FLounge 6am to 10pm SYD for under $100?

[Colster]

Nearly quite a few times! Never actually though.

I did once try to change to a later flight as I was drinking with a friend on a later flight (different destination). But they told me no because I had bags.

I once fell asleep in the FLounge at Heathrow after getting off a Syd-LHR flight. Missed my BCN connection and they knew where I was as they scanned my BP, but did they page me? Nope.

(Side note, ended up on the next flight, no troubles and was at the gate ahead of time)

 

[RichardMEL]

I once fell asleep in the FLounge at Heathrow after getting off a Syd-LHR flight. Missed my BCN connection and they knew where I was as they scanned my BP, but did they page me? Nope.

(Side note, ended up on the next flight, no troubles and was at the gate ahead of time)

If you were asleep how do you know they didn't page you?

 

[Colster]

If you were asleep how do you know they didn't page you?

I asked at the lounge and gate…

 

[Rangalad]

I can't remember the last time (if ever) ive been asked for my flight number by the wait staff. I've only pro-activly brought it up if I'm in a hurry to get a quick bite before running down to the gate.
At the top of the escalator by the check in staff sure but the wait staff don't care ime.

Most times, both SYD and MEL.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Worth keeping in mind that you can't just 'walk out' of the international terminal when you've already crossed the border.

I've done it it before (not for this purpose, but after flight disruptions that made it better to leave, take a domestic connection and fly out of another city the same day). You have to be escorted by airline staff by walking 'backwards' through a transit security point. That gets you down to the actual arrivals corridors used by passengers when they land. Because it's an unusual scenario, you then have to go to a counter (can't use SmartGate) - and even they can't just let you through. They need to make a call and have a supervisor go into your immigration profile and reverse the departure, which can take about 10 mins or so. Then, they have to walk you out, otherwise the staff will wonder where your arrival card and SmartGate ticket is.

It's a lot of hassle to go to for a couple of meals and some <$100/bottle Champagne. And if you did it again, Border Force would really start wondering why you were regularly spending so many hours among international passengers in the transit area (including pax in international transit via Australia, who may not have otherwise cleared Australian Customs etc), and then turning around to pass from the 'international' zone back to the streets of Australia.

Much easier to just find one of those domestic tag flights!

 

[dajop]

Not familiar with current requirements for checking in to an flight bound to Indonesia, but some airlines may also require proof of return or onward travel.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

No way can you do it, as Aust outgoing and incoming immigration processing at SYD are on separate storeys.
Ie, one upstairs, one downstairs.
First you have to go through security screening, to get between departures and then into arrivals.
Doors are locked too, and you need the tap card to open doors.
If you force open a door, the alarm goes off.
So, nope, its not like SIN Changi where departures and arrivals are on the same level.
Good idea, but not possible.
Security will also want to see a BP for departure of next flight, **at the transit security point scan**, if you kick up a fuss (or not).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Worth keeping in mind that you can't just 'walk out' of the international terminal when you've already crossed the border.

This is one of the things that drove me up the wall moving abroad. Back when I was travelling ex-USA there was no distinction between international and domestic flights, they often took off from the same terminal and one could easily move between terminals so long as they were holding a valid boarding pass departing that airport. In particular, I can recall the times at LAX (arguably the best airport in the world), where I would be travelling on a domestic United ticket but would make a b-line to the Star Alliance lounge at the international terminal or the AmEx Centurion lounge. I can't wait for my next trip from LAX where I get to visit the Qantas lounge holding an American domestic boarding pass!

I've done it it before (not for this purpose, but after flight disruptions that made it better to leave, take a domestic connection and fly out of another city the same day). You have to be escorted by airline staff by walking 'backwards' through a transit security point. That gets you down to the actual arrivals corridors used by passengers when they land. Because it's an unusual scenario, you then have to go to a counter (can't use SmartGate) - and even they can't just let you through. They need to make a call and have a supervisor go into your immigration profile and reverse the departure, which can take about 10 mins or so. Then, they have to walk you out, otherwise the staff will wonder where your arrival card and SmartGate ticket is.

Yeah it seems like a lot of hassle just to visit a lounge, especially given there are other ways to access the international terminal legitimately including domestic flights that depart from the international terminal or the aforementioned flight to Norfolk Island. And here's a crazy thought... how about using the lounge for what they're intended for - travelling! Call me old fashioned, but I'm the type of person who doesn't plan lounges first then organizes trips. The destination is more important than the journey (although the journey can be enjoyable).

It's a lot of hassle to go to for a couple of meals and some <$100/bottle Champagne. And if you did it again, Border Force would really start wondering why you were regularly spending so many hours among international passengers in the transit area (including pax in international transit via Australia, who may not have otherwise cleared Australian Customs etc), and then turning around to pass from the 'international' zone back to the streets of Australia.

I haven't had any run-ins with the ABF, but what I can tell you from a past life is it's not good to get on the bad side of border guards. In particular, there was a time where I accidentally told CBP officers the truth for why I was heading to the US (shopping) and was detained for over an hour with my car torn apart. And all I did was tell the truth for something which quite frankly is neither illegal nor unethical. For the next several visits I had the same encounter, until I applied for a Nexus which put me back in the CBP's good graces.

