The circus at the BKK arrival fast track continues
Jun 15, 2012, 6:32 pm
#76
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Marco Polo Club, Virgin Flying Club
Posts: 91
Cathay always give out passes for the Suvarnabhumi Premium Fast Track in the middle section between the two immigration halls (to Biz Class passengers).
Having said that, I have never been refused access to the other Fast Track line with a TG Biz Class Boarding Pass.
Having said that, I have never been refused access to the other Fast Track line with a TG Biz Class Boarding Pass.
May 14, 2017, 2:29 am
#79
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: BAEC (Gold), SPG (Lifetime Plat), Star Alliance, One World, Virgin (Gold)
Posts: 211
After a quick trip to HAN on VN with a colleague last week, I cam back through BKK. I gave my colleague a spare CX Fast Track. We got to the counters at the same time, his male officer, let him through, my female officer sent me back round to normal channels.
I knew that no amount of protesting would work, so I just gave in, BUT the bottom line was that I was trying to beat a system and I failed.
The immigration officer refused me on the basis the Fast Track clearly stated CX and my immigration card stated VN "Vietnam passengers not allowed here" - fair dues..
May 14, 2017, 8:56 am
#80
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Bangkok & Dublin
Programs: Thai ROP Platinum; BA Gold; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium For Life; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 375
hmmm times change...
After a quick trip to HAN on VN with a colleague last week, I cam back through BKK. I gave my colleague a spare CX Fast Track. We got to the counters at the same time, his male officer, let him through, my female officer sent me back round to normal channels.
I knew that no amount of protesting would work, so I just gave in, BUT the bottom line was that I was trying to beat a system and I failed.
The immigration officer refused me on the basis the Fast Track clearly stated CX and my immigration card stated VN "Vietnam passengers not allowed here" - fair dues..
After a quick trip to HAN on VN with a colleague last week, I cam back through BKK. I gave my colleague a spare CX Fast Track. We got to the counters at the same time, his male officer, let him through, my female officer sent me back round to normal channels.
I knew that no amount of protesting would work, so I just gave in, BUT the bottom line was that I was trying to beat a system and I failed.
The immigration officer refused me on the basis the Fast Track clearly stated CX and my immigration card stated VN "Vietnam passengers not allowed here" - fair dues..
May 14, 2017, 9:02 am
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
hmmm times change...
After a quick trip to HAN on VN with a colleague last week, I cam back through BKK. I gave my colleague a spare CX Fast Track. We got to the counters at the same time, his male officer, let him through, my female officer sent me back round to normal channels.
I knew that no amount of protesting would work, so I just gave in, BUT the bottom line was that I was trying to beat a system and I failed.
The immigration officer refused me on the basis the Fast Track clearly stated CX and my immigration card stated VN "Vietnam passengers not allowed here" - fair dues..
After a quick trip to HAN on VN with a colleague last week, I cam back through BKK. I gave my colleague a spare CX Fast Track. We got to the counters at the same time, his male officer, let him through, my female officer sent me back round to normal channels.
I knew that no amount of protesting would work, so I just gave in, BUT the bottom line was that I was trying to beat a system and I failed.
The immigration officer refused me on the basis the Fast Track clearly stated CX and my immigration card stated VN "Vietnam passengers not allowed here" - fair dues..
Like so much else in Thailand the ability to use these passes in situations such as yours will depend upon the agent and their whims.
There's definitely strong opinions on both sides of the issue though.
May 14, 2017, 12:06 pm
#82
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,062
hmmm times change...
After a quick trip to HAN on VN with a colleague last week, I cam back through BKK. I gave my colleague a spare CX Fast Track. We got to the counters at the same time, his male officer, let him through, my female officer sent me back round to normal channels.
I knew that no amount of protesting would work, so I just gave in, BUT the bottom line was that I was trying to beat a system and I failed.
The immigration officer refused me on the basis the Fast Track clearly stated CX and my immigration card stated VN "Vietnam passengers not allowed here" - fair dues..
After a quick trip to HAN on VN with a colleague last week, I cam back through BKK. I gave my colleague a spare CX Fast Track. We got to the counters at the same time, his male officer, let him through, my female officer sent me back round to normal channels.
I knew that no amount of protesting would work, so I just gave in, BUT the bottom line was that I was trying to beat a system and I failed.
The immigration officer refused me on the basis the Fast Track clearly stated CX and my immigration card stated VN "Vietnam passengers not allowed here" - fair dues..
May 14, 2017, 3:20 pm
#83
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: BAEC (Gold), SPG (Lifetime Plat), Star Alliance, One World, Virgin (Gold)
Posts: 211
Both my colleague and I had the same CX Fast Track Passes. We both put the VN flight number on the immigration landing card. My colleagues IO accepted it, my IO sent me away. Yes I could have put a CX number on the immigration landing card, but then I guess had I been caught I would have been in serious sh*t.
IMHO, I tried it on, I lost, I got sent to the other Q.
Strange thought though - immigration/airport get paid by the coupon by the airlines, why are they turning the revenue away?
The only sweet part of the evening, was I got lucky with the most amazing taxi driver who got me to my down town hotel in around 25 minutes...
IMHO, I tried it on, I lost, I got sent to the other Q.
Strange thought though - immigration/airport get paid by the coupon by the airlines, why are they turning the revenue away?
The only sweet part of the evening, was I got lucky with the most amazing taxi driver who got me to my down town hotel in around 25 minutes...
May 14, 2017, 7:31 pm
#85
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,324
May 14, 2017, 7:32 pm
#86
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,324
customs: this is on and off and not a General trend
May 15, 2017, 4:46 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,194
I experienced this 'request' from a customer officer on arrival to BKK in 1985 to 'assist' clearing an item through customs that I had declared - the fee was suggested so that I would 'not experience any avoidable delays'. I declined since the recipient was a customs officer and would collect the goods from the bond store when coming on shift. Fortunately I had an expert briefing from his niece who I knew - we were both working in Singapore.
A bit of an experience for a young Kiwi...
May 15, 2017, 5:54 am
#90
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,324
Maybe in the old days before CCTV and smart phones.
I experienced this 'request' from a customer officer on arrival to BKK in 1985 to 'assist' clearing an item through customs that I had declared - the fee was suggested so that I would 'not experience any avoidable delays'.
I experienced this 'request' from a customer officer on arrival to BKK in 1985 to 'assist' clearing an item through customs that I had declared - the fee was suggested so that I would 'not experience any avoidable delays'.
- officer offered to process a group of Europeans and US citizen to process immigration faster against a certain fee
- European was offered faster immigration on Arrival against cash
- several Chinese citizen were asked for cash in normal immigration queue (they had already electronic visa)