Status run to Auckland

[mckinj02]

I’m doing a status from Sydney to Auckland and return on the same day. Will there be any issues at immigration in New Zealand. I only have five hours between landing and my flight back to Sydney on the same day.

 

[DC3]

In my case, it felt like they quickly realised I was not doing anything illegal but decided to continue the questioning anyway for practice.

 

[Warragul]

At the time of being stopped, the agents did not know our citizenships, where we had flown from or how long we were staying in NZ.

Don't bet on that. Several ways for that to be known, or at least have a good idea, before they even speak to you.

 

[DC3]

Don't bet on that. Several ways for that to be known, or at least have a good idea, before they even speak to you.

Yes, those Kiwis saw you coming from way off.

 

[Zero]

Don't bet on that. Several ways for that to be known, or at least have a good idea, before they even speak to you.

Perhaps, but in my case I was stopped because I had no luggage (and maybe an incorrect assumption based on my looks).

She thought I had missed the luggage belt and tried to redirect me back, even as another guy in a suit carrying only a briefcase was not stopped; then she assumed I had arrived on the direct flight from a country where most people look like me, and was surprised when I presented my Aus passport since I don't have an Aussie accent.

 

[Rangalad]

Don't bet on that. Several ways for that to be known, or at least have a good idea, before they even speak to you.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Perhaps, but in my case I was stopped because I had no luggage (and maybe an incorrect assumption based on my looks).

She thought I had missed the luggage belt and tried to redirect me back, even as another guy in a suit carrying only a briefcase was not stopped; then she assumed I had arrived on the direct flight from a country where most people look like me, and was surprised when I presented my Aus passport since I don't have an Aussie accent.

Heh.
Just like an undercover boss youtube show, or undercover police tv show.
But its true, as you usually would put passport away after all the usual checks, esp AKL airport upstairs and pass all the zigzags downstairs.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Sounds like NZCS got a tip off. I've been on short-trips and never had any issues in any NZ city (AKL/WLG/CHC). Whether it be 4 hours or 2 days, they never seemed to care. A few weeks back I went with a backpack and nothing else. No one batted an eye but then again I go to NZ 6-10 times a year for holidays/SC runs.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Doing the NZTD online, might help a bit pass through smoothly, if passing NZ immi.
They stick that yellow thing to the back page of passport.
Maybe doing the paper NZ IPC might be the tip off.
Ie, no yellow bit on back of passport, gets the 2nd check.
===
Its an MPI sticker, about a thumb size long, and half a thumb size upwards, and they make their mark on it with a marker, big green O and then the black texta.

 

[jyg]

Hi there, got a urgent qn and would appreciate a Quick reply. Anyone knows if there is a Qantas transfer airside at Auckland airport?

I'm not Australian but holds a passport from a visa waiver country and flying into Auckland tonight from Melbourne on a transit ETA (from my trip on QF3 last year)

I'm flying out tomorrow 6 am out of Auckland into Melbourne, am checked in but do not have my boarding pass. Do I have to enter NZ to collect my boarding pass or would I be able to pass through transit immigration around 1am and collect them airside in the morning?? Should I request a boarding pass from Melbourne check-in desk?

 

[Isolar]

There is not a QF transfer desk airside as far as I'm aware. You can go through the transit security screening point and remain airside (provided it is open). The few times I've done it they have not asked for a boarding pass, but I think it would be risky not to have just in case.

You could try asking for the boarding pass in Melbourne, but I personally do online check-in and have it on my phone.

 

[serfty]

Hi there, got a urgent qn and would appreciate a Quick reply. Anyone knows if there is a Qantas transfer airside at Auckland airport?

I'm not Australian but holds a passport from a visa waiver country and flying into Auckland tonight from Melbourne on a transit ETA (from my trip on QF3 last year)

I'm flying out tomorrow 6 am out of Auckland into Melbourne, am checked in but do not have my boarding pass. Do I have to enter NZ to collect my boarding pass or would I be able to pass through transit immigration around 1am and collect them airside in the morning?? Should I request a boarding pass from Melbourne check-in desk?

Pre COVID, I have obtained boarding passes at the QF lounge. That is currently closed for rebuild but apparently there is a temporary Qantas service desk in the EK lounge. They may be able to assist. Another option would be at the gate.

 

[jyg]

Awesome thanks @Isolar and @serfty for your replies. I just had a chat with Melbourne staff and they said I should be able to pass through the transit area W/O a boarding pass. And then once airside, ask for assistance W getting a boarding pass . From who exactly I'm not sure- but hearing that I may be able to do it at the gate reassures me.

They also managed to print out my boarding pass from Melbourne to Dallas but couldn't do so for my Auckland to Melbourne

Just don't wanna stump up an extra $17+ $100 for a conservation levy when I know I don't plan to visit NZ.

