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Mileage Runs turnarounds / turnabouts / transits:- Experiences please

Old Sep 12, 2014, 6:12 pm
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Last edit by: dordal
As this thread has gotten quite big, here is an index of links to the relevant posts for quick reference, sorted by airport code. If you are unsure of the airport code please use the FT airport code lookup.

Key

e = link to post external to this thread
w = link to post within this thread
> = transit
< = turnaround
APT = airport code

e/w >/< APT airport name, country [specific airline, terminal or type of connection here]

INDEX

Code:

 A
 w < ACC Accra, Ghana
 e < ADE Aden, Yemen (warning difficult to do)
 w < AKL Auckland, New Zealand on CX
 e > AKL Auckland, New Zealand
 e < AKL Auckland, New Zealand
 w < AKL Auckland, New Zealand on TG
 e > AMM Amman, Jordan
 e > AMM Amman, Jordan
 e > AMM Amman, Jordan
 w < AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands
 e > AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands
 w < AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands on UA
 w < AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands on SQ
 e < ANC Anchorage, USA
 e < ANC Anchorage, USA
 w < APW Apia, Samoa
 e < ARN Stockholm, Sweden
 w < ARN Stockholm, Sweden on TG
 e < ATH Athens, Greece
 e > AUH Abu Dhabi, UAE on BA
 
 B
 w < BCN Barcelona, Spain on SQ
 w < BDL Hartford, USA
 e > BEG Belgrade, Serbia
 e < BEY Beirut, Lebanon
 e > BEY Beirut, Lebanon
 w < BHM Birmingham, USA on NW
 w < BIO Bilbao, Spain
 e > BKK Bangkok (Don Muang), Thailand
 w < BKK Bangkok (Don Muang), Thailand
 e < BKK Bangkok (Don Muang), Thailand
 e > BKK Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Thailand on SQ
 e > BKK Bangkok, Thailand TG -> TK
 e > BKK Bangkok, Thailand LH -> TG
 e > BNE Brisbane, Australia domestic to international on QF
 e > BOM Mumbai, India international -> international
 e > BOM Mumbai, India domestic -> international
 e > BOM Mumbai, India
 e > BOM Mumbai, India international -> domestic
 w < BOM Mumbai, India
 w < BOS Boston, USA
 w < BQN Aquadilla, Puerto Rico on UA
 e < BRU Brussels, Belgium
 w < BZE Belize City, Belize
 
 C
 e < CAI Cairo, Egypt
 e < CAI Cairo, Egypt
 w < CAI Cairo, Egypt on QR
 e > CCS Caracas, Venezuela international -> international
 w < CCU Kolkata, India
 w > CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle, France
 e < CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle, France
 w < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on SQ
 w < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on SQ
 w < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on SQ
 w > CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on JO/JL
 w > CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on TG
 w < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e > CHC Christchurch, New Zealand international -> international on NZ
 w > CLT Charlotte, USA
 w < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka on SQ
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 w < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka on SQ
 e < CMN Casablanca, Morocco on LH
 w > CNS Cairns, Australia
 e < CNS Cairns, Australia international -> international
 e > CNS Cairns, Australia domestic -> domestic
 e < CNS Cairns, Australia international -> international
 e > CPH Copenhagen, Denmark
 w < CPH Copenhagen, Denmark
 e < CPH Copenhagen, Denmark on BA
 e > CPH Copenhagen, Denmark
 w > CRK Clark, Philippines on OZ
 
 D
 e < DAC Dhaka, Bangladesh on TG
 w > DCA Washington National, USA
 e < DEL Delhi, India
 e < DEL Delhi, India
 e > DEL Delhi, India
 e > DEL Delhi, India domestic -> international
 e < DEL Delhi, India
 w < DEL Delhi, India
 e > DEL Delhi, India international 9W -> AA
 w < DEL Delhi, India
 w > DFW Dallas Fort Worth, USA
 w > DFW Dallas Fort Worth, USA
 w < DME Moscow, Russa
 e < DOH Doha, Qatar on BA
 e < DUB Dublin, Ireland on AA
 e > DUB Dublin, Ireland
 e < DUS Dusseldorf, Germany
 w > DXB Dubai, UAE
 w < DXB Dubai, UAE
 e < DXB Dubai, UAE on BA
 e > DXB Dubai, UAE with children during Ramadan
 
