EK F MEL-AKL, better to check in in person at 4.30am on day of flight?

[AustraliaPoochie]

For full effectiveness of feeling the wow factor for that flight.
Or do OLCI?
What do you colleagues do?
Have preferred seat already set in the QF booking process already.
Have a QF issued e-ticket already.

 

[Simo]

For the wow factor do it all in person. But make sure your seats are done well before the flight.

 

[Austman]

There is just about ZERO wow factor at EK F-class check-in in MEL. For me it was one of the poorest check-in experiences I've ever had! By a contract staffer who should not be working any F-class check-in desk, anywhere.

 

[TomVexille]

For the wow factor do it all in person. But make sure your seats are done well before the flight.

And check on the EK website that your QF selection stuck.

 

[Christoo]

If you're planning on gracing the Qantas F lounge, it's not open that early. You will have to slum it in the EK gold lounge, once the departures are opens which I think is 5am

 

[incumbent]

Enjoy the flight, AustraliaPoochie. I look forward to a trip report. It's easy to forget just how exciting that first First trip can be.

 

[TomVexille]

If you're planning on gracing the Qantas F lounge, it's not open that early. You will have to slum it in the EK gold lounge, once the departures are opens which I think is 5am

6:15 according to the website.

 

[Christoo]

6:15 according to the website.

That sounds about right, I normally have a coffee in the EK lounge then head to the F lounge for some brekkie.

 

[eminere]

If wishing to check in at the airport note you will have to check in at the EK counters (not QF) as your flight is operated by EK.

EK check-in counters open 3 hours prior to flight departure.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I am overnighting in MEL 24/12.
Also, I found out the secret way from the QF int J lounge way to get to the QF int F lounge.
Thanks, all info noted.
I have taken the first QF flight from MEL - WLG Oct this year, departures opened 5.20am, those non see through doors with the guy taking a cursory look at BP and passports.

 

[TomVexille]

I wouldn't bother with QF J Pooch, just head to EK until QF F opens

 

[Pushka]

The F checkin for CX in Hong Kong is sublime. Better than anywhere else I've experienced flying with a WP.
And this secret entrance is where Poochie?

 

[serfty]

...
And this secret entrance is where Poochie?

I can only assume they are referring to the lift.

 

[blackcat20]

The QF J lounge is a windowless dungeon, really not worth it.

 

[medhead]

I wouldn't get up early for WOW factor. Just in time arrival for opening of the first lounge is my suggestion.

 

[Christoo]

I wouldn't bother with QF J Pooch, just head to EK until QF F opens

Agreed, the EK lounge is infinitely better that the J lounge.
If it wasn't for the breakfast in the F lounge, I wouldn't bother relocating.

On the return, I steer as clear of the J lounge and the F Cupboard in the QF lounge as I can.
EK lounge all the way in AKL, I even choose EK metal for that reason.

 

[Brettmcg]

6:15 according to the website.

I don't think the QF F Lounge opening hours have been updated. When I flew to AKL early last month it was definitely open for the QF151 at around 5.30am.

 

[Steady]

I wouldn't bother with QF J Pooch, just head to EK until QF F opens

Agreed, the EK lounge is infinitely better that the J lounge.
If it wasn't for the breakfast in the F lounge, I wouldn't bother relocating.

On the return, I steer as clear of the J lounge and the F Cupboard in the QF lounge as I can.
EK lounge all the way in AKL, I even choose EK metal for that reason.

Me three.

You are going to have a ball AP (just don't go chasing it up and down the isles)

 

[TomVexille]

I don't think the QF F Lounge opening hours have been updated. When I flew to AKL early last month it was definitely open for the QF151 at around 5.30am.

I thought that may have been the case

 

[ozbeachbabe]

There is just about ZERO wow factor at EK F-class check-in in MEL. For me it was one of the poorest check-in experiences I've ever had! By a contract staffer who should not be working any F-class check-in desk, anywhere.

Sounds similar to my EK checkin experience. I had booked a QF Classic Award BNE/xSYD/AKL with the SYD/AKL sector in whY on EK412 then had a separate QF pnr via the QF NZ site for QF8771 (EK434) same day and the guy at EK F checkin had no idea how to check me in for the other EK flight AKL/BNE nor was he keen to find out if it could be done.

I ended up getting the onward boarding pass from the EK Lounge in AKL while in transit.