Cheapest way into the SYD T1 F lounge as a guest?

[beardoc]

I've been searching for this, but I can't find it anywhere. I remember that someone did an elaborate method of getting into the Singapore Airlines lounge at SYD T1 without buying a Singapore Airlines Business Class ticket - or they did and then they cancelled it. I really would like to find this again, but am lost as to where the discussion was.

I'm in the situation where I want to be able to get airside because a friend of mine who is WP is going to be flying SYD-ZQN soon, and wants me to come and join him in the F lounge for the Eggs Benedict!

I'm in Sydney, and whilst I'm happy to pay for a return domestic trip from the International Terminal (e.g. QF81 SYD/ADL), I was wondering about the possibility of even avoiding that. After all, I will be guested into the lounge, I just need to get airside.

I'm wondering, if you buy a fully flexible ticket on QF81, do online checkin and head to the airport, get through immigration, and enjoy the F lounge guested by the WP friend - then either whilst in the QP I call up and have the flight cancelled, or cancel it in the F lounge, (preferably not doing a "no show" and delaying the airline). As I wouldn't bring any baggage on board, and it's a fully refundable ticket, I'll leave through immigration again and get a refund from QANTAS.

I realise that I might raise the ire of some people here, and I'm not doing this to offend people - I'm just really wondering about the issues below:

* Cancelling a flight after OLCI and clearing immigration - as it seems that you can still change a domestic flight after OCLI, this shouldn't be a problem.

* Trying to exit SYD immigration after entering - I'm sure this might delay things and would probably raise some suspicions as well. i'd be prepared to be delayed, as after all, I'm not doing anything illegal.

Any thoughts?

 

[moa999]

Big downfall is that the WP can only guest someone "travelling with member"

Flying with Us - Qantas Club - Lounge Access

Same restriction does not apply to other oneworld emeralds

 

[beardoc]

Big downfall is that the WP can only guest someone "travelling with member"

Flying with Us - Qantas Club - Lounge Access

Same restriction does not apply to other oneworld emeralds

That's easily fixed - I buy a full fare economy ticket (or business, which is fully refundable) on the same flight that the WP is flying on - and then cancel it again.

Surely it doesn't have to be on the same linked ticket as the WP?

 

[Travel Guru]

Is it really worth the effort or hassle??

TG

 

[markis10]

You would need a passport, and a good reason as to why you cannot make the flight, as you would need to pass through border security, and you cannot do OLCI if its international and QF AFIK!

 

[Mal]

It was a thread over at Flyertalk by a chap who sometimes posts here as well.

I wouldn't really recommend it. Way too many places where things can go wrong, and do you really want to try and explain to an Immigration agent why you're doing this?

 

[NM]

That's easily fixed - I buy a full fare economy ticket (or business, which is fully refundable) on the same flight that the WP is flying on - and then cancel it again.

Surely it doesn't have to be on the same linked ticket as the WP?

Two things to note: You cannot do OLCI for an international flight. And the refund could take 6-8 weeks to be returned to your credit card.

 

[beardoc]

It was a thread over at Flyertalk by a chap who sometimes posts here as well.

I wouldn't really recommend it. Way too many places where things can go wrong, and do you really want to try and explain to an Immigration agent why you're doing this?

I think it would be interesting explaining this to an Immigration agent. After all, what could they charge me with? They could search me - I wouldn't mind. It's not like they'd find anything.

It's as much the intellectual challenge of achieving the unachievable as much as anything else.

That, and I like Eggs Benedict.

 

[beardoc]

Two things to note: You cannot do OLCI for an international flight. And the refund could take 6-8 weeks to be returned to your credit card.

Refund not a big issue - I can cover that. This is not something that I'd do often - it's a one-off treat.

So the question is, if you front up to an agent and check in, then can you cancel a booked fully-flexible fare?

 

[Travel Guru]

I'm thinking you checking in with nothing but the clothes on your back is going to arouse suspicion.

