First lounge hypothetical

[TomYagher]

In theory you wouldn't be doing anything illegal, but it's more just if the lounge manager raises this issue

Yup, I’ve let go of the lounge situation now. I would agree with this. Domestic no shows happen all the time for a variety of reasons, likely Including last minute international travel

 

[encryptededdy]

Actually, here's a mildly-related question: Does anyone know if it's possible to self-connect from a domestic flight that leaves from the international terminal onto an international flight?

For instance, if I took a JQ flight from SYD-MEL (that uses intl' terminals) then self-connected onto a MEL-AKL flight by using international transit (assuming I already had both (digital) boarding passes). Could you ask ABF to not orange sticker you because you have an onwards flight?

 

[TomYagher]

Could you ask ABF to not orange sticker you because you have an onwards flight?

If they did that would it end up showing as departing the country from the first port but you actually left from the second port which I would assume they wouldn’t like. And then the APIS collected by the foreign airport also wouldn’t match?

 

[justinbrett]

Actually, here's a mildly-related question: Does anyone know if it's possible to self-connect from a domestic flight that leaves from the international terminal onto an international flight?

For instance, if I took a JQ flight from SYD-MEL (that uses intl' terminals) then self-connected onto a MEL-AKL flight by using international transit (assuming I already had both (digital) boarding passes). Could you ask ABF to not orange sticker you because you have an onwards flight?

There was a thread about the reverse (I think it was AKL-SYD-PER) and the answer was no. You have to exit/re-enter at SYD. I imagine it's the same.

 

[RealtimeY]

You could do it in June last year

But not in December

 

[im.daniel]

Interesting thread!

I will have to admit, I've done it before, but at HKG in ... ?2016. Arrived from a 2nd tier Chinese city, with a 7 hour layover to DXB (on EK).

Bought a fully flex CX Y HKG-TPE to use the Pier F lounge for a nap and meal, spa at the Wing before cancelling it 2 hours prior to departure. No issues at all.

I can imagine it would be harder in a place like SYD ...

 

[RooFlyer]

I don't think the border force would care unless QF International Lounge staff tell them

But now the discussion has got me wondering would ABF really care if you entered the international terminal, while you had a domestic flight booked same day. Would they even know?

ABF definitely know about your international flight at least, as you pass through exit immigration.

I recently rocked up at immigration about seven hours before a QF departure and the smart gate rejected my entry. Officer explained that my flight wasn’t yet ‘open’ (normally 3-4 hours prior) - so they definitely can see pax’s flights - and they had to call the airline from the supervisors desk to get the flight opened early before it I was allowed through immigration. I wrote all this up in a post about two weeks ago.

So if the OP turned up at immigration with either no international flight or a domestic flight, they almost certainly will not let you proceed through. No proceeding through, no lounge and lounge rules are moot.

How’s that for a hypothetical.

 

[TomYagher]

ABF definitely know about your international flight

Of course, they know, they’re the border force. No one would debate that. The question was around them, knowing about domestic flights that lead from domestic terminals.

either no international flight or a domestic flight,

This was never part of the scenario. The scenario was having an international ticket and a domestic ticket.

How’s that for a hypothetical.

Exceedingly inane, that’s how. no one ever suggested rocking up to an international terminal and trying to get through with just a domestic ticket.

 

[RooFlyer]

Of course, they know, they’re the border force. No one would debate that. The question was around them, knowing about domestic flights that lead from domestic terminals.


This was never part of the scenario. The scenario was having an international ticket and a domestic ticket.

Exceedingly inane, that’s how. no one ever suggested rocking up to an international terminal and trying to get through with just a domestic ticket.

It's been explained why having the 2 tickets wouldn't work either, by several very experienced international flyers, yet the hypothetical goes on to its third page. How's that for being inane?

But as ChrisMars has given you the green light - go on, armed with that knowledge, test the hypothetical and let us know how you go.

 

[TomYagher]

It's been explained why having the 2 tickets wouldn't work either

Correct it has been explained. I read the explanations. Yet, you brought it up again, continuing us onto the third page . How’s that for inane?

go on, armed with that knowledge, test the hypothetical and let us know how you go.

Did you read the first line of my very first post? I’d suggest you try and armed with that knowledge you may be able work out as to whether I was intending to test it

 

[Gremlin]

But... But... But...

What if you had a third boarding pass, maybe from like a throw away international flight departing on that day from a completely different city? And then you lined them up, three card Monty-style? And you challenged the FLounge Attendant to pick the right one? And your sleight of hand was good enough that every time she ended up picking the domestic one? Surely they'd have to let you through on that basis? Hypothetically...

 

[ChrisMars]

But as ChrisMars has given you the green light - go on, armed with that knowledge, test the hypothetical and let us know how you go.

Just to avoid confusions, I am not giving anyone any colored light!

First because that's not what OP asked for, and second, if OP did ask for advice, I would have, like many, say don't do it, benefit risk ratio not good.

 

[Happy Trails]

IME Border Force are aware of your domestic flights if you're transferring to international, even on separate tickets.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Actually, here's a mildly-related question: Does anyone know if it's possible to self-connect from a domestic flight that leaves from the international terminal onto an international flight?

For instance, if I took a JQ flight from SYD-MEL (that uses intl' terminals) then self-connected onto a MEL-AKL flight by using international transit (assuming I already had both (digital) boarding passes). Could you ask ABF to not orange sticker you because you have an onwards flight?

Just be aware of the equipment swap that can happen.
Sometimes at short notice.

 

[TomYagher]

But... But... But...

What if you had a third boarding pass, maybe from like a throw away international flight departing on that day from a completely different city? And then you lined them up, three card Monty-style? And you challenged the FLounge Attendant to pick the right one? And your sleight of hand was good enough that every time she ended up picking the domestic one? Surely they'd have to let you through on that basis? Hypothetically...

Sorry @ChrisMars , this is the new best answer. Will report back how it goes next week.

Possibly from an immigration detention centre, hopefully with free wifi