Singapore - Question - changing flights in Singapore

Hi all,

New to the forums so probably a simple question for seasoned or regular travellers, so here goes...

In July my partner and I are travelling to Madrid from Adelaide. I have booked 3 separate flights to reach our destination.

Adelaide -> Melbourne (Qantas)
Melbourne -> Singapore (Jetstar)
Singapore -> Madrid via Doha (Qatar)

Even though we have a tight turnaround time, the change of flights in Melbourne shouldn't be a problem. What I didn't consider though is our change of flights in Singapore.

Obviously, after landing we will need to collect our baggage as it will not be able to be checked through to Madrid due to change in airlines.

Questions:
1 - Will we need to EXIT customs in singapore, collect baggage and then go to check-in and back through customs?

2 - Will we need to complete a Singapore incoming passenger card? (ie. as though we are 'stopping' in Singapore) and if so, how do you fill it out when you are not leaving the airport and literally going straight back up to check-in?

We have nearly 5hrs to do all this, so time won't be a problem...

3 - Are there any other things I should consider? or any suggestions to make the process as quick as possible??

Thanks in advance, any feedback/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! :)

Hi all,
Obviously, after landing we will need to collect our baggage as it will not be able to be checked through to Madrid due to change in airlines.


Because of this and the airlines involved, I will assume you are on separate PNRs and can not have your bags checked through.


Questions:
1 - Will we need to EXIT customs in singapore, collect baggage and then go to check-in and back through customs?


Yes, baggage collection always entails going through customs. Because you have to check the bags in again, you must also go through immigration so as to be able to get to the check-in desk. And having been in contact with your baggage, you must also clear security again (though you would do that anyway as it is at the gate in SIN).


2 - Will we need to complete a Singapore incoming passenger card? (ie. as though we are 'stopping' in Singapore) and if so, how do you fill it out when you are not leaving the airport and literally going straight back up to check-in?


Probably. As you are going through customs and immigration, you will be entering the country. Usually for situations like this you can enter something like "in transit".

SFever, welcome to FlyerTalk! We have a Singapore forum and I'll move your thread there as I think you'll get the best assistance in that forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

At SIN you need to clear immigration before you can access arrival bags to take them to be re-checked with another airline.

You should check what terminals your airlines use in advance.

Fill out the form, stating 5 hours and in transit. Follow arrival signs, go through passport control, do not go to the arrival duty free shop, collect bags and go through customs. This will all be very quick and efficient. Then find the checkin counter, drop bags again and get boarding pass if needed, go through passport control and you will be airside. Enjoy SIN. There will be security near or at your gate. You might have to wait for check in for your flight to open, so take your time.

Thanks everyone! This information has been great - it will definitely help us have a far less stressful transit!

Thanks everyone! This information has been great - it will definitely help us have a far less stressful transit!

Don't give up yet on sending your luggage straight to Madrid. According to this page (http://www.jetstar.com/mediacentre/facts-and-stats/jetstar-network) Jetstar has an interline agreement with both Qantas and Qatar airways:

The Jetstar Group has 21 interline partnerships on select Jetstar routes: American Airlines; Air Calin; Air Canada; Air France-KLM; Air Niugini; Air Pacific; Air Tahiti Nui; Cathay Pacific; Continental; Dragonair; Etihad; Finnair; Japan Airlines; LAN Airlines; Lan Argentina; Lan Ecuador; Lan Peru; Qantas; Qatar Airways; and Royal Jordanian.

I don't know what those "select Jetstar routes" are, but it's worth a try.

Some thoughts:

1. It looks like there's a good chance you can check your bag all the way through Madrid. The relevant Jetstar web page is

http://www.jetstar.com/sg/en/planning-and-booking/flight-connections

I say 'good chance' because a) your MEL/SIN flight needs to be on Jetstar Airways (JQ), not Jetstar Asia (3K), since the interline is limited to JQ. Additionally I thought I saw something that suggests that your entire trip needs to be on one itinerary (PNR). In practical terms, if you are flying on one/two tickets QF/JQ for Adelaide/MEL/SIN and another for SIN/Doha/Madrid, then interline may not be possible. (But ask anyway. I've gotten an airline - not QF or JQ/3K though - to interline on an international itinerary between two different carriers on two separate PNR's. Whether or not QF/JQ is willing to do this is the big question.)

