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

[ozbeachbabe]

On the way back from AKL - MEL, (I will have the early evening flight), with some time at AKL airport, go through to the EK J lounge, spend some time in there, and get the 18.50 flight out, getting to MEL about 20.00.

Gives me the chance to get some dinner.Thanks to you who have done it, and to those of you who will do it, hope to do it, ...

Go easy on the Veuve Pooch & safe travels!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Croosed my paw, Oz.
Cider is the main drink for me, because wine and all that jazz comes in too big a bottle for me to drink, and it will take a very long time to finish one bottle.
But the lounges will decant, which is good.
Will try for the DM/Veuve in the EK lounge on the way back.

 

[RichardMEL]

On the way back from AKL - MEL, (I will have the early evening flight), with some time at AKL airport, go through to the EK J lounge, spend some time in there, and get the 18.50 flight out, getting to MEL about 20.00.
Gives me the chance to get some dinner.
Thanks to you who have done it, and to those of you who will do it, hope to do it, ...

EK407 scheduled departure is 1850 yes, sched arrival into MEL is 2050 (obviously slightly variable on winds, departure delays etc).

re "dinner" - while the AKL lounge has some pretty nice snacks and stuff, I'd save the eats for the F cabin on board. EK F catering out of AKL is pretty decent and for me personally I wouldn't load up in the lounge prior. Perhaps a decent brekky in the morning then a few bits in the lounge depending on your appetite.

IMHO.

 

[RichardMEL]

Croosed my paw, Oz.
Cider is the main drink for me, because wine and all that jazz comes in too big a bottle for me to drink, and it will take a very long time to finish one bottle.
But the lounges will decant, which is good.
Will try for the DM/Veuve in the EK lounge on the way back.

I do not recall cider in the EK lounge, but it's possible. A vague memory suggests maybe the QF lounge may have some, but that may be inaccurate.

If wine/champ is not your thing then I'd skip the yellow label and wait for the Dom on board to try - if you're going to savor one glass of bubbly make it the really good stuff rather than the moderate stuff.

Also don't forget the on board lounge at the back of J which can be "interesting" on that 407 depending on who is hanging out. My last flight had some cricket types in their CA gear. That was... entertaining.

Enjoy your flights this week. Hope they live up to your expectations.

 

[stoneman]

Have a great time, looking forward to hearing all about it ! Sooo envious

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

In fact any working/employed QFFlyer/member can do it.
Its not that much, save as much as you can over a year, its only Aud$1360 from MEL - AKL, less if you use P+P (granted some don't like this, but to me, as I don't fly far anywhere else, P+P suits me), and you earn 120 QF SC.
Or even, save for 2 years if you have to.
Just that I do have some assets in my name, and am using some proceeds from these working assets, (all above board).
SYD - SIN in BA F is asking about Aud$2600 or something like that, so Aud$1360 for 3 hours + 2 hours time difference is not that much.
As I keep blabbing, its my one and most likely only visit through MEL QF F lounge/MEL EK F lounge.
US and UK are too far for me to go, at this point in my working life, being a cleaning poochie is no fun. All I do is cover for other people's absenses in my working assignments, plus my own.
Transit MEL tomorrow night.
Have had to split the booking, (different PNR), as F will not link to a QF Australian domestic flight, without calling up QF telephone sales.

 

[Rugby]

Good luck with it Pooch - enjoy the ride.

 

[Solid]

Enjoy the trip Pooch, I'm glad you're getting to do what you want to do.

 

[andye]

Bons voyages

 

[RichardMEL]

In fact any working/employed QFFlyer/member can do it.
Its not that much, save as much as you can over a year, its only Aud$1360 from MEL - AKL, less if you use P+P (granted some don't like this, but to me, as I don't fly far anywhere else, P+P suits me), and you earn 120 QF SC.

That's 120 SC one way in F between MEL/SYD/BNE and AKL (or SYD-CHC) in F - 240 return.

The other option is to await (and jeep an eye on sales, which are common) and take advantage, though granted there hasn't been an ex-AU F sale for around 12 months that I know of, and I know you wouldn't take the ~$600 J fare due to the all important F lounge access. If it were me and money were tight I'd pay one way in F ($1350ish as you say) then a sale F fare back at ~NZD900. (plus a bit to/from ADL). Saving ~AUD $500.

Or even, save for 2 years if you have to.
Just that I do have some assets in my name, and am using some proceeds from these working assets, (all above board).
SYD - SIN in BA F is asking about Aud$2600 or something like that, so Aud$1360 for 3 hours + 2 hours time difference is not that much.
As I keep blabbing, its my one and most likely only visit through MEL QF F lounge/MEL EK F lounge.
US and UK are too far for me to go, at this point in my working life, being a cleaning poochie is no fun. All I do is cover for other people's absenses in my working assignments, plus my own.
Transit MEL tomorrow night.
Have had to split the booking, (different PNR), as F will not link to a QF Australian domestic flight, without calling up QF telephone sales.

