UK Passport Expiry Date Problems
I've a UK Passport expiring in May, thus less than 6 months which is a problem with travelling to some countries as they require more than 6 months validity!
I live in Thailand and my visa was expiring 22 January so I needed to leave Thailand and then re-enter to get a further one month. Of course I should have renewed my UK Passport earlier but didn't due to a number of problems!
But anyway, after checking with contacts at Thai Immigration and the Singapore Embassy, a trip was booked through (all passport details including expiry date were correctly entered on the booking form - should the airline have actually refused the booking?) flying with Scoot, departing Don Muang (DMK) in Bangkok 23:15, 22nd January to Singapore and returning with another airline from Singapore at 07:10 23rd January to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) in Bangkok! The whole trip would have been in effect a transfer without me having to clear Singapore Immigration!
So, imagine my horror when I wasn't allowed to even check-in at Don Muang and Scoot even refused any refund even though it was in effect they who cancelled my trip!
To make matters worse, a member of my Thai family had died the preceding Sunday and the funeral was Thursday 23rd January and of course I had to attend!
I am in discussion with Bravofly who of course refuse to budge so far but to be fair, the problem lies with the airline Scoot! An additional problem now is that I'm liable for a 500 THB fine per day from Thai Immigration for overstay!
A complex situation...
A satisfactory solution for all of this would be for Scoot (the airline) to organize a re-run of the trip ensuring I had absolutely nothing to pay - including immigration fines and expenses travelling to and from the airports!
Am I being fair here? I think so as I'm not asking for compensation in any way even considering all the lost time and stress involved!
To date:-
Contacted the UK's ABTA & ATOL
Filed a complaint against Scoot with Singapore Consumer Protection- will be progressed to CASE in Singapore
Filed a complaint with Thai Consumer Protection. OCPB0163/01262
Contacted BravoFly - no help but no surprise - many complaints on the internet about them!
Contacted Singapore Airlines as to my surprise, Scoot is a subsidiary of the world renowned Singapore Airlines so imho all of this does not show them in a very good light does it? Surprisingly nothing yet received in response!
Scoot also refuse any compensation (at the very least full refund). It is now apparent to myself that Scoot, being a Singapore airline, have only a limited knowledge of Singapore immigration policy especially regarding transfers (ie those who arrive in Singapore but who don't need to clear immigration as they are travelling further). Note also that there are many complaints on the internet about Scoot!
My impression so far - both BravoFly and Scoot are thieves! Also, as the passport expiry date was entered into the booking system then at the very least, Scoot should have declined the booking as it didn't fit in with their understanding of Singapore Immigration!
In my last correspondence with Scoot, I asked whether all of this would have been a problem if I had been flying from Bangkok via Singapore to the UK and so far no answer which in my eyes is Scoot seeing that they are TOTALLY IN THE WRONG with this!
As of March 10th, the following will be send to CAAT (Civil Aviation Authority Thailand), CAAS (Civil Aviation Authority Singapore and Swiss Conumer Protection!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing with regard to the following trip booked with BravoFlay aka lastminute.com
Bangkok Round trip Singapore
22 January 2020 Direct PNR: O6JIQC
23:15 DMK Duration: 2h 35m 02:50 +1 SIN
Bangkok Don Mueang International Scoot TR 867 Singapore Changi
Terminal 1 Terminal 1
Economy
23 January 2020 Direct PNR: VWR27U
07:10 SIN Duration: 2h 30m 08:40 BKK
Singapore Changi Jetstar Asia 3K 511 Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International
Terminal 1
Economy
At the time of booking/travel I had a UK Passport with less than 6 months validity remaining and these details were correctly entered into the BravoFly booking system, accpeted and also accepted by the airline Scoot!
As can be seen, the trip could have been seen as a sort of transfer and I wouldn't be required to go through Singapore Immigration as I would only be in Singapore for a very few horurs!
Imagine my horror as I attempted to check-in at Don Muang 3 hours before take-off and the Scoot people refused and in effect cancelled the whole trip!
They quoted policy this that and the other from Scoot documents but I knew they were incorrect to do so! Plus, no compensation whatsoever was offered, not even the tax paid (Around USD $20)!
I have logged most of the experience on https://jageze.blogspot.com/2020/03/beware-if-booking-with-bravofly-or.html
BravoFly also refused any form of compensation quoting the same BS excuses as Scoot did!
Please note that family contacts in Thai Immigration had told us that the trip should be ok and later contact with the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok further confirmed this!
The only compensation I originally asked for was a re-run of the whole trip (at the expense of Scoot), door to door and also that they cover all overstay fines with Thai Immigration! Fair and just isn't it?
A complaint has been filed today (18th March) with the Swiss Travel Ombudsman...
A response was received yesterday (31st March) stating the Swiss cannot proceed as it turns out the actual company is Rumbo Group, registered in Spain - the plot thickens and on I go...
Watch this space for further developments...