 E
 e < EBL Erbil, Iraq / Kurdistan
 w < EWR Newark, USA
 e > EWR Newark, USA
 e > EZE Buenos Aires, Argentina
 e < EZE Buenos Aires, Argentina
 e > EZE Buenos Aires, Argentina
 
 F
 e < FAT Fresno, USA
 e > FCO Rome, Italy on BA LGW-FCO-LHR
 e < FCO Rome, Italy on BA
 w < FCO Rome, Italy
 w < FCO Rome, Italy
 w < FPO Freeport, Bahamas
 w < FRA Frankfurt, Germany on NW
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany
 w < FRA Frankfurt, Germany
 e < FRA Frankfurt, Germany
 e < FRA Frankfurt, Germany
 e < FRA Frankfurt, Germany on AA
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 w < FUK Fukuoka, Japan on SQ
 
 G
 e > GOT Gothenburg, Sweden
 e > GRU Sao Paulo, Brazil
 e > GRU Sao Paulo, Brazil Delta to Gol
 e > GRU Sao Paulo, Brazil BA to JJ (Tam)
 w < GUM Guam, Guam on NW
 e < GUM Guam, Guam on JL
 
 H
 e > HAN Hanoi, Vietnam
 w < HAN Hanoi, Vietnam
 e > HEL Helsinki, Finland
 e < HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
 e < HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
 e < HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
 e > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR CX -> 5J
 e > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR QF -> OZ
 e > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR LX -> OZ
 e > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR OZ -> QF
 w > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
 e < HKT, Phuket, Thailand
 w < HYD Hyderabad, India
 
 I
 e > IAD Washington Dulles, USA
 e < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e > ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e > ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 w < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e < IKA Tehran, Iran
 e > IQQ Iqique, Chile
 e > IQQ Iqique, Chile int->dom
 w < IST Istanbul, Turkey
 e < IST Istanbul, Turkey
 w < IST Istanbul, Turkey on BA
 e > IST Istanbul, Turkey international -> international on TK
 e > IST Istanbul, Turkey international -> international on TK
 e < IUE Niue, Niue
 
 J
 w < JAX Jacksonville FL, USA
 w < JAX Jacksonville FL, USA
 e < JFK JFK New York, USA on CX
 w < JFK JFK New York, USA on UA
 w > JFK JFK New York, USA
 w > JFK JFK New York, USA
 e < JFK JFK New York, USA international -> international
 e > JNB Johannesburg, South Africa int->int
 e > JNB Johannesburg, South Africa international -> international
 
 K
 e < KIX Osaka Kansai, Japan on SQ
 e < KTM Kathmandu, Nepal
 e < KUL Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
 e > KUL Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
 e < KWI Kuwait City, Kuwait on BA
 
 L
 e > LAX Los Angeles, USA
 w > LAX Los Angeles, USA
 w > LAX Los Angeles, USA
 w < LAX Los Angeles, USA
 e > LAX Los Angeles, USA NZ -> LH
 w < LAX Los Angeles, USA on TG
 e < LDH Lord Howe Island, Australia
 w < LED St Petersburg, Russia on LH
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK (September 2006)
 e < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK on UA
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK (October 2006)
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK on AA
 w > LHR London Heathrow, UK
 e > LHR London Heathrow, UK international -> domestic
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK CO turnaround beware
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 e > LHR London Heathrow, UK T5->T3
 e > LHR London Heathrow, UK T3->T5
 e > LIM Lima, Peru
 e > LIM Lima, Peru AA->LA
 w > LIM Lima, Peru
 e < LIR Liberia, Costa Rica AA
 e > LIS Lisbon, Portugal
 e > LIS Lisbon, Portugal BA->TP
 w < LON London, UK
 e < LPB La Paz, Bolivia
 
