Check in policy MEL/SYD/NRT

[Rae]

I'm a platinum and hubby is a gold QFF. We're travelling business class MEL/SYD/NRT on Saturday.

We normally fly direct internationally out of Melbourne. On this occassion, the MEL/SYD is a standard domestic flight so we'll transfer to the Sydney international terminal on arrival. With only one hour to transfer it doesn't leave much time (if any) to check out the First lounge in Sydney.

Anyway... uh... my questions:

1) Can we check in at the first check in counter in Melbourne or do we have to check in at the domestic counter

2) Can we access the Melbourne First lounge? Having only been there once I can't remember if it's located through immigration or not.

Thanks all!

 

[Mwenenzi]

1) Can we check in at the first check in counter in Melbourne or do we have to check in at the domestic counter

You say you are on standard domestic flight so NO First check in. Domestic in MEL, if that is where your flight leaves from.

1) 2) Can we access the Melbourne First lounge? Having only been there once I can't remember if it's located through immigration or not.

From your comments above you will leave MEL from the domestic teriminal so no access to Flounge (thats in the interntionial terminal, after immigration). Or is your MEL-SYD from the MEL intl terminal and not a standard domestic flight ?
Whats the flight number ?

 

[Rae]

QF408. Domestic.

 

[Mal]

1 hour is a pretty short transfer at Sydney. You'll probably get about 5 minutes in the lounge!

In Melbourne, you check in at the domestic check-in. There should be a counter for "International connections" or something similar, but I believe you can check in normally through your Business check-in as well. They'll check your passport and give you your boarding passes for both flights. Ensure they give you your Outbound immigration card (or ask at the lounge for that). Otherwise you'll be delayed slightly while tracking one down in Sydney.

In both Sydney and Melbourne, the F lounges are in the International sterile area, so you will not be able to access them unless you've been through outbound immigration.

Once in Sydney, you walk down to Gate 1, then transfer via the bus. Some instructions here: Flying with Us - At the Airport - Airport Guide - Sydney International Airport (T1) if you havn't done it before. Ensure that you collect "Express Pass" immigration passes from the Transfer desk. These allow you expediated outbound immigration (at the far end of the immigration desks) and also quick security scanning.

There is also the shortcut into the F lounge available by walking up the stairs located just after security on the right hand side (before the duty free). They are a bit hidden, but lead you upstairs just outside the Business lounge, and it's a very short walk to the F lounge.

If your tickets are flexible (and your plans too), perhaps you could see if you can get an earlier flight from Melbourne. A 1 hour terminal change at Sydney is pretty rushed.

 

[Rae]

Thanks so much for that. I'll definitely remember to ask for the Express Passes at the transfer desk to help minimise transfer time. It's an early AM flight - I'm not so desperate for hubby to see the lounge that I'm willing to get up an hour earlier

 

[Shano]

Transfer buses (typically) leave every 20 minutes, which can cut into your 60 minute transfer time.

I tend to allow at least 90 minutes, so as Mal suggested it is worth trying to get an earlier flight.

 

[serfty]

As Mal posted, there is an domestic cnx to international flight check in; it's down slightly towards the Jetstar end, just past the Bisiness class check-ins.

I assume it's QF167, departing SYD at 9:05am.

Boarding will commence around 8:35am.

From that I guess you are booked on QF404, departing MEL @ 6:30am.

It's a really tight connection but they will hold the flight for you if delayed somewhat.

At that time of morning the transfer bus runs ever 10 minutes. So if your flight is on time into SYD you would probably catch the 8am bus; this will see you in the emigration queue around 8:15 - you would still be heading straight to the gate. I would see if you could obtain the Express lane passes, either when chaining in in MEL of from the T3-T1 transfer desk in SYD.

If all the above is true; I would at least try to change to the first flight at 6am - this gives a further 30 minutes leeway.

 

[Rae]

I should have been more specific on times. It's more like 1h25m in Sydney:

Sat April 05
QF408 MEL 0700 / SYD 0820
JL 772 SYD 0945 / NRT 1720

I booked a DONE4 - I assume I can change the flight time for Mel/Syd quite easily?

Other than 4 days off in Cairo last year, this is our first proper holiday in years. We should be trying to make the most of it with the lounges etc probably.

We're flying SYD/MEL/NRT/LHR - LGW/VCE - FCO/MAD/JFK/LAX/MEL

 

[opusman]

Why not go up to Sydney the night before, have a nice meal somewhere and you don't have to rush so much the next morning

 

[Rae]

Because we're from Melbourne so it's in our blood to avoid Sydney as much as possible

I go to Sydney once a month or thereabouts already. Thats' about 10 times more a year than I'd like.

 

[serfty]

... I booked a DONE4 - I assume I can change the flight time for Mel/Syd quite easily? ...

Since you are commening on Oz (TC3), you should be able to do this at no fare penalty.

16. VOLUNTARY CHANGES/REROUTING/PENALTIES
    (a) Rebooking/Rerouting
        (1) Prior to departure
            (a) Origin TC1
...

            (b) Origin TC2/3
                Unlimited changes permitted without charge.
                Date/Time/oneworld carrier changes are permitted 
                without reissue provided Origin/destination/connecting 
                points and inventory remain the same.
            -------------
            Local service fees may apply

Presuming boarding still starts ½ hours before scheduled departure that still only gives 55 minutes of scheduled transfer time.

With the 8:30am bus you should be at emigration ~¼ to 9 - Flying JL, I'm not sure you'll be eligible for an Express pass.

mrs serfty and I are embarking on a LONE4 in June, MEL-SYD-JFK and we have booked QF400 for the 10:20 QF107 departure. That's about the least time I'd allow for such a transfer.

(We Decided not to o/night in SYD as a trade off between accommodation costs and the early night and departure helping us to acclimatise to US times).

 

[Rae]

Thanks all for your suggestions. I have changed to QF400 which will give us an extra hour in Sydney and less stress too of course.

Serfty: Any reason why you think the express pass won't be obtainable for the JL flight? It's a JL flight number but the whole flight was booked via Qantas.

 

[serfty]

I was just not sure it's a oneworld thing or JL being a participant in their own right.

It should not hurt to ask for one anyway.

 

[Mal]

I was just not sure it's a oneworld thing or JL being a participant in their own right.

Per this previous post http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...syd-express-immigration-11490.html#post158612 it appears JL is part of the scheme (at least for inbound).

When transferring in Sydney, I normally hand boarding pass to staffer, they scan it, and then I ask "Do you have any of the Express Passes available"? and point to my WP status on the pass. They then hand me one from their pile.

 

[Rae]

Thanks Mal. I'll enquire about the express pass for sure