QF9 MEL-PER question

[Berlin]

Apologies if this got answered somewhere else already but I am wondering where (if at all) I will be able to buy Duty free:

I am connecting from Auckland in Melbourne and then fly on the QF9 onto Perth but understand that this part of the longer MEL-PER-LHR flight is treated as international. Does this mean that I can buy Duty free in Auckland or Melbourne? Or will I end up being security checked on arrival in Melbourne meaning that buying Duty Free in Auckland is a no go? And likewise, will they tell me upon scanning my boarding pass in Melbourne that I'm not allowed because it's a domestic sector?

Hopefully someone can help who's been on this flight before. Thanks a lot!

 

[blackcat20]

I think any duty free purchased in AKL would be confiscated at transit security in MEL.

 

[Berlin]

I think any duty free purchased in AKL would be confiscated at transit security in MEL.

That's what I feared! Now the only chance then is buying it in Melbourne but I'm afraid they might just not allow me once they see I'm on a domestic sector only.

 

[blackcat20]

That's what I feared! Now the only chance then is buying it in Melbourne but I'm afraid they might just not allow me once they see I'm on a domestic sector only.

The MEL-PER leg of QF9 is international, but you'd also have to consider transit security in Perth.

 

[Berlin]

The MEL-PER leg of QF9 is international, but you'd also have to consider transit security in Perth.

Oh no, I'm not flying on to London at all. So I'll get off in Perth- I'd assume I do Aussie customs and immigration at Perth then?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Yes, ABF and quarantine checks will be in PER for you.
Slight chance you (will or) might be put onto a domestic QF400 or upwards flight MEL - PER though.
If you are put onto QF9, it won't be classed as domestic but as an international flight, but as for duty free, they might take it off you, it's a risk.
Hopefully you get QF9 though.

 

[serfty]

There was a recent period of time where tamper proof bags were ok in Oz for international transit but this seems to have gone ...

 

[Berlin]

Yes, ABF and quarantine checks will be in PER for you.
Slight chance you (will or) might be put onto a domestic QF400 or upwards flight MEL - PER though.
If you are put onto QF9, it won't be classed as domestic but as an international flight, but as for duty free, they might take it off you, it's a risk.
Hopefully you get QF9 though.

Oh- you're saying they might bump me onto a simple domestic plane, is that happening regularly?

So- can I buy Duty free on arrival in Melbourne as long as I stay on the QF9?

 

[Berlin]

There was one period of time where tamper proof bags were ok for international transit but this seems to have gone ...

I just wouldn't risk that. But if I arrive on an international flight trans-Tasman and then fly onto Perth from the International terminal, I would hope I can buy the Duty Free in Melbourne during my transit.

 

[mannej]

Oh- you're saying they might bump me onto a simple domestic plane, is that happening regularly?

So- can I buy Duty free on arrival in Melbourne as long as I stay on the QF9?

There have been a handful of times where the MEL-PER-MEL leg has been downgraded from the 787 to a 737/330 to minimise any delays.

There is always the risk that domestic pax may end up on a domestic flight, but I wouldn't say it is a regular occurrence.

 

[TomVexille]

Just note that Dan Murphy's is usually cheaper than MEL duty free

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Transit security will scan all HLO on any flights that pass MEL international airport.
You have to pass it to get to international departures from an international flight as an international passenger at MEL T2, no bypassing it.
IF you are put onto a flight with code QF400 upwards your duty free isn't taken off you at MEL international arrivals to get to QF T1.

 

[docjames]

Oh- you're saying they might bump me onto a simple domestic plane, is that happening regularly?

So- can I buy Duty free on arrival in Melbourne as long as I stay on the QF9?

You clear customs and immigration in Perth so you could buy in Melbourne AFTER you've cleared transit security as you haven't yet "arrived" in Australia.

If the QF9 MEL-PER flight gets cancelled and you connect to a domestic flight (from the domestic terminal), you'd clear C+I in Melbourne, in which case you then buy arrivals duty free, clear C+I, collect checked bag (and place in checked bag before re-checking bag in domestic terminal).

I'd be quite relaxed about buying in MEL if it's spirits.

If you're buying wine, dont bother, the DF wine is no cheaper than retail.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Haven't ever seen a Dan Murphys in MEL T2 international secure zone.

 

[straitman]

Just note that Dan Murphy's is usually cheaper than MEL duty free

Haven't ever seen a Dan Murphys in MEL T2 international secure zone.

A lot of spirits are much cheaper DF than Dan Murphy's irrespective of where they are.

 

[blackcat20]

Haven't ever seen a Dan Murphys in MEL T2 international secure zone.

There isnt one; he's saying the prices at Duty Free are often more expensive than what you'd find at Dans.

 

[Berlin]

You clear customs and immigration in Perth so you could buy in Melbourne AFTER you've cleared transit security as you haven't yet "arrived" in Australia.
I'd be quite relaxed about buying in MEL if it's spirits.
If you're buying wine, dont bother, the DF wine is no cheaper than retail.

That first sentence is what I wanted to hear all along so thankyou for clarifying that!

And I am talking Scotch which is defo cheaper at DF, especially if you're considering it's all 1l bottles. In my opinion, Sydney is by far the worst one, Brisbane the cheapest and Melbourne like Auckland is somewhere in between. Not great but still worth it if you're a whisky drinker.

 

[Melburnian1]

...There is always the risk that domestic pax may end up on a domestic flight, but I wouldn't say it is a regular occurrence.

Not as rare as hen's teeth, but seems to only happen about once every two to three months if that. In a perfect world, it would never occur.

 

[Solid]

The other option would be to buy in Perth, either on the spot (very small shop) or pre-purchase,

As you get off QF9 in Perth you walk through the duty free section.

Done it a number of times as a domestic leg only, but of course haven’t bought anything!

 

[Bugalugz]

Did the flight the other week from NZ and had a 12 minute seat to seat connection as we were late and we were told not to go and buy duty free and make our way to the AC as it had been held for us so I missed out but at least 10 people that we were running with had bags of duty free.

They let them all through with it after they checked seals etc, but I asked the screener while I was waiting for the body scanner and he said provided its in a clear sealed bag that it was purchased with its okay to transit. None of the AKL bags were clear and sealed so that's where the issue was. 1 guy did have it and he was connecting to LHR from AKL so they must offer the service in AKL.

It's an interesting flight because other departure ports think it's a domestic connection and everyone was sold duty free and technically shouldn't have been as it should be confiscated on transit if its not packed correctly.