 M
 e > MAA Chennai, India 9W -> LH
 w < MAA Chennai, India
 w < MAD Madrid, Spain
 w > MAD Madrid, Spain RJ->BA
 w < MAD Madrid, Spain
 e > MAD Madrid, Spain nonschengen IB -> BA
 e < MAN Manchester, UK on SQ
 e < MAN Manchester, UK on SQ
 e < MAN Manchester, UK
 e < MAN Manchester, UK
 e > MAN Manchester, UK international -> international
 e < MCO Orlando, USA
 e < MCT Muscat, Oman on BA
 e < MCT Muscat, Oman
 e < MCT Muscat, Oman on BA
 w < MEL Melbourne, Australia
 e < MEL Melbourne, Australia
 e > MEL Melbourne, Australia NZ -> SQ
 e > MEL Melbourne, Australia SQ -> NZ
 e > MEX Mexico City, Mexico
 e < MLA Malta, Malta
 w < MLA Malta, Malta
 e < MLE Male, Maldives
 w < MNL Manila, Philippines
 w < MNL Manila, Philippines
 e < MNL Manila, Philippines on SQ
 e < MNL Manila, Philippines on TG
 w < MNL Manila, Philippines on UA
 
 N
 e < NCE Nice, France
 e < NGO Nagoya, Japan
 w > NGO Nagoya, Japan - international to international
 e < NLK Norfolk Island, Norfolk Island
 w < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 w < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 w < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 e < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 e < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan AA to other oneworld airlines
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan, international -> domestic
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan OZ -> NZ
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan international -> international on JL
 
 O
 w < OAK Oakland, USA
 e < OOL Coolangatta Gold Coast, Australia int->int
 w > ORD Chicago, USA
 w > ORD Chicago, USA
 e < OSL Oslo, Norway
 w > OSL Oslo, Norway on TG
 w < OTP Bucharest, Romania
 e < OTP Bucharest, Romania
 e > OTP Bucharest, Romaia TK -> LH
 
 P
 w > PEK Beijing, China
 w < PEN Penang, Malaysia
 w > PER Perth, Australia
 w > PER Perth, Australia
 e < PER Perth, Australia domestic
 w < PNH Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 e < POM Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea international
 e > POS Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
 e < PPT Papeete, Tahiti on NZ
 e > PRG Prague, Czech Republic
 w > PUJ Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
 w > PVG Shanghai, China
 e < PVG Shanghai, China on NZ
 e < PVG Shanghai, China
 
 R
 e > RAR Rarotonga, Cook Islands
 w > RDU Raleigh-Durham, USA
 w > RDU Raleigh-Durham, USA
 e > RUH Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tricky
 w < RUH Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 
 S
 w < SAN San Diego, USA
 w < SAN San Diego, USA
 w > SBP San Luis Obispo, USA
 e > SCL Santiago, Chile
 e > SCL Santiago, Chile int->int
 e > SCL Santiago, Chile int->int
 e > SCL Santiago, Chile dom->int
 w < SEA Seattle, USA
 w < SFO San Francisco, USA
 w < SFO San Francisco, USA
 w > SFO San Francisco, USA
 w < SFO San Francisco, USA on SQ
 e < SGN Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on SQ
 w < SGN Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 e > SIN Singapore, Singapore
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 e > SIN Singapore, Singapore SQ -> UA
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 e > SIN Singapore, Singapore SQ -> LH
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore on UA
 w < SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico
 e < SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico
 w < SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico
 w < SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico
 e < SKG Thessaloniki, Greece
 w < SMF Sacramento, USA
 e < SOF Sophia, Bulgaria
 e < STN London Stansted, United Kingdom on AA
 e < STN London Stansted, United Kingdom
 e < STN London Stansted, United Kingdom
 e < STR Stuttgart, Germany
 w > STL St Louis, USA
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia int->dom
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia dom->int
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia international -> international on QF
 e < SYD Sydney, Australia on NZ
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia NZ -> TG
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia TG -> NZ
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia NZ -> NZ
 
