Fly Ahead Or Flexi?

[robd]

I have a flight landing in SYD via USDM and will need to get back to MEL on the same day. The flight is scheduled to land at 8.30am on a Saturday in SYD. Does anyone have any recent experience regarding "Fly Forward" with baggage (as WP), or would my best bet just be to book a Flexi?

If Flexi is recommended, do I book a time assuming the flight will be on time, or book for a later flight and hope to fly forward?

 

[medhead]

Technically fly ahead is only available if you don't have luggage. The way around this is to check in/fly ahead using the premium entry at SYD. Then go back out to the normal check in desk and do bag drop.

 

[leemin]

I have also just checked-in to an earlier flight by asking at the normal priority check-in desk at SYD

Edit: Forgot the important bit- that was with bags

 

[qf1020]

I have done flown it forward a few times where I have had bags. They never seem to care.

 

[DirkDiggler]

I fly ahead at least twice a week always with bags.

Not sure how many others do this but I got sick of paying $250+ for a peak time saver fare at short notice so just book the last flight of the day normally around $129-$159, turn up at 5 or 6 and get put on the next flight. Cheaper than a peak flight and much cheaper than a flexi!

In the last year I would have used it at least 30-40 time most of the times with bags, have always been able to get a flight, typically the next one but always within 30mins to 2 hours of turning up at the airport.

 

[robd]

Sounds promising then.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Sounds promising then.

Thanks for your responses.

It doesn't always work though. I tried a fly ahead from MKY but due to a fully booked flight and me having checked luggage, they couldn't do it even though there were two no-shows.

My rule is book the flight I can live with and if fly ahead happens, all the better. I wouldn't automatically think it will always be successful and the above example is proof and FWIW, I agree with VAs decision not to grant fly ahead in that circumstance. On time departures should not be jepardised for a fly ahead, so in the case of no-shows on a fully booked aircraft, hand luggage only is most likely to be successful (although I'm sure there may be the odd exception).