Saudia split booking options
Aug 15, 2018, 4:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: c2
Posts: 691
Saudia split booking options
Hi all (if anyone) who'd have an experience with Saudia/Alfursan. Because they don't offer award tickets for more than one segment (except first), their support via email only knows how to send copy/paste message that you should call them, calling to Saudi Arabia doesn't work at all, and their US line staff only has the same booking system which is in the website (meaning awards on other carriers are totally impossible), I ended up booking two separate tickets DXB-RUH and RUH-MLE. Transit time is under 12 hours with no other stops in KSA, which should be fine in terms of visa regulations, but...how about the luggage? Is it going to go through or am I gonna need to re-check it in? Could this be a problem in RUH? After quite ugly experience with WY (probably outsourced, staff on board was great) check-in staff in DXB I'd like to come a bit better prepared this time:-)
Thank you all who's able to say something to this topic.
Thank you all who's able to say something to this topic.
Aug 15, 2018, 4:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
Hi all (if anyone) who'd have an experience with Saudia/Alfursan. Because they don't offer award tickets for more than one segment (except first), their support via email only knows how to send copy/paste message that you should call them, calling to Saudi Arabia doesn't work at all, and their US line staff only has the same booking system which is in the website (meaning awards on other carriers are totally impossible), I ended up booking two separate tickets DXB-RUH and RUH-MLE. Transit time is under 12 hours with no other stops in KSA, which should be fine in terms of visa regulations, but...how about the luggage? Is it going to go through or am I gonna need to re-check it in? Could this be a problem in RUH? After quite ugly experience with WY (probably outsourced, staff on board was great) check-in staff in DXB I'd like to come a bit better prepared this time:-)
Thank you all who's able to say something to this topic.
Thank you all who's able to say something to this topic.
Aug 19, 2018, 9:34 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: c2
Posts: 691
Doesn't look optimistic. Was calling their us line since calling into saudi arabia since doesn't work (interrupted all the time after few seconds) and Mohammed told me:
1. you'll have to collect the luggage and re-check it.
Then I told him that the luggage belt is behind the immigration, so no access without a visa.
2. he switched to: you can't travel at all and need to cancel those two reservations and book the new one. But there's no availability.
After I asked him three times if I can use these tickets with no luggage and he told me three times no and three times was not able to tell me why, I realised he probably doesn't understand english, despite telling me he's in LA office. Finally he gave me a (saudi=impossible to call there) number to the airport, as if the airport was deciding if you can check it through. No surprise after reading all the reviews of saudia, but still dunno what to expect and as I'm arriving in DWC, can't ask the DXB check in staff in advance. Adventure. Hope it's gonna be fine at least with no luggage:-)
1. you'll have to collect the luggage and re-check it.
Then I told him that the luggage belt is behind the immigration, so no access without a visa.
2. he switched to: you can't travel at all and need to cancel those two reservations and book the new one. But there's no availability.
After I asked him three times if I can use these tickets with no luggage and he told me three times no and three times was not able to tell me why, I realised he probably doesn't understand english, despite telling me he's in LA office. Finally he gave me a (saudi=impossible to call there) number to the airport, as if the airport was deciding if you can check it through. No surprise after reading all the reviews of saudia, but still dunno what to expect and as I'm arriving in DWC, can't ask the DXB check in staff in advance. Adventure. Hope it's gonna be fine at least with no luggage:-)
Aug 20, 2018, 10:28 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 581
Doesn't look optimistic. Was calling their us line since calling into saudi arabia since doesn't work (interrupted all the time after few seconds) and Mohammed told me:
1. you'll have to collect the luggage and re-check it.
Then I told him that the luggage belt is behind the immigration, so no access without a visa.
2. he switched to: you can't travel at all and need to cancel those two reservations and book the new one. But there's no availability.
After I asked him three times if I can use these tickets with no luggage and he told me three times no and three times was not able to tell me why, I realised he probably doesn't understand english, despite telling me he's in LA office. Finally he gave me a (saudi=impossible to call there) number to the airport, as if the airport was deciding if you can check it through. No surprise after reading all the reviews of saudia, but still dunno what to expect and as I'm arriving in DWC, can't ask the DXB check in staff in advance. Adventure. Hope it's gonna be fine at least with no luggage:-)
1. you'll have to collect the luggage and re-check it.
Then I told him that the luggage belt is behind the immigration, so no access without a visa.
2. he switched to: you can't travel at all and need to cancel those two reservations and book the new one. But there's no availability.
After I asked him three times if I can use these tickets with no luggage and he told me three times no and three times was not able to tell me why, I realised he probably doesn't understand english, despite telling me he's in LA office. Finally he gave me a (saudi=impossible to call there) number to the airport, as if the airport was deciding if you can check it through. No surprise after reading all the reviews of saudia, but still dunno what to expect and as I'm arriving in DWC, can't ask the DXB check in staff in advance. Adventure. Hope it's gonna be fine at least with no luggage:-)
Jan 15, 2019, 2:44 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 11
Hi all (if anyone) who'd have an experience with Saudia/Alfursan. Because they don't offer award tickets for more than one segment (except first), their support via email only knows how to send copy/paste message that you should call them, calling to Saudi Arabia doesn't work at all, and their US line staff only has the same booking system which is in the website (meaning awards on other carriers are totally impossible), I ended up booking two separate tickets DXB-RUH and RUH-MLE. Transit time is under 12 hours with no other stops in KSA, which should be fine in terms of visa regulations, but...how about the luggage? Is it going to go through or am I gonna need to re-check it in? Could this be a problem in RUH? After quite ugly experience with WY (probably outsourced, staff on board was great) check-in staff in DXB I'd like to come a bit better prepared this time:-)
Thank you all who's able to say something to this topic.
Thank you all who's able to say something to this topic.
Were you able to get your baggage through checked if u did check any in?
Im in a similar boat where I have 2 separate reservations but both on Saudia ( 1st one in J, second in F) and want to through check my bags (5 hour transit in JED)