2. Whatever happens, at Adelaide check in you will have boarding passes for Adelaide/MEL and MEL/SIN. I doubt that you will be able to get the QR boarding passes for SIN onwards. My expectation is that you will have to get it from Qatar upon arrival in SIN. See the two possibilities below; note that in Singapore, QR operates from Terminal 3 while JQ/3K operate from Terminal 1.

http://www.changiairport.com/flight-info/airlines/airlines-serving-changi

2a> If luggage interlined, on arrival in Singapore, do NOT go through Immigration. Instead walk to the Skytrain terminal (airside) and go to terminal 3. Look for the terminal 3 transfer desk, collect your boarding pass and just hang out. If the desk is not open, just wait. There's lots to do, you won't be bored.

2b> If luggage not interlined, you will have to go through Singapore immigration. This is not a big deal (Immigration formalities both entering and exiting are very quick) although from a legal standpoint you will have officially entered Singapore. Fill out entry card and follow instructions per MSPeconomist's post above; go through Immigration in Terminal 1, then take Skytrain (ground side) to Terminal 3. Note that if QR's check in desk is not open, you will have to wait. Once you have the boarding passes, then go through Immigration formalities and re-enter airside.


In view that your transit is so long, you might want to consider checking out Singapore. Check other threads on this forum for what to do on short stays in Singapore; in practical terms it is often possible to get from jetway to cab stand within 15 to 20 minutes. Thus a two hour venture into one of Singapore's neighborhoods is possible if you plan this somewhat in advance. Additionally Changi Airport offers a two hour tour for transit passengers - your five hour layover might just make their cutoff. Read this link and decide for yourself.

http://www.changiairport.com/at-changi/leisure-indulgences/free-singapore-tour

Wow, thanks dsgtc0408 and Koby. I guess I need to find out what Jetstar means by "If your connecting flights are on one ticket".

I booked my Qatar flights completely separately, so I have 2 itineraries. However, my flights from Singapore -> Doha -> Madrid are all on the same itinerary - hopefully what they are referring to are the subsequent flights after my Jetstar one rather than having Jetstar and Qatar flights all on the one itinerary.

Would be absolutely brilliant if we can avoid the baggage collection, immigration thing.

Well - the verdict is in! I just rang Jetstar and was advised that they will NOT check my bagged through to Madrid because "you booked online".

They advised that if I had booked my flights through either a travel agent OR an 'interline partner' then they would be able to do it.

Any experts out there to advise if this sounds right?

Well - the verdict is in! I just rang Jetstar and was advised that they will NOT check my bagged through to Madrid because "you booked online".

They advised that if I had booked my flights through either a travel agent OR an 'interline partner' then they would be able to do it.

Any experts out there to advise if this sounds right?

I have personally no experience with Jetstar, but this is the most ridiculous reason that I have ever heard. Interline agreements do not depend on how you have booked your ticket... :rolleyes:

Sorry I can't give you more advice, expect keep trying (at check-in) but prepare for the worst.

I have personally no experience with Jetstar, but this is the most ridiculous reason that I have ever heard. Interline agreements do not depend on how you have booked your ticket... :rolleyes:

Sorry I can't give you more advice, expect keep trying (at check-in) but prepare for the worst.

+1.

Going through SIN should be one of the best experience if not easiest in the world.

Well - the verdict is in! I just rang Jetstar and was advised that they will NOT check my bagged through to Madrid because "you booked online".

They advised that if I had booked my flights through either a travel agent OR an 'interline partner' then they would be able to do it.

Any experts out there to advise if this sounds right?

This might actually be right even though I imagine the curt and jargon filled reply you got probably was meant to get you off the phone.

Keep in mind that Qantas and I'm sure Qatar are full service airlines, while Jetstar is a low cost carrier. Low cost means things like paying extra to check in say a 20kg suitcase, and paying for a meal on board, etc. I'm sure interlining costs money, so Jetstar won't just go out of its way to do it if it didn't have to. The bits about 'travel agent' and 'interline partner' actually make some amount of sense - in all probability booking through these channels would have meant a higher fare than booking online (thus respectively financing things like travel agent commissions and cross-carrier fees where there is more than one airline on a ticket, etc).