I don't understand why you don't just call QF and do it. If the overnight connections to/from ADL aren't bookable online (though I did test this out and it can be done, but that's an aside) calling is no issue and they *should* waive any fees due to not being able to do it online, and you get a through fare, saving some $$, and you'd get J sectors on the ADL tags too and probably not too much more than the Y price for the individual sectors.

All that aside. I know you've waited a long time for this and have built it up and today's the big day - so do enjoy and hope it's everything you're hoping for and expect.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Transit MEL tomorrow night.
Have had to split the booking, (different PNR), as F will not link to a QF Australian domestic flight, without calling up QF telephone sales.

Isn't having two pnrs more expensive as you're paying for a separate domestic flight MEL/ADL?

You could either call up res and have them do it or possibly a multi city booking might allow you to book AKL/MEL in F in the evening then MEL/ADL in J or Y the next morning as it would still be classed as a transit as you're on an international ticket and your connecting flight is within 24 hours.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I didn't want to use the call up, as it would have made me wait that inuerable number of mins, as I am only QF SG.
But never mind, more $$$, so be it.
In fact, getting this flight to AKL was a 2nd thought, the main idea in the first instance, was just to get out of ADL for the long weekend, ie, out 24Dec15, back 28Dec15 into ADL.
The MEL - AKL trip was more another plan that came together just perfectly with the original.
I do have a plan probably Jul 16/Jul17 to get ADL - SYD in Y or J, and then SYD - CHC in EK F with a QF flight number.
Currently am sitting on 330 QF SC, ADL - MEL - WLG will get me 240, giving me 570, plus a plan MEL - SYD dom J, giving me 610.
Enough to retain QF SG till 31 Jul 17.
After that, I don't aim to retain SG, will fly less, but only in J or F to NZ, so while losing SG is one thing, sitting up ahead for all the trips I do make in J/F will be worthwhile.
SG really is a nice touch, but no 100% of a shadow, but up ahead in J/F, I will always have that "my" space.
Thanks all and sundry, looking forward to the Parkroyal at MEL airport again, and then bliss for those 3 + (2hrs time difference) flight tomorrow.
Will have to check Flightaware to see if EK406 left DXB earlier on today, haven't done that yet.
For RichardMEL, I will do that when I do go for that ADL - SYD - CHC trip one Jul16, more so probably Jul17.

 

[TomVexille]

Haven't waited more than a couple minutes for an answer as a SG, while 30+ was the norm as a NB.

EK406 is 21 minutes late at the moment, so not likely to impact your departure too much.

Have an amazing trip Pooch and I hope it's all even better than you could imagine

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Hmm, just had a look about 15mis ago, and EK406 left 18 mins ago. At the time of looking that is.
Now you have seen it as late, never mind, I have nothing really important to do in AKL anyway.
Plan to get the 380 from AKL international to Onehunga, bus 9 to Sylvia Park, then train to Britomart.
Will try to report in the am from either lounges, and then on after NZ Immi & customs.
As for phoning up QF telephone sales, I will have a timer with me, or mobile phone and note call time, and answer time, and time of wait.
You know though, if EK puts me into F on the way back, from their J, it would be a nice post Christmas pressie, I can hope, or "wish".

 

[Steady]

You know though, if EK puts me into F on the way back, from their J, it would be a nice post Christmas pressie, I can hope, or "wish".

cross those paws AP, it is not beyond the realm of possibilities.

 

[love_the_life]

Have a wonderful trip Poochie - don't forget to post all about it!
And Merry Christmas.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The next next diatribe will be past outgoing immigration.
Dog box sleep time.
Peace everyone!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The frosted door to MEL int security check was opens at 5.20am this time, seems its now summer and winter that it opens the same time.
Express path was good.
MEL QF F lounge opened at 5.45am.
Am here now with ipod, will try to take some pix (might not work), but if you want to use the QF F lounge, no need to visit the EK lounge, as the QF F lounge is already open now.
Will do a walk through.

 

[opusman]

This has been a long time coming, I really hope it lives up to your expectations.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

No need pix. Don't have a digital camera with me.
Tee hee, didn't realise that I am sitting next to the server station.
Didn't realise what that little sign on the table was, ...
Its near the little private room, where more computers are.
For those of you who have done it, you would know the server station is, they will comes and provides a big A2 menu to pick from, what would you want.
Summer breakfast menu it says.
Am having a black coffee, and cider is available this early!
Sour dough bread and 2 fried eggs.
And yes, a lot better view than the J basement lounge.
8.10am supposed departure, F pax get boarding at 7.10am and gate closes at 7.50am.