Self transfer at AMS (COVID-19)
Jan 5, 2021, 10:31 am
#16
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Jan 5, 2021, 11:03 am
#18
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I didn't have to wait at immigration long enough myself to find out for sure, but there were certainly a number of businessmen and residents who were waiting in the naughty line and the Bali group looked like they weren't going to get to their flight on time no matter whether they were eventually cleared at the Schengen border or not.
As a former pro-European campaigner in the UK I did warn anyone who would listen this would happen, but even so it's sad to see people under so much stress.
As a former pro-European campaigner in the UK I did warn anyone who would listen this would happen, but even so it's sad to see people under so much stress.
Jan 5, 2021, 3:22 pm
#19
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Not exactly the same as OP's scenario but wanted to share my experience from 2 weeks ago.
I was on a KLM ticket AMS-MAD and a separate Aeromexico ticket MAD-MEX. At the AMS Sky Priority check-in desk, the agent said she usually can check my bag through and knows how to do it, but due to COVID and current operations, she'll have to check (not sure if this is some random BS). She then called a number, and came back to tell me she can't check my bag through this time. I needed to claim in MAD and re-check with AM. The excuse (or reason) she gave was given how limited flight options are nowadays due to COVID, it will expose KL to greater liability should IRROPS happen during the journey and that my bag gets delayed/lost/misconnected. I didn't want to waste my time arguing so I obliged. In any case, I could enter MAD and had sufficient time to connect. However, this goes to show just how a stubborn or clueless agent could kill an otherwise "legal" trip.
I was on a KLM ticket AMS-MAD and a separate Aeromexico ticket MAD-MEX. At the AMS Sky Priority check-in desk, the agent said she usually can check my bag through and knows how to do it, but due to COVID and current operations, she'll have to check (not sure if this is some random BS). She then called a number, and came back to tell me she can't check my bag through this time. I needed to claim in MAD and re-check with AM. The excuse (or reason) she gave was given how limited flight options are nowadays due to COVID, it will expose KL to greater liability should IRROPS happen during the journey and that my bag gets delayed/lost/misconnected. I didn't want to waste my time arguing so I obliged. In any case, I could enter MAD and had sufficient time to connect. However, this goes to show just how a stubborn or clueless agent could kill an otherwise "legal" trip.
Jan 9, 2021, 3:39 pm
#20
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Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BHD/DUB/PTY
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FINAL UPDATE
So I’m at the Copa Club at PTY now. Had absolutely no issue during check-in. Staff first asked if AMS is my final stop, so I said that no, I have a connection. She checked again and yes, it showed my BHD flight. She tagged both suitcases to my final destination and printer the boarding pass for both flights.
Also, I’m on PTY-AMS I’m in J and AMS-BHD in Y. I had one bag at 25kg, so I was prepared to get question about the Y ticket baggage allowance and having to pay excess baggage (as I did on an earlier flight on the day with CM). I simply asked before putting my bags on the scale how much was my allowance and she said 32kg for all flights. So I didn’t say anything else and checked the bags. No idea why they would put my J baggage allowance on the Y ticket and not the other way round (which would be fairer).
So I’m at the Copa Club at PTY now. Had absolutely no issue during check-in. Staff first asked if AMS is my final stop, so I said that no, I have a connection. She checked again and yes, it showed my BHD flight. She tagged both suitcases to my final destination and printer the boarding pass for both flights.
Also, I’m on PTY-AMS I’m in J and AMS-BHD in Y. I had one bag at 25kg, so I was prepared to get question about the Y ticket baggage allowance and having to pay excess baggage (as I did on an earlier flight on the day with CM). I simply asked before putting my bags on the scale how much was my allowance and she said 32kg for all flights. So I didn’t say anything else and checked the bags. No idea why they would put my J baggage allowance on the Y ticket and not the other way round (which would be fairer).
Jan 10, 2021, 1:26 am
#21
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FINAL UPDATE
So I’m at the Copa Club at PTY now. Had absolutely no issue during check-in. Staff first asked if AMS is my final stop, so I said that no, I have a connection. She checked again and yes, it showed my BHD flight. She tagged both suitcases to my final destination and printer the boarding pass for both flights.
Also, I’m on PTY-AMS I’m in J and AMS-BHD in Y. I had one bag at 25kg, so I was prepared to get question about the Y ticket baggage allowance and having to pay excess baggage (as I did on an earlier flight on the day with CM). I simply asked before putting my bags on the scale how much was my allowance and she said 32kg for all flights. So I didn’t say anything else and checked the bags. No idea why they would put my J baggage allowance on the Y ticket and not the other way round (which would be fairer).
So I’m at the Copa Club at PTY now. Had absolutely no issue during check-in. Staff first asked if AMS is my final stop, so I said that no, I have a connection. She checked again and yes, it showed my BHD flight. She tagged both suitcases to my final destination and printer the boarding pass for both flights.
Also, I’m on PTY-AMS I’m in J and AMS-BHD in Y. I had one bag at 25kg, so I was prepared to get question about the Y ticket baggage allowance and having to pay excess baggage (as I did on an earlier flight on the day with CM). I simply asked before putting my bags on the scale how much was my allowance and she said 32kg for all flights. So I didn’t say anything else and checked the bags. No idea why they would put my J baggage allowance on the Y ticket and not the other way round (which would be fairer).
