Check in issue

[Panda_]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for taking the time to read my post. My partner and I are off Europe next week. We're flying Mel - DBX economy, then onwards to Rome in F. I want the first class leg from Dubai to be a surprise, I only want her to find out once we go to the lounge in Dubai. My dilemma is this: Can I check us both in at Melbourne (QF flight) with her not physically being there? A friend has offered to drop us at the airport and keep her distracted with a couple of wines while I check us in. We are only taking one checked back, so that can be checked under my name. Cheers!

 

[marki]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for taking the time to read my post. My partner and I are off Europe next week. We're flying Mel - DBX economy, then onwards to Rome in F. I want the first class leg from Dubai to be a surprise, I only want her to find out once we go to the lounge in Dubai. My dilemma is this: Can I check us both in at Melbourne (QF flight) with her not physically being there? A friend has offered to drop us at the airport and keep her distracted with a couple of wines while I check us in. We are only taking one checked back, so that can be checked under my name. Cheers!

Ooh it's international leg I suppose it's doable if you explain. The situation to checkin staff.

 

[medhead]

I think they would want to actually see the person in close proximity. Can the friend line up with you and distract by talking while you do the check in and hide away the BPs?

 

[Panda_]

It's never been an issue for me as I've never tried to keep seating class a secret from whom I'm travelling with, so we've always checked in together. But I assume families with young children etc. don't always queue up and all check in together?

 

[marki]

It's never been an issue for me as I've never tried to keep seating class a secret from whom I'm travelling with, so we've always checked in together. But I assume families with young children etc. don't always queue up and all check in together?

You would have to to check passports validity and identity ( airline check)

Then you do it again at the border crossing with a either a computer or person.

 

[Panda_]

I think they would want to actually see the person in close proximity. Can the friend line up with you and distract by talking while you do the check in and hide away the BPs?

That's a good point. Yes I guess she can. Second leg is Emirates, so I just don't want the check-in person to make a song and dance about it "and here's your boarding passes for your flight to Rome, in First class, lounge rights etc. etc.". Maybe I need to sneak a hand written note into my passport

 

[Panda_]

You would have to to check passports validity and identity ( airline check)

Then you do it again at the border crossing with a either a computer or person.

Only the boarding pass for Mel - DBX would need to be shown at Australian customs though I'm assuming?

 

[robtemt]

I suppose also depends on who you are flying with? Online check-in maybe? Then only you need to do the bag drop, and keep the connecting boarding pass? I've never checked in on-line for international before.

 

[Panda_]

I suppose also depends on who you are flying with? Online check-in maybe? Then only you need to do the bag drop, and keep the connecting boarding pass? I've never checked in on-line for international before.

I have never checked in online for international either. Because it's a codeshare, first leg Qantas, second leg codeshare Emirates, I'm guessing that I need to physically check in so our luggage is checked through to Rome. I doubt a Qantas self check in service would supply you with an EK boarding pass.

 

[medhead]

That's a good point. Yes I guess she can. Second leg is Emirates, so I just don't want the check-in person to make a song and dance about it "and here's your boarding passes for your flight to Rome, in First class, lounge rights etc. etc.". Maybe I need to sneak a hand written note into my passport

It's a risky thing, would need to be quick. Maybe a sneaky note to say the second leg is a surprise. Is the first leg Qantas. My wife generally lets me do all the checking in, but then she has the fear of flying so is usually trying not to focus on airline things.

Only the boarding pass for Mel - DBX would need to be shown at Australian customs though I'm assuming?

Pretty much, IME.

I don't recall self check in kiosks for international. I usually have no luck with online check in for international. But on one booking I'd expect to get both BPs if online check in can work.

 

[robtemt]

I have never checked in online for international either. Because it's a codeshare, first leg Qantas, second leg codeshare Emirates, I'm guessing that I need to physically check in so our luggage is checked through to Rome. I doubt a Qantas self check in service would supply you with an EK boarding pass.

Oh...... EK says your first leg has to be an EK flight to check in for the second.

Please note that online check-in is not available if the first flight in your itinerary is not an Emirates flight. This applies to all codeshare flights that are not operated by Emirates.
http://www.emirates.com/au/english/help/faq/193958/what-is-online-check-in-when-and-where-can-i-use-it

 

[medhead]

Oh...... EK says your first leg has to be an EK flight to check in for the second.

