QF dom connecting to JQ dom (int service)

[aus_flyer]

I'm looking at flying QF from BNE to SYD and then SYD to MEL on JQ domestic sector of international service.

I won't have any bags.

Just wondering when would be the earliest that I could collect my boarding pass for the JQ flight??

The problem is that I will be arriving in SYD more than 3 hours before departure, but would like to get up to the Flounge as early as possible.

I suspect internet checkin would not be an option.

Thanks

 

[serfty]

Check-in for JQi flights opens in SYD T1 3 hours before the scheduled flight departure time.

e.g. For the 15:15 JQ35 MEL-SYD, check-in opens in SYD at ~12:15. People start queuing much earlier than that. (If you are on of the few travelling StarClass there's a separate queue, hoever it's not often marked and you may need to ask where it is before queing up).

 

[aus_flyer]

Check-in for JQi flights opens in SYD T1 3 hours before the scheduled flight departure time.

e.g. For the 15:15 JQ35 MEL-SYD, check-in opens in SYD at ~12:15. People start queuing much earlier than that. (If you are on of the few travelling StarClass there's a separate queue, hoever it's not often marked and you may need to ask where it is before queing up).

I'm aware that checkin opens 3 hours before departure.

I guess my issues are:

1. Can I collect a boarding pass at jetstar domestic checkin counter in BNE? Or,
2. Can I collect the boarding pass at jetstar domestic checkin counter in SYD (rather than international)?

 

[serfty]

I'm aware that checkin opens 3 hours before departure.

I guess my issues are:

1. Can I collect a boarding pass at jetstar domestic checkin counter in BNE? Or,
2. Can I collect the boarding pass at jetstar domestic checkin counter in SYD (rather than international)?

I have done the JQ35 SYD-MEL segment 4 times so far ...

- The Answer to BOTH questions is NO.

You can only get your BP at the Checkin counter for your JQi flight in SYD T1. They have different counters for different flights.

However, if you show a printout of your JQi E-ticket receipt at the "seamless Transfer" counter near gate 1 you can use the free transfer bus. (As you won't have the BP as yet)

 

[Fluid-Flyer]

So two issues –
· Getting the Boarding Pass (JQ domestic human-assisted-check-in options, don’t issue “card style” boarding passes anymore. And, having a “different” style of boarding pass, at an International Gate may upset their process? Unless things have changed recently. JQ seems to be the only major Aussie airline yet to implement bar-code technology at the gate? Noticed in MEL T4, even TT no longer collects a second “printout/tear-off” for manual processing!)
· Getting a “D” sticker onto the boarding pass, (and writing the photoID reference + signature onto the sticker).

I suspect internet checkin would not be an option.

1. Can I collect a boarding pass at jetstar domestic checkin counter in BNE? Or,
2. Can I collect the boarding pass at jetstar domestic checkin counter in SYD (rather than international)?

If you've got the time... try (realistically, anticipating a NO, as per serfty above), and fill us in. (When I last tried OLCI for JQ MEL-SYD it didn’t work, but no harm in trying.) AND, rather than the JQ domestic check-in counters, try the “Service Desk”, which is located near the check-in counters. (I think the staff there have a fuller JQ training/perspective?) (Make sure you advise - no checked bags first up.) Finally, you could try in the SYD T2 QP when you arrive. (In the unlikely event that they have stock of D stickers there?)

I do not know if JQ’s domestic check-in system is different to its international system, but it is definitely possible to check-in at the QP for a domestic JQ flight prior to the 2 hour mark! (Obviously, with no bags to check.) (Also, not sure if JQ handles its own operations in MEL, where as in SYD and BNE, QF might handle “International” for JQ, in which case, domestic JQ staff may be unfamiliar with “International Processes” in those cities?)

I have found that if you don’t ask, you won’t know exactly what JQ can do for you. I mean, while they are a business focussed on keeping costs low, they are also in business to keep/win customers.

For example, compare customer service vouchers issued to me by QF & JQ (within the last 6 months at MEL).

The Qantas voucher is very professional looking, where as the Jetstar one was DIY printed off their computer. In the end, to me, the real difference is QF gave me $6, and JQ gave me $8. However, I took neither up on their offer - and simply went up to the QP. Nice gestures though. It’s the old argument, style vs substance! (A slight variation to - you get what you pay for!)

 

[aus_flyer]

I've checked, and the QC at T2 can't issue the boarding pass, unfortunately.

There are earlier JQ international flights departing, so there should be some checkin counters open... I guess the question is whether I can use one of those... but I suspect not.

 

[serfty]

JQi Boarding Passes are the standard size cardboard ones; with a magnetic strip.

Nothing useful appears to be recorded on the magnetic strip however. When boarding, one agent takes the BP from you, tears the stub off and calls out the seq number to another who enters this into a computer terminal.

Several times an Agent at the F/J lounge has tried to swipe it without success - then they remember it's a JQi BP and the information needs to be entered manually.

D stickers are generally available at the SYD T3 QP, not sure about T2. I have asked about JQi BP at SYD T3 QP but "no can do".

They certainly have D stickers at the gate 1 "Seamless Transfer" counter. However, they also cannot print a JQi BP, the first couple of times I did ask about this - the last two I simply presented my JQi E-ticket receipt and proceeded down.

As far as asking at the JQi service desk in T1, I tried this once. I had arrive from BNE on JQ18 and by the time I got upstairs to it was 4 hours before my JQ35 flight. Check in was open for JQ7 so I asked there. A courteous "No" was the answer and I was directed to the service desk. It was there I was advised I would have to wait until check-in opened in (by then ¾hour).

 

[aus_flyer]

I wonder if I flew JQi from BNE-SYD and then SYD-MEL whether BNE checkin could issue the boarding pass (as it would essentially be a connection)?

I'm guessing not.

 

[serfty]

No need to guess - I have tried - the answer was NO both times.

As a QF WP, I do my best to maximise my Lounge time in SYD (& MEL) international. Best way if on JQ35 / JQ29 / JQ3 / JQ30 is to fly Star Class and be at the counter when check-in opens.

But do not let that stop anyone from trying - one day it will be possible I am sure!

 

[Travel Guru]

And you're willing to go through all this hassle for what, a couple of hours in the F lounge???

TG

 

[serfty]

And you're willing to go through all this hassle for what, a couple of hours in the F lounge??? ...

And quite nice it is too ...

... for me it's more the 40 SC's for a $280 fare (and since I'm travelling anyway ... )