Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer - 5 hrs ++ layover in SIN - should I interline my bags or re-check everything?

Connecting from BA15 to SQ237 on Saturday. I understand that theres an interline agreement between both airlines. My journey commences in ZRH on BA717.

So should I trouble the BA check in person at ZRH to interline my bags and go across to transfer at T2 in SIN to pick up my SQ BP, or should I re-check everything? Are there any advantages in doing either?

Cheers,
Keith

I would certainly will do a check-through. BUt the reality might be different depending on BA agents. One time I was in London, and BA agent did not let me checked through my luggages for LHR-FRA BA to FRA-YVR LH.
But many times I did SIN-FRA SQ FRA-LHR-YVR BA worked just fine.

The only advantage that I can think of if you wish to re-check in your bags in SIN is that if you are travelling in F or C on SQ for the second leg of your journey than your bags will be tagged as *Alliance priority which SQ is very good at unloaded these bags first at the destination airport.

If you are travelling in F on SQ, you can sample the F check-in lounge which is unique to SQ F in SIN but then you would still miss out on the kerbside greeting or you could be really sad and hop into a taxi from T1, tell the driver around the airport, before arriving in style at the T1 SQ F kerbside set-down area.

If you have your bags checked through, then you do not have to clear Singapore immigration. Baggage claim is after immigration and so is check-in. There are two airtrains (that the monorail) between SIN T1 and T2, one airside and one landside so there is really no difference is terms of getting between terminals. Loads of trolleys for your bags but bags are not allowed on the airtrain. SIN is very good at getting bags to the carousel in record time. SIN immigration lines can be long at peak hours. Depends on the number of flights arriving in SIN at various times (and all flights in SIN are international flight!)

Personally, I have managed to get from T1 to T2, clearing arrivals immigration (luckily there was no queue though this was around 11:40 pm), picking up, bags, taking airtain, checking bags in, clearing departure immigration (getting 2 stamps in the passport) in 25 mins from the time of exiting the plane door at T1 to arrival at the Silver Kris lounge in T2. Due to various previous flight delays and missed connections, I decided not to check my bags through

Anyway, if you check your bags through and if you want to exit T2 and explore the area around Changi prior to checking in again, you are still free to do so. Depending on the time of day (and I had 6 hours to play with), I checked my bags through but still found the time to take the subway (with hand luggage only) into town to run a couple of errands around Orchard Road before heading back to the airport again. I do know my way around Singapore so did not waste time asking for directions or looking at maps.

Alternatively, you can stay airside and try the pool. Just remember the suncream :p

The only advantage that I can think of if you wish to re-check in your bags in SIN is that if you are travelling in F or C on SQ for the second leg of your journey than your bags will be tagged as *Alliance priority which SQ is very good at unloaded these bags first at the destination airport.

SQ are very good at adding priority tags to your bags even if they are through checked from another airline.

Cheers. I'd certainly do a through-check.

Oh btw according to the phone check in agent I am not entitled to checking in on the net or on the phone if I'm not physically in SIN at the time of check in even though I commence my journey on SQ in SIN. She insisted that there are no facilities at the transfer desk to cater for phone/net check in. But its an oversold flight and I want a good seat! :(

But its an oversold flight and I want a good seat! :(

Get your SQ PRN (6 character booking reference) from the agent, then ring SQ (may have to ring SQ in SIN since your SQ flights orginates there) and request a seat. In J and F, you can request actual seat numbers (eg. 1A, 12D). Personally, SQ has never moved my seat at check-in from the requested seat although they do reserve the right to.

Oh btw according to the phone check in agent I am not entitled to checking in on the net or on the phone if I'm not physically in SIN at the time of check in even though I commence my journey on SQ in SIN.
I don't understand where she got that from. I frequently OLCI from outside SIN for segments that start from SIN. I think the agent was confused.

That said, be wary of seat changes on crowded flights. The only time I was switched from a seat I selected upon OLCI was on a SIN-LHR flight when I checked in from BKK. I was flying in economy and was ES at that time.

Oh btw according to the phone check in agent I am not entitled to checking in on the net or on the phone if I'm not physically in SIN at the time of check in even though I commence my journey on SQ in SIN.

That is the rule that they've been given in their scripts. Some agents do check and ask you where you are when you call. Just tell them you're in Singapore and they'll check you in.

I don't understand where she got that from. I frequently OLCI from outside SIN for segments that start from SIN.

Is that because you
a) purchased your ticket on-line from SQ
b) you have a Kris flyer membership number.

I do not think you can OLCI if you do not have a internet ID or a Kris Flyer membership number (as well as password) to log-on to the SQ web-site in order to OLCI.

Other airline like BA and VS allow you to enter your PNR to access OLCI without being a member of the FF programme.

That is the rule that they've been given in their scripts. Some agents do check and ask you where you are when you call. Just tell them you're in Singapore and they'll check you in.

You maybe required to give a local Singapore contact phone number. You could just give a local hotel contact like the Raffles or Shangri-la and make up a room number. But beware, if you have been checked in and you flight into SQ is delayed then SQ could refuse to book you in on a later flight. SQ might be unable to pass your seat on to a wait-listing passenger and therefore potentially loose a fare. Also, how embaressing would it be for you admit you had lied.

Missing your flight after checking in is different to a no-show at check-in.

In December 2004, I was stuck in Phuket when the airport was shut as I was due to fly out the day the tsunami hit. I had OLCI the night for a flight from SIN to SYD before. I had to phone SQ in SIN (thankfully the mobile phone signals were still available although on an irregular basis) so that they could off-load me. I then changed my booking to the last flight of the day to SYD with a note to say I was stuck in Phuket and did not know what time I could leave Phuket. SQ were obliging as they knew there were severe problems in Phuket although no one appreciate the scale of the tragedy at the time. I was flying Thai from Phuket to SIN (Only Silkair flies Phuket to SIN not SQ). The good news was that I got on the 3 flight out of Phuket that night and make my connection without have to spend an extra night in SIN.

I do not think you can OLCI if you do not have a internet ID or a Kris Flyer membership number (as well as password) to log-on to the SQ web-site in order to OLCI.
That's incorrect.
Other airline like BA and VS allow you to enter your PNR to access OLCI without being a member of the FF programme.
Actually, so does SQ. You only need the booking reference and the flight details to OLCI on SQ.

Actually, so does SQ. You only need the booking reference and the flight details to OLCI on SQ.
You can OLCI with these information:
- Last name
- First name
- Flight number
- Departing city
- Departure dtae
- One of these: Booking reference, or passport number, or ticket number

Well here I am sitting in the SATS Lounge after picking up my BP at the transfer desk and a bout of duty free shopping. Still have slightly less than 4 hours to kill. Transferring was painless, only that I had to inform the BA agent at ZRH that it's 'SQ' not 'SE'. Oh and I scored an emergency exit seat! :D

Flight's overbooked '-16' so I could not secure extra seats for my very sore back, a side effect of my love for flying long haul that strangely enough still hasnt lessened my passion for flight any less. Here's hoping that they'd priority tag my bags although I doubt it'd do any good in MEL.

Anyhoo cheers for the great advice people, hope u enjoyed ur LON DO. :)