Warning on current immigration clearance time
#331
#332
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BKK.DPS
Programs: P THAI,Diamond HYATT
Posts: 3,290
Obviously English is not your first language, the poster wrote about going to the airport early evening for a midnight flight. The question should be, why do you insist that posters ask the same question twice, are you hard of hearing or maybe it is true
#333
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ZRH, Switzerland
Programs: M&M, Fan of MO, Shangri-La.
Posts: 682
I understood that fdflys asked about the immigration & security situation in the early evening.
You made a comment about BKK late at night and said that since Fdflys had lounge access, ANA would help him thru (I assume you meant thru immigration/security).
When Yoshithezet then asked on what assumption this was based, he likely meant you, i.e. why you expected ANA to help fdflys going thru immigration.
I think he did not mean to ask fdflys to repeat his question.
The question if status pax in coach get fast-track in and out of BKK seems to be very valid to me and I'm sure many readers will be more than happy to get clarity on this.
There were a few threads about who's giving fast track cards for whom, but I'm not aware of an up-to-date source to verify this anymore.
Please help to clarify.
#334
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: united mileage plus
Posts: 145
Thanks Lounge Lizzard for bringing the peace. I was indeed thinking that it would be nice if the ANA people pointed me toward the faster immigration lane. I've had this happen in other airports (based on my UA/*A status) but I can't remember if it happened on my last visit to BKK because it was a few years ago. I'm coming up from Cha'am so it seemed best to go to the airport early and cool out from the roadtrip back to the city before my flight (hence the early arrival at the airport).
#335
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BKK.DPS
Programs: P THAI,Diamond HYATT
Posts: 3,290
It would seem that air passengers in Europe and North Americawho travel economy get fast tracked through their airports, OMG how wonderful must it be, but here in Asia, if you're finances resemble Greece's and you are in the back of the bus, tough luck. Having said that, at some Asian ports if you know how the system works for the First and business traveller, and you tag along, nobody is going to say much to you. The problem is that by the time you find out where the fast track line is, over to one side and nis it open, in most cases it would have been quicker had you joined the first line as you arrived. I laugh when people complain about BKK, they should go to CDG or London or even Hong Kong, better still try the border across to Shenzhen wow. regards don't weaken, regards
#336
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I am a *G (TG) and when flying economy class out of BKK on any airline, have NEVER been given Fast Track privileges, and that includes on TG itself.
Bottom line: if you are flying Y regardless of your status, do not expect any help from any airline on Fast Tracking you through immigration. Of course it's worth asking politely when you check-in, but don't expect it to happen. Plan your timing to complete immigration and security per worst case scenario.
If you are flying J/F, it depends on your airline policy and definitely worth asking about Fast track if they don't automatically offer up this option. If you are flying J/F on TG, head for your dedicated immigration and security at end of check-in Aisle A.
Bottom line: if you are flying Y regardless of your status, do not expect any help from any airline on Fast Tracking you through immigration. Of course it's worth asking politely when you check-in, but don't expect it to happen. Plan your timing to complete immigration and security per worst case scenario.
If you are flying J/F, it depends on your airline policy and definitely worth asking about Fast track if they don't automatically offer up this option. If you are flying J/F on TG, head for your dedicated immigration and security at end of check-in Aisle A.
#337
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA, AA, BMI, MR, HH, PC
Posts: 806
I am a *G (TG) and when flying economy class out of BKK on any airline, have NEVER been given Fast Track privileges, and that includes on TG itself.
Bottom line: if you are flying Y regardless of your status, do not expect any help from any airline on Fast Tracking you through immigration. Of course it's worth asking politely when you check-in, but don't expect it to happen. Plan your timing to complete immigration and security per worst case scenario.
If you are flying J/F, it depends on your airline policy and definitely worth asking about Fast track if they don't automatically offer up this option. If you are flying J/F on TG, head for your dedicated immigration and security at end of check-in Aisle A.
Bottom line: if you are flying Y regardless of your status, do not expect any help from any airline on Fast Tracking you through immigration. Of course it's worth asking politely when you check-in, but don't expect it to happen. Plan your timing to complete immigration and security per worst case scenario.
If you are flying J/F, it depends on your airline policy and definitely worth asking about Fast track if they don't automatically offer up this option. If you are flying J/F on TG, head for your dedicated immigration and security at end of check-in Aisle A.
#338
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,012
When giving advice it is important that the advice be actionable. Making vague statements which are not based on the reality of a specific situation and don't provide a poster with specific information as to how to act on the claims really don't serve anyone. In this case, now that we have the actual details of the class of service and status, we, as a community, are able to actually assist the poster. Had they followed the previously provided vague advice they likely would have been in for a very rude surprise upon reaching the airport.
#339
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I'm still trying to get my hands around the relevance of 'movements to Europe' and an ANA flight to TYO.
#340
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA MM, Hilton-Dia
Posts: 1,480
Bottom line: if you are flying Y regardless of your status, do not expect any help from any airline on Fast Tracking you through immigration. Of course it's worth asking politely when you check-in, but don't expect it to happen. Plan your timing to complete immigration and security per worst case scenario.
Instead, I fly NH quite a bit into/out of BKK (better timings: earlier arrival/later departure). I too have no status with NH. They have never done anything special for me beyond basic *G recognition. Nor do I expect them to (what's 1K to them?)
