Express lanes at MEL, SYD International Terminals: another status devaluation?

[ferntree]

According to an article on the Business Traveller web site, Qantas platinum flyers no longer get access to the express lanes at international terminals.

Can anybody with recent experience of international travel please confirm or correct this? Thanks.

 

[serfty]

According to an article on the Business Traveller web site, Qantas platinum flyers no longer get access to the express lanes at international terminals.

Can anybody with recent experience of international travel please confirm or correct this? Thanks.

At the moment this is correct. Only J or F get express lane usage when such a lane operates.

 

[lsmi4126]

Flew SYD to AKL a month ago. Express Path only available to J passengers. Luckily it was the horrendous evening flight so the line wasn't too bad.

 

[ferntree]

So it looks like another devaluation of platinum status?

 

[MrJetset]

Consistent with many airports around the World struggling to cope with pax numbers.

 

[OATEK]

I am not sure the airlines have any say as the Airport manages security. Don't think you can put it down to QF or QR etc.

 

[ferntree]

Consistent with many airports around the World struggling to cope with pax numbers.

.... which doesn't make it any less of a devaluation.

 

[Daver6]

I am not sure the airlines have any say as the Airport manages security. Don't think you can put it down to QF or QR etc.

Express Path (at least at SYD) was something the airlines paid the airport for. The airlines since Covid don't want to pay, hence it doesn't exist now.

 

[OATEK]

Express Path (at least at SYD) was something the airlines paid the airport for. The airlines since Covid don't want to pay, hence it doesn't exist now.

The express path still exists. I assume you mean the airline won't pay the extra for status pax in Y or Y+ to use it. But still not convinced it is all down to airlines.

 

[ferntree]

Express Path (at least at SYD) was something the airlines paid the airport for. The airlines since Covid don't want to pay, hence it doesn't exist now.

The express lanes still exist, but for J only. It appears that Qantas feel the savings from not paying for WP are worth the bad will.

 

[kpro]

The ET article does seem to indicate this is more on the airports rather then the airlines.

When will Sydney Airport’s Express Path reopen to frequent flyers?

The fast-track priority lane lets you spend less time standing in line and more time relaxing in the airport lounge.

www.executivetraveller.com

Executive Traveller understands the former Express Path was designed and paid for by participating airlines, while the current priority lane was developed and paid for by Sydney Airport.

But the airport is in discussions with airlines on how and when things might change.

“We are working closely with our international airline partners to see when it will be possible to bring back the Express Path product,” a Sydney Airport spokesperson tells Executive Traveller.

 

[mviy]

That's one way of interpreting the ET article. The other is that because the airlines refuse to pay for Express Path at present the airport is wanting to at least have priority there for passengers flying business and first. If business and first passengers shun flying to Sydney airport that would be bad for the airlines maintaining capacity there and hurt the airport revenue if flights are pulled so the airport may consider it worth the expense to offer the premium lane for those passengers.

 

[Fifi2207]

We flew MEL AKL last month as QP and asked for the Express Lane Pass. Qantas staff told us they had scrapped those now.

 

[Guvner]

Funny how airlines loudly trumpet new and existing status or cabin benefits, to whomever will listen, but never make mention of any removal or reduction of said benefits.

 

[pjm99au]

In Sydney it’s the same express path as pre-Covid still staffed by airport staff. QF just don’t want to pay for status pax to use it.

 

[RealtimeY]

I was given an express path card for departures from BA, flying economy, just a few days ago, which was obviously not in use, but the check-in agent seemed not to be aware that that was the case.

 

[BD1959]

I was given an express path card for departures from BA, flying economy, just a few days ago, which was obviously not in use, but the check-in agent seemed not to be aware that that was the case.

SO EP cards still exist? I have a drawer full of them which I assumed had gone the way of the Dodo in this "paperless age" - sounds like I may need to dust them off when flying international Y ...

Regards,

BD

 

[Hvr]

The OneWorld benefits page is suitable vague.

Frequent Flyer Perks: oneworld Emerald & oneworld Sapphire

Enjoy airport lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits with oneworld Priority, the frequent flyer benefits from the oneworld. Exceptions may apply.

www.oneworld.com

It says (inter alia) 'that fast track benefits are available at select airports worldwide.'

The first time I remember this benefit being enhanced was at BKK AP when I discovered that as a WP in Y I was no longer eligible for fast track immigration lane access. This was a few years ago.

 

[RealtimeY]

To be clear, they exist (maybe from when BA was here pre-COVID), but were not useable.

 

[SeatBackForward]

It appears that Qantas feel the savings from not paying for WP are worth the bad will.

Wish accounting Standards would allow that on the liability side of a balance sheet "bad will"