Thailand - connection time between REP-BKK and BKK-KBV (using 2 PNRs)

Hope it's not bad etiquette to start a new thread for this instead of tacking on to my itinerary thread, but in looking at airfares from REP-KBV, it looks as though vayama will issue me a single interlined ticket with a layover in BKK from 10:45 am to 1:30 pm, which seems like it would work fine, except the price is a little steep.

If instead of buying a ticket from vayama with a single PNR, I ticket those flights separately on the websites of PG and TG, it looks as though I can get advance purchase fares which cut the price of the tickets almost in half.

Assuming we have checked luggage, would 2:45 still be enough time to clear immigration, collect our bags and check in again? Seems like it, but figured I'd ask (don't want to outsmart myself and end up penny wise and pound foolish).

thanks!

Yes, it's enough time. You can ask PG at check-in in REP if they will interline the bags to the TG flight. PG-TG do have an interline agreement, KBV is an airport with Customs facilities, and 2:45 gap definitely meets the BKK minimum connection time, but whether the agent will agree to send your bags through for a separate PNR is not guaranteed. If they will, you should be able to pick up a TG boarding pass at the airside transfer desk and continue on to the immigration checkpoint serving domestic connections. If they don't, you'll just have to jump through hoops manually. In this event, even if you encounter a bit of a backup at incoming regular immigration, you'll have time to do bag collection, go upstairs, and recheck at the TG desks.

When I purchase a trip exPNH/REP to an airport in Thailand past BKK I'll always purchase as separate tix. As you're seeing, it's quite a bit cheaper since you can access lower fare classes which don't price out on the through itin. This is the same on the PG website so it's not something Vayama is creating.

As for luggage, KBV is an international airport and, even when on two separate itins, you will be able to have your bags interlined from PG-TG. This will leave you needed to go through immigration in BKK but customs in KBV.

Even if you needed to get luggage in BKK (which you should not), 2:45 is sufficient time.

thanks very much for the responses!

I didn't realize it, but it looks as though with Smile now operating to Krabi, they have canceled the 1:30 flight, and I have a choice of a 12:15 flight or a 3 pm flight.

The earlier flight would leave me 90 mins between flights, which is more than the MCT, and seems like it would be enough if they interline our bag, but I guess I am wondering if anyone has advice on how likely it is that they will do that and that we'll be fine with a 90 min connection?

I didn't realize it, but it looks as though with Smile now operating to Krabi, they have canceled the 1:30 flight, and I have a choice of a 12:15 flight or a 3 pm flight.

The earlier flight would leave me 90 mins between flights, which is more than the MCT, and seems like it would be enough if they interline our bag, but I guess I am wondering if anyone has advice on how likely it is that they will do that and that we'll be fine with a 90 min connection?

PG staff in REP will interline your bag to TG for the KBV segment. That will not be a problem.

Has anyone flown Thai Smile? As a low cost sub-brand of TG do they offer similar benefits, including interlining?

Regrettably I flew "Smile" recently. It is basically indistinguishable from TG on the ground. So I would imagine that interlining is not a problem.

Aircraft are new A320's with only economy seating. If you book "business class" all you get is an economy seat with an empty middle seat next to you. Basically the same sort of thing the European airlines pull on regional flights. It made me mad though because when I bought my C class ticket there was no indication that it would be on Smile or that it was not a real C product. You still get lounge access and all of that but the on-board product is nowhere near a business class experience.

Has anyone flown Thai Smile? As a low cost sub-brand of TG do they offer similar benefits, including interlining?

It is TG so you get all the benefits of *A plus *G if you are. Interlining is no problem.

Low cost is a misnomer considering the V/W fares of mainline TG are cheaper than Thai Smile. I also didn't like how they gave you a bag of snack, spend the rest of the flight selling crap and never come through to collect garbage.

I'm at a loss to understand the whole premise of TG7xx AKA Thai Smile. :confused:

Thanks again for the advice.

Looks like we're on the 12:15 now, and we're taking a later flight back as well to cut down on our layover in BKK before going home (didn't want to be on the last flight of the day from KBV, but I think maybe they've added some pm KBV-BKK flights?).