Please note that online check-in is not available if the first flight in your itinerary is not an Emirates flight. This applies to all codeshare flights that are not operated by Emirates.
http://www.emirates.com/au/english/help/faq/193958/what-is-online-check-in-when-and-where-can-i-use-it

Yes, you have to check in with the airline operating the first flight. They should be able to check in both flights, just a question of what Qantas online check in says.

 

[Panda_]

.
There may be hope yet. We're flying QF9. This falls into the category of 'First flight operated by QF1-QF199'. Our 'next onward flight inside 24 hours operated by:' Emirates being a 'codeshare partner'/'other international partner' . So my understanding would be that I can check in online, print boarding passes my self and then just drop the bags at Melbourne. Only Brisbane and Sydney offer international self baggage service. It would be much easier to say "I've checked us in, I just need to drop our bag. You guys go and have a wine!". Would my understanding be correct here?

 

[juddles]

Maybe I am wildly wrong here, but I do not believe you can ever "check-in online" and thus avoid presenting yourself and each passenger with their passports at an airline counter.

The few times I have ever checkedin online for an international flight I was always required to approach a counter anyway at the airport for this check of pax id / documents / return ticket etc.

When I travel with +1 and kids I will often get them to first come to the checkin counter with me, politely ask the lady/man if they can now go shopping/whatever, and 100% of the time the staff happily accept that, so I stay solo during all the nitty gritty of checkin.

I don't really feel comfortable of someone "slipping" the checkin lady a suspicious note I think that is far more likely to bring attention to everything

 

[Deleted member]

Frankly I would have gone with MEL-DXB in F, its longer and having done that trip in F and in Y I know which I would prefer to be surprised with , (same on the way back as well)

 

[Panda_]

Maybe I am wildly wrong here, but I do not believe you can ever "check-in online" and thus avoid presenting yourself and each passenger with their passports at an airline counter.

The few times I have ever checkedin online for an international flight I was always required to approach a counter anyway at the airport for this check of pax id / documents / return ticket etc.

When I travel with +1 and kids I will often get them to first come to the checkin counter with me, politely ask the lady/man if they can now go shopping/whatever, and 100% of the time the staff happily accept that, so I stay solo during all the nitty gritty of checkin.

I don't really feel comfortable of someone "slipping" the checkin lady a suspicious note I think that is far more likely to bring attention to everything

I've just taken this (and the above table) directly from the Qantas site:

[h=1]'Qantas International Economy[/h][h=2]Check-in[/h]Check in online before you get to the airport between from 24 to two hours before departure. You can request your seat and print your boarding pass. At selected ports you can go directly to the Online Check-in counter to drop off your bags.
Otherwise, our friendly staff are on hand at the airport ready to assist you with checking in. We recommend that you check in at least 2 hours before your departure time.'

 

[Panda_]

Frankly I would have gone with MEL-DXB in F, its longer and having done that trip in F and in Y I know which I would prefer to be surprised with , (same on the way back as well)

I've done Mel - London in F and it is sensational. We are flying home from Barcelona - DBX - SYD in J and F, I didn't have the points to include the entire trip over in F. I figured the anticipation of the holiday will outweigh the 14hrs in E to Dubai

 

[medhead]

I have no experience with on line check in for qantas international. I can't see using it will avoid the need to show your passport to a real person with both of you there. But the possible advantage, if you do manage to get your boarding passes, is that you can control access to the information by your partner. So a better chance to keep the surprise for a bit longer.
but still only a chance.

 

[Panda_]

I have no experience with on line check in for qantas international. I can't see using it will avoid the need to show your passport to a real person with both of your there. But the possible advantage, if you do manage to get your boarding passes, is that you can control access to the information by your partner. So a better chance to keep the surprise for a bit longer.
but still only a chance.

This is absolutely true. I just hope that 'person' is the customs officer and they only want to see out Mel - DBX boarding pass...

 

[medhead]

This is absolutely true. I just hope that 'person' is the customs officer and they only want to see out Mel - DBX boarding pass...

the airline will definitely want to see your passport. Big fines if you're not allowed to enter the destination country. The question is whether they'll be bothered with seeing the boarding pass. e.g. "We're all checked in, got the BPs, very happy. Here's the passport, here's the luggage"