 T
 e < TBU Nuku'alofa, Tonga
 w < TGU Tegucigalpa, Honduras on UA
 e < THR Tehran, Iran
 e > TIP Tripoli, Libya
 e < TLV Tel Aviv, Israel
 e > TLV Tel Aviv, Israel
 w < TPE Taipei, Taiwan
 e > TPE Taipei, Taiwan CX->UA
 w < TPE Taipei, Taiwan on MH
 e < TUN Tunis, Tunisia
 e < TUN Tunis, Tunisia
 
 U
 e < UIO Quito, Ecuador
 w < USM Koh Samui, Thailand
 
 V
 e < VCE Venice, Italy on BA
 w < VCT Victoria, USA on CO
 e < VIE Vienna, Austria
 w > VNS Varanasi, India
 
 W
 e < WAW Warsaw, Poland
 e < WDH Windhoek, Namibia
 
 Y
 w < YEG Edmonton, Canada
 e > YHZ Halifax, Canada
 w > YUL Montreal, Canada
 e > YUL Montreal, Canada
 w > YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YVR Vancouver, Canada
 e > YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w > YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YYC Calgary, Canada
 w > YYC Calgary, Canada
 w < YYC Calgary, Canada
 w < YYZ Toronto, Canada
 e > YYZ Toronto, Canada
 w < YYZ, Toronto, Canada
 w > YYZ Toronto, Canada
 w < YYZ Toronto, Canada
 w < YYZ Toronto, Canada
 
 Z
 e > ZRH Zurich, Switzerland
 
 Misc no problems at these airports posts 
 Misc cautionary tales in these countries posts
 e < Canada customs problems
 e < Middle East turnarounds
 
 
updated to post #565
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Mileage Runs turnarounds / turnabouts / transits:- Experiences please

Old Oct 2, 2009, 8:26 pm
  #316  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
SGN Turnaround

I did a BKK-SGN-BKK turnaround on TG a while back and thought I'd post my experience. I got both my BKK-SGN and SGN-BKK boarding passes before boarding my outbound. On arrival at SGN, I followed the signs for transit passengers. The transit desk seemed very disorganized and it took a while to get someone's attention. After he saw my onward boarding pass, he waved me through. After passing through security, I was in the departure area in no time and made my way to the TG contract lounge, which wasn't so great and opted to leave after 5 minutes and walk around, looking at the shops, etc. If you don't have your onward boarding pass I imagine it could take a bit of time being how disorganized they seemed to be at the transfer desk. There was absolutely no issue in TG issuing me the onward boarding pass though. YMMV however. Of note, I was the only one at the gate in SGN with a standard TG boarding pass. Everyone else had the SGN issued boarding passes which are a bit different. In giving my boarding pass to the gate attendant, she did a double take, then separated the two parts and handed me the large part. I told her no, I was supposed to get the smaller part, but she insisted that was correct, so I didn't push the issue. I did though wonder if my miles would credit properly, but they did.

Last edited by A_Lee; Oct 3, 2009 at 5:33 pm
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Old Oct 2, 2009, 8:33 pm
  #317  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
Thailand Domestic Turnarounds

I've done domestic turnarounds on domestic TG flights at BKK, DMK, CNX, CEI, HGN, HKT, KBV, URT, HDY, UTH, KKC, UBP, which is all the TG domestic destination (on TG metal) with the exception of USM which I haven't yet tried. DMK is no longer utilized by TG so no longer applicable. There was no issues at any of these airports in doing a turnaround. For each of the airports I've done turnarounds without an onward boarding pass and had plenty of time to exit and go to check-in to get my return boarding pass, then make my way to the lounge to await my flight.
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Old Oct 2, 2009, 8:37 pm
  #318  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
MAD turnaround on TG

I did a MAD turnaround on TG earlier this year without any issues. I did not have my return boarding pass on arrival at MAD. There was several hours before the return flight departed and I exited through immigration, took the subway into the city and had a look around for a while, then back to the airport and still had to wait a while for the TG counter to open to get my boarding pass. MAD is in general a real zoo and extremely confusing to someone there for the first time, but I finally made it back through security/immigration after waiting in the wrong line for quite a while, then spent a good hour or more in the TG contract lounge before my return to BKK.
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Old Oct 2, 2009, 8:43 pm
  #319  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
LAX turnaround on TG

I've had one opportunity to experience a BKK-LAX-BKK turnaround. I know many of you would call me crazy for doing such a thing, but at least I know there's at least one (KiwiFlyer) who wouldn't think twice about doing something like this.

