QF Domestic exit rows and QP check-in

[nonscenic]

A few times now (currently Silver) I have been able to select Exit Row seats on some less patronised flights after the T-80 threshold online.
As usual I can check in online but need to verify my suitability at a check in counter before being issued with a boarding pass. This I normally do at the service desk inside the QP.

The thought arose that for lounge access you need to be flying that day on a QF, JQ or OW flight. Normally the lounge dragon asks to see your boarding pass alongside your QP card, but in the situation above I do not yet have a boarding pass. At MEL or SYD the lounge dragon seems content with a mumbled explanation of "I've got an exit row seat" while in ADL and BNE they seem more particular from my experience and will print a boarding pass before you enter. The difference doesn't entirely seem related to the ability of the lounge dragon to verify that you are flying, more probably its the size of the queue waiting to get in.

The need for an exit row boarding pass to be issued from the service desk inside the lounge does seem to be a chink in the lounge dragon's armour though.

 

[richie9x]

Occasionally I have been in that situation and have just flashed my platinum card at MEL or BNE and they just let me through no worries. Have also done similar when I clicked the wrong option for are you carrying any dangerous items during an online check in. They have never checked at the front desk to see that I was actually flying that day. Then I just continued on to get a boarding pass at service desk.

Also as you can check in via the Q card reader so you won't have a physical boarding pass for that. I think strictly speaking they should check you are flying with Qantas that day, but in practice they rarely do.

If you don't check in online but wait until you get to the airport and check in via the next-gen kiosk it will print you a boarding pass for a exit row seat. But if you check in online then go to print a copy of the BP via the next-gen kiosk it will just print the assistance slip.

 

[medhead]

It's not really a chink in the armour with the next gen check in system. Basically, NGCI means your card is your BP and I think that includes your QP card. I had a bit of a look at mim's QP card and it seemed to be Next Gen. So you should only need to show the card. If they ask for a BP just say you didn't print one and ask them to print it for you.

I find ADL QC to have really problems about not having a BP even for me as a platinum. (I'm sure they just hate me)


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[nonscenic]

Basically, NGCI means your card is your BP and I think that includes your QP card. I had a bit of a look at mim's QP card and it seemed to be Next Gen. So you should only need to show the card. If they ask for a BP just say you didn't print one and ask them to print it for you.

I find ADL QC to have really problems about not having a BP even for me as a platinum. (I'm sure they just hate me)


.

Yes, I know that the boarding pass is actually on the card but the lounge dragons at MEL and SYD only seem to ever look at the expiry date on the card. They don't seem to have the facility to check the card electronically at the entry, whereas ADL, BNE and others do have a combined entry desk / service desk. From my experience also ADL seems the most determined to verify eligibility (especially when I show the MEL-ADL boarding pass from my inbound flight instead of the ADL-Darwin BP of my next leg:!

 

[markis10]

Yes, I know that the boarding pass is actually on the card but the lounge dragons at MEL and SYD only seem to ever look at the expiry date on the card. They don't seem to have the facility to check the card electronically at the entry, whereas ADL, BNE and others do have a combined entry desk / service desk. From my experience also ADL seems the most determined to verify eligibility (especially when I show the MEL-ADL boarding pass from my inbound flight instead of the ADL-Darwin BP of my next leg:!

All the manned QPs have a scanner that will check your card, I have seen it in use at both SYD and MEL.

 

[opusman]

They can scan your card to find out if you're travelling or not. If they don't it's just down to laziness on their part, not a fundamental security flaw

 

[nonscenic]

They can scan your card to find out if you're travelling or not. If they don't it's just down to laziness on their part, not a fundamental security flaw

I'm glad that they are meant to scan the card. Either I look too honest or they are not of the same nature as Melbourne "Customer Service Officers" on public transport, as I don't recall them scanning my card at MEL or SYD.

 

[BVT]

Yes, I know that the boarding pass is actually on the card but the lounge dragons at MEL and SYD only seem to ever look at the expiry date on the card. They don't seem to have the facility to check the card electronically at the entry, whereas ADL, BNE and others do have a combined entry desk / service desk. From my experience also ADL seems the most determined to verify eligibility (especially when I show the MEL-ADL boarding pass from my inbound flight instead of the ADL-Darwin BP of my next leg:!

I have noticed this too. So, anytime access is still available??

One time only, in MEL, I had to surrender my WP card for the LD to run it through the card reader on the reception desk. At least, I think that it was MEL.

 

[medhead]

I have noticed this too. So, anytime access is still available??
:

Technically, as the OP is a qantas club member anytime access was never available.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Occasionally I have been in that situation and have just flashed my platinum card at MEL or BNE and they just let me through no worries. Have also done similar when I clicked the wrong option for are you carrying any dangerous items during an online check in. They have never checked at the front desk to see that I was actually flying that day. Then I just continued on to get a boarding pass at service desk.

Also as you can check in via the Q card reader so you won't have a physical boarding pass for that. I think strictly speaking they should check you are flying with Qantas that day, but in practice they rarely do.

If you don't check in online but wait until you get to the airport and check in via the next-gen kiosk it will print you a boarding pass for a exit row seat. But if you check in online then go to print a copy of the BP via the next-gen kiosk it will just print the assistance slip.

If you know you're in an exit row you can use these 3 checkin methods:

1. via mobile phone (which will ask you the exit row eligibility questions)
2. using the Premium checkin queue if you are PS and above (CSA will ask you exit row questions to verify you are ok)
3. using the Next Gen kiosks (you will be asked the exit row questions which you say "yes" to)

Don't use OLCI or the QCR (Q card reader/podium), however if you do use it not knowing you're in an exit but the system randomly allocates you one, don't stress.

Using Qtags on checked luggage
Even though the system will say the checkin process cannot be completed because you're in an exit row, you are in fact still checked in which will allow you to send your bag off via the Next Gen bag drop if it has a Qtag. As you won't have a paper boarding pass scan you Qcard against the red Q symbol at the bag drop then it will scan your Qtag, send your bag & give you your Qbag tag receipt.

Your bag cannot be sent off if you have not checked it so if it gets sent you don't have anything to worry about.

As your name will be on the ineligible to board list you will either need to:

a) ask a lounge dragon to reprint your boarding pass at which time the exit row questions will appear & they should click yes you're eligible so your name will then be taken off the ineligible to board list so no dreaded 'beep' at the boarding gate.

b) if there's a queue at the QP reception, don't waste precious lounge time joining it, just see the gate agent prior to boarding & tell them you're in an exit row so they can clear your name off the list, again to avoid the beep.

Using paper tags on checked luggage
If you have done mobile checkin you can get your paper tags from Premium checkin or the kiosk as you will have been verified as being suitable for the exit rows.

If you did OLCI or used the QCR you must go to Premium checkin as you won't be able to subsequently print paper tags from the kiosk as the exit row questions won't appear if you have already tried to checkin either via OLCI or QCR.