I found a cheap ticket LHR-SIN-SYD return.
I will then add ARN-LHR on EB-points (we live in Sweden)
I realise that we have to spend lots of time at LHR to be on the safe side, but how would you plan this??
Is the connecting flight LHR-SIN-SYD on Singapore Airlines (and not BA or QF)?
If so, ask the check-in staff at ARN to interline your luggage all the way to SYD so it is transferred automatically at LHR.
They are not forced to do it but quite often agree to do anyway it if you have sufficient transfer time and connect to another Star Alliance carrier (and are nice to the staff of course).
If your luggage gets checked through (I assume you'll have checked luggage if going to Australia) you only need to pick up a boarding pass at the transfer desk at LHR. Should be quite painless...
They are not forced to do it but quite often agree to do anyway
According to SK policy as of last year they will not be allowed to do so. Through check-in of luggage on 2 separate tickets will no longer be made, ever for *A carriers. There might be some stations that do not enforce it but the OP should definitely not expect through check-in at ARN - it would be a rare exception. The OP should plan accordingly, i.e. plan a transfer time at LHR of 3 hours at least to collect luggage and re-check-in, let alone possible delays of the ARN-LHR flight.
As already pointed out to the OP in other threads, travelling on 2 separate tickets is never recommended and in case the ARN-LHR flight is delayed and she and family mis-connect at LHR (too late for check-in at LHR) they will be in big trouble as neither SK or the other carrier will be obliged to rebook them.
Provided sufficient time at LHR I myself would however not hesitate to buy such tickets in order to obtain a good fare from LHR. May I ask how much is the fare LHR-SYD r/t and on which carrier?
Is the connecting flight LHR-SIN-SYD on Singapore Airlines (and not BA or QF)?
If so, ask the check-in staff at ARN to interline your luggage all the way to SYD so it is transferred automatically at LHR.
They are not forced to do it but quite often agree to do anyway it if you have sufficient transfer time and connect to another Star Alliance carrier (and are nice to the staff of course).
If your luggage gets checked through (I assume you'll have checked luggage if going to Australia) you only need to pick up a boarding pass at the transfer desk at LHR. Should be quite painless...
Allow at least 2-3 hours connecting time at LHR.
Thanks Jacob. Yes, its SQ (found the fare on their website)
It would be wonderful to check in the luggage at ARN all the way down to SIN where we have a stopover before going to SYD.
I wonder if we can really hope for this?
According to SK policy as of last year they will not be allowed to do so. Through check-in of luggage on 2 separate tickets will no longer be made, ever for *A carriers. There might be some stations that do not enforce it but the OP should definitely not expect through check-in at ARN - it would be a rare exception. The OP should plan accordingly, i.e. plan a transfer time at LHR of 3 hours at least to collect luggage and re-check-in, let alone possible delays of the ARN-LHR flight.
As already pointed out to the OP in other threads, travelling on 2 separate tickets is never recommended and in case the ARN-LHR flight is delayed and she and family mis-connect at LHR (too late for check-in at LHR) they will be in big trouble as neither SK or the other carrier will be obliged to rebook them.
Provided sufficient time at LHR I myself would however not hesitate to buy such tickets in order to obtain a good fare from LHR. May I ask how much is the fare LHR-SYD r/t and on which carrier?
Thanks. I plan for us to have 4 hours at LHR.
I called SQ in London and if I understand correctly I can call them from ARN if we are delayed and they can rebook me to a later SQ-flight. I hope this works in reality......
The fare is about 9400 SEK/adult.
You probably know this, but a good thing is that both SQ and SK operate out of T3.
I do this frequently for SK to UA, often with separate tickets, and never had any problems. Because the schedule for the connection to the late UA flight to IAD is pretty bad, I have 3.5 hours layover in LHR.
You probably know this, but a good thing is that both SQ and SK operate out of T3.
I do this frequently for SK to UA, often with separate tickets, and never had any problems. Because the schedule for the connection to the late UA flight to IAD is pretty bad, I have 3.5 hours layover in LHR.
You probably know this, but a good thing is that both SQ and SK operate out of T3.
I do this frequently for SK to UA, often with separate tickets, and never had any problems. Because the schedule for the connection to the late UA flight to IAD is pretty bad, I have 3.5 hours layover in LHR.
