Am I nuts...Accessing Syd First Lounge before Dom Flight

[NoName]

No idea of the actual logistics of doing it but surely returning to immigration would be no issue at all other than a few raised eyebrows and maybe a talking to? People would have to go from departures back to immigration all the time for any number of reasons. Decided at the last minute they didn't want to travel, sudden family/personal emergency etc. I'm sure it would be common enough.

 

[amaroo]

One of life's gifts to a FF ... however, it was QF19 - now deceased

 

[smit0847]

You will not be able to get through transit security nor into the Flounge without an onward boarding pass for a QF group flight departing from the international terminal. It's not a 'maybe it will work' scenario, it's two check points you will not be able to pass.

 

[serfty]

1. On arrival from an international flight such as WLG-SYD, you will be able to go through transit/transfer security. (I have never had my credentials checked when doing so at an Australian port.)

2. They will not let you into the First lounge with a T3 BP.

3. You will then need to get someone to escort you back to the Arrivals level.

4. From there you will be processed by immigration/customs during wich you collect your bags.

5. You then head to the 'seamless' transfer hall and the bus to T3.

 

[Simo]

Sorry you will have to wait for a International flight out of Sydney or Melbourne to be able to us the lounge... Also your WP status won't take effect until a few days after..

 

[Shamrock55]

I am 100% sure I would have been able to get upstairs to departures after going through the Int transfer security as they never check for boarding passes, but after I saw the posts about needing an international boarding pass to get in the F Lounge I didnt bother trying. Glad I did as the "seemless" transfer took ages so I would have had probably only 30 minutes of fun followed by stress trying to get over to the domestic terminal.

I made WP a few weeks back but this is my first trip since then. Looking forward to checking out the F lounge tomorrow afternoon in a relaxed manner on my way back to NZ, might double check with the entry staff about needing an international BP to enter but it sounds very unlikely that this isn the case.

On a tangent, why do they give you Express Arrival cards when there is no express immigration lane at Sydney in operation when the WLG flight arrives?

 

[BD1959]

On a tangent, why do they give you Express Arrival cards when there is no express immigration lane at Sydney in operation when the WLG flight arrives?

They're "thorough"!!

Regards,

BD

 

[Shamrock55]

Lady on reception confirmed yesterday you need an International Pass to get into the lounge, she has never seen any domestic people sneak up there

I also don't get what the fuss is about. I had dinner and a couple of drinks then went down to the Emirates lounge, far nicer! The First lounge wasnt all that its made out to be at all.

 

[Altair]

Lady on reception confirmed yesterday you need an International Pass to get into the lounge, she has never seen any domestic people sneak up there

I also don't get what the fuss is about. I had dinner and a couple of drinks then went down to the Emirates lounge, far nicer! The First lounge wasnt all that its made out to be at all.

I found the food much nicer in the First Lounge, it has been a years since I was last there, the ambience/décor is also my preference, better showers. I have not had a spa treatment there in over 5 years, always booked out.
The Emirates Lounge food just does not do it for me, although much better than the QF Qantas Club, so I will be making the trip to it in a couple of weeks. I miss my WP status

 

[harvyk]

On a tangent, why do they give you Express Arrival cards when there is no express immigration lane at Sydney in operation when the WLG flight arrives?

Express arrival is the biggest waste of space. Back in the bad old days pre-smart gate, there was advantage in using express arrivals, these days express arrivals is slower than simply using smart gate. Plus frequently I've found aqis take no notice of express passes when choosing a lane for inspection. Only once have I seen an official say "well this isn't exactly express" and directed the so called express lane out first.

Lady on reception confirmed yesterday you need an International Pass to get into the lounge, she has never seen any domestic people sneak up there

I also don't get what the fuss is about. I had dinner and a couple of drinks then went down to the Emirates lounge, far nicer! The First lounge wasnt all that its made out to be at all.

Mrs Harvyk was the same, she was very "meh" about the FLounge, but quite liked the EK lounge at SYD. It's probably because QF is very understated in it's lounges and EK are bling central. I prefer the view from the FLounge and of course the sit down restaurant, but I have to admit, EK does a better job of making lounges look and feel special and not just like another waiting room.

 

[Shan Man]

Where in the QF Lounge access rules does it say "Must be departing from the same terminal as the Lounge is in". My understanding is only requirement is next flight must be QF, EK, JQ or Oneworld and doesn't specify it needing to be Intl/Dom ETC.

If the OP could get to the doors, they should be allowed in.

 

[RichardMEL]

Going a bit off topic but I find the EK SYD lounge to be meh and a bit dreary with the food so-so.

Still everyone's different in what they prefer

I prefer the MEL QF F lounge as it's smaller so the atmosphere is a bit more exclusive/intimate (but obviously can get far more fuller at peak times, but I've never felt horribly crowded in there). SYD is far bigger but busier and the wait staff are less personal IMHO. The food is just as good though.

Since the reduction in the premium bev dept (eg the bubbles) it's not as great, but still overall the view and the food would swing it the SYD F lounge way for me.

however I wouldn't bother to try to go through transit with a dom BP to try and access it.

 

[kermatu]

...I prefer the MEL QF F lounge as it's smaller so the atmosphere is a bit more exclusive/intimate (but obviously can get far more fuller at peak times, but I've never felt horribly crowded in there). SYD is far bigger but busier and the wait staff are less personal IMHO. The food is just as good though.

Since the reduction in the premium bev dept (eg the bubbles) it's not as great, but still overall the view and the food would swing it the SYD F lounge way for me.

however I wouldn't bother to try to go through transit with a dom BP to try and access it.

My two most recent visits to MEL have seen the FLounge get very crowded and borderline 'uncomfortable' - a wait (albeit short) for a table; and different parties having to share seating space. Not helped by some people leaving their stuff on a comfy seat and then going and occupying table in the dining area - but that's another issue.

The downsides for me are that when the lounges are most comfortable (ie, quiet) the spa is rarely open. Understandable of course! Better view and slightly better drinks make me give SYD the slight edge.

Back on topic I agree, wouldn't see the value of trying to get into a lounge before a DOM transfer.

 

[harvyk]

Where in the QF Lounge access rules does it say "Must be departing from the same terminal as the Lounge is in". My understanding is only requirement is next flight must be QF, EK, JQ or Oneworld and doesn't specify it needing to be Intl/Dom ETC.

If the OP could get to the doors, they should be allowed in.

Whilst you may be technically right based on the rule book, it is against the general spirit of the rules, and there are a variety of rules in the T&C's which they may be able to enact, for example rules which state they can deny access if that access is likely to affect operations. You being in the wrong terminal could easily affect operations.

I've been on a few FLounge runs, were we would use a legitimate dom from int flight to gain access. We've always been very aware that it was pushing the boundaries of the spirit of the rules, and also been aware that if we don't behave ourselves on such runs, we did risk QF deciding FLounge access for Int flights only.