Your previous comments didn't confirm this explicitly but I assume that you are holding two separate tickets (Adelaide/MEL/SIN and SIN/Doha/MAD), thus two separate PNR's. But just to confirm:
1) You bought two separate tickets, one that is by JQ/QF and the other by QR? (In other words, it's not one gigantic ticket that has all three carriers on it?)
2) Who sold you the JQ/QF ticket, Jetstar (JQ) or QF (Qantas)? You can see this if you look at the first three digits of the ticket number. 081 is Qantas, JQ is 041.
http://www.avcodes.co.uk/airlcoderes.asp

Bottom line points:
- if it's all one great big ticket (one PNR only) for all sectors, there should be zero issues with interlining.
- if you bought your ticket from Qantas with a separate ticket for Qatar, they should interline your bags although you might have to explain what you want and hope for a patient/conscientious check in agent.
- if you bought your ticket from Jetstar and check in with them, they will probably give you a hard time and worse case, be totally out of luck.

There's one thing you can try. When checking in at Adelaide, check in at the Qantas counter, not Jetstar (and play dumb, if need be, or the Jetstar check in is too long etc etc) since your first sector is on QF anyway. Assuming you have a cooperative check in agent, you might be able to talk your way into getting your bags interlined all the way to Madrid (be aware this would be a corporate favor if you bought a Jetstar ticket). Otherwise you will have to settle for coming out of the airport at SIN.

I am sorry to ask this, but why don't you want to go groundside at SIN? Speaking as a foreigner who has lived in Singapore for more years than he can count, SIN government formalities are the most efficient and least intrusive of any that I have ever experienced. If the QR check in counter is open at the time you touch down, I'd estimate it might take as little as 40 minutes (best case) from the time you walk off the Jetstar flight, go groundside to check in and be airside again. You have five hours of layover...

Speaking as a foreigner who has lived in Singapore for more years than he can count, SIN government formalities are the most efficient and least intrusive of any that I have ever experienced. If the QR check in counter is open at the time you touch down, I'd estimate it might take as little as 40 minutes (best case) from the time you walk off the Jetstar flight, go groundside to check in and be airside again. You have five hours of layover...

Going through SIN should be one of the best experience if not easiest in the world.

Sorry I can't give you more advice, expect keep trying (at check-in) but prepare for the worst.

Maybe "prepare for the worst" was not the best choice of words. Because I completely agree with tycosiao and dsgtc0408. Even if your luggage does not get sent through, you'll have no problem whatsoever in SIN. It's probably the best organised airport in the world.

Sorry I don't have time to read all the posts, but IIRC Jetstar is at the budget terminal so you'll have to shuttle (5-10 minutes) to the main terminal (at least double check this). Since you have 5 hours, you'll have plenty of time for C&I too.

You should have time to check out the roof top pool at the T1 transit hotel for a quick swim and refresher. There are changing rooms and towels for ~$12 usd there too.

Sorry I don't have time to read all the posts, but IIRC Jetstar is at the budget terminal.

<snip>

Just a fast correction: Jetstar (both Airways and Asia) is in Terminal One, not the Budget Terminal.

<snip>
You should have time to check out the roof top pool at the T1 transit hotel for a quick swim and refresher. There are changing rooms and towels for ~$12 usd there too.

I don't personally know about this but it sounds like a great service and a great way to use up some of the five hour layover.

You should have time to check out the roof top pool at the T1 transit hotel for a quick swim and refresher. There are changing rooms and towels for ~$12 usd there too.

I don't personally know about this but it sounds like a great service and a great way to use up some of the five hour layover.