Jan 10, 2021, 4:05 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: AMS, JFK/EWR/LGA
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Posts: 293
FINAL UPDATE
So I’m at the Copa Club at PTY now. Had absolutely no issue during check-in. Staff first asked if AMS is my final stop, so I said that no, I have a connection. She checked again and yes, it showed my BHD flight. She tagged both suitcases to my final destination and printer the boarding pass for both flights.
Also, I’m on PTY-AMS I’m in J and AMS-BHD in Y. I had one bag at 25kg, so I was prepared to get question about the Y ticket baggage allowance and having to pay excess baggage (as I did on an earlier flight on the day with CM). I simply asked before putting my bags on the scale how much was my allowance and she said 32kg for all flights. So I didn’t say anything else and checked the bags. No idea why they would put my J baggage allowance on the Y ticket and not the other way round (which would be fairer).
So I’m at the Copa Club at PTY now. Had absolutely no issue during check-in. Staff first asked if AMS is my final stop, so I said that no, I have a connection. She checked again and yes, it showed my BHD flight. She tagged both suitcases to my final destination and printer the boarding pass for both flights.
Also, I’m on PTY-AMS I’m in J and AMS-BHD in Y. I had one bag at 25kg, so I was prepared to get question about the Y ticket baggage allowance and having to pay excess baggage (as I did on an earlier flight on the day with CM). I simply asked before putting my bags on the scale how much was my allowance and she said 32kg for all flights. So I didn’t say anything else and checked the bags. No idea why they would put my J baggage allowance on the Y ticket and not the other way round (which would be fairer).
Jan 10, 2021, 1:52 pm
#24
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But avoid self transfer on separate tickets at all cost in Covid times. OP's (successful) story is not valid for everyone.
Jan 10, 2021, 3:35 pm
#26
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Note that there are restrictions in Norway on people having been in the UK in the previous 14 days; you will have to isolate at a quarantine hotel for 10 days. https://www.helsenorge.no/en/coronav...united-kingdom
Jun 14, 2022, 6:13 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: United currently plat
Posts: 203
I'm glad I found this thread. I am flying out of AMS on 8/4 on United 2:50pm.
I bought a KLM ticket separately BER-AMS arriving at 10:40am. I'm not expecting to be able to interline, in fact i'd rather not trust KLM to get it to UA etc.
With all the stuff going on at AMS lately I'm now worried about this.. I'm reading that there is a "Transfer Desk" in the AMS baggage hall where I can check in with UA and recheck my bag?? Is this at all true? I'm flying inter-europe so i'm not foreseeing any passport or visa issues.
I could also take a train from Berlin to Schiphol if there are many KLM/AMS issues on or near the day I fly out but its an 8 hour trip, but for now I have the KLM ticket and would have to get IRROPS to have it refunded.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts
I bought a KLM ticket separately BER-AMS arriving at 10:40am. I'm not expecting to be able to interline, in fact i'd rather not trust KLM to get it to UA etc.
With all the stuff going on at AMS lately I'm now worried about this.. I'm reading that there is a "Transfer Desk" in the AMS baggage hall where I can check in with UA and recheck my bag?? Is this at all true? I'm flying inter-europe so i'm not foreseeing any passport or visa issues.
I could also take a train from Berlin to Schiphol if there are many KLM/AMS issues on or near the day I fly out but its an 8 hour trip, but for now I have the KLM ticket and would have to get IRROPS to have it refunded.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts
Jun 15, 2022, 12:35 am
#29
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Upon arrival at AMS you have to pick up your luggage and exit with all other arriving passengers, find the UA check-in desks and line up, then line up to get through security; then line-up to get through exit immigration.
There's a (daily?) UA flight from BER to EWR - maybe you'd be better off switching your UA ticket to depart from BER on this flight? And do an actual transfer in EWR, rather do a self-connect at AMS?
Last edited by irishguy28; Jun 15, 2022 at 1:04 am
Jun 15, 2022, 5:16 am
#30
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: United currently plat
Posts: 203
No, there is no transfer desk in the baggage hall (that's more of an American thing, given that all transferring passengers have to clear immigration and customs upon arrival, and then immediately recheck their luggage).
Upon arrival at AMS you have to pick up your luggage and exit with all other arriving passengers, find the UA check-in desks and line up, then line up to get through security; then line-up to get through exit immigration.
There's a (daily?) UA flight from BER to EWR - maybe you'd be better off switching your UA ticket to depart from BER on this flight? And do an actual transfer in EWR, rather do a self-connect at AMS?
Upon arrival at AMS you have to pick up your luggage and exit with all other arriving passengers, find the UA check-in desks and line up, then line up to get through security; then line-up to get through exit immigration.
There's a (daily?) UA flight from BER to EWR - maybe you'd be better off switching your UA ticket to depart from BER on this flight? And do an actual transfer in EWR, rather do a self-connect at AMS?
Hopefully things might be smoother by then but we’ll see! Thanks for the notes
By the way Fabo.sk , the reference to "transfer desk" is on https://www.schiphol.nl/en/transfers/ so thatʻs why I was asking, and where i got it from.
Last edited by evol; Jun 15, 2022 at 2:53 pm Reason: found reference to "transfer desk"