Can't leave Melbourne Airport During transit??? [DOH-MEL-ADL vv]

[andye]

Closely related problem
I have booked award flights for July MAD-DOH-ADL without realising this issue
The second flight is QR988 which seems to have an overnight transit stop in MEL (landing~2205). There wasn't award space for DOH-MEL on the same flight.
Our final destination is SYD so am hoping we would be able to shortcheck baggage, offload and overnight at MEL and fly MEL-SYD on a separate ticket (would have been buying a ADL-SYD anyway).
Don't fancy an overnight in a deserted MEL
Is this likely to work?

PS:Realise that I want to essentially hidden city award ticket

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Closely related problem
I have booked award flights for July MAD-DOH-ADL.
The second flight is QR988 which seems to have an overnight transit stop in MEL. There wasn't award space for DOH-MEL on the same flight.
Our final destination is SYD so am hoping we would be able to shortcheck baggage, offload at MEL and fly MEL-SYD on a separate ticket (would have been buying a ADL-SYD anyway).
Don't fancy an overnight in a deserted MEL
Is this likely to work?

Depends if QR will agree to shortchecking of your bag. IIRC that’s not something QR normally does u less there’s a stopover included on your ticket. Given the married segments, they may not be willing. On the other hand given the unique nature of the flight there might be an exception for it!

I don’t think we ever heard back from the OP… so we don’t know the logistics of the transfer in MEL, and whether you can in fact leave.

 

[andye]

I've now managed to find award availability CDG-DOH-ADL with the last flight being direct. I'm relieved I didn't have to break news of an overnight stay in MEL to mrsandye

 

[r01x]

Any other experiences with QR988 specifically the MEL turn?

Thanks!

 

[jrvk]

Just posted on another similar thread in this forum and then found this post - reposting here (sorry if not allowed).


Work has booked me from ADL to CDG on this flight (ADL-MEL-DOH-CDG), leaving at 12:40 with a two hour 'technical stop' in Melbourne.

No one in Adelaide or on the phone is able to answer the question for me as to whether I need to go through customs in ADL or not (I presume yes given everything I have read, as it is technically an 'international' flight from ADL to DOH, not ADL to MEL and then MEL to DOH).

It potentially means an extra 60-70 mins in bed in Adelaide before travel, so knowing whether to plan my timing for international or domestic is worth it!

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF @jrvk.

You will do emigration/customs in ADL.

At MEL you will have to do transit security only.

 

[jrvk]

Welcome to AFF @jrvk.

You will do emigration/customs in ADL.

At MEL you will have to do transit security only.

Figured as such - an extra hour in the lounge in ADL then - will post a full report back here with my experience so others in the same boat can find easy answers.

Thank you for the kind welcome @serfty - I am a long time lurker, first time poster!

 

[Anna]

Last time I flew int ex ADL, the only lounge after immigration was the SQ lounge. Does QR have an airside lounge on the int side? I thought QR used the QF dom lounge, which is before immigration, same as the VA dom lounge.

 

[VeniVidiVici]

No airside lounge in ADL for international. One supposed to be opening soon

 

[Pushka]

Last time I flew int ex ADL, the only lounge after immigration was the SQ lounge. Does QR have an airside lounge on the int side? I thought QR used the QF dom lounge, which is before immigration, same as the VA dom lounge.

This last year Qatar hasn't been given access to the QP.

 

[Anna]

This last year Qatar hasn't been given access to the QP.

What lounge do they use now? Is it before or after immigration?

 

[jase05]

What lounge do they use now? Is it before or after immigration?

You should be able to use either the QF or VA lounge which are both before immigration although I’ve been told by several travellers that they have been directed to the VA lounge.
The new Plaza Premium lounge will be after immigration but that’s still a month or so away from being completed

 

[Pushka]

What lounge do they use now? Is it before or after immigration?

We didn't get access to any lounge. Had to go to the bar in the centre.

 

[Askance]

What lounge do they use now? Is it before or after immigration?

Qatar checkin staff were giving Biz class passengers a 40 dollar voucher to be used at Penfolds wine bar (b4 immigration). And the Qantas lounge wasnt open late enough to be of any use if you had alternate status to get in there.

 

[AirbusA350]

So for anyone interested, here’s an update having just flown the service:

1. Boarding pass is issued as a single DOH - ADL
2. Once you’ve arrived in MEL, there will be a person holding a sign for ADL passengers. They will guide you to go through the international transit channel. There is a security check.
3. After this you will be deposited back into the International Departures area (airside)

Things to note:
- You cannot leave MEL airport. You must stay in the international transit area
- You clear Australian immigration and customs at ADL. Your checked bags will also arrive there
- MEL has a great selection of lounges - QF F, QF J, Amex Centurion, Marhaba and Plaza Premium BUT they are all closed during the hours of QR’s landing into MEL at 23:20 and the departure at 05:35 the following morning
- There are toilets and showers (own towel needed) at MEL as well as drinking water stations. Limited shops are open. There are vending machines available for snacks and soft drinks
- You can sprawl across a bench and try to sleep, it is reasonably comfortable
- QR being QR There is a small breakfast platter service offered in the MEL - ADL shuttle also if travelling J and a pie or sandwich if travelling Y

It isn’t actually that painful, time passed by quite quickly with a mixture of sleep, toilet break, walking around terminal and watching things on devices.

If the fare is cheaper than direct ADL service or if award availability is only showing for the DOH-ADL (via MEL) but not for direct services, I would say it’s still worth it as QR’s exceptional onboard product/service will make up for it. It’s not completely dreadful experience by any means!

Hope this helps

 

[im.daniel]

So for anyone interested, here’s an update having just flown the service:

1. Boarding pass is issued as a single DOH - ADL
2. Once you’ve arrived in MEL, there will be a person holding a sign for ADL passengers. They will guide you to go through the international transit channel. There is a security check.
3. After this you will be deposited back into the International Departures area (airside)

Thanks for the feedback. If flying onto ADL, I take it there is nothing stopping you from either;
1. Clearing customs in MEL - if travelling HLO?
2. Or, clearing customs in MEL and returning at say 4-5am in the morning for the return leg and getting a room at the Park Royal?

 

[oz_mark]

Thanks for the feedback. If flying onto ADL, I take it there is nothing stopping you from either;
1. Clearing customs in MEL - if travelling HLO?
2. Or, clearing customs in MEL and returning at say 4-5am in the morning for the return leg and getting a room at the Park Royal?

I'd be surprised if you could return, based on

Things to note:
- You cannot leave MEL airport. You must stay in the international transit area

 

[muppet]

- MEL has a great selection of lounges - QF F, QF J, Amex Centurion, Marhaba and Plaza Premium BUT they are all closed during the hours of QR’s landing into MEL at 23:20 and the departure at 05:35 the following morning

I feel like the ‘BUT’ makes the entire dot point redundant.

Gotta say, this would have to be the most absurd arrangement and it really shouldn’t be permitted just to avoid capacity limits on major routes. If QR want extra flights via a tag flight to a non-major destination - it should have to be a usable tag flight. I feel sorry for those thinking the stopover would be a normal one. Although I haven’t booked myself so maybe it is clearly spelled out.

 

[im.daniel]

Fair enough!!, But surely if HLO, you just clear immi in MEL?

 

[Guvner]

Fair enough!!, But surely if HLO, you just clear immi in MEL?

Can't see why not if you have a valid Aus passport. Immigration doesn't check your incoming boarding pass (IME). Just ignore the person with the ADL sign and keep walking.