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If flying business class is there need for vip service

Ylubka
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Ylubka Newbie

Ylubka

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Hi! We are arriving to Suvarnabhumi airport by Turkish airlines on 3d January, 15.40. I expect it to be quite busy at this period. We will be flying business class so as far as I understood we are eligible to use Primary lane. We will need to get visa on arrival. So is there any sense to book vip arrival service. Will they go through the same primary lane? If there is a big line there, do people with vip service skip the line or not? Is there really any need to book buggy for transportation?
Also are there big lines to get taxi? Or is it better to pre-book transfer?

Thank you

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Maestro Star Member

Maestro

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Quote

 

Nationals of the following countries may apply for Visa on Arrival:

 

Andora
Bulgaria
Bhutan
China
Cyprus
Ethiopia
India
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Romania
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan

 

 

Source: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/contents/files/services-20150120-100712-551809.pdf

 

Are you and your fellow traveller or travellers nationals of any of the countries listed above?

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Vintage Rookie Member

Vintage

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I flew Turkish business class last month and on leaving the plane we were given a fast track pass.

If you need a buggy you should request one. The pass takes you through the priority lane the entrance is 20 or so meters after the entrance you would take for normal immigration.

Also AOT taxi 1000bht in to bangkok their are a few desks near the baggage carousel its better than queuing downstairs for a taxi.

Edited by Vintage
additional info
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jacko45k Star Member

jacko45k

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I doubt there is any advantage. But even Priority lane can be a wait as it appears some Chinese groups are permitted to use the area.  The walk from aircraft to immigration is quite far, there are moving walkways though, whether you need a buggy is up to you. Personally I would not pay extra for VIP arrival.

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Bredbury Blue Platinum Member

Bredbury Blue

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If you are not given a Priority Pass you can still show your business class seat ticket and use the immigration priority lane. Usually there's less than a handful of people at immigration priority lane whereas normal immigration queue can be 20 to 45 minutes queue. So do you need to pay for VIP service? Not in my opinion.

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BritTim Diamond Member

BritTim

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If you will enter visa exempt (this is different from a visa on arrival) it is certainly good to have access to the priority line. Business class on Turkish Airlines will give you that. Travel without checked baggage if you want to clear the airport really quickly. If you are not eligible for visa exempt entry, and really do need a visa, try your utmost to get a visa in advance. The queues at Suvarnabhumi for a visa on arrival can be horrendous.

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side Apprentice Member

side

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Crikey, two strange and misleading answers in one short thread:

 

1) TV member claims some Chinese groups are allowed to use the Premium Lane. Never seen that happening, am frequently on Biz Class and through Premium. Never a queue of more than 3 people. 

2) TV member says you gain nothing with the Premium Lane as you still have to wait for luggage. Huh? Yes, you're through Premium Lane and then you get to wait 10 or more minutes for the luggage to come, but then you're on Biz Class and so your luggage is also first out. And you definitely didn't wait the 30 - 45 minutes in Econ Class immigration queue.

 

General comment: claims of astonishing waiting times for luggage are anecdotal. I have found the average to be about 10-15 minutes after I've got through immigration. I base my average on about a 100 flights or so over the last 9-10 years. 

 

So unless someone has an actual stat. Let's leave the anecdotes to the Daily Mail and the school playground.

 

To answer your initial question more accurately, if you come in on Biz Class, there is a girl waiting as you exit the plane's walkway with a smile and Premium Lane pass.

 

 

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SirBuwanaDogbossKing Apprentice Member

SirBuwanaDogbossKing

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8 hours ago, Bredbury Blue said:

If you are not given a Priority Pass you can still show your business class seat ticket and use the immigration priority lane. Usually there's less than a handful of people at immigration priority lane whereas normal immigration queue can be 20 to 45 minutes queue. So do you need to pay for VIP service? Not in my opinion.

Priority lane is a premium service that has to be paid for by the airlines and unless you have a "Fastrack Pass" you will rejected. If it was possible to just show BC ticket then their would not be any reason to issue a "Fastrack Pass".

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BernieOnTour Advanced Member

BernieOnTour

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If you need to get a Visa On Arrival and you aren't not eligible for visa exempt entry, expect to fight first in a queue with dozens of Indians in front of the Visa on Arrival counter ...

 

Maybe, the VIP Service might help you to get in front of the queue - better check with them before ( * If you have any questions about this service, please email us at [email protected] )

 

With your ticket and the VoA, you can then proceed to the Immigration Priority Lane, which will save you 20-30 minutes.

 

If you have only one hand luggage, IMO the buggy cart is not necessary.

