Transfer Desk CMB
#16




Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 106
Found this old thread. I'll be flying MLE-CMB on EK and then CMB-SIN-SFO on SQ. Does SQ have a transfer desk where I'll be able to get my boarding pass, or will I need to get a transit visa at the airport, enter, check-in, etc.? (Or, is there any chance I could get my SQ boarding pass at the SQ desk at MLE?)
#17




Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 6,244
Found this old thread. I'll be flying MLE-CMB on EK and then CMB-SIN-SFO on SQ. Does SQ have a transfer desk where I'll be able to get my boarding pass, or will I need to get a transit visa at the airport, enter, check-in, etc.? (Or, is there any chance I could get my SQ boarding pass at the SQ desk at MLE?)
#19
Original Poster


Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum, BAC Bronze, Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,742
The transfer desk is run by SriLankan Airlines and could possibly issue boarding passes for you, if you do not have any checked baggage.
However, I really don't know if SQ is one of the airlines that SriLankan will do this for, perhaps someone else can comment? If unsure, go to the transfer desk and ask. If they won't issue a boarding pass, then you would have to enter Sri Lanka and re-check in.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,413
I have done this twice but not recently. Just went to the transfer desk and they were able to send someone to get my bags and retag them to the new flight + gave me the new boarding passes. Most recent one was Sri Lankan to Oman Air.
Unless things have changed recently you should be able to get the boarding passes.
Unless things have changed recently you should be able to get the boarding passes.
#22




Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 6,244
Then it is not an issue. The UL Transfer Counter handles all the airlines. But depending on the time of your flight they may not be able to issue an immediate boarding pass but you no need to go through Immigration.
#23




Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 106
#24
Original Poster


Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum, BAC Bronze, Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,742
A few years ago I was transferring from a SQ flight from SIN to an Air India flight to DEL (see post 1).
It was made quite clear to me that the UL transfer desk did not issue boarding passes for AI, and I had to enter Sri Lanka and re check in with Air India. Luckily I did not have checked bags. And I know that there are other airlines that UL won't handle, including all LCC's.
So you may well be able to get your SQ boarding pass at the transfer desk, but it would be worth checking beforehand.
#25




Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 106
I'm sorry, but I don't believe that's correct.
A few years ago I was transferring from a SQ flight from SIN to an Air India flight to DEL (see post 1).
It was made quite clear to me that the UL transfer desk did not issue boarding passes for AI, and I had to enter Sri Lanka and re check in with Air India. Luckily I did not have checked bags. And I know that there are other airlines that UL won't handle, including all LCC's.
So you may well be able to get your SQ boarding pass at the transfer desk, but it would be worth checking beforehand.
A few years ago I was transferring from a SQ flight from SIN to an Air India flight to DEL (see post 1).
It was made quite clear to me that the UL transfer desk did not issue boarding passes for AI, and I had to enter Sri Lanka and re check in with Air India. Luckily I did not have checked bags. And I know that there are other airlines that UL won't handle, including all LCC's.
So you may well be able to get your SQ boarding pass at the transfer desk, but it would be worth checking beforehand.
#26




Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 6,244
I'm sorry, but I don't believe that's correct.
A few years ago I was transferring from a SQ flight from SIN to an Air India flight to DEL (see post 1).
It was made quite clear to me that the UL transfer desk did not issue boarding passes for AI, and I had to enter Sri Lanka and re check in with Air India. Luckily I did not have checked bags. And I know that there are other airlines that UL won't handle, including all LCC's.
So you may well be able to get your SQ boarding pass at the transfer desk, but it would be worth checking beforehand.
A few years ago I was transferring from a SQ flight from SIN to an Air India flight to DEL (see post 1).
It was made quite clear to me that the UL transfer desk did not issue boarding passes for AI, and I had to enter Sri Lanka and re check in with Air India. Luckily I did not have checked bags. And I know that there are other airlines that UL won't handle, including all LCC's.
So you may well be able to get your SQ boarding pass at the transfer desk, but it would be worth checking beforehand.
#27
Original Poster


Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum, BAC Bronze, Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,742
That cannot be right. UL is the only authorized GH agents in CMB. That is why they handle all the airlines. The Low cost are also handled by UL. They are the sole GH agents in BIA(CMB). Now if you have baggage they probably may not thru check it in and need to collect your bags and re check in but UL is the one who still would handle your baggage and also service the check in counters. You may have to wait airside until the respective foreign airlines open their counters and system to get your boarding pass from the transfer counter.
They may otherwise have a monopoly on ground handling, but they choose which airlines they will handle at their transfer desk.
Don't believe me, go try it...
#29
Original Poster


Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum, BAC Bronze, Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,742
I have used the CMB transfer desk on several occasions (usually on business class tix), and have found the service to be very variable, depending on such things as the agents' disposition, the queue lengths (there were separate lines for J and Y) and the airline/destination.. Sometimes, when it was busy, Y class pax have "invaded" the J class line, causing annoyance and confusion all round.
So, based on my experience, it could be pot luck as to how the transfer desk handles your request.
#30
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 8
Were you able to do this connection on separate tickets? Looking at doing this same connection in a few months.

