Start using those hoarded express cards

[awilcockson]

I was recently involved in a conversation with a QF checkin agent who told me that "very soon we won't need to hand you an express card any more, as they will be printed directly onto your boarding pass"

So start using your horded express cards, before they aren't accepted any more ... I know I'm going to start working through my stockpile.

 

[BVT]

I was recently involved in a conversation with a QF checkin agent who told me that "very soon we won't need to hand you an express card any more, as they will be printed directly onto your boarding pass"

So start using your horded express cards, before they aren't accepted any more ... I know I'm going to start working through my stockpile.

Thanks for the tip.

Yet another enhancement!:evil:

 

[simongr]

One less piece of paper that is wasted then

Don't see a problem with this. If you are getting them through status then this will only become a problem when you lose status.

It will be interesting to see how they will police using older BPs...

 

[awilcockson]

Yet another enhancement!:evil:

I got the feeling that this isn't necessarily just a QF thing, but rather something that all the airlines will be implementing. Hence my decision to use my hoarded cards as I believe that they just won't work once the new system comes in.

 

[markis10]

I got the feeling that this isn't necessarily just a QF thing, but rather something that all the airlines will be implementing. Hence my decision to use my hoarded cards as I believe that they just won't work once the new system comes in.

Given the Express line is not a QF initiated benefit per se, I would not be surprised if there is a mandate for it to be added to the BP by the government!

 

[Mal]

Sounds good in some ways, bad in others. Certainly if you're legitimately in the queue you shouldn't have a problem.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[david870mdg]

Thanks for the tip.

Yet another enhancement!:evil:

Actually, YES this is an enhancement.
Express priviliges for those ENTITLED to use them, instead of a transferable handout.
As long as it is properly enforced...

 

[simongr]

I got the feeling that this isn't necessarily just a QF thing, but rather something that all the airlines will be implementing. Hence my decision to use my hoarded cards as I believe that they just won't work once the new system comes in.

Given the Express line is not a QF initiated benefit per se, I would not be surprised if there is a mandate for it to be added to the BP by the government!

Might also make it easier for immigration queue police to work out who has access given all of the different cards being used by different airlines.

 

[anat0l]

Have to agree that this is a genuine enhancement in the positive sense of the word.

I suppose FL runners can't schmooze up to the marble desk in SYD T1 to get an express pass through security screening any more, but the spirit / intention of the program was never to be able to allow that kind of action to happen.

Of course, you will need to check your BP carefully now, as if you do not have the correct annotation on your BP you will need to prompt the check-in agent to print a new one.

Got a friend or family who can't benefit from your accumulated fast track passes? Oh well.... boo hoo......... that was never intended in the express program either I would've imagined...

This must have implications for people using BPs printed through OLCI (where it is possible). I suppose these people may not have had access in the past anyway since they would need to present themselves at a counter (anyway) to get the separate pass, but if the system will be "automated" now the OLCIers will surely wail if their print-your-own BPs do not give them the privilege.

I remember flying out of BRU on SN in J, and they have a similar priority access line where the privilege is afforded by a similar annotation on the BP and not a separate card. BKK also have a common priority facility which is printed on a separate card, but these cards are date-stamped, so not as transferrable as the ones we use here in Australia (albeit admittedly you can't reuse the date-stamped ones).

Finally, we'll still probably hoard some cards, for I'd imagine instituting express arrivals in the same way can't be as simple. (Though I must say since I always have something to declare when I get back, I hardly ever use express arrival).

 

[mannej]

Thanks for the tip.

Yet another enhancement!:evil:

How is this considered a negative? It seems that there is a lot of cynicism going around any change that gets made.

Is this not to dissimilar to the AA system that gets printed onto the BP's which people seem to see as a positive. Less to carry around for the traveler and less waste. I fail to see the negative in that.

 

[Happy Trails]

BKK also have a common priority facility which is printed on a separate card, but these cards are date-stamped, so not as transferrable as the ones we use here in Australia (albeit admittedly you can't reuse the date-stamped ones).

I have a bunch of BKK cards, none are date-stamped. Some have my name and / or flight number but they never seem to check those details.

 

[QF029]

The desk guys never check anyway so it depends how on the ball the guys immediately inside the automatic doors are.

Sent from my GT-I9100T using AustFreqFly

 

[TonyHancock]

This has got to be a good thing doesn't it. No more reminding check in staff in the MEL dom J lounge I need an express card when I'm en route overseas via Sydney!

Hopefully this will be inbound as well as outbound.

 

[chrisb]

They also use these for connecting pax who are running late. Maybe they will retain cards for this sort of situation.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Have to agree that this is a genuine enhancement in the positive sense of the word.

...

Got a friend or family who can't benefit from your accumulated fast track passes? Oh well.... boo hoo......... that was never intended in the express program either I would've imagined...

this is a good thing. I hope they extend this to lounge access... that the guest traveling with you must be on the same PNR and that will be annotated on the boarding pass.

I cannot imagine it was ever intended that people advertise on the web to see if a total stranger is flying that day to piggy back on their guest priviledges.

 

[Mal]

this is a good thing. I hope they extend this to lounge access... that the guest traveling with you must be on the same PNR and that will be annotated on the boarding pass.

I cannot imagine it was ever intended that people advertise on the web to see if a total stranger is flying that day to piggy back on their guest priviledges.

Right. So next time I am travelling with a business colleague (booked separately through my corporate TA), then they should be denied access?

I think you need to rethink your theory, A person I meet through here is a "friend" and deserves the access I provide to them.

 

[Archphoto]

this is a good thing. I hope they extend this to lounge access... that the guest traveling with you must be on the same PNR and that will be annotated on the boarding pass.

I cannot imagine it was ever intended that people advertise on the web to see if a total stranger is flying that day to piggy back on their guest priviledges.

I hope they don't disallow Lounge Access for someone on a different PNR - often I have to travel a few days before my PA, and it's only the return trip that we do together. In this case, we are obviously on different PNRs. I'm entitled to have a guest flying on the day - what difference does it make if the PNR matches/doesn't match?

 

[NM]

I can understand this is good for departures express, assuming it will be printed on the BP even if issued at a different airport (connections), where the cards are sometimes not available now. Not sure how it will be handled for arrivals since boarding passes may be printed by other airlines etc, so handing them out in-flight ensures everyone entitled will receive one.

 

[medhead]

this is a good thing. I hope they extend this to lounge access... that the guest traveling with you must be on the same PNR and that will be annotated on the boarding pass.

I cannot imagine it was ever intended that people advertise on the web to see if a total stranger is flying that day to piggy back on their guest priviledges.

As others have said, the same PNR is a step too far. My wife travelling on an award booking should not be my guest when on a paid booking? Seriously?


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

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As others have said, the same PNR is a step too far. My wife travelling on an award booking should not be my guest when on a paid booking? Seriously?


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

ok, pnr was just off the top of my head, and in response to the comment that express passes should only be used by those ENTITLED to it, and boo hoo if I couldn't give my spare passes to my 80 year old parents when they have to fly jetstar to christchurch.

my comment was quite clearly aimed - and should not be taken so literally on the term pnr - at those people who arrange lounge meets and take in a guest they have never met before. this is also clearly unintended. I quite clearly said in my post that the guest privilege is for a guest that the passenger knows... be it wife, spouse, relative or work colleague or friend. not someone completely random that has no connection to the entitled member other than a 'I can't get in on my own so will someone stump up to get me in for free' stranger.

if you want to limit the use of express passes because people aren't entitled, let's look at clamping down on all the other things too