Friday, August 17, 2012

Info not on website, then how I know?

So we all (ok majority of travellers) know the check-in deadline for most airlines is 45 minutes before departure, including budget carriers.

And if you assume Scoot practices the same policy, it's time to read their Conditions of Carriage NOW, or carry on reading here.


Clause 7 clearly spells out the check-in deadline to be 60 minutes.


7 – CHECK-IN / BOARDING

7.1 – CHECK-IN DEADLINE
You must present yourself for check-in with your Booking reference, Baggage, official documents and any other items necessary for travel at least sixty (60) minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight.
7.2 – BOARDING PASS AND BAGGAGE TAGS
We will issue you a boarding pass and baggage tag(s) for any Checked Baggage. Please ensure you keep these documents with you until you complete your travel with Scoot.
7.3 – BOARDING DEADLINE
You must be at the boarding gate at least forty-five (45) minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight.
7.4 – REFUSAL TO TRANSPORT
Failure to meet the deadlines specified in 7.1 and/or 7.3 may result in Scoot being unable to accept you for transport. In such case, your fare and all associated fees may be forfeited without refund, in Scoot's sole discretion. 

With no information whatsoever on its website or itinerary, the onus is on the passenger to read the "Conditions", where the Preface sets the tone for indemnity against all sorts of claims.

PREFACE
It’s very important to Scoot that the Conditions of Carriage governing our relationship are clear and understood. We therefore strongly encourage you to read this document and to seek any necessary clarification from us prior to making your purchase – Further information can be found on our website www.flyscoot.com or by calling our guest call centre. Please note that, upon completing the purchase process, you will be deemed to have read, understood and accepted these Conditions of Carriage.

A consumer has no right to contest the 60-minutes check-in deadline, but at least have it somewhere on the website. The absence of check-in information on flyscoot.com is confirmed as of 16 August.


Check-in information not on FAQ or Travel Information
Other than the three main LCCs that have been mentioned in previous posts, most if not all airlines have check-in information clearly listed or hidden somewhere on their websites. Even the notorious Ryanair says in a FAQ that its Bag Drop counters (all check-ins have to be done online) "closes strictly 40 minutes before departure".

China's first LCC Spring Airlines even has a chart showing the check-in process and deadlines. 




The check-in deadline of 45 minutes is not unique to LCCs, legacy carriers operating widebodies are also practicing the same policy, some like Thai Airways are even generous enough to extend the deadline to just 30 minutes before departure. 

Scoot clearly needs to communicate the real serious stuff better to its customers. Consumers too, should look beyond the cheap fares and get to know the details, such as the exorbitant fees - highest amongst all Singapore-based LCCs.  


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Check-in anytime anywhere

AirAsia was among the first LCCs in this region to start online/mobile check-in, and they've pushed the envelope further by opening check-in from seven days before flight to the moment your ticket is confirmed.

Reach airport two hours before flight, queue and waste precious time getting irritated by the slow-moving queue? That's so 90s.


Once the name and passport details are entered, and after declining the travel insurance option, an 'Important Notice' page will pop-up at the 5th stage of the check-in process-reminding you of the deadlines for checking of documents and luggage deposit, and other usual security notices.


While they recommend 45 mins as a cut-off time for documents check (self-printed boarding pass and passport), and do not say explicitly whether you will be denied boarding if you reach the counter later than that, I'd say 30 mins is the latest if you want to clear immigration and make it to your gate on time.

Not sure if they still handle 'counter check-in', but all of AirAsia's counters at Changi only display 'Baggage Drop'.



The last I checked, there was no need for document check at KL's LCCT.

Jetstar has an online check-in function too, but it's only open for flights 48 hours before departure, and you'll still have to go to the counter to get a proper boarding pass.


Standard check-in cut-off deadline of 40 mins apply.

Tiger and Scoot do not have web check-in facilities.