Combining Award Ticket with Paid Ticket

[mileagemax]

Hi Everyone,

Appreciate your advice.

I live in MEL and want to get to BKK. I plan to redeem 60,000 points for SYD-BKK (Business) and to pay for the MEL-SYD flight. I thought it made more sense to get a cheap Red-E-Deal than use 12,000 more points for the extra MEL-SYD flight and I don't mind flying Economy for such a short flight.

My question is... if I choose QF and make sure the paid flight is scheduled to arrive in SYD 1 hour before the award flight on to BKK, can I:

1. Check my bags through at MEL all the way through to BKK?
2. Take the free QF bus from SYD Domestic to SYD International?
3. Be covered if my MEL-SYD flight is delayed and I miss the BKK flight?

I am Gold QFF so I am hoping they will treat me okay, but just a little concerned.

 

[Dave Noble]

My question is... if I choose QF and make sure the paid flight is scheduled to arrive in SYD 1 hour before the award flight on to BKK, can I:

1. Check my bags through at MEL all the way through to BKK?
2. Take the free QF bus from SYD Domestic to SYD International?
3. Be covered if my MEL-SYD flight is delayed and I miss the BKK flight?

1. As long as the MCT is met, then yes
2. Yes
3. No. Qantas is not responsible if you miss the flight. Qantas may put you on a flight the next day, but they are under no obligation

Dave

 

[N860CR]

I'd give myself a bit more than an hours connection time. Factor in deboarding, getting the bus and any potential delays at SYD customs and an hour isn't quite enough to do it comfortably. Add in a delay on your MEL-SYD flight and you could be in real trouble. Safer going with 2 hours.

 

[thadocta]

What sort of an AFF member are you?

You should be allowing several HOURS to transit SYD, so that you can spend a stack of time in the T3 QP consuming copious amounts of HP's, before wandering over to the T1 QP (where the drinks on offer in the J lounge are less than satisfactory - unless you are into spirits, then the two QP's are equal) to have a drink or two before boarding the QF1.

I would be allowing around 2.5 hours between arrival and departure, and making sure that the MEL QP dragons knew you were connecting on to QF1, so that if your MEL-SYD flight was delayed, they can transfer you, even if the rules do not allow it. (Hey, we are talking MEL here, where the lounge dragons were personally trained by Himmler, but they have been known to be flexible on occasions - trust me, it HAS happened).

Dave

 

[dajop]

I imagine as long as the MCT is met (can see this by looking at MEL-BKK flights on the QF website). QF would probably hold the flight for you if there are minor delays. But make absolutely sure that you & your baggage are through checked to BKK

(Note - not that they would hold the flight especially for you, but as MEL-SYD-BKK is a common connection, I imagine there would be quite a few other pax doing it. I have been on late running flights from MEL connecting to intl flight thru SYD where they've held the plane whilst the 30 or so passengers from MEL make the connection).

Just checked the website and they are allowing 1:10 transfer from the 2:30pm out of MEL, but personally I'd rather be on the 2pm flight for a 1:40 transfer.

By the way, have you thought of calling Qantas call centre and asking this very question?

 

[serfty]

Dave,

You've got it down pat!

mileagemax,

Just remember that the International flight should commence boarding a full half an hour before the scheduled departure time, so maybe you should allow more time.

I'd be on a 1:30pm MEL-SYD flight so I could have a "heart starter" ar MEL Dom QP before plying ones way to SYD!

More seriously, once you have your flights booked, call Qantas and ask to have an "information" sector pointing to the SYD-BKK booking. You may wish to have one done the other way as well...

 

[justinbrett]

Seriously - if you have access to the Qantas Club - save yourself the worry and get on an earlier flight.

Think of all the duty free shopping you can do when you get to Sydney.

 

[Mal]

... Or find a friendly Plat member who is in SYD intl at the right time (some of the plats here are friendly ) and get an invite into the F lounge. Much better beer including Cascade and Boags in real glass bottles.

 

[mileagemax]

Thanks Guys for your advice. Maybe I will spend some more time in SYD at the Qantas Club.

As for calling Qantas, I have more faith in all of your expertise than some poorly trained newbie in a call centre (probably in Mumbai ).

Thanks again.

 

[N860CR]

If you feel like getting there early maybe a good option would be to take QF187 which arrives into SYD at 1:10pm, and it will drop you off at the international terminal to save the bus trip. But if you plan on taking QF1 not BA10, then you'll probably be a little too early

 

[jsd]

Is it possible to fly MEL direct to BKK?

Just a thought



Josh

 

[ejb]

Is it possible to fly MEL direct to BKK?

Just a thought



Josh

Josh,

They needed to know 4 years ago!

ejb

 

[jsd]

Josh,

They needed to know 4 years ago!

ejb

Oh

I look like a jackass now


Josh

 

[v8Statesman]

Is it possible to fly MEL direct to BKK?

Just a thought



Josh

Who knows....back in 2006