SYD transfer travelling to DFW in F

[Justinf]

Hi, I'm flaying QF7 from SYD-DFW in F (paid fare if that makes any difference although I'm sure it doesn't).
The flight leaves at 1pm, but I'm first coming to SYD from MEL 9.30am departure, arrive SYD at 10.55am.
I have a lot of questions as this is my first ever time in F, but I'll keep it it to a few brief ones.

When I booked, the earliest time I could get out of MEL was 9.30am. I'm presuming I won't have much time to enjoy the F Lounge in SYD?
When I arrive in SYD, will my bags have been checked right through to DFW?
When I arrive in SYD, do I have to make my own way (via the bus) to the international terminal the 'normal' way or as an F passenger, do I get certain privilidges (ie an escort?).

As you can see I'm an F virgin. This is a bucketlist trip of mine so any help would be greatly appreciated and please forgive my ignorance.

 

[TonyHancock]

Your bags should be checked through to DFW. when you arrive at SYD head to gate 15 and the livestock truck will take you to the international terminal it runs every 10 mins before noon. It is just possible that QF might lay on an F host to accompany you on the livestock truck* and whisk you through the dungheap that is SYD International, but I have certainly never experienced it.

*you would certainly need to ask for this.

 

[Justinf]

Your bags should be checked through to DFW. when you arrive at SYD head to gate 15 and the livestock truck will take you to the international terminal it runs every 10 mins before noon. It is just possible that QF might lay on an F host to accompany you on the livestock truck* and whisk you through the dungheap that is SYD International, but I have certainly never experienced it.

*you would certainly need to ask for this.

I've done the livestock truck and I hate the livestock truck. Thanks for responding.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ideally, if I were you, I would try to get the very first domestic flight from MEL to SYD.
If all goes well, you will have some minimum time in the F lounge, but not much.
If you can get a seat at the 6am departure from MEL - SYD, this would give you a bit more time in the F lounge.
Phone up QF telephone sales, and explain your situation, they might (who knows) be amicable and put you onto the first 6am or 6.30am flight MEL - SYD.
OR you can offer to take the last flight from MEL - SYD and stay at the new Rydges Sydney Airport hotel overnight.
Try as much as you can to be in SYD as early as possible.
F pax get Expresspath departure card.
Melbourne check in should give you this and an outgoing immigration card.
There is a special entry to the departure immigration and international security screening area.
Shorter queue.

 

[Mattg]

Regarding the short connection time, keep in mind that you can create a longer connection (when booking) by doing a multi-city booking. You won't be charged any more, provided you keep the SYD transit under 24 hours. But since you've already booked, just turn up early at MEL and request an earlier flight to "allow more time for your international connection". This usually seems to work.

Enjoy the F experience

 

[ozbeachbabe]

When you ger a call the day prior to book a spa treatnent ask then.

What type of fare or fare bucket is the MEL/SYD flight booked in?

 

[Justinf]

When you ger a call the day prior to book a spa treatnent ask then.

What type of fare or fare bucket is the MEL/SYD flight booked in?

The whole leg was booked as a First saver.
I will be flying MEL-SYD in J.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The whole leg was booked as a First saver.
I will be flying MEL-SYD in J.

Don't know whether that would be 'D' or 'I' class however if that fare bucket is available on an earlier flight they should be able to move you.

 

[bsb]

Ideally, if I were you, I would try to get the very first domestic flight from MEL to SYD.
If all goes well, you will have some minimum time in the F lounge, but not much.
If you can get a seat at the 6am departure from MEL - SYD, this would give you a bit more time in the F lounge.
Phone up QF telephone sales, and explain your situation, they might (who knows) be amicable and put you onto the first 6am or 6.30am flight MEL - SYD.

Id make 2 points:

yes it's a nice lounge, but it's an airport lounge. You eat, get a 20 min spa treatment and relax for a bit and the thrill is done. How much extra time do you want to sit in a lounge for? 2 hrs is a long time sitting in a lounge, even the awesome QF F lounge

secondly, don't forget if you fly on a peak hour flight from MEL, esp on a Monday, you have that nightmare traffic to deal with getting into the airport. Do you really want to wake up that early just to sit in the lounge? just saying.....

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I was thinking of "helping" the OP get as much time in the QF SYD international F lounge.
Granted a lounge is a lounge, and for those WP/P1/CL members, it can get passe after a while.
Like I had an aim even before AFF to get to try the QF MEL international lounges, both J and F.
Well, I did them, and am now satisfied.
Unless the OP flies trans Tasman with EK with a QF flight number in F, or is guested, this will be his one and only.
If I didn't fly that EK plane in F, I would not have had the chance to see the lounges. Least I got to have cider at 6am! With eggs well done on toast!