Question: I'm left with one leftover Gold Fast Track pass. I have a trip in NH Y to BKK coming up. Upon the suggestion of another forum poster, I whited-out the pre-written dates, which I will fill-in with my impending date of travel. I should be able to use pass inbound, correct? Where is the Fast Track lane again? IIRC, in between the two inbound immigration arrival halls, correct?
#341
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Gold
Posts: 243
Outbound / Inbound data points
Outbound - Monday, 5 March, 0600am
Heading outbound on TG620 to MNL in Y. The line at immigration (I guess this would be the middle of the three sections) was very long, snaking quite far out into the ticketing area. I stood in the line for 10-15 minutes, continuously but slowing moving forward / making progress. About the time I reached the little entry-way to actually go into the "room" where the immigration officers are, I was waved to a small Fast Track area where we actually went through security before approaching immigration officers. Spent about another 10-15 minutes here.
So in a nutshell, it took just shy of 30 minutes to make it all the way through.
Inbound - Wednesday, 7 March, 2220pm
Came in on TG625 from MNL. We were bussed from the plane to the terminal (which I found quite strange, given it is TG, did they forget to pay landing fees this month?). In any case, there were 3-4 buses at the door to the terminal before us, so we sat on the bus for 5-10 minutes before we were let off.
Once I got up to immigration (forget which one it was), the hall was completely full. There were at least a 20 lines open with 25-30 people in each (see pic below). Despite the crowd, it took me about 20 minutes to clear the queue.
In a nutshell, in my recent experience, Suvarnibhumi is the least pax-friendly airport from an immigration standpoint in the region (compared with HKG, SIN, SGN, HAN, MNL, SYD, etc) with the exception of CAN which I think should be burned to the ground.
Outbound - Monday, 5 March, 0600am
Heading outbound on TG620 to MNL in Y. The line at immigration (I guess this would be the middle of the three sections) was very long, snaking quite far out into the ticketing area. I stood in the line for 10-15 minutes, continuously but slowing moving forward / making progress. About the time I reached the little entry-way to actually go into the "room" where the immigration officers are, I was waved to a small Fast Track area where we actually went through security before approaching immigration officers. Spent about another 10-15 minutes here.
So in a nutshell, it took just shy of 30 minutes to make it all the way through.
Inbound - Wednesday, 7 March, 2220pm
Came in on TG625 from MNL. We were bussed from the plane to the terminal (which I found quite strange, given it is TG, did they forget to pay landing fees this month?). In any case, there were 3-4 buses at the door to the terminal before us, so we sat on the bus for 5-10 minutes before we were let off.
Once I got up to immigration (forget which one it was), the hall was completely full. There were at least a 20 lines open with 25-30 people in each (see pic below). Despite the crowd, it took me about 20 minutes to clear the queue.
In a nutshell, in my recent experience, Suvarnibhumi is the least pax-friendly airport from an immigration standpoint in the region (compared with HKG, SIN, SGN, HAN, MNL, SYD, etc) with the exception of CAN which I think should be burned to the ground.
#342
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,012
I'm 1K with UA. On the 2 times I was flying out of BKK on UA in Y last year, I was automatically given a FastTrack pass (didn't ask for it).
Instead, I fly NH quite a bit into/out of BKK (better timings: earlier arrival/later departure). I too have no status with NH. They have never done anything special for me beyond basic *G recognition. Nor do I expect them to (what's 1K to them?)
Question: I'm left with one leftover Gold Fast Track pass. I have a trip in NH Y to BKK coming up. Upon the suggestion of another forum poster, I whited-out the pre-written dates, which I will fill-in with my impending date of travel. I should be able to use pass inbound, correct? Where is the Fast Track lane again? IIRC, in between the two inbound immigration arrival halls, correct?
Instead, I fly NH quite a bit into/out of BKK (better timings: earlier arrival/later departure). I too have no status with NH. They have never done anything special for me beyond basic *G recognition. Nor do I expect them to (what's 1K to them?)
Question: I'm left with one leftover Gold Fast Track pass. I have a trip in NH Y to BKK coming up. Upon the suggestion of another forum poster, I whited-out the pre-written dates, which I will fill-in with my impending date of travel. I should be able to use pass inbound, correct? Where is the Fast Track lane again? IIRC, in between the two inbound immigration arrival halls, correct?
#343
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
FWIW, flew into Bangkok at 11 p.m. on UA last night from NRT, in J, not fast trak card offered and I didn't bother asking. About a 15-minute wait at immigration.
Left this morning on TG in J, so it was fast trak and a real breeze, including special section A for getting my boarding pass.
Left this morning on TG in J, so it was fast trak and a real breeze, including special section A for getting my boarding pass.
#344
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: my heart is on the shores of the north Italian lakes
Programs: LX Senator Lifetime, Relais&Chateaux Club5C, ex ! "Amanjunkie", ex LHW LC, hate chain hotels
Posts: 2,511
The tone on this board is deteriorating.
May BKKROP consider that a) immigration in almost all Schengen countries is quick and painless and no stupid paperwork has to be filled in and b) most European countries rely on real work and not commodities which can be mined (by destroying the environment).
#345
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: HAJ / BUD / SYD
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, AF Plat, Velocity Plat, IHG RA, HHonors DIA, EC Priv Elite, Hertz Pres Circle ...
Posts: 180
I am at BKK at the moment and I am pleasantly surprised: I made it from the Royal Silk Checkin to the first drink at the TG Lounge at D in less than 5 Minutes including security and passport comtrol. This time, the term 'fast track' really has a meaning. ^