Express Pass for MEL departure

[cssaus]

I've got a flight coming up SYD-MEL-LAS and not being all that familiar with MEL airport, where can I collect an Express Pass for immigration & security?

 

[serfty]

The should provide same upon check in at SYD.

If they don't do this proactively, ask for one.

 

[cssaus]

The should provide same upon check in at SYD.

If they don't do this proactively, ask for one.

I was planning on checking in at the Premium Lounge entrance in Sydney for my SYD-MEL flight which presents another challenge, getting access when you are unable to do OLCI for an itinerary that involves an international sector. Last time I did this I the staff at the Premium Lounger entrance were a bit perplexed in that I didn't have a BP.

 

[serfty]

I was planning on checking in at the Premium Lounge entrance in Sydney for my SYD-MEL flight which presents another challenge, getting access when you are unable to do OLCI for an itinerary that involves an international sector. Last time I did this I the staff at the Premium Lounger entrance were a bit perplexed in that I didn't have a BP.

That should help with their training.

Earlier this year I flew MEL-xSYD-AUH and used the "International Connections" check-in at MEL T3. [One agent was training another in the nuances of this, so I heard it all explained.]

I was handed a cardboard folder containing my BP's, a tear-off coupon for the T-Bus at SYD and a VA express pass to use at SYD.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

MEL is one of the easiest Aust airport to use.
SYDi dep private guards are a scary power bunch.
MELd is walkable to MELi.
Won't take a few mins, walking from VA arr to int dep.
Take a look at the map on their web page.
What us your MCT? 3 hours before flight will be plenty.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You would most likely be given 2 boarding passes and the express path card, in SYD.
Your first flight will be dom so you have to go to SYD T3 to check in, showing passport, even though your international flight does not depart till MEL. But as its a linked ticket, you need to show it to staff in SYD.
Fly to MEL.
In MEL airport, depending on VA Pier A or B, once you get there, find your way to a Travelex booth, go upstairs there, there are stairs and escalators. Your bags should be through routed, without you having to recollect them. Don't go down to dom arr, go up to int dep ASAP as you get to the Travelex booth.
EDIT: thought OP was going to Abu Dhabi, don't know where that came from!!!
If you have your boarding pass and express path card, just go to immi.
Int dep should be the sign.
Its all undercover, on the inside, so you don't have to go to the roadway.
Air cond and carpeted, should be few mins.
Go through the man checking boarding passes and passport. He stands there by himself.
Then go through xrays.
Then go through Aust immi control.
Hopefully they don't pick to body scan you, but body scan is done by the guards, and not Immi or Customs.
Then you are into the duty free section, don't make eye contact with the sales girls or guys, if you don't want to buy.
As one through routed ticket, its a sinch, not as bad as coming back, then less than 2.50 hours might be playing it fine.
Your SYD to MEL flight is VA, yes? And not QF, or JQ.
I have done ADL to MEL to AKL, in 2 hours transit time in MEL.
I am telling you, once you have it er, once, you would wonder why you were so worried.
Do come back and tell me if I was right, or wrong!
EDIT: is the MEL flight to LAS with DL?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Looks like the MEL to LAX is with VAi.
So, the OP will be/ought to be pleased.
Its all one big connected trip.
No worries mate...
And yes, I am a noisy pooch.
But I leave you now in peace, heh, I should have done that a long time ago.

 

[Jurahn]

That should help with their training.

Earlier this year I flew MEL-xSYD-AUH and used the "International Connections" check-in at MEL T3. [One agent was training another in the nuances of this, so I heard it all explained.]

I was handed a cardboard folder containing my BP's, a tear-off coupon for the T-Bus at SYD and a VA express pass to use at SYD.

I wish they had an International Connections desk at PER! I know there's probably nowhere near enough people connecting to international VA flights to justify it, but it would make the check-in process a whole lot easier. Each time we've been through PER Domestic when flying to the US, it's been pot luck as to whether you get the one and only staff member on the counters who is trained to do international check-in. On all but one occasion, we haven't been that lucky and have had to be directed to another check-in counter where we've had to wait for the agent to finish with the person ahead of us before they could check us in. Frustrating, especially as they never seem to have the trained person on priority check-in, and as well as turning check-in into quite a lengthy process, you also get filthy looks from those still in the regular check-in queue when you go have to go and wait at one of the other counters ahead of their turn, as if you're "pushing in". It will be interesting to see in February whether the situation has improved!