Access to QF First Class Checkin

[ishin1]

Hi...have a MEL-SYD-LHR-PRA flight booked on QF in a few weeks......SYD-LHR is in F...but MEL-SYD is J (had to route via SYD onto QF1......do I have access to the First Class checkin in MEL..or do I have to use the domestic international transfer checkin desk?..and I assume in LHR I have access to BA galleries First for my LHR-PRA (BA J) leg (same day)?

Much appreciated.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi...have a MEL-SYD-LHR-PRA flight booked on QF in a few weeks......SYD-LHR is in F...but MEL-SYD is J (had to route via SYD onto QF1......do I have access to the First Class checkin in MEL..or do I have to use the domestic international transfer checkin desk?..and I assume in LHR I have access to BA galleries First for my LHR-PRA (BA J) leg (same day)?

Much appreciated.

Use the international checkin desk at MEL Domestic. No access to MEL F check in. You can swing by SYD F if you like but there will be no need to do so.
As you arrive on long haul F you will have access to F lounge at LHR. Be prepared to prove this access at LHR with BP and maybe even a copy of the One World lounge rules (BA can sometimes be a bit recalcitrant with these things).

 

[whughes3]

Use the international checkin desk at MEL Domestic. .

Actually, just use the regular "Business" domestic checkin; the line will usually be much shorter.

 

[Hvr]

Actually, just use the regular "Business" domestic checkin; the line will usually be much shorter.

If you can do HLO then just check in at the MEL J lounge.

 

[ishin1]

Hi..many thanks for the replies so far....my problem is that my wife's eyes glossed over with the kerbside velvet rope in Melbourne! (call it a wish list thing!)....I didn't realize that we couldn't use the first class check in in MEL...so..new plan (I hope..and don't laugh!)....I'm using an AA award..so can I just check in the first leg MEL-SYD in domestic amd don't check out bags through to LHR..pick up our bags at SYD...take the train domestic to international......and check in for SYD - LHR at kerbside??...I know it's a bit convoluted....

Appreciate your input.

 

[Quickstatus]

Hi..many thanks for the replies so far....my problem is that my wife's eyes glossed over with the kerbside velvet rope in Melbourne! (call it a wish list thing!)....I didn't realize that we couldn't use the first class check in in MEL...so..new plan (I hope..and don't laugh!)....I'm using an AA award..so can I just check in the first leg MEL-SYD in domestic amd don't check out bags through to LHR..pick up our bags at SYD...take the train domestic to international......and check in for SYD - LHR at kerbside??...I know it's a bit convoluted....

Appreciate your input.

Refer to this for T3 (Dom) to T1 (Int) Qantas transfer:

Sydney Domestic Airport (T2) Guide | Qantas.

In a nutshell: Going out of the country don't have to pick up and recheck bags at the intermediate domestic airport. Coming back into the country, pickup bags and drop off at the intermediate dom airport. I think In both directions bags should be checked through to the final destination. For QF to QF/oneworld only. JQ not covered

 

[ishin1]

Ah..I think I get it now.....checkin the domestic leg in MEL and have the bags tagged to LHR...then transfer via the bus in SYD to International and then checkin the SYD-LHR at First??..(keeps my partner happy and satisfies her velvet rope wish)

 

[Quickstatus]

If you like. the SYD F check in is behind a marble enclosure.

The best would be to swan through customs/duty free then take escalator up to lounges. The entrance to F lounge is just at the top landing of the escalator while those in business lounge have to walk past the F lounge entrance down the walk of shame to the business lounge.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Ah..I think I get it now.....checkin the domestic leg in MEL and have the bags tagged to LHR...then transfer via the bus in SYD to International and then checkin the SYD-LHR at First??..(keeps my partner happy and satisfies her velvet rope wish)

No, not quite. You can't check bags through for a flight unless you are checked into it. At MEL you will get BP for LHR.
If you really want the F check-in experience the closest you will get is checking in at MEL domestic and do a pit-stop at SYD F check-in (they have comfy chairs to sit in) to complete your departure cards. It might look a little weird but maybe look lost and ask if you need to do anything there (waving F BP's).
This is what I would do if your wife really wants to experience F check-in. You could also ask the check in staff at F to call ahead to the lounge and request a window table for you.

