Booking an earlier domestic flight for an existing international connection

[Brentendo]

Hi everyone!

I hope you managed to book something decent with the recent Qantas release of classic award bookings!

I will try and word my question in short, I already had classic award flights booked from MEL to LHR for July (that I booked months ago), but the new offering had some better flights available, so I made changes with Qantas over the phone.

My old ticket was on 2 separate bookings. QF462 MEL > SYD on one booking; and JL flights to London on another.

My new ticket is QF444 MEL > SYD followed by QF1 SYD > LHR in one booking.

Now here is the question: The new ticket doesn’t give me a very long layover (which I want). If I keep my existing domestic booking and fly to SYD earlier in the day, will the fact that I didn’t show up for my later flight cancel my international leg? Clearly this would be a disaster!

Hoping someone will know

Really appreciate any help or thoughts you guys have.

PS: I did try to ask to change the new domestic leg but “apparently” there is nothing earlier.

 

[BriarFlyer]

If I keep my existing domestic booking and fly to SYD earlier in the day, will the fact that I didn’t show up for my later flight cancel my international leg?

Yes, missing the first flight would invalidate the rest of your ticket.

 

[justinbrett]

However it's good having them on a single booking because if anything happens to your first flight, you will be covered.

You'd be better off either sucking up the change fees and changing it again (if possible), or get to the airport early and ask nicely.

Do you want the layover to do something in SYD or just to ensure you catch the connection? If the latter this might be counterproductive - you're safer the way it is now.

 

[Brentendo]

Thanks guys. Booking is flying U, but I have some first class lounge passes to use. They won’t let me add it to the domestic leg (lounge in MEL is in the international terminal anyway obviously), and there is not currently enough time layover in Sydney.

I haven’t flown international via Sydney for quite a while (I’m from Melbourne). I assume I still need to collect my bags and transfer to the international terminal and check in again anyway? It’s why I was hoping I could just book an earlier flight rather than turning up early.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks guys. Booking is flying U, but I have some first class lounge passes to use. They won’t let me add it to the domestic leg (lounge in MEL is in the international terminal anyway obviously), and there is not currently enough time layover in Sydney.

I haven’t flown international via Sydney for quite a while (I’m from Melbourne). I assume I still need to collect my bags and transfer to the international terminal and check in again anyway? It’s why I was hoping I could just book an earlier flight rather than turning up early.

Your bags will be checked through all the way from MEL to LHR. You’ll also get your boarding passes for both legs.

On arrival at SYD domestic you go to the transfer gate, which is like gate 15 or something, and the bus takes you over to the international terminal. There can be a wait for the bus at buys times.

When checking in at MEL you need to use the international connections manual check in desk. Your documents will be checked and scanned. You need to arrive earlier - at least 45 mins - prior to departure.

Short connections are a common issue. Trying to change over the phone is very hard. But you can always turn up at the airport in MEL early and ask them to put you on an earlier flight to SYD. If there’s space available they’ll usually do it for you. Plenty of reports on here of that being successful.

But even if they can’t move you, with a 90 minute minimum connecting time in SYD you should be able to make the transfer without too much problem, although your lounge time may be limited.

 

[Hampton Mike]

When you checkin at MEL for the domestic flight, the international connections desk is in T1, to the right of the self checkin area.

 

[BD1959]

When checking in at MEL you need to use the international connections manual check in desk. Your documents will be checked and scanned. You need to arrive earlier - at least 45 mins - prior to departure.

Short connections are a common issue. Trying to change over the phone is very hard. But you can always turn up at the airport in MEL early and ask them to put you on an earlier flight to SYD. If there’s space available they’ll usually do it for you. Plenty of reports on here of that being successful.

This! I've done this before at MEL. Allow plenty of time so you have the option of a number of flights (hey, if they put you on the earliest even *more* time in the FLounge!) - even check the loadings via EF the night before.

Regards,

BD

 

[Brentendo]

An update to this saga, QF1 flight time has been shifted and my connection time in SYD is now only 45 mins! I am sure this doesn't meet the minimum connection time...?

​

 

[AIRwin]

An update to this saga, QF1 flight time has been shifted and my connection time in SYD is now only 45 mins! I am sure this doesn't meet the minimum connection time...?

Free pass for you to request for other options...

 

[BD1959]

An update to this saga, QF1 flight time has been shifted and my connection time in SYD is now only 45 mins! I am sure this doesn't meet the minimum connection time...?

It doesn't according to EF MCT:

QF-QF DI 1.30 TRM 3 - 1

Regards,

BD