KUL advice please
Jul 9, 2019, 5:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, Hilton Diamond, Marriott GOLD, Accor Club Gold
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KUL advice please
On Thursday evening, I'm flying BKI-KUL (that's Kota Kinabalu) on MH in business class, and have a four-hour layover before catching BA34 to LHR in First - four of us flying together as a family. I'm not a regular in Asia and would appreciate advice/knowledge on:
1) We are on separate locators for the two flights. Is it worth trying to get our bags through-checked (I'm GGL if that helps asking the favor), or is it easy to reclaim them domestically at KUL and head to the BA check in?
2) What's the best lounge/dining option at our disposal before the flight? Do regulars eat on the ground or in the air - take off being after 11pm, but still 13 hours to a 5.30am landing!?
3) Does anyone happen to know if there is an issue spending Malaysian currency in duty free at KUL? I don't know why there should be, but some countries are funny about accepting their own currency after going airside (Turkey, I think, for one).
Many thanks for any info
1) We are on separate locators for the two flights. Is it worth trying to get our bags through-checked (I'm GGL if that helps asking the favor), or is it easy to reclaim them domestically at KUL and head to the BA check in?
2) What's the best lounge/dining option at our disposal before the flight? Do regulars eat on the ground or in the air - take off being after 11pm, but still 13 hours to a 5.30am landing!?
3) Does anyone happen to know if there is an issue spending Malaysian currency in duty free at KUL? I don't know why there should be, but some countries are funny about accepting their own currency after going airside (Turkey, I think, for one).
Many thanks for any info
Jul 9, 2019, 5:41 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
On Thursday evening, I'm flying BKI-KUL (that's Kota Kinabalu) on MH in business class, and have a four-hour layover before catching BA34 to LHR in First - four of us flying together as a family. I'm not a regular in Asia and would appreciate advice/knowledge on:
1) We are on separate locators for the two flights. Is it worth trying to get our bags through-checked (I'm GGL if that helps asking the favor), or is it easy to reclaim them domestically at KUL and head to the BA check in?
2) What's the best lounge/dining option at our disposal before the flight? Do regulars eat on the ground or in the air - take off being after 11pm, but still 13 hours to a 5.30am landing!?
3) Does anyone happen to know if there is an issue spending Malaysian currency in duty free at KUL? I don't know why there should be, but some countries are funny about accepting their own currency after going airside (Turkey, I think, for one).
Many thanks for any info
1) We are on separate locators for the two flights. Is it worth trying to get our bags through-checked (I'm GGL if that helps asking the favor), or is it easy to reclaim them domestically at KUL and head to the BA check in?
2) What's the best lounge/dining option at our disposal before the flight? Do regulars eat on the ground or in the air - take off being after 11pm, but still 13 hours to a 5.30am landing!?
3) Does anyone happen to know if there is an issue spending Malaysian currency in duty free at KUL? I don't know why there should be, but some countries are funny about accepting their own currency after going airside (Turkey, I think, for one).
Many thanks for any info
FAQ
Sarawak is in a bit of a strange spot in that you’ll potentially go through immigration departing BKI but also arrive in KUL as a domestic flight and have to go through Malaysian immigration again (it has been a while since i’ve done it so if this has changed I apologise in advance)
2) pass, someone else will know
3) I have never experienced any issues with this but as always, it is possible. There are many currency exchange booths airside if you get stuffed
Jul 9, 2019, 5:42 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
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Jul 9, 2019, 5:57 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
I flew BKI-KUL only a few weeks back, and as @nancypants correctly points out, Sarawak has its own immigration controls which are independent from 'Malaysian' immigration so you will pass through passport controls at both BKI and KUL but it was quiet quick.
MH will very likely tag your bag through to you KUL-LHR flight.
Personally, I would be eating on the ground - the MH F lounge is decent, particularly for the fresh laksa.
I hope you enjoyed Borneo - it is a truly fantastic place to visit.
MH will very likely tag your bag through to you KUL-LHR flight.
Personally, I would be eating on the ground - the MH F lounge is decent, particularly for the fresh laksa.
I hope you enjoyed Borneo - it is a truly fantastic place to visit.
Jul 9, 2019, 6:20 am
#7
Original Poster
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Posts: 709
Seriously - this is all very helpful, and I'm most grateful. We passed through immigration at BKI coming here, and I was bemused, so doubtless it will happen again in the other direction!
Thank you, all
Jul 9, 2019, 6:38 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
Veering off topic but it kind of interests me so...
basically Malaysia is a federation of states and territories. My understanding is the two states on Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) joined later than the others and maintaining control of their own immigration was part of “the deal” for them to agree to join. Peninsular Malaysians can’t work in Sabah or Sarawak without a work permit either
(Incidentally I believe Singapore was part of the federation at one point but subsequently left)
/back on topic
basically Malaysia is a federation of states and territories. My understanding is the two states on Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) joined later than the others and maintaining control of their own immigration was part of “the deal” for them to agree to join. Peninsular Malaysians can’t work in Sabah or Sarawak without a work permit either
(Incidentally I believe Singapore was part of the federation at one point but subsequently left)
/back on topic
Jul 9, 2019, 6:46 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC - Gold
Posts: 885
We flew out of KUL in F a month ago. The separate dining area is nice, but there are some real “quirks” (and that’s being kind) to the lounge and airport.