Much easier to just find one of those domestic tag flights!

"Easier" sort of. I mean there are not a whole lot of domestic tag flights out there and there may not be classic award availability when they want to travel and it may not be at a time suitable for them.

 

[justinbrett]

No way can you do it, as Aust outgoing and incoming immigration processing at SYD are on separate storeys.
Ie, one upstairs, one downstairs.
First you have to go through security screening, to get between departures and then into arrivals.
Doors are locked too, and you need the tap card to open doors.
If you force open a door, the alarm goes off.
So, nope, its not like SIN Changi where departures and arrivals are on the same level.
Good idea, but not possible.
Security will also want to see a BP for departure of next flight, **at the transit security point scan**, if you kick up a fuss (or not).

So you’re saying if you miss your flight in the international terminal you just have to live the rest of your life in there like Tom Hanks?

Of course it’s possible to leave. You honestly think this has never happened before?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

So you’re saying if you miss your flight in the international terminal you just have to live the rest of your life in there like Tom Hanks?

Of course it’s possible to leave. You honestly think this has never happened before?

You're correct that this isn't a rarity, but it is uncommon. I would hazard a guess that over 95% of people who cleared emmigration and security actually departed for their final destination. And as others have pointed out if you make a habit out of this you will certainly raise the eyebrows of ABF. I don't know how sophisticated ABF's technology is (I reckon not nearly as good as the US CBP which can track your entries and exits from the country for over a decade) but is likely good enough to catch those lounge abusers.

One other question not asked in this thread, and I think is pertinent to the discussion is what are the legalities of this? I know in Singapore it is an arrestable offence to enter the transit area without having any intention of departing!

-RooFlyer88

 

[encryptededdy]

A Jetstar domestic flight that departs from the international terminal is probably more optimal here, especially with their 787 operational reliability meaning you'll probably get many extra hours in the lounge due to your flight being delayed.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

A Jetstar domestic flight that departs from the international terminal is probably more optimal here, especially with their 787 operational reliability meaning you'll probably get many extra hours in the lounge due to your flight being delayed.

So far as I can tell, there's just one JQ international flight that has a domestic sector: JQ 11 - MEL to OOL

 

[Hvr]

I don't know how sophisticated ABF's technology is (I reckon not nearly as good as the US CBP which can track your entries and exits from the country for over a decade)

Immigration and citizenship Website

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Your movement records will show:

Your departure and arrival dates in and out of Australia from 1981 to now

So up to 42 years and counting. They have the technology.

 

[encryptededdy]

So far as I can tell, there's just one JQ international flight that has a domestic sector: JQ 11 - MEL to OOL

JQ17/18 and JQ27/28 occasionally go between Sydney and Melbourne

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So you’re saying if you miss your flight in the international terminal you just have to live the rest of your life in there like Tom Hanks?

Of course it’s possible to leave. You honestly think this has never happened before?

Harder, maybe.
I am not sure how in the context of the OP's scenario is it going to work.
Maybe it can be done easily, who knows, how it can be done if a person misses their flight, but its not easy as tapping out of a train station because you "changed your mind".
Or "missed your flight".
I am a very old pooch, been flying for a very long time, and never missed a flight, or "missed a flight".

 

[SYD]

JQ17/18 and JQ27/28 occasionally go between Sydney and Melbourne

Some recent discussion here:

JQ 787 domestic business seats?

Hi all! Have an upcoming JQ 787 domestic flight MEL-SYD, the J seats are not selectable (or saleable) on this flight. Is there a way I can select the business seats either before hand or at the airport or do they just fly with them empty? Thanks! 😉

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

There is a general thread somewhere discussing domestic flights from SYD/MEL Int for F Lounge.

 

[andye]

Ive mentioned this before but I did something similar in LHR in 2017.
Mrs andye was going back to SYD separately so I bought a LHR-LYS redemption and joined her in the CX J lounge to see her off.
After she left, went to BA lounge and said my meeting had been cancelled. They cancelled the redemption. I did have to go through a special door to get to arrivals Think I had to answer a couple of questions at border security but it was pretty smooth.

 

[justinbrett]

Harder, maybe.
I am not sure how in the context of the OP's scenario is it going to work.
Maybe it can be done easily, who knows, how it can be done if a person misses their flight, but its not easy as tapping out of a train station because you "changed your mind".
Or "missed your flight".
I am a very old pooch, been flying for a very long time, and never missed a flight, or "missed a flight".

Of course they have a process for that. No, it's not as easy as tapping out. Even at domestic NTL, the secure area is for departures only, so you have to ask to leave if you don't catch a flight. It's not that difficult.

People miss flights all the time, or flights are cancelled, boarding is denied, staff travel on standby don't get on - the list goes on.

 

[AIRwin]

Ive mentioned this before but I did something similar in LHR in 2017.
Mrs andye was going back to SYD separately so I bought a LHR-LYS redemption and joined her in the CX J lounge to see her off.
After she left, went to BA lounge and said my meeting had been cancelled. They cancelled the redemption. I did have to go through a special door to get to arrivals Think I had to answer a couple of questions at border security but it was pretty smooth.

Did you have a Plan B just in case?

 

[andye]

Did you have a Plan B just in case?

Nope