Is International terminal access possible at Sydney without flying?

[iqis60]

HI All, I'm sure the answer is already lying around here somewhere, but need a quick answer.
Can I access Sydney International air side without flying? My parents are flying out today and I want to see them off. I'm Qantas Gold and was going to try it on in the business lounge to flash through, as they both got a Business upgrade on points and will be able to get themselves in.
Thanks for your help!

 

[thewinchester]

Short answer - No. You cannot access the Airside area of an international terminal without possessing a valid ticket for onward travel from that terminal.

 

[iqis60]

Short answer - No. You cannot access the Airside area of an international terminal without possessing a valid ticket for onward travel from that terminal.

Thanks Winchester, as mentioned above, I wasn't planning on guesting them, as they have a business upgrade already. Was just hoping to hang out in the lounge with them before they left.

 

[ric_melb]

I would have thought it impossible to access International Airside unless travelling.
You would have at least have to pass through Immigration counters, at which time they would say NO.

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks Winchester, as mentioned above, I wasn't planning on guesting them, as they have a business upgrade already. Was just hoping to hang out in the lounge with them before they left.

I don't think thewinchester thought you were trying to guest - as he said, you can't go airside internationally without a ticket for onward travel and clearing immigration, so you can't really 'hang out' in the lounge unless you're able to do that. Whether or not you can get a ticket for a JQ special or one of the few QF international / domestic sectors is another matter.

If you were in MEL, you could try to go to the domestic QP, but in SYD that would involve a train ride.

Also, fwiw, you can't really 'try it on' in the international J lounge - unlike the domestic QPs, they scan your boarding pass at the international lounges, to confirm you are flying and with a oneworld carrier (unless using WP anytime access, and I still think they'd confirm you were flying with someone then).

 

[anat0l]

In theory there is a way to get to international airside without flying.

In practice, it is rather dishonest and, although not technically illegal, could raise red flags.

 

[mannej]

There is another way, but it involves being employed and working airside;-).

 

[QF WP]

In theory there is a way to get to international airside without flying.

In practice, it is rather dishonest and, although not technically illegal, could raise red flags.

I don't think ozstamps has practised that option for quite a while ;-) Once might not create red flags on your Immigration record


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

 

[kamchatsky]

I don't think ozstamps has practised that option for quite a while ;-) Once might not create red flags on your Immigration record


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

Is it got to do booking a flexible ticket then go airside then cancel?!

 

[anat0l]

Is it got to do booking a flexible ticket then go airside then cancel?!

Very good. Now, I am required to kill you. :mrgreen: Just kidding...

I had no idea this was an ozstamps move, though.

FWIW I have heard that this practice has been done before; not necessarily in Australia but in other countries.

 

[oz_mark]

Is it got to do booking a flexible ticket then go airside then cancel?!

...and wait 3 months for your refund...

 

[Mal]

Yes it's possible. But you need a good reason to need to be airside. Wanting lounge access or seeing off family members won't cut it !

 

[kamchatsky]

Very good. Now, I am required to kill you. :mrgreen: Just kidding...

I had no idea this was an ozstamps move, though.

FWIW I have heard that this practice has been done before; not necessarily in Australia but in other countries.

Please don't kill me ..... I have a lot of J/F flights to fly before I die! :mrgreen:

Is ozstamps even on AFF? I never see him around. Does he have another handle?!

BTW, even with my new *G, I would never do this just to get to SYD Koru/SilverKris lounge. It is way too much hassle to get airlines refunding my money.

 

[QF WP]

Yes he is a member here (do search and you'll find him) but posts very infrequently here - majority on FT.

 

[kamchatsky]

Yes he is a member here (do search and you'll find him) but posts very infrequently here - majority on FT.

That's what I thought as well ...

 

[anat0l]

It is way too much hassle to get airlines refunding my money.

Access to an international lounge is not the only scenario where this technique has been applied.

Obviously, some people have quite a bit of spare cash to hold into temporary ransom to achieve some rather warped tasks...

 

[markis10]

It is technically unlawful to be airside without a valid reason to be there, pushing the boundaries may well result in your record with customs and AQIS getting a notation for them to push your boundaries on return visits that are legitimate .

 

[serfty]

OzStamps posts here as OzStamps.

Here's is a thread from FT:

Does SQ have a limo service for F pax out of MEL? - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[pauly7]

...and wait 3 months for your refund...

Couldn't you just book a one way domestic cheapie with JQ that departs from international (to mel... surely that would be about 60?) and just write it off.....

 

[drewbles]

Couldn't you just book a one way domestic cheapie with JQ that departs from international (to mel... surely that would be about 60?) and just write it off.....

The problem then becomes getting out of airside. Remember, Departures is a totally separate area from Arrivals. You'd need to explain your way out of the Departure area in a way that doesn't involve departing on an aircraft.