 

[Quickstatus]

No, not quite. You can't check bags through for a flight unless you are checked into it..

It is possible.

Earlier this year I checked in at DEN for my flights DEN-LAX. On a separate PNR, I had LAX-MEL-SYD.

AEagle could only check me in with BP to LAX. They could not "see " my QF flight back to SYD. However they could tag my bags through to SYD.

At LAX, I checked in for the LAX-MEL-SYD and received boarding passes for them. I did have to pick up bags at LAX.

I also gave QF agents the baggage tag numbers so they could insert them into the system. I'm advised by the agent that The baggage tag numbers don't necessarily transfer from AEagle computer to QF computer. They would be eventually scanned by Baggage handlers for the QF flight but if they didn't arrive at the aircraft, QF Would not know of their existence.

 

[JohnPhelan]

It is possible.

Not in Australia, for a QF to QF connection. What you can do is only check in for the domestic leg (MEL-SYD), collect bags in SYD, train it to international and check-in for the international leg. I've done this once (long story).

But you need to leave several hours between domestic arrival and international departure.

And to the OP - sadly, there is no kerbside F check-in with velvet ropes at SYD international. It's in the middle of the terminal, though has marble walls and looks more like a mini-lounge.

 

[Deleted member]

I suppose if you were to overnight in Sydney. Then check in the following day you could do the velvet rope thing .....

 

[whughes3]

Actually, just use the regular "Business" domestic checkin; the line will usually be much shorter.

EG. this morning; the international checkin line had about 20 people in it; the Business line was me!

 

[LA10]

Not in Australia, for a QF to QF connection. What you can do is only check in for the domestic leg (MEL-SYD), collect bags in SYD, train it to international and check-in for the international leg. I've done this once (long story).

But you need to leave several hours between domestic arrival and international departure.

.

How long would you anticipate this to take? An hour from collecting bags, train to F check in? Thanks

 

[medhead]

Late to the party but Syd F check in isn't curbside. I've been to the Mel F once, and it isn't that good. I'd recommend just checking in the entire way at MEL domestic, then go into the F booth in SYD to ask for express passes. Or perhaps being F arrange for the first host to meet you curbside and do their thing. Actually, won't an F person call the OP to make such arrangements? Just discuss options with them when they call.

How long would you anticipate this to take? An hour from collecting bags, train to F check in? Thanks

I'd allow 20 to 30 minutes to collect bags at SYD domestic. The trains are no longer than 15 minutes apart, 5 minutes of walking. After collecting bags it could be 25 minutes to F check in. If you can have the bags checked through I'd do that. F check in is just like the standard check in except with a wall and carpet.

 

[Quickstatus]

QF F checkin is nothing special - just the normal checkin with a commercial carpet and a wrap around wall.

Do it once get over it.

I prefer to checkin at the counter with the shortest queue. Sometimes the J checkin is faster.

 

[LA10]

Thanks for the responses. Will just check in from melbourne then and pop by the F check in area in Syd for the express docs.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks for the responses. Will just check in from melbourne then and pop by the F check in area in Syd for the express docs.

That's by far the most sensible solution

 

[medhead]

Thanks for the responses. Will just check in from melbourne then and pop by the F check in area in Syd for the express docs.

You'll be allowed to use the free Qantas bus in that case. The train is $6 each way. Depending on the time of day the train might be marginally quicker if you don't have to collect luggage. But it's probably worth sticking with the bus.

 

[Hvr]

Thanks for the responses. Will just check in from melbourne then and pop by the F check in area in Syd for the express docs.

You will get the express docs at Melbourne check in.