Taxi to lounge took about an hour. Everything was painful; check-in, signage, security, passport control, transfer train... oh how we longed for TFW.
There’s little in the way of food in the main lounge, so head to the restaurant.
If you want a shower, there is no real queueing system. They come and fetch you from the lounge when it’s your go, only they wouldn’t come and fetch you from the sit down restaurant. I really had to put my foot down to tell them this was silly and please could one of the staff in the restaurant be given a call when it’s my turn. Eventually they agreed. They really need those little buzzer things.
There’s no wine list, although there is good wine. Asking what the “red” and “white” was seemed one step too far.
The food was excellent, we only had mains, as was the Rioja!
We had a full dinner on the plane - it’s such a long flight that there’s plenty of time to sleep afterwards. The food on board was really good. After about 7hrs good sleep, we had breakfast on board and then again in the arrivals lounge before heading to work. I’ve never felt so amazing after 13hrs on a plane; no jet lag at all.
Taxi to lounge took about an hour. Everything was painful; check-in, signage, security, passport control, transfer train... oh how we longed for TFW.
There’s little in the way of food in the main lounge, so head to the restaurant.
If you want a shower, there is no real queueing system. They come and fetch you from the lounge when it’s your go, only they wouldn’t come and fetch you from the sit down restaurant. I really had to put my foot down to tell them this was silly and please could one of the staff in the restaurant be given a call when it’s my turn. Eventually they agreed. They really need those little buzzer things.
There’s no wine list, although there is good wine. Asking what the “red” and “white” was seemed one step too far.
The food was excellent, we only had mains, as was the Rioja!
We had a full dinner on the plane - it’s such a long flight that there’s plenty of time to sleep afterwards. The food on board was really good. After about 7hrs good sleep, we had breakfast on board and then again in the arrivals lounge before heading to work. I’ve never felt so amazing after 13hrs on a plane; no jet lag at all.
Jul 9, 2019, 7:42 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, A3 *Gold
Posts: 887
The restaurant in the lounge is nice but can get very busy - I had to go back to the lounge and be called when a table was free about 30 minutes later. So don't leave until too close to your flight to eat, as others have mentioned there isn't enough in the main lounge to count as dinner.
Jul 9, 2019, 8:08 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2005
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You can order from the restaurant menu and have it served in the main lounge too - done that many times as it is more quiet. I quite like the F lounge as it has apron views and is generally pretty quiet. The food is usually quite good too.
Jul 9, 2019, 8:40 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
1) They should check it through at the origin, but even if they won’t, you can go to the transfer desk (located in the center of the terminal) and they’ll get it taken care of. Definitely don’t try and collect your bags yourself, the immigration queues can be very long (even with J/F fast pass).
2) I’ve only been to the Plaza Premium First lounge, but thought the food/drinks were decent.
3) No problem spending your leftover RM.
2) I’ve only been to the Plaza Premium First lounge, but thought the food/drinks were decent.
3) No problem spending your leftover RM.
Jul 9, 2019, 8:43 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Posts: 839
MH Has in my own personal experience checked bags through on separate PNR'S. I came from Bali a couple of weeks ago and as it was a A330 we arrived at the same terminal as BA34 uses and transfer was a breeze. I ate the the MH first class lounge dining area and the food was lovely.
Jul 9, 2019, 8:58 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
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Posts: 887
Jul 9, 2019, 9:22 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
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1) On a sample size of 4, I've been told yes twice and no twice. Never any harm in asking. [Deleted possibly misleading comment about immigration].
2) Food on the ground is decent, but in F (or J for that matter) I would eat dinner on the plane and breakfast in the lounge after landing. This is not so much because of the mealtimes but because it'll help you stay awake as long as possible so that you don't get to sleep until 3 or 4 a.m. local time; with a 5 a.m. landing you want to "sleep in" and staying awake later on the flight will help with that.
3) Airport currency conversion rates are comparable to the best of what you'd get back in the UK so don't feel as though you need to get rid of your cash. I've never been in duty free and noticed any screaming bargains in KUL, either, but maybe you have something specific in mind.
2) Food on the ground is decent, but in F (or J for that matter) I would eat dinner on the plane and breakfast in the lounge after landing. This is not so much because of the mealtimes but because it'll help you stay awake as long as possible so that you don't get to sleep until 3 or 4 a.m. local time; with a 5 a.m. landing you want to "sleep in" and staying awake later on the flight will help with that.
3) Airport currency conversion rates are comparable to the best of what you'd get back in the UK so don't feel as though you need to get rid of your cash. I've never been in duty free and noticed any screaming bargains in KUL, either, but maybe you have something specific in mind.