There was no problem in booking the ticket with just a couple hour turnaround at LAX. Boarded in BKK without my return boarding pass. Naturally I had no checked-in luggage (why would you in doing a turnaround). Quickly was out of immigration/security at LAX and to the TG check-in. Then a long wait in the security lines to get airside and into the *G lounge with plenty of time to spare. After a shower and something to eat, went to the gate only to learn that the flight was going to be significantly delayed and told it was best to return to the lounge. I was a bit worried about the time to be processed by immigration at LAX but everything turned out fine.
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Old Oct 2, 2009, 8:46 pm
  #320  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
SFO Turnaround on SQ

Last year I did a ICN-SFO-ICN turnaround. However SQ would not allow me to book this ticket as they said it didn't meet the Minimum Connection Time at SFO. So I booked the return for one day later. Upon arrival, I spent very little time at immigration/customs and was able to get to the SQ check-in counters before they closed and asked to change my ticket for that day. The flight was at most 25% full so it was no problem to change my ticket and quickly back through security and to the SKL lounge with plenty of time for a shower, food, and checking the internet.
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Old Oct 2, 2009, 8:54 pm
  #321  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Posts: 3,105
AKL Turnaround on TG

I did a BKK-AKL-BKK turnaround on TG last year. No return boarding pass with me on arrival at AKL. Had quite a long wait at immigration and then questioned by the immigration officer why I was returning the same day. After explaining it was a mileage run, he mentioned a few other passengers he's run across doing similar things. He couldn't understand why someone would want to do it, but let me proceed without further questioning. Out of customs without a hassle this time and to the TG check-in counter very early before they opened. Finally one counter was open, but unfortunately the couple in front of me had to have been the slowest people in history to check-in. I waiting something like 30 minutes until finally another TG staff member showed up and opened another counter before being able to check-in. All the time the single couple remained at the other check-in lane, continuously asking all sorts of questions of the staff. Up to the NZ lounge and had an enjoyable time waiting for my flight to board. My usual great luck in getting great seats failed me this time though as the same couple I encountered at checkin were seated next to me and they chatted to each other at a loud volume the entire flight.
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Old Oct 3, 2009, 5:41 pm
  #322  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
BCN Turnaround on SQ

I did a SIN-BCN-SIN turnaround earlier this year, with the scheduled stop both ways in MXP. I did not have my return boarding pass on arrival at BCN. The plane into BCN was heavily delayed due to the need for deicing at MXP and a long queue of planes. At BCN, I followed the transit signs and when arrived at the transit point was told I couldn't get my boarding pass there, that they weren't setup to handle transit passengers such as myself without a boarding pass. So she called to SQ and one of their (contract?) employees rushed to the transit point with my boarding pass so I could proceed. She said they were aware of me doing a turnaround and were waiting for me when I deplaned. Being I wasn't expecting any staff to meet me at the plane, I wasn't paying attention so guess I missed any sign someone was holding up. Anyways, I didn't waste more than 10 minutes in doing what I did, but would have been much easier if I knew in advance to meet her as I deplaned.

After getting my boarding pass I visited the SQ contract lounge, which I didn't really care for and opted to go to the gate for some people watching as I waited for my departure.

The turnaround time is minimal at BCN, so no time to go through immigration and check-in again. It was nice to see how SQ looks after their customers and I'll have to keep in mind this trip on future SQ turnarounds.
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Old Oct 3, 2009, 5:48 pm
  #323  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Posts: 3,105
AMS Turnaround on SQ

I had a uneventful SIN-AMS-SIN turnaround last year. There's plenty of time before the turnaround so I exited immigration had a look around the airport before the SQ checkin counters opened. Was first in line to get my AMS-SIN boarding pass. I had a *A gold card, but used a non gold *A card to put my miles on for which I was in the process of getting gold status for. I mentioned to the check-in agent I had a *G card, so where could I find the SQ lounge? Strangely he wanted my *G card to input the number. I was afraid he would change my miles to this card, but he assured me he was not.