The "SPA" is operated by the ambassador transit hotel. You also get access to the exercise room and other poolside recreation on top of the pool, hot tub and showers. The pool is open 7-11 with a poolside bar/beverage/snack servcice. On a short layover you can be relaxing in the pool with a tiger and Satays. :D^

I have a similar question as I am travelling LHR - SIN with SIA on one ticket and SIN - SYD with QF on another (using points from different FF programs!). I am quite aware and happy to collect bags and re check-in for the QF flight as I have 5 hrs. I was hoping to have a sleep using the Transit Hotel in T1, but they have emailed me to say that if I leave the transit area and re-enter the terminal through departures, that I won't be able to access the hotel. Does anyone know if this is true? The Changi maps seem to show that it is possible. Thanks for any help, cheers Bill

If you leave the airside area of the terminal to go to baggage claim (which is after immigration), you cannot re-enter the airside part where the transit hotels are located until after check in opens for your flight.

Thanks for that. I have just rung Changi and they assure me that the transfer desk in T1 will sort out luggage tranfer between SIA and QF for me, so I don't have to leave transit area at all and can go and avail of the Transit Hotel...I hope this works!!!!!

I can't be totally certain of this, but when checking in at LHR with SQ, let them know that you will be connecting with a QF flight in Singapore - ask if they can tag your bags all the way to Australia. Personally I'd expect that it is possible to interline the bags although I have no proof of that. In any case I suggest you ask at check in; you have nothing to lose. If it works then it's literally no worries and you won't need to go groundside. Note that if this works, the SQ check in staff in LHR will want to see your onward QF ticket.

To be clear, I'm not saying that you check in with QF; you'll still need to do that, presumably during transit in SIN.

Thanks also for that suggestion. I have tried this before without success when transitting through LHR. For example, Belfast - LHR with BMI and then LHR - SYDNEY with BA. As you say I have nothing to lose by asking at check-in to try & get bags tagged all the way.

Changi has air-side transfer desks, where you can check-in for your connecting flight on another airline, AND have your checked bags transfered by airport staff to the connecting airline, even though your bags are tagged only to Singapore. You don't need to claim your bags, you don't have to go through immigration or fill out the form. However,

1. Both arriving and departing airlines must have interline agreements
2. the check-in and bag transfer can take place only if check-in for the connecting flight is officially open. Many full service airlines at Changi have check-in open up to 48 hours before flight departure, and some are only open 3 hrs in advance

If transfer can be arranged at the air-side transfer desk, the process is reliable and effortless, based on my experience.

For transit hotel, you must be air-side to access it. If you go landside, you'll need an airline-issued "real" boarding pass on the departing flight to come back. If you can obtain your QF boarding pass from the airside transit desk, you are free to go landside and come back in, and use the transit hotel.

Thanks for setting out all this so clearly. Absolutely brilliant. SQ and QF do have an interline arrangement, so its now only a matter of finding out if I can use the transfer desk for QF at any time, or have to wait till check in opens.

Hi,

I'm having the same situation and I was wondering if anyone of you guys could help a 20 year old girl who is NOT a seasoned traveler and is new to booking tickets from different airlines just to save some extra bucks on how to handle things like collecting of bags/transfer of bags to my next flight and , do I have to go through immigration and customs and etc,.. i am just at lost to this

anyway, my exact situation is,

i am planning to book in advance 2 tickets from different airlines to reach my destination which is Cebu just to save some cash. My first flight is by Jetstar which leaves Perth on 05/12/12 at 00:15 and arrives at Singapore at 5:30 am. My second flight , which is bound for cebu is booked through Singapore Airlines, so I'm guessing silk air would be the one used for the flight and this deaprts SIN at 9:05 am.

so my question or rather problem is,

a) how would i go about the process of transferring my luggage from my previous flight to my next one? (dumb question, i know just really need to ask)
b) would it be better if i go through immigration, customs then collect my bags then check-in right away? any other reccomendations?
c) if i do go through the whole process of immigration and what not, what do i write in the disembarkation/embarkation card since i'm not leaving the airport? are there extra fees charged when you go through customs when you re check-in again?
d) would the time between 5:30-9:05 be enough to do all of this?


and one more thing, the ticket i'm gonna book through singapore airlines is going to be paid by paypal, and since the carrier during the flight is silk air would they still ask for credit card verification/ LOI or any other verification? well ofcourse besides the boarding pass and passport they do but are there still any other things they ask?


I hope someone could help me cause i really really need it!
cheers!

