Thai to Virgin transfer at SYD
Aug 27, 2013, 10:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: VAG
Posts: 1,865
Thai to Virgin transfer at SYD
I'm flying into SYD international terminal on Thai, and out on Virgin domestic. These flights are booked on separate PNRs and I doubt there's any way to combine them, since my incoming flight was booked with United FF miles and my domestic flight with cash.
Am I eligible to use the Seamless Transfer? If not, is my best option just to catch the train?
I'm flying in on Thai first class, if that gives me any additional options. (Yes, I know I'm flying First Class and moaning about spending five bucks, it's an award flight
)
Am I eligible to use the Seamless Transfer? If not, is my best option just to catch the train?
I'm flying in on Thai first class, if that gives me any additional options. (Yes, I know I'm flying First Class and moaning about spending five bucks, it's an award flight
)
Aug 28, 2013, 6:12 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
In my experience the international-domestic transfer VA offers is independent of the ticket you arrived with. I think of it as a general service to all people at the international terminal.
Aug 28, 2013, 4:14 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: NSW, Australia
Programs: VA Platinum, UA Gold, Qantas Silver
Posts: 20
I've arrived on United from LAX and used the VA transfer for free to a domestic flight. Much like you've described except I paid for the United flight and VA was an award ticket.
Aug 28, 2013, 5:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,767
On a contrary, I have arrived on TG from BKK and continued on VA. On two different revenue tickets and was refused VA's transfer...
Aug 28, 2013, 6:40 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: VAG
Posts: 1,865
Hmm, so we have contradictory experiences so far. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask when I get there.
Followup question: I've never actually transferred at SYD before (because I've never not lived in Sydney before!) -- if I'm due to fly in at 7:20am what's a good time to book my flight out? I realise that if my Thai flight is significantly delayed I'll presumably lose my Virgin ticket, but it's probably a risk worth taking versus the cost of buying a ticket when I get there.
Followup question: I've never actually transferred at SYD before (because I've never not lived in Sydney before!) -- if I'm due to fly in at 7:20am what's a good time to book my flight out? I realise that if my Thai flight is significantly delayed I'll presumably lose my Virgin ticket, but it's probably a risk worth taking versus the cost of buying a ticket when I get there.
Aug 30, 2013, 1:58 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,767
Hmm, so we have contradictory experiences so far. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask when I get there.
Followup question: I've never actually transferred at SYD before (because I've never not lived in Sydney before!) -- if I'm due to fly in at 7:20am what's a good time to book my flight out? I realise that if my Thai flight is significantly delayed I'll presumably lose my Virgin ticket, but it's probably a risk worth taking versus the cost of buying a ticket when I get there.
Followup question: I've never actually transferred at SYD before (because I've never not lived in Sydney before!) -- if I'm due to fly in at 7:20am what's a good time to book my flight out? I realise that if my Thai flight is significantly delayed I'll presumably lose my Virgin ticket, but it's probably a risk worth taking versus the cost of buying a ticket when I get there.
Aug 31, 2013, 2:45 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,767
From http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en...al-connections :
Arriving from an International Port into Sydney with a Domestic Connection
You are required to collect your bags from the carousel and clear Customs and Quarantine. Turn left immediately after Quarantine (before entering the Arrivals Hall) and enter the Seamless Transfer Lounge. If you are booked on a formal Codeshare flight (one ticket for the entire journey) check in for your domestic flight at a Virgin Australia check-in counter. Here you will receive a bus pass, to use to transfer to the Domestic Terminal.
Guests who have booked a connecting flight on a separate booking can purchase this bus transfer service for AU$15 at the check-in counter.
You are required to collect your bags from the carousel and clear Customs and Quarantine. Turn left immediately after Quarantine (before entering the Arrivals Hall) and enter the Seamless Transfer Lounge. If you are booked on a formal Codeshare flight (one ticket for the entire journey) check in for your domestic flight at a Virgin Australia check-in counter. Here you will receive a bus pass, to use to transfer to the Domestic Terminal.
Guests who have booked a connecting flight on a separate booking can purchase this bus transfer service for AU$15 at the check-in counter.
Aug 31, 2013, 3:19 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SIN
Posts: 849
edit: seriously ive never seen this before. do you know when it was introduced? I went through this in april and never observed anyone paying for bus tickets
Last edited by lowjhg; Aug 31, 2013 at 3:26 am
Aug 31, 2013, 4:22 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,767
ive been given the airport transfer voucher all the time. I always book separate tickets connecting from SQ economy. Ive done this countless times during the past 2 years and have never encountered the $15 you've mentioned
edit: seriously ive never seen this before. do you know when it was introduced? I went through this in april and never observed anyone paying for bus tickets
edit: seriously ive never seen this before. do you know when it was introduced? I went through this in april and never observed anyone paying for bus tickets
Aug 31, 2013, 5:23 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SIN
Posts: 849
I dont remember being hassled for $15 prior to attaining VA PS last year though
Sep 1, 2013, 6:34 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,767
Be happy that you were not hassled. I was at least two times! Let OP to decide what to do, but give him/her correct information, not your anecdotal evidence.
Sep 2, 2013, 2:12 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,767
Plus, if you wanted you could save $9.50 if you paid directly with T-bus in SYD. Link here.
- link here. I did not say I did not pay them those measly $15. If I can afford RTW in C class, I can afford extra $15 for transfer in SYD. But that's not the point. Point is that VA does not officially provide free bus if on separate tickets which is contrary to your claim.
Finally got it?