Changi airport: Jetstar check in and Qantas club access

[Dr Ralph]

Hi very knowledgeable AFF members,


I’ll be travelling business class on JQ 8 from Changi to Melbourne in September. I’ve had a look but can’t seem to find any information about potentially dropping bags and checking in early at Changi and accessing the Qantas lounge before my flight which departs around 9.30pm.

Ideally I'd like to drop bags and check in around 2pm.


Anyone know if this is possible? Or if I have to wait for the Jetstar checkin to open (which I’m assuming is 3 hours before the flight?).



Thanks for any assistance.

 

[henrus]

I’ll be travelling business class on JQ 8 from Changi to Melbourne in September. I’ve had a look but can’t seem to find any information about potentially dropping bags and checking in early at Changi and accessing the Qantas lounge before my flight which departs around 9.30pm.

So officially Jetstar's (JQ operated 787 flights) check in at all airports opens 3 hours prior to departure. This is the time I'd expect it to open.

Changi has been the exception to this where the "early check in service" allows Jetstar passengers to check in 12 hours prior to departure. Now as far as I'm aware, this service has been suspended since the start of the pandemic (from 10 April 2020) and according to the Changi airport website it has not resumed (for any carriers).

Now I believe the Changi's website is actually incorrect as Singapore airlines has recently updated their website to go back to 48 hour check in but it's not clear if this is just Singapore airlines and if other carriers like Jetstar are included.

Also are you eligible to access the Qantas lounge? Flying Jetstar business class itself is not enough. You'll need to have either Qantas Club membership, Qantas club single use voucher, Qantas Gold or higher status or purchased a Jetstar Business Max fare.

It's worth noting that September is still a while away so this might change and I'd recommend you keep an eye on the pages below:

JQ's website stating the 3 hour time:

https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/when-to-get-to-the-airport-for-international-flights

JQ's website about Changi Early check in:

https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/singapore-airport-early-check-in

Changi's website about check in options:

Departing | Checking In | Singapore Changi Airport

Know all your check-in options, including online check-in, early check-in, group check-in, FAST check-in as well as check-in counter opening times.

www.changiairport.com

Changi's list of airlines and check in times:

Airline Information | Contact & Check-In Details 📇 | Changi Airport Group

Changi Airport serves many international passenger and freighter airlines. Get airline counter opening hours, check-in details and contact information.

www.changiairport.com

 

[Dr Ralph]

Also are you eligible to access the Qantas lounge? Flying Jetstar business class itself is not enough. You'll need to have either Qantas Club membership, Qantas club single use voucher, Qantas Gold or higher status or purchased a Jetstar Business Max fare.

Appreciate the considered reply. I also appreciate that things can change in the next 3 to 4 months.

Just FYI, I'm flying on an award booking, but have Qantas club membership if needed.

 

[serfty]

JQ check in at T1 was open approx. 2pm today when I went past. (Rows ~10/11)

That does not necessarily mean you can check in for MEL at that time. If I had seen this earlier I would have asked.

 

[henrus]

Just FYI, I'm flying on an award booking, but have Qantas club membership if needed.

Yes you'll need your Qantas club membership, JQ business class award bookings aren't eligible for lounge access.

JQ check in at T1 was open approx. 2pm today when I went past. (Rows ~10/11)

I'd suspect that it's actually 3K (Jetstar Asia) check in you've seen. JQ and 3K share the same check in area and with 3K departures throughout the day, the check in area is open basically from 5am until about 1am but that doesn't mean specific flights are.

 

[jase05]

Yes you'll need your Qantas club membership, JQ business class award bookings aren't eligible for lounge access.

Thanks for that, despite my strong advisement against it my folks are looking at JQ8 J awards in October. No lounge access might be enough to convince them to shell out for a revenue fare. I’ve recommended them to book with PR in J for just on $1k

 

[henrus]

despite my strong advisement against it my folks are looking at JQ8 J awards in October. No lounge access might be enough to convince them to shell out for a revenue fare. I’ve recommended them to book with PR in J for just on $1k

Lack of JQ lounge access at Changi is a very minor thing in my opinion. Changi airport has plenty to do without lounge access, in addition it's possible to get a dragon pass membership (free membership via a few avenues) that allows for $33 access to many lounges including the Plaza Premium (T1), SATS Lounge (T1/3), Marhaba Lounge (T1/3) or the Ambassador Transit Lounge (T3)

During my recent departures from Changi (twice this year) even though I've had SQ lounge access I've instead made a habit of checking in and then walking over to jewel and only passing through passport control/heading to the gate right before departure.

 

[jase05]

Lack of JQ lounge access at Changi is a very minor thing in my opinion. Changi airport has plenty to do without lounge access, in addition it's possible to get a dragon pass membership (free membership via a few avenues) that allows for $33 access to many lounges including the Plaza Premium (T1), SATS Lounge (T1/3), Marhaba Lounge (T1/3) or the Ambassador Transit Lounge (T3)

During my recent departures from Changi (twice this year) even though I've had SQ lounge access I've instead made a habit of checking in and then walking over to jewel and only passing through passport control/heading to the gate right before departure.

True. My advice also factored in a few other things and they don’t have a huge swag of points and I just think 50k or whatever it is for SIN-MEL in horrible seats on a LCC isn’t a great spend of points and they would me much better using them for MH/QF for SEA another time. Especially for a night flight I think they are better off paying $1k for a flat bed