Hi,

I'm having the same situation and I was wondering if anyone of you guys could help a 20 year old girl who is NOT a seasoned traveler and is new to booking tickets from different airlines just to save some extra bucks on how to handle things like collecting of bags/transfer of bags to my next flight and , do I have to go through immigration and customs and etc,.. i am just at lost to this

<snip>

cheers!

Hi,

I'll help with as much as I can.

a1. You are flying into SIN on Jetstar. Because it is a LCC, you won't be able to interline your luggage (ie have them handoff your suitcases) directly to Silkair. Therefore, you will need to legally enter Singapore (so immigration formalities), go to the luggage carousel to fetch your suitcases, and recheck with Silkair.

a2. Jetstar flies into Terminal 1, however Silkair flies out of Terminal 2. What you will do after collecting your baggage is to go through the glass doors. (You are now on the groundside of the airport.) Look for signs directing you to the Skytrain; you want the Skytrain that takes you to Terminal 2. At Terminal 2, look to see where you can check in. Once you have your boarding pass in hand, you can legally exit Singapore and go to the airside, proceeding to your gate.

b/c. I guess you now know that with luggage, you will have to go through Singapore entry formalities. On purpose of visit, just write down "Transit"; you're not the first and won't be the last person to do this sort of transit arrangement. You presumably will have at least the Singapore Airlines/Silkair ticket receipt and reservation; this will satisfy the officer. And no, there shouldn't be any extra fees charged. In fact, charges are part of the ticket price (if you're curious it's encoded in the two or three lines of fine print on your receipt).

d. You have more than enough time to do all these things. My guess is that if you have a particularly smooth arrival you can make it from the jetway of the Jetstar flight to the gate for your Silkair flight in one hour, maybe a bit less. Singapore formalities and logistics is unusally efficient compared to other airports. Don't worry about getting bored, the information counters will have information on the various distractions available on the airside of the airport.

On the verification of payment, I don't know the direct answer. My thought is that the receipt might show payment via Paypal - so perhaps the answer is to bring the Paypal receipt with you. Of course, you can call Singapore Airlines while still home in Perth. Give them the PNR (the ticket identifier) or the ticket number, and ask what sort of verification they may ask for when you check in at Changi.

Hope this helps - any other questions you can reply this thread or PM me.

Thank you so much! This really helped me a lot since i'm relatively new to this kind of arrangement with booking different tickets and all. So, thanks :)

And yes, I do have a few more questions that I'd like to ask. Since the tickets that I'm going to book are two-way ones, is it still the same process in handling the bags? Cause when I get back to SIN I have more than 10 hrs to spend in SIN until my next flight to Perth. So are there places where I can leave my luggage since I can't check them in that early?

Thank you so much! This really helped me a lot since i'm relatively new to this kind of arrangement with booking different tickets and all. So, thanks :)

And yes, I do have a few more questions that I'd like to ask. Since the tickets that I'm going to book are two-way ones, is it still the same process in handling the bags? Cause when I get back to SIN I have more than 10 hrs to spend in SIN until my next flight to Perth. So are there places where I can leave my luggage since I can't check them in that early?
There is some sort of a left luggage facility at SIN but I don't know the details. Some airlines (not USA carriers) permit you to check in and go airside as much as 48 hours before your flight; SQ is one and it has check in desks that are open 24/7, although the FC check in lounge does close for the night. Start by verifying the rules for your carrier.

Thank you so much! This really helped me a lot since i'm relatively new to this kind of arrangement with booking different tickets and all. So, thanks :)

And yes, I do have a few more questions that I'd like to ask. Since the tickets that I'm going to book are two-way ones, is it still the same process in handling the bags? Cause when I get back to SIN I have more than 10 hrs to spend in SIN until my next flight to Perth. So are there places where I can leave my luggage since I can't check them in that early?

There is some sort of a left luggage facility at SIN but I don't know the details. Some airlines (not USA carriers) permit you to check in and go airside as much as 48 hours before your flight; SQ is one and it has check in desks that are open 24/7, although the FC check in lounge does close for the night. Start by verifying the rules for your carrier.

There are left luggage counter at all three major terminals. Since your departure to Perth is on Jetstar it is best to use the one at T1 which is on the lowest level, where the employee canteen and supermarket is. You need to go out a set of glass door to outside the building head left on the sidewalk about 100 mtrs.