Nice lounges if you have a gold card........
Which SK-flight do you usually arrive on to LHR and is it often delayed??
Slightly off topic, I am travelling SGN to CPH next month. SGN-SIN-CPH (long haul either direct or via FRA or LHR) priced out at USD 2,800 with SQ (B), whereas SGN-SIN-LHR came at the fare of USD 1,300 (B). I checked SK's website for the LHR-CPH-LHR legs and it gave me a DKK 1,150 fare (L). I then contacted the SGN SQ office and asked how much they would charge for selling me the SK legs and consolidate the tickets. Price: USD 210 LHR-CPH-LHR (Q). Obviously, I opted for that solution and I now have a ticket all the way.
My point is that you might want to contact SQ in LON and have them quote a connecting fare from ARN. Of course, it won't be as cheap as a redeemed ticket, but security and convenience comes at a price.
Programs: BA Gold, BD Gold, VS Silver, AF/KL Plat, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 365
I would simply try to get them to merge the two PNRs. This is made trickier by one being an awards booking, but should still be possible. Been a while since I have flown or done anything with my EB points, but many other airlines will do this.
If you can get the two PNRs merged then it should make getting your luggage checked-in all the way easy as pie. Also it would greatly reduce the time needed to connect in LHR. Please remember though that LHR is being "reshuffled" at the moment. This does mean that the terminals are "under construction", and the same for the lounges at times. Not sure when you're going and whether you have any access to any lounges. Just not sure I'd wanna make the layover to long either for fear of boredom :P
In May I did CPH-LHR with SK and LHR-SIN-HAN with SQ on two separate (paid) tickets. I needed a o/w to HAN and SQ from LHR offered the best price (and a chance to fly the A380)
I tried to merge the two PNR's but not possible. They could only offer me a much more expensive combined SK/SQ ticket. Then I tried to have my luggage checked in all the way but also not possible according to new policy. So you better prepare yourself to take a risk.
But still it worked out pretty well. There is a very small walking distance in T3 from claiming your SK luggage to the SQ check-in counter. And it is even same level. I think it took me 5 min and the SQ check-in was quick and well organised. The SQ lounge is also decent and close to the gate.
The major risk is the famous delays in LHR. I had made sure that I had 3,5 hour between my arrival and departure in LHR. Of course this time we came in early but in past I have experienced up to 45-60 min of flying in circles over London.
I would do this combination again anytime. The A380 is surely worth it
In May I did CPH-LHR with SK and LHR-SIN-HAN with SQ on two separate (paid) tickets. I needed a o/w to HAN and SQ from LHR offered the best price (and a chance to fly the A380)
I tried to merge the two PNR's but not possible. They could only offer me a much more expensive combined SK/SQ ticket. Then I tried to have my luggage checked in all the way but also not possible according to new policy. So you better prepare yourself to take a risk.
But still it worked out pretty well. There is a very small walking distance in T3 from claiming your SK luggage to the SQ check-in counter. And it is even same level. I think it took me 5 min and the SQ check-in was quick and well organised. The SQ lounge is also decent and close to the gate.
The major risk is the famous delays in LHR. I had made sure that I had 3,5 hour between my arrival and departure in LHR. Of course this time we came in early but in past I have experienced up to 45-60 min of flying in circles over London.
I would do this combination again anytime. The A380 is surely worth it
Cheers,
Thanks BHIL,
It seems that you made a journey similar to the one I am planning. I would like to merge the two bookings and I would like to check in our luggage all the way from ARN, but I am not counting on it.
It was nice of you to give me some details about the distances at LHR Terminal 3.
My biggest concern is if we are late from ARN to LHR or from SIN to LHR.
Hopefully I can call SQ at LHR at ask them to rebook us if we are late from ARN.
The way I am planning it now we have 4 hours at LHR on the way out and 3 hours coming back.
Arrgh... I completely forgot SK's new no checking luggage on two disjoint reservations policy... this year I managed to convince them to check luggage on ARN-SK J-ORD-UA T-DTW on two separate tix without problems. But on Jan 4 I'm on ARN-SK L-FRA-LH Z-DTW with lots of luggage. Lets see if I can manage to sneak 2x32KG by them... wish me luck!
) 
