Qantas: First Class Hosts when flying into SYD

[TheDan]

Hi,
I have booked a flight CBR-SYD-DXB with the latter leg in F. As this is my first time travelling F with Qantas, I was wondering if Qantas also picks you up at the gate after the domestic CBR-SYD flight or if this service is only available at the int. terminal curb?

Cheers
Dan

 

[opusman]

I've never seen one of these mythical first hosts, even at the int terminal, so I think it's unlikely they'll be there to greet you at dom!

 

[Mal]

As an F customer, you are unlikely to see one. Usually they are reserved for VIPs and high value status holders. But if you do have one assigned at Sydney... Congrats.

 

[jamesatfish]

When flying CBR-SYD-xx_ where the outbound SYD flight is QF First I always get a call the day prior to travel from the First host in Sydney asking if I need any assistance finding the transfer bus or the F lounge. I've never said yes as I don't need someone to hold my hand on the bus - I suspect the assistance is more "here's the transfer gate, have a nice flight" rather than "come with me and we'll bypass this queue or avoid the bus transfer".

They will ask if you want spa bookings at the lounge and you can ask them to reserve a dining table or private room if required. Lately they've been texting the mobile number of the First host in case you need assistance on the day.

Anything else you would have received at the SYD First checkin (priority security cards, gold coloured cardboard ticket wallet, First baggage tags etc) are available when you check in in CBR.


For what it's worth, with QF the First experience exists mainly from the time you enter the lounge until when you walk off the aircraft. Before and after that you are just another passenger.

 

[marki]

I have flown in this class on this route and have not been offered any sort of assistance. Except maybe express cards which are not all that helpful in the end because so many have them.

 

[RooFlyer]

When flying CBR-SYD-xx_ where the outbound SYD flight is QF First I always get a call the day prior to travel from the First host in Sydney asking if I need any assistance finding the transfer bus or the F lounge. I've never said yes as I don't need someone to hold my hand on the bus - I suspect the assistance is more "here's the transfer gate, have a nice flight" rather than "come with me and we'll bypass this queue or avoid the bus transfer".

They will ask if you want spa bookings at the lounge and you can ask them to reserve a dining table or private room if required. Lately they've been texting the mobile number of the First host in case you need assistance on the day.

Anything else you would have received at the SYD First checkin (priority security cards, gold coloured cardboard ticket wallet, First baggage tags etc) are available when you check in in CBR.


For what it's worth, with QF the First experience exists mainly from the time you enter the lounge until when you walk off the aircraft. Before and after that you are just another passenger.

Re the last para - not quite. If you are checking in at SYD or MEL, there is a number you call on approach and they are waiting on the curb to take bags etc. and as you observed, there is the call the day before to go through details, queries etc.

 

[jamesatfish]

Re the last para - not quite. If you are checking in at SYD or MEL, there is a number you call on approach and they are waiting on the curb to take bags etc. and as you observed, there is the call the day before to go through details, queries etc.

I guess as someone who always flies ex-CBR with just cabin baggage I probably miss out on those other non-airside benefits of the F cabin.

 

[AussieTim]

When landing in Melbourne (back in my WP days) after a flight where I was not feeling or looking amazingly well, the first host collected my bags on a trolley for me, found me in the crowd, addressing me by name and offered assistance in transferring.

I declined the assistance and thanked the host, but I do wonder what it it entails.

 

[MrJetset]

I've never seen one of these mythical first hosts, even at the int terminal, so I think it's unlikely they'll be there to greet you at dom!

`

As an F customer, you are unlikely to see one. Usually they are reserved for VIPs and high value status holders. But if you do have one assigned at Sydney... Congrats.

I am amazed at the misinformation here. QF will call the day prior, though if I don't hear by 3PM I call them.

They won't meet you at DOM, however they will meet you kerbside with a porter, or as we commonly request at SYD T1 Valet (formerly Qantas valet).

EVERY F pax is entitled one, whether on a revenue or award ticket, at all stations.

They will also escort you once check in is complete to the F Lounge, and later collect you for pre boarding.

I have had F hosts in SYD, MEL and LAX. The host in LAX is phenomenal.

Our entire family use them so they are not mythical nor tare they reserved for just VIPs.

 

[codash1099]

`



I am amazed at the misinformation here. QF will call the day prior, though if I don't hear by 3PM I call them.

They won't meet you at DOM, however they will meet you kerbside with a porter, or as we commonly request at SYD T1 Valet (formerly Qantas valet).

EVERY F pax is entitled one, whether on a revenue or award ticket, at all stations.

They will also escort you once check in is complete to the F Lounge, and later collect you for pre boarding.

I have had F hosts in SYD, MEL and LAX. The host in LAX is phenomenal.

Our entire family use them so they are not mythical nor tare they reserved for just VIPs.

If only! Other than the call the day before, none of that was there for my last F flight out of MEL.

