MEL Dom-Intl Transit on separate tickets

[JohnK]

Im not concerned about minimum connection between Dom-Intl but Murphys Law.

Flying MEL-BKK on JQ next month on a Saturday at 1:15pm and thinking of coming down from BNE that morning.

VA first flight arrives 8:40am and the next one at 10:20am where as QF first 3 flights arrive 9:40am, 10:10am and 10:40am.

If I book first flight of either carrier that leaves plenty of time to connect but very little margin for error if any delays/cancellations which happen to me regularly.

Another option is to arrive night before and stay in a MEL airport hotel but can't bring myself to book at those exhorbitant rates.

Is it worth the risk to arrive Saturday morning? I have a JQ Starter Max so can rebook but who knows when the next availability will be and I will also forfeit the Test & Go booking.

 

[jpp42]

If I book first flight of either carrier that leaves plenty of time to connect but very little margin for error if any delays/cancellations which happen to me regularly.

If you're concerned about this, I'd book the QF arriving at 9:40, giving you more chance of you still getting there by the 10:40 arrival even if one of those is cancelled.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Agree with above
Melb Ibis Airport hotel ibis budget Melbourne Airport
The photos make the rooms look bigger than they are.
Easy walk to the terminals

 

[Hvr]

but Murphys Law.

I'd actually be more concerned bout 'John's law'.
No matter how much time you leave between flights a way will be found to make you miss the plane.

I would take the chance on catching the first flight down, but only if I wasn't travelling with you.

 

[JohnK]

Agree with above
Melb Ibis Airport hotel ibis budget Melbourne Airport
The photos make the rooms look bigger than they are.
Easy walk to the terminals

You know what scares me about Melbourne Ibis airport hotel? They want $166 for 1 night.

My only reference points are the hotel in Pattaya that cost me $335 for 7 nights including breakfast for 3 and the hotel in Chiang Mai that cost me $205 for 7 nights including breakfast for 3.

@Hvr You know me too well. Nothing has changed which is why I'm worried a little. The JQ airfare was too good to pass up. Now trying to tie up loose ends.

 

[JohnK]

So I think I've sorted it all out.

Come down Friday afternoon BNE-MEL and take 901/902 bus to Campbellfield Plaza and stay 1 night in Ibis Budget Fawkner.

Saturday morning take 902/901 bus from Campbellfield Plaza to MEL Airport.

I thought I had Myki card somewhere. Im sure I can buy one MEL airport?

Biggest decision is whether to have a Champagne or beer or vodka as first drink in over 2 years?

 

[Hvr]

Im sure I can buy one MEL airport?

Looks like you can:

Airport buses - Public Transport Victoria

Several airport bus services connect the suburbs and regional centres to both Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Avalon airports.

www.ptv.vic.gov.au

You can also get the app to use on your phone:

myki Explorer - Public Transport Victoria

myki Explorer is everything you need to get started on a trip to Melbourne or greater Victoria, including a myki smartcard and maps. Pick up a myki Explorer today.

www.ptv.vic.gov.au

 

[Must...Fly!]

Just get one on your phone @JohnK

There is (was?) a myki machine on the left hand side as you come down the escalators from VA gates at MEL, opposite the first baggage carousel. Not sure if it has been moved due to the construction.

 

[Quickstatus]

1 night in Ibis Budget Fawkner

sometimes depending on location, Airbnb might be an option

Champagne or beer or vodka

After 2 years even the cheapest will taste great

Hope Post covid you are no longer jinxed by the @JohnK rule

 

[JohnK]

sometimes depending on location, Airbnb might be an option

After 2 years even the cheapest will taste great

Hope Post covid you are no longer jinxed by the @JohnK rule

I'm not yet a fan of Airbnb. Prefer cheap hotel. Ibis should be fine.

Unfortunately the @JohnK jinx is there for life. All these issues are distractions in life. I've learned to laugh.

Now I've had further thoughts. Arriving back on JQ at ~9:30am. I'm scared of booking flights on QF/VA as JQ is unreliable. I don't really want to overnight again in Melbourne.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Now I've had further thoughts. Arriving back on JQ at ~9:30am. I'm scared of booking flights on QF/VA as JQ is unreliable. I don't really want to overnight again in Melbourne.

JQ30 has been a little early recently. Other sites will have a longer history

Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24

The world’s most popular flight tracker. Track planes in real-time on our flight tracker map and get up-to-date flight status & airport information.

www.flightradar24.com

But a scheduled 09:30 arrival plenty of day time to get back to QLD on the same calendar day.

 

[JohnK]

JQ30 has been a little early recently. Other sites will have a longer history

Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24

The world’s most popular flight tracker. Track planes in real-time on our flight tracker map and get up-to-date flight status & airport information.

www.flightradar24.com

But a scheduled 09:30 arrival plenty of day time to get back to QLD on the same calendar day.

Funny how this one aged. I jinxed both JQ29 and JQ30 that day.

JQ29 was delayed nearly 3 hours but staff at BKK did a great job turning it around. In the end JQ30 only around 90 minutes late but still very tight to clear immigration wait for very slow luggage and golf clubs.

Luckily I knew of the delay early via email and @serfty helped as I quickly rebooked the award to a few hours later.

I would have just made the original connection of 3 hours but just too stressful.

I think best to avoid same day connections on separate tickets until airlines get their act together whenever that may be.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I think best to avoid same day connections on separate tickets until airlines get their act together whenever that may be.

Just came through MEL intl yesterday, luggage for the early morning arrivals only started coming onto the belts an hour or so after landing.

 

[JohnK]

Just came through MEL intl yesterday, luggage for the early morning arrivals only started coming onto the belts an hour or so after landing.

That was my experience too.

Outsourcing is not the way to go. Poor mistake to save a few dollars.

 

[justinbrett]

That was my experience too.

Outsourcing is not the way to go. Poor mistake to save a few dollars.

Hasn’t dnata been handling QFi for quite a long time? Happy to be corrected if not.

 

[JohnK]

Hasn’t dnata been handling QFi for quite a long time? Happy to be corrected if not.

Was speaking to the person in SYD T3 who was handling my delayed baggage and he said these were recent changes.

Maybe I misunderstood. But there's a difference between being an employee for Qantas with some sort of future as opposed to a worker/contractor working for the external company.

 

[justinbrett]

Was speaking to the person in SYD T3 who was handling my delayed baggage and he said these were recent changes.

Maybe I misunderstood. But there's a difference between being an employee for Qantas with some sort of future as opposed to a worker/contractor working for the external company.

T3 yes, T2 no.

 

[JohnK]

T3 yes, T2 no.

You mean Virgin?

 

[Quickstatus]

employee for Qantas with some sort of future

I don't think job security is a "thing" at the airline

 

[JohnK]

I don't think job security is a "thing" at the airline

Only for highly paid executives.

There's a misconception in the current world thinking that only highly paid executives can run a business. What a load of hogwash.