 

[justinbrett]

Pre COVID, I have obtained boarding passes at the QF lounge. That is currently closed for rebuild but apparently there is a temporary Qantas service desk in the EK lounge. They may be able to assist. Another option would be at the gate.

There is, it’s on the right as you enter the lounge (the EK desk is straight ahead)

Awesome thanks @Isolar and @serfty for your replies. I just had a chat with Melbourne staff and they said I should be able to pass through the transit area W/O a boarding pass. And then once airside, ask for assistance W getting a boarding pass . From who exactly I'm not sure- but hearing that I may be able to do it at the gate reassures me.

They also managed to print out my boarding pass from Melbourne to Dallas but couldn't do so for my Auckland to Melbourne

Just don't wanna stump up an extra $17+ $100 for a conservation levy when I know I don't plan to visit NZ.

Probably not relevant but pre covid transiting from QF to LA(TAM], QF could not issue the BP in SYD. I had to go to a transfer desk in the terminal staffed by NZ who issued the onwards BP.

 

[jyg]

Hi all, just wanted to share my experience W a detailed trip report for this status run:

The first two leg until the Gold Coast was fuss-free, it was only while heading to Auckland that I was held up at the check-in desk in OOL as the agent made several calls first to Border Force and then NZ immigration. I had a transit ETA from last year (for QF3) and so didn't bother applying for another visit ETA. FYI to those lucky Aussies who are exempted from this charge, a visitor to NZ now needs to pay 100 NZD conservation fee on-top of the 17 NZD ETA ( not keen on that thanks!)

After OOL got onto NZ immigration, I was questioned about my routing and gave a straightforward answer ( got it on points) and then got the go-ahead to board my flight to Auckland via Melbourne.

Problem was- I was checked in online for my next day morning flight but still didn't have a boarding pass.

So I arrived into Auckland past midnight, the airport was pretty dead by then and I was waiting for the transit security to open at 2am. Passed through security easily onto airside and waited another 2 hours before gate staff arrived at 4am once check-in closed. Checked my app again to make sure I was checked-in and then approached the gate staff for a boarding pass.

After checking my documents, got my boarding pass and then headed to the Emirates lounge at 5am, greeted by both Emirates and Qantas staff.

Had a quick shower before boarding my flight back to Melbourne, where it all began this time to catch my proper (non-status run flight) to Dallas 15 hours baby!

So this was my experience staying airside for 3 hours in Melb and then 6 hours in Auckland and then 6 hours in Melb again before QF21. Longest time I've spent airside I reckon and not as straightforward as a foreign passport holder doing this status run between Australia and NZ, but still easy as an ETA eligible passport

 

[FlyingCasually]

Hi all, just wanted to share my experience W a detailed trip report for this status run:

The first two leg until the Gold Coast was fuss-free, it was only while heading to Auckland that I was held up at the check-in desk in OOL as the agent made several calls first to Border Force and then NZ immigration. I had a transit ETA from last year (for QF3) and so didn't bother applying for another visit ETA. FYI to those lucky Aussies who are exempted from this charge, a visitor to NZ now needs to pay 100 NZD conservation fee on-top of the 17 NZD ETA ( not keen on that thanks!)

After OOL got onto NZ immigration, I was questioned about my routing and gave a straightforward answer ( got it on points) and then got the go-ahead to board my flight to Auckland via Melbourne.

Problem was- I was checked in online for my next day morning flight but still didn't have a boarding pass.

So I arrived into Auckland past midnight, the airport was pretty dead by then and I was waiting for the transit security to open at 2am. Passed through security easily onto airside and waited another 2 hours before gate staff arrived at 4am once check-in closed. Checked my app again to make sure I was checked-in and then approached the gate staff for a boarding pass.

After checking my documents, got my boarding pass and then headed to the Emirates lounge at 5am, greeted by both Emirates and Qantas staff.

Had a quick shower before boarding my flight back to Melbourne, where it all began this time to catch my proper (non-status run flight) to Dallas 15 hours baby!

So this was my experience staying airside for 3 hours in Melb and then 6 hours in Auckland and then 6 hours in Melb again before QF21. Longest time I've spent airside I reckon and not as straightforward as a foreign passport holder doing this status run between Australia and NZ, but still easy as an ETA eligible passport

Nice one! I hope you are booked in J for that DFW flight. You deserve a half-decent sleep after that all that.

 

[jyg]

Nice one! I hope you are booked in J for that DFW flight. You deserve a half-decent sleep after that all that.

I was it was a fantastic flight- departed 4pm Friday arrived 4 pm Friday - the most cheery crew on Qantas metal too