 

[Happy Trails]

`



I am amazed at the misinformation here. QF will call the day prior, though if I don't hear by 3PM I call them.

They won't meet you at DOM, however they will meet you kerbside with a porter, or as we commonly request at SYD T1 Valet (formerly Qantas valet).

EVERY F pax is entitled one, whether on a revenue or award ticket, at all stations.

They will also escort you once check in is complete to the F Lounge, and later collect you for pre boarding.

I have had F hosts in SYD, MEL and LAX. The host in LAX is phenomenal.

Our entire family use them so they are not mythical nor tare they reserved for just VIPs.

All very interesting, but the OP and responses are about arrival at SYD.

 

[Mal]

All very interesting, but the OP and responses are about arrival at SYD.

Indeed. There are two totally separate scenarios at play. Arriving at SYD via a domestic flight, I have not heard of anyone (apart from VVIPs) getting any special treatment before arriving at the lounge (or checkin if you want to detour). And in my experience telling Qantas that you are connecting totally destroys any chance of recognition unless you want to head to F checkin.

And upon arrivals back into Australia, why does Miranda Kerr for example get a Qantas escort to the curb whereas extremely few guests in F get offered that.

Qantas doesnt know how to handle transfers properly. They should have a car connection between domestic and international. It isn't like they have a serious number of F passengers anyway any more.

 

[Simo]

I have been surprised the F paxs who are doing connections still have to take the bus over to International terminal.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have been surprised the F paxs who are doing connections still have to take the bus over to International terminal.

Yes; you would think with the introduction of Chauffer Drive QF would have assessed the whole F pax transport thing. The SYD dom to int bus transfer does seem to be a bit of a hole.

Cost = car (do a sponsorship deal?) plus 2 shifts of driver; the latter not inconsiderable for 365 days/yr.

 

[legroom]

No one called me the day before !

I had to call them at T-24 (maybe I was a little too jumpy and they would call me later at T-22 ??).

They did offer to meet me at the curb but I declined as it seems a little pretentious (to me).

The check in was so..... faaassst that you blinked and it was over "Here you are: three BPs all the way to DCA, baggage receipt and the express pass".

There was no queue to bypass - so strange !

I noticed they volunteered to hold my carry on (x2) in the F lounge while other pax were let go after their BPs were sighted (??? non F tickets e.g. JQ35 perhaps).

I would not mind having that experience every now and then.

Beat my experience with SQ Suites (ex SYD) hands down !

If only! Other than the call the day before, none of that was there for my last F flight out of MEL.

 

[dfcatch]

There is a difference in service in the F lounge when flying F vs non-F.

When in F they will also hold onto your BP and come and personally advise you when you're ready to board.

 

[amaroo]

There is a difference in service in the F lounge when flying F vs non-F.

When in F they will also hold onto your BP and come and personally advise you when you're ready to board.

They can get a little lost if you have a shower & change of clothes in between

OT - IMO F passengers should be able to book a table the day before.....just like spa treatment.

 

[moa999]

Yes; you would think with the introduction of Chauffer Drive QF would have assessed the whole F pax transport thing. The SYD dom to int bus transfer does seem to be a bit of a hole.

Cost = car (do a sponsorship deal?) plus 2 shifts of driver; the latter not inconsiderable for 365 days/yr.

+++ whatever Sydney Airports decides to charge them
+++ ATC issues with movements - adding a few cars would substantially add movements versus bus

 

[jamesatfish]

Yes; you would think with the introduction of Chauffer Drive QF would have assessed the whole F pax transport thing. The SYD dom to int bus transfer does seem to be a bit of a hole.

Cost = car (do a sponsorship deal?) plus 2 shifts of driver; the latter not inconsiderable for 365 days/yr.

The bus certainly is the weak link in what is supposed to be a premium flying experience. At least on the way out the bus is just a prelude to the better experiences to come, but on the way in it is quite a shock to go from the comfort of the F cabin into the back of a massive queue of people waiting for a bus to connect to domestic.

There is a difference in service in the F lounge when flying F vs non-F.

When in F they will also hold onto your BP and come and personally advise you when you're ready to board.

Doesn't always seem to be the case for me - the only time they've held our passes at the SYD F lounge was when they wanted to move one of us to another seat, in which instance they came and found us 30 minutes later to give us new passes. Every other time they just give the pass back after scanning it.

They can get a little lost if you have a shower & change of clothes in between

OT - IMO F passengers should be able to book a table the day before.....just like spa treatment.

I've had a table reserved by asking the first host when they called the day before - there were 4 of us travelling F and I just asked for a table by the window to be set aside for when we arrived in SYD. Wasn't a problem.

 

[Mal]

Is it really appropriate to tell F class guests 'oh just join the scrum in the holding pen and make your way over (standing) on the bus? Even BA do things better. For example I was bussed recently after a flight as we had a remote stand. There was one bus for J passengers. Yes, a whole bus for 8 guests or so. Y were held back .