First reward flight SYD-LHR. Are my expectations too high?

[MEL_Traveller]

It does look like there are no realistic QF connections from HBA to the QF1!

There’s an 0600 via MEL, otherwise the later QF flight only has around 1hr20 connection in Sydney, which is under MCT these days?

 

[serfty]

It does look like there are no realistic QF connections from HBA to the QF1!

There’s an 0600 via MEL, otherwise the later QF flight only has around 1hr20 connection in Sydney, which is under MCT these days?

MCT for the connection is 2 hours JQ to QF and nothing is specified there for Domestic T3 to T1 QF

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I
 ONLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
OFFLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
JQ-QF DI 2.00 TRM 2 - 1
**-QF DI 1.15 ALL - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 1 - 1
**-QF DI 1.00 TRM 1 - 1
**-QF DI 1.45 TRM 2 - 1
...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

MCT for the connection is 2 hours.

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I
 ONLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
OFFLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
JQ-QF DI 2.00 TRM 2 - 1
**-QF DI 1.15 ALL - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 1 - 1
**-QF DI 1.00 TRM 1 - 1
**-QF DI 1.45 TRM 2 - 1
...

QF-QF though. I’m not sure the OP could even have taken the QF flight arriving at 1330 as it’s under MCT for QF-QF?

 

[serfty]

QF-QF though. I’m not sure the OP could even have taken the QF flight arriving at 1330 as it’s under MCT for QF-QF?

It's strange as expert flyer is not returning anything specific for Domestic T3 to T1 QF. The default would be 1 hour but I doubt it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's strange as expert flyer is not returning anything specific for Domestic T3 to T1 QF. The default would be 1 hour but I doubt it.

i thought that’s what QF changed back in 2022… they increased MCT in SYD to 90 mins? There was a thread about it here on AFF.

 

[Warragul]

I’m still interested to find out if in fact it’s true that QF did not fly on Sundays between hobart and sydney at the time of your booking. I did a bit of research here on AFF and HBA-SYD flights are listed as two or three times daily, every day of the week, except saturday, which was one flight.

It’s possible you came up against the hard block on domestic connectors where the domestic connector isn’t offered as part of the initial booking? That is, QF has to have been willing to sell HBA-LHR as a single award, rather than HBA-SYD and SYD-LHR.

I'm thinking there were no award seats on Sundays between HBA-SYD, given this is in relation to a platinum release request scenario.
I couldn't get a reward seat between CBR-SYD on the same booking in a similar situation- First class reward seat on QF1. Luckily, I could book a separate reward booking on QF.

I recall an explanation well afterwards along the lines of the needing to be business class reward availability to be able to add without going through a supervisor.

 

[ANstar]

So, I am firm in my statement - Qantas booked this, Qantas did not assist in changing to QF flights and I expect that my total journey would have the same luggage allowances as QF.
Note nowhere have I stated I wanted an F experience with JQ.

I'm sorry but YOU booked the original ticket and on Jetstar. Yes not ideal, but you did book it and QF did not FORCE you to book it.

Stop trying to find problems and enjoy your trip!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm thinking there were no award seats on Sundays between HBA-SYD, given this is in relation to a platinum release request scenario.
I couldn't get a reward seat between CBR-SYD on the same booking in a similar situation- First class reward seat on QF1. Luckily, I could book a separate reward booking on QF.

I recall an explanation well afterwards along the lines of the needing to be business class reward availability to be able to add without going through a supervisor.

There is the ‘hard block’ on domestic connectors (except through Hobart, or in certain circumstances, for platinums requesting the release of seats)… however in the OP’s case it looks like the only connecting QF flight would not meet MCT in Sydney… so the only other real option would have been to fly up the night before.

 

[tassie6]

Out of HBA there is the QF 6.05am departure to SYD every day of the week except Sundays, although not an ideal connection for QF1

The other two departures are 7 days a week at ~1130 and ~5

Generally I think people heading to LHR would go via MEL to avoid a long morning connection, but that doesnt work if going F all the way of course!

 

[serfty]

Generally I think people heading to LHR would go via MEL to avoid a long morning connection, but that doesnt work if going F all the way of course!

As others have indicated, travelling from HBA the night prior is the way to go.

 

[DC3]

We’ve probably all made (newbie-type) mistakes with airline bookings at some point. Some can be a bit more comical than others.

 

[serfty]

i thought that’s what QF changed back in 2022… they increased MCT in SYD to 90 mins? There was a thread about it here on AFF.

Back in June (The Old) Expert Flyer was indeed returning 90 minutes for a QF to QF link:

Post in thread 'Qantas' Schedule Change Fails MCT at SYD'

Jun 25, 2025

The MCT for QF730 to all flights is 60 minutes. This is also indicated to be the case for (currently moot) connections to QF91 (NOU Dep. 7:00am), QF101 (NAN, 8:45am) and QF191 (POM).

For other T3-T1 connections generally it is 90 minutes or more:
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at SYD, Incoming airline QF, Outgoing airline QF, Flight type Domestic to International

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE    .30  1.00  1.15  1.00
OFFLINE   .30  1.00  1.15  1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
QF-QF DI  2.00 CDS N/A -  LA
QF-QF DI  1.15 ALL - FLT...

• serfty

• 

QF-QF DI  1.30 TRM 3 - 1

In fact that whole thread is interesting as it is was a somewhat similar situation to @smckay's the biggest difference being the MCT was broken by a post booking schedule change. After a lot of effort the OP of that thread was able to travel the day before; this after several days of comms via Messenger.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And here as well: QF SYD D-I MCT up from 60 to 90 minutes, from 21 Aug

 

[moa999]

Huh? Sorry @moa999 but I’m not following your point here. QF35 departs from Melbourne, how would it affect check-in for QF81?

Sorry meant QF63. Both SIN and JFK departed within 30min of each other in July/ August

 

[markis10]

After four pages of discussion I don’t think the Ops question has been answered, should you lower your expectations - yep

 

[Princess Fiona]

After four pages of discussion I don’t think the Ops question has been answered, should you lower your expectations - yep

I actually did answer it post #5

 

[RooFlyer]

As others have indicated, travelling from HBA the night prior is the way to go.

Flying to the mainland departure port the day before is always the way to go out of HBA . Especially during winter.

 

[elanshin]

Im just mildly curious, how much better (or not) is SQ F and EK F out of SYD if you're transiting in off a partner airline.

 

[serfty]

@smckay as a fellow HBA originator I can fully sympathise with your situation.

My best advice is to repeat what @jase05 said and go to the QR lounge at Singapore. I did both a day ago and frankly the QR lounge was probably better as it was far less crowded. more attentive service and the menu frankly was a bit better. ( for me). it’s at the far end of the terminal probably the other direction from where Qantas first lounge is.

The QF F bed is pretty good, though.

It may be best for @smckay to do this. Currently QF1 has been allocated C25, which is a fair hike to the Qatar lounge (C20) but an even longer hike to the Qantas First Lounge ("D29").

 

[AIRwin]

Qantas First Lounge ("D29")

There's no Gate D29 but I know what you mean