Air Canada MEL-SYD-YVR questions

[maninblack]

I am thinking of using this service soon. Interestingly when you book this ticket through AC they fly you on Qantas MEL-SYD. Does anybody know the following. Can't get a very clear answer from AC!

Are bags checked through from MEL to YVR?
Do you get your SYD-YVR boarding pass in MEL?
Is the transfer from SYD domestic terminal to the International terminal on the Qantas airside bus or do you have to take that outside bus?
If the latter do you get the outside bus then get you boarding pass SYD-YVR at the normal AC check in counter and then go through immigration?

Hmm. Anyone done it or know?

 

[wywk]

As far as I know Qantas and Air Canada are not affiliated with each other. But since you booked your tickets through AC and they put you on a Qantas flight, there is a high chance they may have some sort of arrangement. If this is the case, they should be able to give you boarding passes for both your flights. Best thing to do is ask them when you check in for your Sydney bound flight.

However I doubt you will be able to check your bags through as you are switching from a domestic to an international flight. You will most probably have to collect them in Sydney, transfer to the International Terminal and check them in. Maybe you could give AC a call and find out or even Qantas. They should be able to give you more info.

As for terminal transfer in Sydney, the domestic and international are not close together...there are a few options available. You can take the T-Bus which is a shuttle and it costs about $5 one way, and it takes about 10 mins. You can catch a taxi and that would cost you around $8-10. Or catch the Airport Link Train and that's about $5 too. I have taken the train before and it's just 1 stop and hassle free, it was easy.

Now there is a Qantas transfer/shuttle service that you can use if you are transferring between a Qantas domestic and International flight, but you may want to double check that since you are flying with AC instead.

Hope this helps.

I am thinking of using this service soon. Interestingly when you book this ticket through AC they fly you on Qantas MEL-SYD. Does anybody know the following. Can't get a very clear answer from AC!

Are bags checked through from MEL to YVR?
Do you get your SYD-YVR boarding pass in MEL?
Is the transfer from SYD domestic terminal to the International terminal on the Qantas airside bus or do you have to take that outside bus?
If the latter do you get the outside bus then get you boarding pass SYD-YVR at the normal AC check in counter and then go through immigration?

Hmm. Anyone done it or know?

 

[gilby08]

As those 2 carriers have an interline agreement QF will be able to tag bags all the way from MEL-YVR..

As for the BP's i don't think QF will be able to get them.. So you'd have to make your way the paid bus/train to the international terminal and re-checkin, but you'll have the bag tag receipt there...

That's how this flight goes AFAIK.

 

[kiwitripper64]

Do you get status credits for tha Air Canada segment, LAX-YVR if you have booked the entire trip through QF? Even though they are *alliance?

 

[Pointy_End]

I have flown BNE-SYD-YVR return on several occasions either on one ticket or separate e-tickets for QF and AC flights.

QF BNE Domestic terminal has a dedicated International connections check-in counter and they have always checked my bags through to YVR. Boarding passes for AC34 can only be issued at the AC check-in counter in SYD. You just need to keep the baggage claim check with the bag weights to show AC staff at international check-in.

I have always transferred between QF SYD domestic and the International terminal using the free QF airside Bus service. This is complimentary to all QF SYD domestic arriving and QF SYD departing pax who are departing on either Qantas or non-Qantas international carriers, or arriving into SYD on non-Qantas carriers such as AC. For QF Domestic pax you just show the QF staff at the Domestic Transfer counter (opposite Gate 2) your baggage claim checks and then it's a walk downstairs to the waiting area for the next bus to depart for the International Terminal. Once at the International terminal you walk upstairs to AC check-in counters to receive your boarding pass and then it's on through to customs and security. For Business or Star Alliance Gold pax you get access to the Air NZ lounge - very nice too

QF MEL Domestic also has such a check-in counter for international connections. The Qantas website states: Check-in for economy passengers with International connections is available from counters 37 and 38.

Hope that all makes sense/helps.

 

[Pointy_End]

Do you get status credits for tha Air Canada segment, LAX-YVR if you have booked the entire trip through QF? Even though they are *alliance?

No SC for AC segment... as you say the SYD-YVR flight is a *alliance flight and not a QF, QF code-share nor a OW segment.

 

[Roger787]

As a matter of interest, I've wondered why Melbourne people don't fly direct to LA (e.g. with QF) and then on to any Canadian city with another carrier. This would avoid a domestic leg in Australia.

 

[oz_mark]

As a matter of interest, I've wondered why Melbourne people don't fly direct to LA (e.g. with QF) and then on to any Canadian city with another carrier. This would avoid a domestic leg in Australia.

The idea is to avoid going through LA.

 

[Pointy_End]

The idea is to avoid going through LA.

Or in my case (where I can fly BNE-LAX direct with QF also) I choose SYD-YVR just to avoid the USA and associated immigration/security in general.

Only a few years ago AC used to fly 767 SYD-HNL-YVR. The transit in HNL still required USA immigration/security formalities evn though we weren't leaving the airport in HNL or onward journey to the USA mainland. The direct SYD-YVR flights are now more attractive.

 

[maninblack]

I have flown BNE-SYD-YVR return on several occasions either on one ticket or separate e-tickets for QF and AC flights.

QF BNE Domestic terminal has a dedicated International connections check-in counter and they have always checked my bags through to YVR. Boarding passes for AC34 can only be issued at the AC check-in counter in SYD. You just need to keep the baggage claim check with the bag weights to show AC staff at international check-in.

I have always transferred between QF SYD domestic and the International terminal using the free QF airside Bus service. This is complimentary to all QF SYD domestic arriving and QF SYD departing pax who are departing on either Qantas or non-Qantas international carriers, or arriving into SYD on non-Qantas carriers such as AC. For QF Domestic pax you just show the QF staff at the Domestic Transfer counter (opposite Gate 2) your baggage claim checks and then it's a walk downstairs to the waiting area for the next bus to depart for the International Terminal. Once at the International terminal you walk upstairs to AC check-in counters to receive your boarding pass and then it's on through to customs and security. For Business or Star Alliance Gold pax you get access to the Air NZ lounge - very nice too

QF MEL Domestic also has such a check-in counter for international connections. The Qantas website states: Check-in for economy passengers with International connections is available from counters 37 and 38.

Hope that all makes sense/helps.

Someone more knowledgeable from Air Canada did get back to me on Friday and confirms all that you say.

Funny but despite so many flights over the years it is a long time since I have done this type of SYD transfer non QF/oneworld.

And yes its about both $$$ and convenience. 7 business class passengers on AC compared to QF is a whopping difference if you want refundable tickets.