Express departure card

[pzworld]

Hello all,

I'm a QF SG(gold)member for 2 years now and most of my travels with Qantas are pleasant ones with little/none complaints. I thought i'm familiar with most of the rules of QFF and maybe I'm wrong this time, here's why: last month I flied from SYD to HKG and when i was at the check in counter I wasn't given a 'express departure card', i kindly ask the agent who checked me in that 'can i get an express departure card', she said back 'are you flying in business class?', i said 'no, but i'm a gold member', she said 'no you get that when you fly business class'. I travelled on so many occasions with QF internationally and every time i was given a 'express departure card'. Back to what happened, i thought it's no big deal and proceed to departure hall and saw a big crowd queuing for the passport inspection, so i went back to the check in area and asked an agent at first class check in area if i'm eligible for getting a card, she asked me 'they didn't give you?' and bring me an express departure card and an express arrival card as well to my surprise and said to me 'for a little more convenience'.

That concludes my boring story but my question is to my experienced qantas travel gurus here that AM I ELIGIBLE TO GET AN 'EXPRESS DEPARTURE CARD' at all according to QF rules? if yes who should I turn for help next time this happens? Thank you guys in advance.

 

[TonyHancock]

I believe the express departure card is for Platinum and above.

 

[Fantic125]

Express in and out cards are usually provided to WP's travelling directly Int in Y or J from SYD, MEL or BNE, but I've never received one from ADL check-in.

As QF SG, you wouldn't be 'entitled' to one...

 

[glemmsbar]

As a gold frequent flyer, I have received the express departure card when leaving Brisbane. Checked in at the business counter so this may have made the difference?

 

[markis10]

As a gold frequent flyer, I have received the express departure card when leaving Brisbane. Checked in at the business counter so this may have made the difference?

That does not mean you would expect one every time.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

That does not mean you would expect one every time.

why would you need one every time? I was given one as a lowly PS ages ago at BNE, but no-one ever ask ed for it so it sits in my laptop bag for every BNE departure....Do other airports ask for them to be handed in each time?

 

[straitman]

why would you need one every time? I was given one as a lowly PS ages ago at BNE, but no-one ever ask ed for it so it sits in my laptop bag for every BNE departure....Do other airports ask for them to be handed in each time?

SYD seems to collect them and MEL does not.

 

[aoz48x]

As a gold member you are not entitled to it, they are for F/J cls pax, Chairmans and Platinum mbrs (regardless of class booked). The fact that you were given them in the past was your luck not your right. So if on occassions that the check-in agent gives you one (in their error) say thanks and walk away quickly and quietly. And on the occassion where you ask and the agent correctly says Im sorry accept it without creating a scene or who can I complain to thoughts.

 

[markis10]

why would you need one every time? I was given one as a lowly PS ages ago at BNE, but no-one ever ask ed for it so it sits in my laptop bag for every BNE departure....Do other airports ask for them to be handed in each time?

They are moving to a boarding pass print soon, so the cards will be superfluous!

 

[whughes3]

They are moving to a boarding pass print soon, so the cards will be superfluous!

Is this now definite? I recall reading some rumours about this a while ago, but nothing since...

 

[simongr]

I have always been given one in whY as a WP. It is interesting re the different airport approaches - I am currently sat with about 10 - 15 in bound cards and no outbound cards as they are always collected outbound just before security in SYD.

 

[Saji]

From the replies, it looks like Gold members are not entitled to a Express card..If that is the case, the airline should ensure this rule is followed everytime. The usual complaint with QF is the same old problem of inconsistency. When a Gold member asks for one and if they dont strictly adhere to this rule, then why not? Treat it like a bonus they are giving to a loyal customer.

PZworld..try and apply for an APEC card and you would not need to worry about whether the SCO gives you an express card or not.

 

[Leumas]

Is this now definite? I recall reading some rumours about this a while ago, but nothing since...

Yes, they have them in SYD now, but only from boarding passes printed by kiosks. However, some staff (when I went through it last time) didn't know about it, but they still let me through (after I showed them the Express logo and explained to them they couldn't take my boarding pass).

Boarding passes printed from the counters still need the cards.

 

[simongr]

Per the Qantas site:

* Eligible Qantas passengers travelling in First or Business and Platinum Frequent Flyers and oneworld Emerald Frequent Flyers.

Sydney International Airport (T1) Guide

Personally if I was gold and got the card I would see it as a bonus rather than a failing...

 

[ozmille]

Yes, they have them in SYD now, but only from boarding passes printed by kiosks. However, some staff (when I went through it last time) didn't know about it, but they still let me through (after I showed them the Express logo and explained to them they couldn't take my boarding pass).

Boarding passes printed from the counters still need the cards.

In Brussels they have a scanner at the entry of the priority line for security and you have to scan your boarding pass and if OK the gate opens. Been like this for a couple of years now and works fine for me. If they start doing this in SYD I will have to get rid of my pile of express arrivals and departure cards.

 

[ron_d]

They APEC counter is at other end of immigration - whereas with the Express Card - it's straight through the express lane.

There's also a semi dedicated lane at the last bag scan lane with the express card where the card is collected.

Interestingly enough - Cathay and Singapore Airlines provide express cards to Qantas Gold and Velocity Gold members respectively.

 

[jazza1971]

Do you get one if you are travelling JQ Business?

 

[davec]

Yep you do get them with JQ 'Business' - well you did last year anyway (MEL-SIN) ......

 

[Kangol]

Express in and out cards are usually provided to WP's travelling directly Int in Y or J from SYD, MEL or BNE, but I've never received one from ADL check-in.

As QF SG, you wouldn't be 'entitled' to one...

As a PS/QP travelling SIN-MEL in J I once received an express inbound pass. Thing is, with Smartgate that line is always shorter than the express one.

 

[davec]

As Kangol said here in sunny MEL the Smartgate queue is always shorter, but outbound the Express Cards are a great time saver. And you certainly get them in J from QF, JQ and CX so I presume all?