New Zealand Day Trip?

[dfcatch]

I did it last year - flew SYD-AKL-MEL. Turnaround was only long enough for me to have a quick beer with Serfty and continue on.

Smartgate seemed happy enough

 

[serfty]

... while I was doing MEL-AKL, overnight, AKL-SYD, overnight, SYD-xAKL-MEL!

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[Simo]

No probs at all,

I have done the customs thing and only spent an hour or so between customs visits.

 

[Oliver Gigacz]

Hi Guys,

Its been five months since I started this thread and I just want to thank you all for those replies that were extremely helpful.

As a matter of fact I only booked my tickets last week.

So I will be flying on the 30th October, catching EK406 on the MEL-AKL leg, then a five our layover until flying EK407 on the return AKL-MEL. Will fly Economy to Auckland and First on the way back. The booking went by fine with Emirates accepting the booking with no problem.

This way I get to try out the A380 on the same day in both Economy and First.

The only downside is that I can't use Smartgate as I am still using my Child passport from 2010, still got another three years on it.

 

[awilcockson]

I doubt it.

I've done three trips to HKG in the last couple of months. First two I arrived at 6am and flew out again the same night. Last trip I arrived at 6pm and departed the next evening. Nobody batted an eyelid, either in HKG or Australia.

That will teach me!

Immigration officer: "it says 1 day here, is that correct?"
Me: "status run, blah blah"
IO: eyes are rolling, looks like he's about to call for the rubber gloves
Me: more detailed explanation about P1, cost value ratio of certain flights
IO: eyes begin to glaze over "have a nice day sir"

Lets see how I go in AKL

 

[JohnK]

I don't see any problems. I have recently done 2 trips where I have arrived around midnight and returned early morning.

Just Checked EK F Melb to Auck on 22 May return 29 May for a cost of $2897 so not too bad. And just for a comparison same dates in Business on QF $2570.00 and on a 737 both ways. Wonder what is better value?

At that price 10 Qantas returns in economy sound like they are fantastic value taking into consideration QFF SCs, QFF points earned, duty free allowance 10 times. Out on Sunday morning, back Sunday afternoon and then off to Brisbane Sunday night....

 

[medhead]

At that price 10 Qantas returns in economy sound like they are fantastic value taking into consideration QFF SCs, QFF points earned, duty free allowance 10 times. Out on Sunday morning, back Sunday afternoon and then off to Brisbane Sunday night....

Could you do SYD-AKL-BNE?


Sent from the Throne

 

[JohnK]

Could you do SYD-AKL-BNE?

More than likely although that would mean checked luggage as well and may not be able to take food across the ditch.

 

[k3nnis]

Slightly off topic, I miss the days when I did a status run (tier point run) for VS. SQ F KUL-SIN-KUL, could squeeze in 3 or 4 returns lol in a day....

 

[serfty]

More than likely although that would mean checked luggage as well and may not be able to take food across the ditch.

Meh ... checked luggage - last year I did MEL-AKL-SYD-xAKL-MEL ... had Saturday dinner in Sydney ...

 

[JohnK]

Meh ... checked luggage - last year I did MEL-AKL-SYD-xAKL-MEL ... had Saturday dinner in Sydney ...

That was nice but did you have food in your checked luggage? You may get away with it taking food out of the country but I know you cannot bring food back in again which defeats the purpose of me commuting.

 

[medhead]

That was nice but did you have food in your checked luggage? You may get away with it taking food out of the country but I know you cannot bring food back in again which defeats the purpose of me commuting.

You can bring food in, you just need to declare it. It also helps if it is food that is allowed to be returned. Milk products, and fruit are 2 that would cause hassles.

 

[serfty]

That was nice but did you have food in your checked luggage? You may get away with it taking food out of the country but I know you cannot bring food back in again which defeats the purpose of me commuting.

What on earth?

I ate in the lounges - and a bit on the aircraft ... aside from a pleasant Saturday dinner :mrgreen: (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....meet-moderator-sydney-saturday-3rd-31684.html)

 

[JohnK]

You can bring food in, you just need to declare it. It also helps if it is food that is allowed to be returned. Milk products, and fruit are 2 that would cause hassles.

Hypothetically let's just say it is best if I did SYD-AKL-SYD instead of SYD-AKL-BNE. That way I wouldn't have any hassles.

 

[travellerqff]

To make the most of an awesome all day spotting trip would be to fly on the overnight JQ service MEL - AKL (arrives 5:25am from memory). Then catch back either EK at 6:30pm I think or Qantas at 9pm (operates later in summer months from memory).

 

[Oliver Gigacz]

I will be going on my day trip to AKL on the EK A380 next week. I just wanted to clear up a few things.

Do I have to go through customs or can I remain airside, and just wait for my return flight in the Emirates lounge or at the Gate? If so do I have to request this, or do something special.

I will be traveling on EK406 (MEL-AKL) arriving into AKL at 13:45 and returning later that day on EK407 departing AKL at 18:50. So a five hour layover.

 

[JohnK]

Do I have to go through customs or can I remain airside, and just wait for my return flight in the Emirates lounge or at the Gate? If so do I have to request this, or do something special.

You should be OK to remain airside and not clear customs. I am assuming you will have return boarding pass already.

 

[FuzzyAUS]

For that type of layover i would be going Kiwi side and having a late lunch or a bunch of drinks down the viaduct area.

But that is just me, and pickup some duty free too.

 

[serfty]

For 5 hours?

If I had lounge access, I would not leave the airport, although I would go landside.

To get to/from Viaduct harbour it's at least an hour each way by bus (a return Taxi would cost upwards of $150).

The flight will start boarding ~6pm ...

 

[amaroo]

For 5 hours?

If I had lounge access, I would not leave the airport, although I would go landside.

To get to/from Viaduct harbour it's at least an hour each way by bus (a return Taxi would cost upwards of $150).

The flight will start boarding ~6pm ...

I have to agree....was going to post the same as FuzzyAus however, once you take into account all the incidentals (in time) it's probably not worth it. If the OP hasn't been to AKL before than I would splash the cash to check it out.