Immigration Denpasar airport - VIP service needed?
Jul 24, 2017, 3:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,326
Immigration Denpasar airport - VIP service needed?
Dear All
I'll be arriving mid of August (Wednesday) at 550am from Kuala Lumpur into Denpasar airport.
My hotel offers me a VIP immigration service stating that 'it will only take 20min compared to 2hrs and removing language barriers'.
Does anyone know if immigration is really that bad?
My thought is that it won't be worse than JFK without Global Entry
and that I can save the 40GBP per person; especially given the time of our arrival.
Thanks!
I'll be arriving mid of August (Wednesday) at 550am from Kuala Lumpur into Denpasar airport.
My hotel offers me a VIP immigration service stating that 'it will only take 20min compared to 2hrs and removing language barriers'.
Does anyone know if immigration is really that bad?
My thought is that it won't be worse than JFK without Global Entry
and that I can save the 40GBP per person; especially given the time of our arrival.Thanks!
Jul 25, 2017, 7:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
I've been to many countries. Denpasar was the easiest immigration, which I even blurted out to them. Literally handed them my passport and it was stamped and returned in almost the same motion.
BUT...
The cabs were the worst of the worst. A ride that should have been about 200k IDR was quoted as 800 IDR by multiple cab drivers. Ultimately I got one down to 300k, but he tried to charge 400k when we got to the hotel.
BUT...
The cabs were the worst of the worst. A ride that should have been about 200k IDR was quoted as 800 IDR by multiple cab drivers. Ultimately I got one down to 300k, but he tried to charge 400k when we got to the hotel.
Jul 25, 2017, 11:25 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: BRU & CGK
Programs: GarudaMiles, Qatar Privilege Club, Miles&More
Posts: 206
Aaah the Balinese taxi maffia... Insist on using 'argo' (meter)! I've once threatened to call BlueBird (the largest taxi company in Indonesia) with his taxi number etc. because he refused it. He quickly changed his mind. Of course speaking some Indonesian also helps, but keep insisting. The metered price is ALWAYS less than what they propose and they are obliged to use it.
Jul 26, 2017, 1:41 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
You NEVER make a deal with the taxi driver directly. There are official taxi stands at both the domestic and international arrival areas with fixed prices based on destinations posted for all to see and you do not pay directly to the driver.
Jul 26, 2017, 1:42 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
Aaah the Balinese taxi maffia... Insist on using 'argo' (meter)! I've once threatened to call BlueBird (the largest taxi company in Indonesia) with his taxi number etc. because he refused it. He quickly changed his mind. Of course speaking some Indonesian also helps, but keep insisting. The metered price is ALWAYS less than what they propose and they are obliged to use it.
Jul 26, 2017, 1:58 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Jul 26, 2017, 4:31 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
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Posts: 14,222
A few weeks ago it took me over an hour to get thru customs at 2 or 3 pm. Tons of planes arriving at once so even being at the front of the plane didn't help.
Jul 26, 2017, 8:32 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Aaah the Balinese taxi maffia... Insist on using 'argo' (meter)! I've once threatened to call BlueBird (the largest taxi company in Indonesia) with his taxi number etc. because he refused it. He quickly changed his mind. Of course speaking some Indonesian also helps, but keep insisting. The metered price is ALWAYS less than what they propose and they are obliged to use it.
Jul 26, 2017, 9:40 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Jul 26, 2017, 10:10 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: BRU & CGK
Programs: GarudaMiles, Qatar Privilege Club, Miles&More
Posts: 206
Anyway, my advice still stands for the rest of Bali, only use BlueBird and insist on using meter.