Edited by BernieOnTour
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JerseytoBKK Advanced Member

JerseytoBKK

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22 minutes ago, side said:

.........

To answer your initial question more accurately, if you come in on Biz Class, there is a girl waiting as you exit the plane's walkway with a smile and Premium Lane pass. ..........

What airline has a girl waiting with the pass? I've flown Cathay 8 times and JAL once in business the last 3 years. They give out the Premium Lane pass on the plane along with the immigration form.

 

If they fly in business class as the OP mentions, then I agree with minimal wait times. The luggage is tagged with priority handling and comes off the conveyor belt first. Only once did I wait maybe 20 minutes. A couple of times it was only 5 min and usually it's around 10 min. However, if someone is using the Premium Lane because they're disabled or older, then they might have to wait for their luggage.

 

Also agree about the lines. Saw 5 people in line in the Premium Lane  just once. It's usually only 2 or 3.

 

Most times I've off the plane, through immigration, and wheeling my 2 checked bags out to my ride in less than 30 min.

 

22 minutes ago, side said:

 

 

 

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Mattd Gold Member

Mattd

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6 minutes ago, SirBuwanaDogbossKing said:

Priority lane is a premium service that has to be paid for by the airlines and unless you have a "Fastrack Pass" you will rejected. If it was possible to just show BC ticket then their would not be any reason to issue a "Fastrack Pass".

Yes and no!

Those passengers over 70 years of age may use the premium services, as can holders of BOI work permits. Thai fast track service (left hand side of the main immigration halls) do not use the priority pass card.

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Mattd Gold Member

Mattd

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6 minutes ago, JerseytoBKK said:

What airline has a girl waiting with the pass? I've flown Cathay 8 times and JAL once in business the last 3 years.

Etihad - Normally the pass is given to you by airport staff in the air bridge as you deplane.

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JerseytoBKK Advanced Member

JerseytoBKK

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10 minutes ago, Mattd said:

Etihad - Normally the pass is given to you by airport staff in the air bridge as you deplane.

Thanks. Good to know if I book them in the future. They just had an interesting sale a couple of weeks ago. Two travel for the price of one - JFK-BKK roundtrip in business for around $5K for 2 people.

Edited by JerseytoBKK
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side Apprentice Member

side

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21 minutes ago, JerseytoBKK said:

What airline has a girl waiting with the pass? I've flown Cathay 8 times and JAL once in business the last 3 years. They give out the Premium Lane pass on the plane along with the immigration form.

 

....

 

 

Trying to remember, for sure Finnair and Sri Lankan. Too many others I've arrived in Biz Class so cannot recall modus operandi of all... includes Air Canada, Cathay, Turkish, Austrian, Malaysian to name a few.

 

I suppose some will fly with the pass on board already, some do not.

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SirBuwanaDogbossKing Apprentice Member

SirBuwanaDogbossKing

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1 hour ago, Mattd said:

Yes and no!

Those passengers over 70 years of age may use the premium services, as can holders of BOI work permits. Thai fast track service (left hand side of the main immigration halls) do not use the priority pass card.

The poster stated that you can show BC ticket and go through premium lane (70+ and BOI can go through on any ticket) which is incorrect in respect of the premium lanes used by non Thai Airways BC/FC passengers.

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Soneva Explorer Member

Soneva

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I am sure Turkish Airlines provides fast track passes to J pax.

I would suggest if the OP is staying at an hotel, to book arrival transportation through the hotel. That way a car is waiting for you, and you will be immediately escorted to your room(s) upon arrival, bypassing front desk check in.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

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JerseytoBKK Advanced Member

JerseytoBKK

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1 hour ago, side said:

Trying to remember, for sure Finnair and Sri Lankan. Too many others I've arrived in Biz Class so cannot recall modus operandi of all... includes Air Canada, Cathay, Turkish, Austrian, Malaysian to name a few.

 

I suppose some will fly with the pass on board already, some do not.

Thanks for the info!

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rak sa_ngop Gold Member

rak sa_ngop

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On 11/29/2017 at 8:03 AM, dg1980 said:

My experiences with the priority lane only means you end up waiting longer for your bags to come

out.

 

no extra time gained.

Not when I fly Emirates. Bags usually there or arrive within minutes. I think they prioritise offloading premier class luggage.

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mike324 Silver Member

mike324

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On 11/29/2017 at 8:03 AM, dg1980 said:

My experiences with the priority lane only means you end up waiting longer for your bags to come

out.

 

no extra time gained.

well thats because you most likely fly economy class....

 

To the OP, get a visa in your own country. Visa on arrival if unlucky can take up to 2 hours if you arrive same time as chinese tour groups.

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