Free Express Card Distribution

[JohnK]

Gave a QF express arrival card to a relative travelling D7 into Syd...he got a lecture that he can't use it if not travelling on QF by the immigration officer and had said card torn up in front of him. ..unbelievable! People who have boring jobs throwing their weight around. ..

That's pretty low. Someone gunning for promotion perhaps?

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

It is my opinion that Australian customs and immigration are some of the worst, most impolite and bureaucratic in the world.

Isn't it wonderful as a law abiding, tax paying citizen, to return to your own country and be treated like a criminal.

 

[prozac]

It is my opinion that Australian customs and immigration are some of the worst, most impolite and bureaucratic in the world.

Isn't it wonderful as a law abiding, tax paying citizen, to return to your own country and be treated like a criminal.

Declare you have been in farming areas and go through Quarantine line. Much nicer bunch and quicker.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Declare you have been in farming areas and go through Quarantine line. Much nicer bunch and quicker.

I have to say what with the introduction of the smart gates, I don't have too many issues any more but SWMBO has a tendency to declare packaged food even though they laugh at her every time...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Express Arrival Cards certainly have currency in MEL now as there is a dedicated exit lane in luggage collection hall - it is situated smack bang between belts 3 and 4 which is where all 3 exit gates are but head to middle and do not queue if you hold one.

I first saw it 2 weeks ago and wondered if it was going to be a permanent fixture - it was in operation again today so I guess it is here to stay.

 

[Hvr]

It is my opinion that Australian customs and immigration are some of the worst, most impolite and bureaucratic in the world.

Isn't it wonderful as a law abiding, tax paying citizen, to return to your own country and be treated like a criminal.

Never been mistreated or abused yet. Have declared stuff and been politely checked and let through, and had nothing to declare with no issues. Have had 2-3 overseas trips a year for the last 8 years without an issue.

 

[blackcat20]

I have to say what with the introduction of the smart gates, I don't have too many issues any more but SWMBO has a tendency to declare packaged food even though they laugh at her every time...

Declared a heap of stuff last week, customs sent us to the second line but the guy there directed us to the exit without a single question...I guess we look trustworthy.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Express Arrival Cards certainly have currency in MEL now as there is a dedicated exit lane in luggage collection hall - it is situated smack bang between belts 3 and 4 which is where all 3 exit gates are but head to middle and do not queue if you hold one.

I first saw it 2 weeks ago and wondered if it was going to be a permanent fixture - it was in operation again today so I guess it is here to stay.

The express exit lane worked like a charm.
There was a huge line to exit and we walked right past them. This was about 3 weeks ago. I did feel a bit bad with all the looks we were getting.

 

[straitman]

The express exit lane worked like a charm.
There was a huge line to exit and we walked right past them. This was about 3 weeks ago. I did feel a bit bad with all the looks we were getting.

Never feel bad about something you are entitled to have.

 

[prozac]

Around 6 years ago I left SYD for a Euro stay and pre-ordered some duty free grog to collect on return. It amounted to 2 x 1L bottles, just under the allowable quantity. On leaving Europe I was gifted a bottle of Weduwe Joustra Beerenburg, 750ml. This took me over the 2.25L allowance. No probs I thought, I will declare and pay duty on the outstanding 0.5L. Wrong! No such arrangement. You must pay duty on ALL the declared goods because you have exceeded the allowance. I discussed this (politely) with the Customs Officer who stressed because I had declared the lot I must pay duty (around $90) on the lot. Couldn't I hand over the cheapest bottle for Customs to auction and keep the rest? NO. Would I like to make a complaint? Of-course not, the customs officer was not doing anything untoward, just doing what is legislated. C'mon, I am smarter than this..............I turn around, there is a young German woman in the next queue. "Excuse me, have you declared any grog?" I ask. "No" she says. "Here is a bottle for you then". I turn back to the CO. "Does that fix it?" "Yes" he says. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
When I exited to the arrival area, the young woman offered me the bottle back. Despite my objection she would not keep it. Oh, well.

 

[SydneySwan]

It is my opinion that Australian customs and immigration are some of the worst, most impolite and bureaucratic in the world.

Isn't it wonderful as a law abiding, tax paying citizen, to return to your own country and be treated like a criminal.

I must say that I have never experienced this in Australia and have always found customs & immigration pretty polite & professional.

 

[sklim88]

the arrival card is really hard to use unless you have nothing to declare ( as part of the condition to use the card ) . the departure card is especially great when there is a long queue to go through customs and immigration.

 

[prozac]

Do you need to have a J/F ticket to use the Express Card?
I am flying Premium Economy (sob...) end August so wondering.

 

[TomVexille]

Do you need to have a J ticket to use the Express Card?
I am flying Premium Economy (sob...) end August so wondering.

No, you just need an express card.

 

[prozac]

No, you just need an express card.

Fingers crossed then.

 

[TomVexille]

Fingers crossed then.

Airlines usually hand them out to status pax in Y as well

 

[prozac]

Airlines usually hand them out to status pax in Y as well

I lost my SQ status some months ago. Won't stop me using the luggage tag on my carry-on.

 

[prozac]

Thanks go to Cruiser Elite for the generous offer/supply of arrival and departure express cards. It is greatly appreciated. Thanks also to TomVexille his offer of same.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Looks like I'll be flying SIN-SYD in about 2 weeks. Given I'm going to be down the very back of an SQ A380 in Y, and it's an early morning arrival, I'm guessing there are going to be some lovely lines waiting…

Does anyone still have a spare arrival card they would be so generous as to share?

(I'm assuming the chances of SQ giving me one, as a VA SG, are somewhere between zero and nil!)

 

[Rareified Air]

(I'm assuming the chances of SQ giving me one, as a VA SG, are somewhere between zero and nil!)[/QUOTE]

If you don't get an express card before you leave ask for one at the boarding gate in Singapore, the give them out with the arrival card. I am KF gold and they don't always give me one but when I ask they just hand the express card over.