Qantas MEL-HNL

[motlking]

Hi all,

I have a flight coming up Melbourne to Honolulu via Sydney. The Melbourne one says it’s departing from Terminal 1. Does that mean we’ll be checking in and departing from the domestic terminal?
Then on arrival to Sydney we have to find transport from domestic to international terminal?

If so what about duty free/TRS etc?

 

[TheInsider]

Hi all,

I have a flight coming up Melbourne to Honolulu via Sydney. The Melbourne one says it’s departing from Terminal 1. Does that we’ll be checking in and departing from the domestic terminal?
Then on arrival to Sydney we have to greet transport from domestic to international terminal?

If so what about duty free/TRS etc?

Correct, MEL-SYD is a domestic flight, so it leaves from the domestic terminal.
Duty free and TRS in SYD.

 

[motlking]

Correct, MEL-SYD is a domestic flight, so it leaves from the domestic terminal.
Duty free and TRS in SYD.

Bummer that means we don’t get to go to international lounges from Melbourne

 

[AIRwin]

Bummer that means we don’t get to go to international lounges from Melbourne

You may have time for the international lounge(s) in SYD?

 

[TheInsider]

Bummer that means we don’t get to go to international lounges from Melbourne

The international Business Lounge in MEL is really quite rubbish TBH, if you are flying business the domestic business lounge is better in IMO.
Then you'll still have access to SYD international lounges.

 

[motlking]

You may have time for the international lounge(s) in SYD?

We have about an hour but planning to arriving 3-4 hrs earlier in Melbourne with a toddler so was hoping to have more choices.

The international Business Lounge in MEL is really quite rubbish TBH, if you are flying business the domestic business lounge is better in IMO.
Then you'll still have access to SYD international lounges.

Only flying economy but have AMEX Platinum and Priority Pass (AMEX and Citibank 2 pass).
What do you think the best options are if I have any?

 

[motlking]

Actually probably won’t have any time for lounge in Sydney because we need to find our way to international terminal

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The MEL and SYD AMEX lounges will be closed 21 Nov - 1 Dec for refurbishment and rebranding to Centurion Lounges, if you are travelling in those dates.

There’s not much point to arriving 3-4 hours prior for a domestic flight at MEL. However, 1 hour connecting time in SYD I presume is actually around 90 mins? That’s still tight. If you do get to MEL that early I would ask to see if they can uplift you on an earlier flight to SYD. That will give you more time to allow for any delays.

 

[motlking]

The MEL and SYD AMEX lounges will be closed 21 Nov - 1 Dec for refurbishment and rebranding to Centurion Lounges, if you are travelling in those dates.

There’s not much point to arriving 3-4 hours prior for a domestic flight at MEL. However, 1 hour connecting time in SYD I presume is actually around 90 mins? That’s still tight. If you do get to MEL that early I would ask to see if they can uplift you on an earlier flight to SYD. That will give you more time to allow for any delays.

Thanks I am travelling within those dates

Interesting, I will definitely try to ask - any tips to increase our chances of an earlier flight? would they normally just do it if they had spare seats?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks I am travelling within those dates

Interesting, I will definitely try to ask - any tips to increase our chances of an earlier flight? would they normally just do it if they had spare seats?

Yes.

Do this at the airport.

It’s not guaranteed but check in staff appreciate the tight transfer times in SYD and would rather have you ‘on your way’ than risk you missing your connection in sydney. The child might help in that regard (put them front and centre! )

Generally if there are seats available they’ll roll you forward to an earlier flight.

Ringing the call centre in advance will yield zero results. They will want to charge you a change fee and will stick by the ‘you meet the minimum connecting time’. I don’t think many of them will have experienced a SYD dom->int transfer!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Then on arrival to Sydney we have to greet transport from domestic to international terminal?

QF have a bus from Gate 15 SYD domestic (airside) to international. Bags should be interlined from MEL

Sydney T3 domestic airport guide | Qantas

Find out the parking options, transport connections, lounge facilities and more at Sydney T3 domestic airport.

www.qantas.com

At MEL tell hoving staff at check in/ bag drop you have a tightish D to I connection. They may/may not put you on an earlier flight.

 

[motlking]

Thanks guys will report back how we go.
Hoping we do as it doesn't seem like we'll have time for TRS and Duty Free let alone lounge time.

 

[djkelly69]

The MEL and SYD AMEX lounges will be closed 21 Nov - 1 Dec for refurbishment and rebranding to Centurion Lounges, if you are travelling in those dates.

The email I got said you get access to Plaza Premium Lounge at each airport while they are shut, but unfortunately for the OP in MEL it is apparently located in T2 international.

 

[BD1959]

At MEL tell hoving staff at check in/ bag drop you have a tightish D to I connection. They may/may not put you on an earlier flight.

I presuming this is a mistype of "roving staff" - not necessary. You will need to go to the International Transfer Check-In counters at Melbourne so that they can check you have ETSA (or equivalent) to enter the US. When I transited LAX last month I aslo had to present affirmation (to AY) that I was fully vaccinated. Regardless, you will doubtless have to physically check-in at a counter for your MEL-SYD and SYD-HNL boarding passes - at this point tell them that you are really concerned at the tight transfer time especially given the extra needs of a toddler. I've done this previously (without toddler) and there's not been a problem moving me forward when seats are available.

Don't stress about Duty Free - I find their prices uncompetitive.

As far as TRS is concerned, beware that you must make the claim at least 30mins prior to your departure time - and expect queues at TRS to eat into that.

Regards,

BD

 

[motlking]

Thanks! Lucky we were going to head to domestic terminal to check in but will be sure to go to the international check in counters.

 

[BD1959]

Thanks! Lucky we were going to head to domestic terminal to check in but will be sure to go to the international check in counters.

The International Transfer Counters are in the Qantas Domestic Terminal!

As you stand facing the security checkpoint they are in the bank of counters to the left.

Regards,

BD

 

[motlking]

Thanks to seasoned travellers like you guys - it would be much more stressful with the little one otherwise

 

[offshore171]

What were you planning to get at the Duty Free shop?

If it's grog, you'll likely find it's cheaper at convenience stores in HNL.

 

[Ade]

because we need to find our way to international terminal

There is a bus that runs from the QF transfer desk, gate 15 for pax transferring from domestic to international travelling on QF services.

 

[Quickstatus]

We have about an hour

As in 1hr between aircraft arriving in Sydney and aircraft departing from Sydney?