I think you would get a refund, but wasting peoples time like that, I sure hope you don't!

TG

 

[NM]

Refund not a big issue - I can cover that. This is not something that I'd do often - it's a one-off treat.

So the question is, if you front up to an agent and check in, then can you cancel a booked fully-flexible fare?

Technically I believe it can be done. And you would not be the first to do it. Personally, I would not do it.

 

[NM]

I think it would be interesting explaining this to an Immigration agent. After all, what could they charge me with?

Being a public nuisance, perhaps?

They could search me - I wouldn't mind. It's not like they'd find anything.

Hope they don't choose to do an internal examination - bring egg products into Australia is in breach of quarantine laws and the associated risks of bird flu . Perhaps exceeding the duty-free allowance for alcohol carried in one's stomach/bladder???

I just hope that if you doo choose to undertake this "experiment" that you select a middle seat down the back and not deny a real passenger from receiving a decent seat allocation.

 

[beardoc]

Being a public nuisance, perhaps?

Hope they don't choose to do an internal examination - bring egg products into Australia is in breach of quarantine laws and the associated risks of bird flu . Perhaps exceeding the duty-free allowance for alcohol carried in one's stomach/bladder???

Ironically, I don't drink, so it really wouldn't be the alcohol at 7am that is beckoning.

I just hope that if you doo choose to undertake this "experiment" that you select a middle seat down the back and not deny a real passenger from receiving a decent seat allocation.

Well, yes. This is about seeing if it COULD be done. It doesn't mean I'd do it - just that I could work out a way that it COULD be done. All a part of understanding how things work.

And yes, middle seat, back row would be a given, to avoid any inconvenience to others.

 

[Febs]

You can get eggs benedict at a cafe, y'know.

 

[Maca44]

As the is no OLCI for international flights, and you have to check in at the counter before proceeding through Customs/Immig, would that not possibly count as commencing your trip and that you might not be entitled to a refund. Just a thought as I have no idea if that is correct or not.

 

[Evan]

As the is no OLCI for international flights, and you have to check in at the counter before proceeding through Customs/Immig, would that not possibly count as commencing your trip and that you might not be entitled to a refund. Just a thought as I have no idea if that is correct or not.

Boss had to get off a flight in exceptional circumstances earlier in the year and he had already stepped onto the plane ! was not counted in this case as commencing his trip and he did not have to explain why he was not flying. But he was not after a refund, he simply flew the next day.
E

 

[Will]

Refund not a big issue - I can cover that. This is not something that I'd do often - it's a one-off treat.

What is the true cost to you then? ie 6-8 weeks worth of interest on a fully flex international ticket? Might be between $40-$60 depending on your personal financial situation.
That would buy a lot of eggs.

 

[beardoc]

What is the true cost to you then? ie 6-8 weeks worth of interest on a fully flex international ticket? Might be between $40-$60 depending on your personal financial situation.
That would buy a lot of eggs.

Fully flexible flight to Auckland - $922. Even if it was 8 weeks to getting the money back, that's not exactly breaking the bank in terms of opportunity cost!

 

[Anna]

if you buy a fully flexible ticket on QF81

QF81 does not have first class.

When I flew to Auckland in February there was no first class on that flight either, but I am not sure about all flight numbers.

As to your question of what you could be charged with - fraud, false pretences or "attempt to obtain benefit by deception" might be for starters.

It's a public transport waiting room. Get a grip.

 

[Dave Noble]

QF81 does not have first class.

That would be irrelevent as far as getting in as a guest .

As to your question of what you could be charged with - fraud, false pretences or "attempt to obtain benefit by deception" might be for starters.

As long as they can show intent, yup, would seem correct

It's a public transport waiting room. Get a grip.

nicely put

make life easy; if wanting to wait around with the person before they head off , then there are cafes in the terminal landside where it is easy to have something to eat an drink without the subterfuge to get airside and back

Dave