With my boarding pass in hand, I proceeded to the SQ lounge, though it still wasn't opened, so tried out the Priority Pass lounge next to it, which was quite horrible. After a bit of time, the SQ lounge was opened, so I went in there. A small cozy lounge but nicely done and I had no problems passing the time there eating breakfast and using the internet.

At the gate I found the reason why the check-in agent was so keen on getting my *G card number. I was upgraded from Y to C based on my *G status. So a very pleasant surprise.

Given the long turnaround time, I don't think anyone will have any problems doing a AMS turnaround on SQ.
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Old Oct 3, 2009, 5:49 pm
  #324  
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Originally Posted by A_Lee
I did a BKK-AKL-BKK turnaround on TG last year. No return boarding pass with me on arrival at AKL. Had quite a long wait at immigration and then questioned by the immigration officer why I was returning the same day. After explaining it was a mileage run, he mentioned a few other passengers he's run across doing similar things. He couldn't understand why someone would want to do it, but let me proceed without further questioning. Out of customs without a hassle this time and to the TG check-in counter very early before they opened. Finally one counter was open, but unfortunately the couple in front of me had to have been the slowest people in history to check-in. I waiting something like 30 minutes until finally another TG staff member showed up and opened another counter before being able to check-in. All the time the single couple remained at the other check-in lane, continuously asking all sorts of questions of the staff. Up to the NZ lounge and had an enjoyable time waiting for my flight to board. My usual great luck in getting great seats failed me this time though as the same couple I encountered at checkin were seated next to me and they chatted to each other at a loud volume the entire flight.

If you have no bags checked then there is no need to clear immigration at AKL. Go through transit security. Buy any liquid duty free from the upper level shops, not the ones before security. I'm not sure if the transfer desk can do TG BPs (they only do some airlines) - if they do then proceed past gates 1-4 to the transfer desk to check in. Then shop or head to the lounge until boarding. If transfer desk does not do TG then you can still shop or head to the lounge (show itinerary & if relevant your *G card to gain access). Then an hour before departure get checked in at the gate.

Obviously with longer transits you may wish to clear immigration to do some sightseeing, meetings, whatever.
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Old Oct 3, 2009, 5:52 pm
  #325  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
SIN Turnaround on TG

Almost not worth making this post as SIN is one of the best airports in the world for transfer passengers and I didn't expect any problems and didn't have any. I did have my return boarding pass issued at BKK, for this BKK-SIN-BKK turnaround. Arriving on-time, I made the long walk to the TG lounge, spent 10 minutes there, then the boarding announcement was made and made the long trek back. Hardly worth it to make the walk for only 10 minutes. On arrival back at the gate, I was pleasently surprised to see that I was op-upped from Y to C. My first ever international op-up with TG despite having hundreds of flights while being ROP Gold. I hope this trend continues. With or without your return boarding pass, I don't see that you'll have any problems doing a SIN turnaround on TG, or probably any carrier.
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Old Oct 3, 2009, 5:57 pm
  #326  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Posts: 3,105
PEN Turnaround on TG

TG refused to issue me my return boarding pass for my BKK-PEN-BKK turnaround. They said the system wouldn't allow them to issue it, even though the return flight was only a few hours later and the usual 6-hour rule they give wasn't applicable. I did worry a bit about having enough time, but I was the first to immigration/customs at PEN and was out in no time. To the TG check-in counter, which took a bit to find as I for some reason got confused with the signage. Back through immigration and to the SKL, which was just in the process of closing, so I was refused entry. Over to the TG contract lounge, which was fine, though the internet was down so I got a bit bored waiting for my flight.

