot, hijack, civil protest, weather, natural disaster or a plane crash affects your transport).

Medibank is similar to Covermore, except they won't pay if your delayed leg arrives less than 3 hours late for international flights, or if your delayed leg arrives less than 2 hours late for domestic flights.

Tick insurance won't cover missed connections at all.

Travel Insurance Saver will only cover you if it's for the purpose of attending a wedding, funeral, conference, 25th or 50th wedding anniversary, concert or ticketed sporting event which cannot be delayed as a consequence of your late arrival. Cover is only $2K max.

Travel Insurance won't really cover you either. They won't cover you for "any claim for more than the cost of the original booked Trip", which a last minute ticket certainly will be. Also, you need to show that you planned to arrive at your departure point in advance of the carrier's earliest scheduled check-in time.

Zoom doesn't cover missed connections unless you get an unlikely cause (strike, riot, hijack, civil protest, weather, natural disaster or a plane crash affects your transport). They won't pay if it related to delays or rescheduling.

So, it looks to me like travel insurance is useless.

 

[AIRwin]

Covermore will cover you for missed connections, but only if you planned for 90 minutes between your connections. But they won't pay out if the delayed leg arrives less than 90 minutes late. Which, seems as though there's an additional dead zone there. So realistically, you'd need to allow at least 180 minutes (3 hours) between connections.

Thanks! Good to know... Even on separate tickets?

 

[dajop]

Just because of the timing? Do you know if you can request a booking reference for a Jetstar Asia (3K) and a QANTAS (QF) flight can be connected as dependent? That might help.

Yes, my rule of thumb Long haul J->Short haul Y, don't worry particularly about "tight" connections on separate tickets. Short haul -> Long haul J, definitely be over cautious in connection time, especially when the flights are almost full. Out of the three, Jetstar seemed to be better because it was not connecting via somewhere. If connecting via somewhere you double the chances of something going wrong ....

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I would take SQ J, the first flight of the day, $$$$$ I know, but it would be a direct from BKK - SIN.
If your tix was BKK - BNE all in the totally one PNR, I would say go for the MH flight.
But on a separate PNR, and with several connections, it's all too dangerous as to missed connections, as others have said.
There is an SQ flight that gets into SIN at 15.35, longest transit in SIN, also a large bumper time to get around Changi, get BP for next flight etc.

 

[jase05]

I'm in a similar situation. Trying to book a reasonable ticket back from BKK-BNE. I have already booked a classic reward in business class from SIN T1-BNE on QF52 departing at 1920hrs Singapore time.

To get from BKK-SIN I have a few options.
1. Malaysia airlines BKK-KUL-SIN T1. 1105-1635. I can roll out of bed late but before checkout, I get 40kg baggage, lounge access at BKK, I get a QANTAS points and SC, and it arrives at SIN T1. Downside is a short 1hr connection time at KUL, but it's checked through baggage and it's on the same ticket. Should be ok, right?
2. Bangkok airways BKK-USM-SIN T1. I can go to Koh Samui for a few days stopover before continuing onto Singapore to reduce my risk, and I can book the tickets as a Classic Reward. Nice and cruisy. Not sure about baggage and lounge access.
3. Jetstar Asia BKK-SIN T1 0920-1255 (flying T1 until terminal change 25/03/2023). I can book this classic reward, but I only get 20kg baggage. Kinda sucks though because I'll need to be up early and then sit on an overnight flight, and I'll arrive at Singapore before the lounge opens sometime around 2 or 4pm.

My personal preference would be Malaysia Airlines, but my concern is, if anything goes wrong with the Malaysia Airlines flight, am I covered by travel delay insurance for my connecting flight on a separate ticket?

Having done the BKK-KUL route with MH recently there is no way I’d take it with only 1hr connection.