Doc67 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 11:26 am I recently went to Thailand and bought a fast track immigration deal for $36 from Klook
https://www.klook.com/activity/11690-su ... 36-dd1568b

In a nutshell, when you get off the plane someone is waiting for you at the end of the Walkway holding a sign with your name on it. They take a quick photo of you with the sign (to prove you were met) and then they walk you past Immigration Hall #1 and just passed that is the VOA document check desk. Next to that is a small narrow walkway with a desk and a lady who is the gatekeeper. You get through there and you then have 4 immigration desks, no queues and fully staffed. I was the only customer. I was out in 10 mins from leaving the plane.

However, this only has a time benefit as I had checked luggage. I waited for about 25 minutes before I got my bag, and I did see a few others from the plane who got out before me. Having said that, there were only about 10 people at the carousel when my bag appeared so the vast majority were still waiting in line for Immigration. If you travel with hand luggage only, this service is worth doing.

On the departure I booked with Bangkok Airport Limo for 1500thb ($35)
https://www.limousine.in.th/fast-track-immigration.php

This service meets you at your check-in area by arrangement through WhatsApp/Telegram etc. It's all very efficient and hospitable.

The lady I met went to the priority check-in desk and secured me access. She said unless you have a membership she could only ask, she said some say yes, others sometimes no. They can't control the airlines. Mine said yes (Sky Anchor Airlines).

From there I was escorted to the very end of the terminal building passed the Thai Airways check-in desks and their first class section (that has lovely cushioned pouffes to sit on while checking in!). Just beyond the luxurious cushion zone there is an entrance to the VIP section. She talked to the gatekeepers and my name was on their list. At this point we parted, all smiles and thank you's. I was f*****g thrilled at finding out that both security and immigration were included. They don't spell this out and I was unsure if this was immigration only.

Having passed the gatekeepers, I entered and enjoyed the vista of 3 empty security machines, fully staffed with one other passenger already exiting. Take your pick!

Sixty seconds later I was through and putting my shoes back on. It's amazing how quick it is when you are the only one. 50 yards further along there was a row of 3 Immigration desks with nobody waiting. The other passenger had already left. 2 minutes later I was airside.

A grand total of 15 minutes had elapsed from meeting her at my check-in area to being airside. It would have been even quicker had I not needed to drop off a box at the oversized bags counter at the rear of the hall. Again, she smoothed that process and I was dealt with without delay. I will never exit BKK again without the departure service! With checked luggage, the arrival service is a coin toss, but I still would have it.

I have travelled Biz class frequently over the years, and a couple of times First and the fast track was one of the most pleasant aspects for the 5x price of the ticket (where it was available), but I can't remember basic biz class having these perks. I'm pretty sure these perks are for First Class only, but I might be wrong.

Another thing I noticed was a sign just before the Fast Track entrance stating who is eligible. It includes those over 70, pregnant women, those with infants, Buddhist monks and a variety of other people covered by acronyms the meaning of which I couldn't fathom. I wonder if you could go through there as a family with small children and get through, but if that is you, it must be worth a try.

To sum up:
Inbound hand luggage only - Yes
Inbound checked luggage - Maybe
Outbound - YES YES YES!

Sky Anchor Airlines

While I am here, I flew Sky Anchor Airlines. It was more than Air Asia (that I loath) and Thai Viet Jet too for basic hand luggage only flights. However, I had checked luggage and Sky Anchor has an inclusive luggage allowance of TWO pieces of checked luggage up to a whopping 40KG. Plus any hand luggage and shopping bags you can carry. I bought a kitchen appliance which was in a 30cmx30cmx30cm box weighing 5kg alone, plus a bag weighing 25kg full of other crap, and they didn't bat an eyelid. If you are planning to go to BKK for some shopping, this is the airline to choose.

Another oddity is they don't have online check-in or charge for seating, not even the emergency exits. They do apparently charge for row one (which was empty and I moved myself there but got ask to move, very politely) but I don't know how you would pay for it. Their website is very clumsy and I can't find out how you can book row 1 even going direct to them. This is probably why it was empty.

If you have hand luggage only, having to queue up to check-in is probably a no-no, but if you have luggage, it makes no difference. I managed to get row 11D which is the exit row (A321) on both legs, just for asking for it. The total price was $95 outbound (thanks a bunch Vinci) and $65 inbound (the return leg booked with 3 days of travel). With the seat selection and all the luggage the cost of VietJet is about $230, so SA is much cheaper. And SA have nice cloth seats, not that nasty plastic shit.

Finally, some of the booking sites give incorrect information about the luggage: some say 40kg but don't say 2 pieces, others just say it is included, and one says 20kg. I am sure some will even try and charge you. It is 40KG in total and TWO pieces.

Alex wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:17 pm

Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:27 pm I wonder if there's a fast track service for DMK as the other night/morning the lines were ridiculously long and the wait time frustrating. Four or five international Air Asia flights arrived within minutes of each other around 4am, and being bleary eyed without much sleep, a fast track service would have been welcomed.

Bangkok Airport Limousine's fast track service is apparently available at DMK as well, but I have to admit that I don't know anyone who has used it there.

https://www.limousine.in.th/fasttrack.php

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:30 pm even before i was 70, in my 60's, i always used the fast track immigration line and never once got refused..