It would have been much easier if they had an international transfer desk at PEN, but there isn't any that I'm aware of, so going through immigration was my only option. Plenty of time though for this turnaround even doing that.
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Old Oct 3, 2009, 5:59 pm
  #327  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Posts: 3,105
Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
If you have no bags checked then there is no need to clear immigration at AKL.
I had plenty of time for this turnaround and so opted to go through immigration just for the heck of it. Should I ever have the urge to do another AKL turnaround though, I might use your suggestion.

I've still got a few more turnaround posts to make, but have a flight to catch now, so will save them for another time.
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Old Oct 4, 2009, 7:58 pm
  #328  
 
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HAN Turnaround on TG

When considering doing a BKK-HAN-BKK turnaround, I tried to research this but came up empty on any information about even transiting, much less a turnaround. Without any Vietnamese visa though, I decided to fly into virgin territory and try a turnaround at a point which I felt was prime for potential pitfalls. The result though was a very easy turnaround.

I tried to get my return boarding pass at BKK, but was not able to. On arrival I had my health/quarantine form filled out just in case it was needed. Deplaning, there are only signs which say "Exit". No place are there signs directing you to "Transit" or "Transfer", but upon arriving in the arrival hall, I did notice the "Connecting Flights" counter to the rear, so went there. Nobody was manning it, but one airport worker was nearby so I asked her. She directed me towards the quarantine line and immigration area. I said to myself at this point, "this isn't looking good at all." I handed in my quarantine form, then found an official and showed him my ticket and said I was transiting. He pointed me to go back where I was and to the left, which I did. The arrival hall is basically divided into two sections, with the "Visa on Arrival" room at the back being in the center, dividing the two sections. I just walked past the "Visa on Arrival" room, and found an identical "Connecting Flights" counter on the other side manned by two officials.

When I told them I was transiting on TG, they immediately called a staff member who quite quickly and professionally handled processing my transit and issuing me my boarding pass. At the end he told me to wait because he needed to go landside to get my lounge invitation, which took about 5 minutes. The officials flipped though my passport and stamped it. All the time I was the only passenger at the transit desk (no surprise there). I then headed up the escalator marked "For Transit Passengers" (or something to that effect), then up again to the TG contract lounge.

I wasn't expecting much so was pleasantly surprised it was actually a decent lounge for being a contract lounge. Some sort of apparent broadband dialup internet wasn't working, but I snacked on a few of the food choices to pass my time.

I left the lounge before the boarding announcement to have a quick look at the shops, which look to be mostly carbon copies of each other and nothing of any interest to me. When the boarding announcement came, I was a bit surprised that Hanoi's idea of *A priority boarding is exactly opposite of what it should be. The announcement was something to the effect of "will economy class passengers now please board. Business class and Star Alliance Gold passengers please wait for the next announcement." I was a bit shocked to hear that, though I'm sure they wouldn't stop business or *G passengers from boarding then if they wanted to. There never was any announcement for us to board and when the final call was made I then boarded.

A very easy turnaround, and I wouldn't foresee any problems for transit passengers either. If you have checked luggage which isn't checked through, it might be a problem, though I failed to ask about this scenario, which I'm sure many would be interested in. I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't ask that your luggage be retrieved and checked in by the staff while you wait at the transit desk, though without asking about if it was possible, don't know that I'd want to risk it without having a Vietnamese visa.
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Old Oct 4, 2009, 8:36 pm
  #329  
 
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ICN Turnaround on TG

ICN is a very easy airport for transiting, so normally I wouldn't consider even posting about doing an ICN turnaround being I would think it should be without any real problems or pitfalls. But I was too lax in my own thinking and probably came very close to failing in my turnaround.

I was doing BKK-ICN-BKK on two separate PNRs. My inbound was the last flight of the day (TG628) followed by the same plane back to BKK. The scheduled arrival time is 19:45 and scheduled departure time is 20:50. Well, the arrival time is the landing time, after which it normally takes a good 10 minutes to arrive at the gate. Our flight was 5 minutes late, and I was at the very back of the plane, so the last one off.

