A (very) abridged LLONE4 report

[Will]

Just returned home from the first two weeks of a LLONE4, with a nested point-point to get me home.

Thought I'd share a few observations and musings on my trip so far, which has consisted of:
QF702 MEL-CNS
QF69 CNS-NRT
JL471 NRT-DEL
CX752 DEL-HKG
CX735 HKG-SIN
QF82 SIN-ADL
QF676 ADL-MEL

Unfortunately ATM I don't have time to write a full trip report, but there were a few interesting things I wanted to comment on.

- QF international check-in queues appear to be somewhat different to published rules. As you can see from the photos, the business check-in is restricted to Gold members, and Silver members (and QP) are directed to use the premium economy line. Didn't get a chance to ask about it, but I am sure that OW Ruby and QP are entitled to check-in at business counters... Maybe another 'enhancement' of QP membership?

- JL and CX both invited premium cabin and OW Emerald, Sapphire AND Ruby to board at leisure. It was unexpected but very welcome!

- Delhi airport is a disaster. I arrived very early (about 2130 for an 0400 flight), but because of 'security' the army won't let anyone enter the departure hall with the check-in counters until 4 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. So I had to sit in a scungy hall across the road for 3.5 hours - with no security of any kind protecting it! So they have a soft target 50m away from the terminal, where 100s of pax are waiting to check-in. I know most airport security is all for show, but this was just ridiculous.

- The airport lounges at Delhi are all 3rd party, but I was able to gain access through a promotion they are running with Mastercard - any MC Platinum or Gold cardholder was given complimentary entry. I don't have either of those cards, but the Wizard Clear Advantage MC is an orangey sort of colour, and that was enough for the girl on the desk! Score! Yet another benefit of the Wizard card

- At HKG I was connecting to a CX flight to SIN, then QF through to ADL - but the lovely lounge staff granted access on the basis of my QP membership. On a strict interpretation of the rules, I thought I would be ineligible, but they said because I had an onward QF connection they were happy to give access. Yet another unexpected bonus!

- IME, Cabin crew on QF were happy to hand out J amenity kits when asked nicely

- Secondary screening at the gate in SIN was taking place yesterday - so don't bother filling up your water bottle in the lounge.

More comments to come...

 

[tuapekastar]

QF international check-in queues appear to be somewhat different to published rules. As you can see from the photos, the business check-in is restricted to Gold members, and Silver members (and QP) are directed to use the premium economy line. Didn't get a chance to ask about it, but I am sure that OW Ruby and QP are entitled to check-in at business counters... Maybe another 'enhancement' of QP membership?

Surprising (and disappointing) that this is happening, particularly when, as you state, it differs from what is published on qantas.com.

At which airport were the photos taken?

PS. I wonder where WPs check in? :shock: (in the F line I guess...where one exists)

 

[Will]

Surprising (and disappointing) that this is happening, particularly when, as you state, it differs from what is published on qantas.com.

At which airport were the photos taken?

PS. I wonder where WPs check in? :shock: (in the F line I guess...where one exists)

These were at MEL; I wasn't checking in internationally there so I couldn't test it. There was a separate F line, I just didn't photograph it.

 

[MelUser]

Wil,

Did you request and get any Y-J points upgrades?

 

[Will]

Meluser,

No. I'm saving them up for the 96,000 Y-J on the LHR-MEL at the end (have to start work at 0800 the morning after landing on QF30 at 21:40...)

 

[JohnK]

- QF international check-in queues appear to be somewhat different to published rules. As you can see from the photos, the business check-in is restricted to Gold members, and Silver members (and QP) are directed to use the premium economy line. Didn't get a chance to ask about it, but I am sure that OW Ruby and QP are entitled to check-in at business counters... Maybe another 'enhancement' of QP membership?

That is very interesting. According to the Oneworld website privileges of Oneworld tier status a OW Ruby is entitled to Business Class priority check-in. I did not think individual airlines could downgrade standard Oneworld privileges. Can they?

 

[Evan]

That is very interesting. According to the Oneworld website privileges of Oneworld tier status a OW Ruby is entitled to Business Class priority check-in. I did not think individual airlines could downgrade standard Oneworld privileges. Can they?

That is indeed interesting so get the J line and point out your rights when you get there but i think the airline FF program you belong to overrides the OW allowances good or bad i could imagine, but if you were not QFF and you were AA i would say there is now way you should not be allowed.

Maybe waiting for some wording to change about instead on business checking, premium checking be that PE or business.

E

 

[tuapekastar]

It's a bit murky.

From the QF website:

Silver membership privileges

• Priority check-in at The Qantas Club or Business counters regardless of the class you are flying.

Does this imply that if a QP checkin exists you must use that rather than J checkin? Or whichever you choose, assuming both exist.

From Qantas Club benefit section:

Dedicated check-in

To help avoid queues, members may use The Qantas Club priority check-in areas available at most airports. If there is no dedicated Qantas Club check-in, you may check in at the Business counter before any Qantas flight, regardless of your fare class. You must be travelling on a Qantas operated service with a Qantas flight number.

Seems from the photo provided that maybe the 'Qantas Club' checkin can be defined anyway QF pleases (and include Silver and PE), and that Silver then defaults to that?

What does 'dedicated' mean in this context? Solely allocated to QP, or QP plus PE etc?

It looks like QF may have it covered from their angle, but from a OW perspective, there appears to be, as previously stated, some conflict.