SYD to BNE after a flight from JNB

[sanne]

Thanks for some help with this.

My husband and I will be flying into SYD from JNB arriving about 2pm. We have used points for JNB to SYD so need to purchase tickets from SYD to BNE. The question is, how much time should we allow between these 2 flights. We have luggage.

I noticed that if our 2 flights were on the same ticket, Qantas would have booked us a flight at 4pm.

I have 2 questions........

1...If I book this 4pm flight myself and our previous flight from JNB is delayed, will Qantas put us on the next available flight with no extra charge?

2.. If I book a flight at say 5:00 or 5:30 and arrive earlier, could we ask to be put on an earlier flight?

I would welcome any replies to help me make an informed decision what is the best to do here.

It's really great to have this forum, to be able to ask for help from very knowledgable and experienced fliers. Thanks very much.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I would say 2 hours is enough.

You can link the 2 bookings that way Qantas will know you are connecting to the domestic flight, so when you check in at the start of the flight home in JNB you will be checked through to the flight to Brisbane, you will need to collect bags in Sydney.

Important part just link the 2 bookings.

 

[sanne]

Thanks for your quick reply.

So what you are saying is that if I book the 4pm flight and we miss the flight to BNE, Qantas will automatically put us on the next available flight.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for your quick reply.

So what you are saying is that if I book the 4pm flight and we miss the flight to BNE, Qantas will automatically put us on the next available flight.

As long as you link the 2 bookings, I seem to think the check in staff at the international terminal for those domestic transfer passengers are pretty good at looking after inbound passengers.

 

[sanne]

OK, that's great. Thank you.

 

[mannej]

Linking the two bookings does not guarantee protection in the case of a misconnect.

 

[sanne]

Thank you mannej. Would you mind explaining what would happen if there is a misconnect. It has never happen to us yet but sure it will someday and I'd like to be prepared particularly after a long overnight flight when we're going to be feeling jaded.

 

[straitman]

Linking the two bookings does not guarantee protection in the case of a misconnect.

Though in SYD they always seem to re-shedule as required.

I have had various connections into SYD and Qantas have always obliged.

 

[mannej]

Linking two separate tickets technically doesn't offer protection if you miss the second flight, however others have stated QF are generally fairly obliging if you do miss the second flight

 

[sanne]

Thanks again for all your replies, much appreciated.

 

[markis10]

Kind of intrigued as to why the points booking did not have the BNE leg included? As others have said, no guarantees unless they are on the same booking!

 

[sanne]

As far as I can remember ( this was booked about 10 months ago ) Trying to make the best use of our points by using them for J bookings and it was extra points to add the Sydney to Brisbane sector. I thought we just pay for them.

 

[sanne]

Is there a seamless way to get from SYD international terminal to the domestic. Does Qantas have a check in desk at the int'l terminal for this? And is there a bus or do we get a taxi? Thanks very much for all your help.

 

[markis10]

Is there a seamless way to get from SYD international terminal to the domestic. Does Qantas have a check in desk at the int'l terminal for this? And is there a bus or do we get a taxi? Thanks very much for all your help.

There is a transfer desk etc where you checkin bags and get updated boarding passes etc sat the International.

 

[sanne]

That's good. Thanks for the info.

 

[Canny man]

I've done this trip 5 times in the last 2 years and never had a problem. I usually allow 2 hours and have only once not been able to get an earlier flight. I do however only travel with carry on. If you have luggage it will not be practical to get an earlier flight as you literally have to get off the bus and go straight to gate.
Tip....get the flight change at the transfer desk before you get on the bus. If they issue it, they make sure the plane knows that you are coming through and will board. If you wait til the lounge at the domestic terminal you will have a lot less time.

 

[sanne]

That is a very useful tip, Canny man which I'm sure I'll have need to use one of these days.

Do I understand you correctly that you have a booked ticket that is 2 hours later than when you landed and you have asked for an earlier one at the transfer desk? I will be very happy to make a flight within 2 hours of landing. Our flight lands at 2pm and I can book a flight to BNE at 4pm, 5pm or 5.30. This is the decision I have to make.

 

[serfty]

That is a very useful tip, Canny man which I'm sure I'll have need to use one of these days.

Do I understand you correctly that you have a booked ticket that is 2 hours later than when you landed and you have asked for an earlier one at the transfer desk? I will be very happy to make a flight within 2 hours of landing. Our flight lands at 2pm and I can book a flight to BNE at 4pm, 5pm or 5.30. This is the decision I have to make.

Not always - if the flights are full they won't, however at the transfer facility they do have a lot more ability to rebook to different flights than normal check-in counters.

 

[sanne]

Thanks Serfty for that information. Now to decide which flight to book.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks Serfty for that information. Now to decide which flight to book.

I would probably book the 4pm flight. I've seen people make this connection in less than 2 hours (to a
CBR flight). I would imagine that after flying all the way from JNB you'd just want to get to BNE ASAP. Even if your inbound flight was late, as long as the bookings are linked, you'd just be put on the next one.