There was only one staff member at the A concourse transfer security checkpoint, but when I entered she called to the other staff members who were evidently taking a break being the place was previously deserted. I was through in a matter of seconds, up one level and right there is the TG / *A transfer counter. The time was then 20:10, and from my past experience, TG closes their main check-in counters at about 20:15. If my flight had been delayed only 5 more minutes, I wonder if having closed check-in if they would have even allowed me to check-in as a transit passenger. At the transfer desk, they had already shut down the TG sign and basically has closed up, but had to reopen for me. The counter is manned by OZ staff who contract to TG. While processing my return boarding pass, many of her coworkers (from various other posts, not the transfer desk) passed by telling her goodbye on their way home, so after 20:00 there is evidently only a skeleton crew left there. The transfer desk definitely closes down at night, as does almost all functions of the airport except the most basic. I felt I was lucky to have made it in time and thought to myself how stupid that I didn't simply do an online checkin. Had the counter really been closed, not sure if I could have gotten my return boarding pass at the gate or not. Certainly there would have been no issue in walking over to the gate, but not sure if they could get the system to issue my boarding pass or not. If I was to ever do an ICN turnaround in the future, I don't think I'd risk it if it was the last flight of the day unless I had my return boarding pass already before heading into ICN.

The transfer desk girl had Lots of questions and shaking of her head as to why I was coming from BKK and going right back, but after some time I finally got my boarding pass, showing a 20:20 boarding time, which looking at my watch was right then. I think ICN has one of the fastest turnaround times for aircraft, being able to prep a plane in only 30 minutes after it arrives at the gate, for a departure less than an hour after arrival.

As a side note, being OZ Diamond Plus, I'm able to access the OZ F lounge. TG and other *A carriers at ICN don't have their own lounges but use the OZ C and F lounges. Two days prior to this, I was in the OZ F lounge and as I was leaving told lounge dragon that I'd see them in two days. Being the F lounge normally closes at 1900 on that day of the week, she told me she'd ask that the lounge remain open and the food remain out for me. Wow, what fantastic service from OZ!!! Not even flying on OZ metal and they offer to keep the lounge open for one passenger. Quite unbelievable that they do this, much less offering to do it without asking. The OZ staff at the concourse A lounge at ICN are really fantastic IMHO, which was my opinion even before this. So anyways, on my return, even though the time was already the scheduled boarding time, I knew I had to make my way to the OZ F lounge, which is only a minute away up the escalators. Plus I knew with the slight delay in arrival of the inbound flight, the outbound boarding time would also be a bit delayed.

At the OZ F lounge, sure enough they kept it open for me, with the lights on in the business center and one computer left on, as they knew I enjoyed accessing the internet on my trips there. And the full dinner selection out and ready for me. I could have used a shower, but no time for both food and shower so quickly ate as much as I could. They had barbecued pork ribs as one of the main dishes, which was excellent, along with some sushi, fresh fruit, macadamia nuts, a Haagen-Daz ice cream bar, etc. I was glad I saved my appetite by not eating on the plane. Just as I was finishing the boarding announcement for the TG flight was made and I thanked the staff profusely for their great service in keeping the lounge open, and told them I'd see them again in 6 days.

At the gate they were processing regular Y passengers on both the economy and business/*G doors. One of the staff saw I was *G and let me bypass the others, and I headed downstairs to the plane, only to hear my name being called out as I was about to enter the airbridge. I thought, "great, what now, they're not going to let me board because it's a turnaround?" As it turns out, ICN is very strict apparently about needing to show your inbound boarding pass, and the transfer desk girl must have been a bit flustered being she was getting ready to leave and the confusion about why I was going back to the same place I came. She never asked to see my inbound boarding pass, so the girl calling me needed to see it to allow me to board the flight. So a word of warning to anyone doing a turnaround or transit at ICN, be sure you don't lose your inbound boarding pass.

A good lesson for me when doing turnarounds or short transfers - don't let down your guard, even if it's an airport you think you know very well. If in doubt, do an OLCI to get your boarding pass before arrival.
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Old Oct 25, 2009, 5:07 pm
  #330  
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BOM Int to Dom Transfer

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