EDI-AMS-VIE Immigration @ AMS or VIE?
Mar 11, 2015, 12:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: EDI/BAH
Programs: BAEC Gold, Falconflyer Gold, The Ritz-Carlton Silver
Posts: 163
EDI-AMS-VIE Immigration @ AMS or VIE?
Hi everyone.
I'm flying EDI-AMS-VIE next week and was wondering if one clears immigration at AMS or at VIE. I only have 50 minutes between the flights, and as a non-EU citizen that has a visa it may take a while. Is it too tight?
I'm flying EDI-AMS-VIE next week and was wondering if one clears immigration at AMS or at VIE. I only have 50 minutes between the flights, and as a non-EU citizen that has a visa it may take a while. Is it too tight?
Mar 11, 2015, 12:47 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: EDI
Programs: Flying Blue PFL; IHG Rewards Club Diamond; HHonors Silver
Posts: 423
If your luggage is checked through you should be OK. There are short-connection and SkyPriority lanes at the Schengen gates in AMS, so they might help also.
Mar 11, 2015, 2:43 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,560
It's a legal connection (MCT is something silly like 40 minutes), and you have a good chance of making it - but it's tight as not only do you have to go through Immigration, but you have to re-clear security as well (for now - it's all going to change soon). I have a Privium card (which gets me through Immigration in ten seconds and puts me in a priority line for security), but I still don't like transfers at AMS with less than an hour.
Of course if it's all one ticket then the worst that can happen is that they will put you on the next flight.
Of course if it's all one ticket then the worst that can happen is that they will put you on the next flight.
Mar 11, 2015, 4:00 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: EDI/BAH
Programs: BAEC Gold, Falconflyer Gold, The Ritz-Carlton Silver
Posts: 163
Thank you all for your replies.
I have just looked at KL's timetable for that day, and their next departure leaves at 21:00. I have functions and am entertaining guests the evening of my arrival.
Now I am thinking it would have had been wise to have had booked an earlier flight and spent a few hours at AMS to be safe. Is there a way of changing my ticket to an earlier EDI-AMS flight? As I am an almost exclusive BA/OW/GF flyer I'm not familiar with KL's protocols.
I have just looked at KL's timetable for that day, and their next departure leaves at 21:00. I have functions and am entertaining guests the evening of my arrival.
Now I am thinking it would have had been wise to have had booked an earlier flight and spent a few hours at AMS to be safe. Is there a way of changing my ticket to an earlier EDI-AMS flight? As I am an almost exclusive BA/OW/GF flyer I'm not familiar with KL's protocols.
Mar 11, 2015, 4:12 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,750
Your connection is valid and doable. Look out for the short connection line at AMS.
Whether or not you can change your flight depends on the conditions that apply to the ticket you selected.
You will not have these conditions waived/relaxed now, just because of a tight (but legal) connection which was how you originally booked the ticket.
Nearly all KLM tickets are changeable, against payment of a change fee, as well as any difference in fare. You would have to do this via the agent that initially sold you the ticket.
Whether or not you can change your flight depends on the conditions that apply to the ticket you selected.
You will not have these conditions waived/relaxed now, just because of a tight (but legal) connection which was how you originally booked the ticket.
Nearly all KLM tickets are changeable, against payment of a change fee, as well as any difference in fare. You would have to do this via the agent that initially sold you the ticket.
Mar 11, 2015, 4:45 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: EDI/BAH
Programs: BAEC Gold, Falconflyer Gold, The Ritz-Carlton Silver
Posts: 163
Just an update, KLM agent informed me that it was extremely unlikely I make the connection (due to type of visa) and moved me to an earlier flight with a 2 hour connection time for free.
As someone with no status, I am impressed! I cannot imagine BA doing this, perhaps I should fly KL more often especially with the changes at BA.
As someone with no status, I am impressed! I cannot imagine BA doing this, perhaps I should fly KL more often especially with the changes at BA.
Mar 20, 2015, 8:22 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: BRU
Programs: LH (SEN), IHG (Plat Amb)
Posts: 498
Just an update, KLM agent informed me that it was extremely unlikely I make the connection (due to type of visa) and moved me to an earlier flight with a 2 hour connection time for free.
As someone with no status, I am impressed! I cannot imagine BA doing this, perhaps I should fly KL more often especially with the changes at BA.
As someone with no status, I am impressed! I cannot imagine BA doing this, perhaps I should fly KL more often especially with the changes at BA.
KLM has moved your EDI-AMS to an earlier flight because for them it is cheaper than moving your AMS-VIE to a later flight or pay you a hotel night in case the last AMS-VIE is full, which happens often.
That said, nice that you don't need to stress!