NZ (WLG) outbound immigration

[simongr]

Hi all

Well I am finally back on the international (?) path with an upcoming trip to AKL and WLG flying: syd-akl-wlg-syd just before Easter.

It has been a while since I was in NZ and I seem to recall some changes to the outbound process. Last time flying AKL-SYD there was a significant delay getting out of AKL with having to pay the departure tax and many many queues.

Has that changed and is that tax now included in the ticket price?

I am flying in whY (unless the points upgrad comes through) as a OWE/AA EXP with 2 colleagues who are non-statused.

A number of questions arise from this - is there an F lounge at WLG or just a QP? Is there an express/premium check in section like there is/was in AKL?

A trip report might be forthcoming from this but I am not sure... this will be the first time I have left babygr overnight...

Cheers

S

 

[serfty]

Wellington has two QP's, no F/L. One is Domestic and the other International. The international lounge is after emigration and opens about the same time customs/emigration opens.

You may have to purchase the NZD25 departure stickers ex WLG. (This is no longer an issue at AKL as there is an NZ13 for arrivals/departures payable in the Nett (

inclusive price).

 

[opusman]

When I flew out of WLG in early Jan you still had to queue up to buy the departure sticker.

 

[simongr]

Thanks for the bad news

I will warn the guys and find a QP pass for the third person on th eteam (I will guest one person with me).

Cheers

S

EDIT

Is the tax payable cash only or can you use mastercard? I recall having to pay cash at AKL for some reason...

 

[serfty]

I suggest posing the question re Departure Tax ex WLG in the "NZ Master Thread" sticky in the FlyerTalk OZ/NZ/SWP forum.

-also there was a recent thread on the FT QF forum re WLG departures ...

 

[KitKat]

When I was there in Oct last year you could use a credit card to pay for the departure tax - I think I used my Visa.. get points for this as well

 

[Flashback]

Thanks for the bad news

I will warn the guys and find a QP pass for the third person on th eteam (I will guest one person with me).

Cheers

S

EDIT

Is the tax payable cash only or can you use mastercard? I recall having to pay cash at AKL for some reason...

The last time I did this it was payable, but it charges as a cash advance. As I still had 'credit' on my Wizard MC this was not a problem for me.

Also, given it's a business lounge (not a FLounge) do you not get 2 guests? Or is it only a WP that can take 2 guests into the BL?

 

[KitKat]

Hmm, I do not recall being charged a cash advance.
I guess you could ask when paying and be prepared with NZD cash if you would like to avoid a cash advance.

 

[simongr]

The last time I did this it was payable, but it charges as a cash advance. As I still had 'credit' on my Wizard MC this was not a problem for me.

Also, given it's a business lounge (not a FLounge) do you not get 2 guests? Or is it only a WP that can take 2 guests into the BL?

Fly - The Qantas Club - Lounge Access

OWE can take one guest into the Int'l F/J or DOM QP/J lounge

Only WP can take 2 guests into the DOM QP/J lounge

 

[Flashback]

Fly - The Qantas Club - Lounge Access

OWE can take one guest into the Int'l F/J or DOM QP/J lounge

Only WP can take 2 guests into the DOM QP/J lounge

Ah, well there you go

 

[Leumas]

At the Business Class check-in counters, you can pay the departure tax via plastic (no cash). You often have to ask, but sometimes they will offer it.

Alternatively, you can queue up at the Travelex, which is near the International Departure entrance (next to the Post Shop). The queue can get long there because you've the great unwashed from other airlines too. You can pay cash or with plastic, but it shouldn't be a cash advance.

If it was a cash advance, I suggest the staff might have used the incorrect EFTPOS machine. There're 2 machines at each counter (with 2 separate numpads), one is clearly labeled for Departure Tax use. I think the other is for foreign exchange use.

 

[JohnK]

The International Qantas Lounge in WLG is rather small and gets very full, to the point of standing room only, just before the afternoon departures to MEL and SYD.

 

[abc12345678]

Last flew WLG-SYD a few weeks ago.

Departure tax payable at check-in via C/C.

The international side of the terminal only opens an hour and half before scheduled departure (..I think its an hour and a half?). You can get into the Dom QP - which is comfortable.

My experience at the Int QP is that there are more inside the QP than not. Often I would rather spend time in the "Cooked Strait" bar in the Dom terminal. The QP was so chocka when I was last there that I had to wait and pounce to claim a seat.

All the best - look forward to a TR.

Also: Not too sure about the u/g on a 73 Int route?

 

[simongr]

My experience at the Int QP is that there are more inside the QP than not. Often I would rather spend time in the "Cooked Strait" bar in the Dom terminal. The QP was so chocka when I was last there that I had to wait and pounce to claim a seat.

All the best - look forward to a TR.

Also: Not too sure about the u/g on a 73 Int route?

Well here's hoping that the global financial crisis has hit travel...

Re the u/g on the 73 int'l - did you mean you are not sure about the value of the u/g?

 

[abc12345678]

did you mean you are not sure about the value of the u/g?

Yes - in my opinion.

 

[simongr]

Due to the Amex promo I have a few spare points sloshing about (about 450K) so a little extravagance seems ok to me

You never know maybe there will be an equipment substitution to a 744

 

[serfty]

The 737 upgrade is fine for a 3½ hour flight. At least you'd get a choice of 7 or more DVD's to watch rather than main screen.

What is it, 10K QFF points?

 

[JohnK]

The 737 upgrade is fine for a 3½ hour flight. At least you'd get a choice of 7 or more DVD's to watch rather than main screen.

You get the same choice of 7 or more DVD's to watch in row 4 and possibly row 5 as well....

 

[serfty]

With the DVD's, it depends upon the aircraft; if a 73H or 733 then no.

These are only given out in WHY to rows 5 and 6 on the 16J seat 734's as the row 5 (& 6) Pax cannot easily view the over-aisle TV monitors.

 

[Flashback]

With the DVD's, it depends upon the aircraft; if a 73H or 733 then no.

These are only given out in WHY to rows 5 and 6 on the 16J seat 734's as the row 5 (& 6) Pax cannot easily view the over-aisle TV monitors.

That makes sense. When I was in the first row of whY (I think I was in 3A IIRC), there was only 2 rows of business on my WLG-MEL and I was not offered a DVD player. Needless to say I was quite sick on that flight and all I cared for was getting back to sleep as it was an OMG o'clock departure!