In reality, how early can one check-in at the MEL/SYD F-class desks?

[Danger]

The information on the F desk 'holding' bags is good to know.

But I don't get this whole issue with baggage not being excepted until three hours before. If, for example, I was travelling MEL-SYD on a 7am flight and then SYD-DXB on the 4pm flight, my bags would be checked all the way through from MEL to DXB. So what's the hassle? Obviously the flight is open for check-in and there is obviously some provision down below for this to occur as it happens all the time. Similary, if I check-in LHR-xSIN-PER, bags are going to be checked through to PER well beyond the three hour opening in SIN.

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks! That's exactly what I hope will happen to me (also 2 x pax MEL-AKL). Maybe checking-in 3.5 hours before.

Do they send the bag tag to the F-lounge?

I'll plead ignorance/stupidity here...no idea what happened with bag tags except to say I'm almost certain we did not pick up anything extra at the Flounge, so either they somehow managed to issue them at check in or we travelled without any. I should pay more attention to these things!