 

[11sjw]

Id make 2 points:

yes it's a nice lounge, but it's an airport lounge. You eat, get a 20 min spa treatment and relax for a bit and the thrill is done. How much extra time do you want to sit in a lounge for? 2 hrs is a long time sitting in a lounge, even the awesome QF F lounge

You forgot try out the showers, try a few of the drinks, grab a snooze and at least 2 of the desserts. Or is that just me?

secondly, don't forget if you fly on a peak hour flight from MEL, esp on a Monday, you have that nightmare traffic to deal with getting into the airport. Do you really want to wake up that early just to sit in the lounge? just saying.....

Bucket list type trip so "Yes" would be my answer!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Bucket list type trip so "Yes" would be my answer!

Me too - especially as 2 hours is the total time including getting over to the terminal, clearing immigration and boarding time at the other end. Probably less than an hour in the lounge.

 

[JohnK]

Ideally, if I were you, I would try to get the very first domestic flight from MEL to SYD.
If all goes well, you will have some minimum time in the F lounge, but not much.
If you can get a seat at the 6am departure from MEL - SYD, this would give you a bit more time in the F lounge.

Why oh why would you leave ~3h 30m earlier. More lounge time?

I know we are not all the same but I have been in transit in HKG today for 6+ hours. I have visited every lounge. I am bored. I would rather have been on the flight that left ~4 hours ago. Award availability was the only reason for this long transit.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi, I'm flaying QF7 from SYD-DFW in F (paid fare if that makes any difference although I'm sure it doesn't).
The flight leaves at 1pm, but I'm first coming to SYD from MEL 9.30am departure, arrive SYD at 10.55am.
I have a lot of questions as this is my first ever time in F, but I'll keep it it to a few brief ones.

When I booked, the earliest time I could get out of MEL was 9.30am. I'm presuming I won't have much time to enjoy the F Lounge in SYD?
When I arrive in SYD, will my bags have been checked right through to DFW?
When I arrive in SYD, do I have to make my own way (via the bus) to the international terminal the 'normal' way or as an F passenger, do I get certain privilidges (ie an escort?).

As you can see I'm an F virgin. This is a bucketlist trip of mine so any help would be greatly appreciated and please forgive my ignorance.

I do SYD-MEL quite a bit before long hauls and I always overnight prior to the international departure. I'm no lounge lizard (believe it or not) but I don't like being stressed and harassed about connections at the start of a long trip. If you can't go overnight then I'd definitely recommend an earlier flight to SYD. The whole T3-T1 experience is dreadful and flying in F doesn't make it any better. I've tried it

 

[Princess Fiona]

Why oh why would you leave ~3h 30m earlier. More lounge time?

I know we are not all the same but I have been in transit in HKG today for 6+ hours. I have visited every lounge. I am bored. I would rather have been on the flight that left ~4 hours ago. Award availability was the only reason for this long transit.

With all due respect JohnK the OP is on a bucket list trip, first time in F. They will have the full gamut of F privileges in the SYD Lounge, pre-booked Spa, table reservations etc etc. This is totally different to your transit thorough a pedestrian airport you have been to a million times previously.
It's not often I say this but this time I think AP is right on the money.

 

[Justinf]

It's certainly a bucket list trip and probably the only time (although never say never) I will fly long haul in F. I will be like a kid in a candy shop. I might ring up and see if I can get the MEL-SYD leg moved to an earlier time.
The only other way I could fly F long haul is upgrade from J for the return leg DFW-SYD using points (I have about 80,000 QF points). I'm guessing the 'lounge' in DFW is not comparable to the F lounge in Sydney.
Appreciate everyone's comments here. But it's definitely an exciting trip for me. What may seem like a mundane experience to some, will be something new and very, very exciting for me.

 

[Kangol]

QF F pax can reserve dining tables at the F lounge?

 

[boomy]

It's certainly a bucket list trip and probably the only time (although never say never) I will fly long haul in F. I will be like a kid in a candy shop. I might ring up and see if I can get the MEL-SYD leg moved to an earlier time.
The only other way I could fly F long haul is upgrade from J for the return leg DFW-SYD using points (I have about 80,000 QF points). I'm guessing the 'lounge' in DFW is not comparable to the F lounge in Sydney.
Appreciate everyone's comments here. But it's definitely an exciting trip for me. What may seem like a mundane experience to some, will be something new and very, very exciting for me.

I think moving the Dom flight to an earlier time is good idea and remember to update chauffeur pick up online if you do that just in case, although they will call you the day prior to reconfirm.

Your profile says you like wine so if I can give one advise, don't drink too much in the Flounge! Unlike the food, alcohol will be much better onboard and you're on a day flight...

 

[bosox76]

To get a 9:30am flight out of Melbourne you're more likely to be stuck in the horrible traffic than if you take an earlier flight. I would prefer to wake up a bit earlier and not have to sit in the Tulla traffic and be more relaxed through the rest of the flight process. If this results in more time in the lounge even better

My vote would be to change flights if you can. Esp as its a Bucketlist flght.

 

[JohnK]

But it's definitely an exciting trip for me. What may seem like a mundane experience to some, will be something new and very, very exciting for me.

Try and grab an earlier flight and enjoy your first experience in the F lounge.