Inconsistent information about check in from Qantas.

[williamsf1]

I have just booked my first YASA ( domestic)booking for a last minute trip for the Easter weekend. I have received my E ticket PDF and noticed a few inconsistencies with the information around check in times .

On the E ticket receipt it says for Domestic travel check in ( with bags) closes 45 Minutes from departure with a * note to say A 30 minute check in applies if you have carry on baggage only

but when you go to Check in times for Qantas flights on qantas com ( tred to post URL but link but unable ) It says 30 Minutes with bags and 15 minutes no bags.

Another thing I noticed in the text of the email it states "Online Check-in is the easiest and fastest way to check in, providing you a quicker airport experience with dedicated Online Check-in counters. Check in online between 24 hours and 2 hours before your scheduled departure."

But on qantas com it says that online check in in open between 24 and 1 hour prior

As I am only a NB with no QC access ;-(, and live close to the airport with hand luggage only , I am wanting to arrive as close to departure as possible ..... and do not have a printer at home to check in .... Could use mobile check in, but that does not allow seat change if something opens up towards the front ;-).. I have row 43 reserved ( 767) now ....

Will be flying SYD BNE SYD, both NGCI locations now , will the Kiosk allow me to check in 20mins before flight ?

 

[medhead]

Do online check in. Then use the kiosk to print your BP at the airport.

If the kiosk doesn't let you do that ask the service desk in the terminal or a the gate to print you a BP. (I guess they might do that for you) Just tell them dog ate your printed BP. Actually, tell them that you checked in without a printer.....

 

[ozmille]

Do online check in. Then use the kiosk to print your BP at the airport.

If the kiosk doesn't let you do that ask the service desk in the terminal or a the gate to print you a BP. (I guess they might do that for you) Just tell them dog ate your printed BP. Actually, tell them that you checked in without a print.....

honestly Sir, the dog ate it, I promise...

 

[anat0l]

There is certainly some inconsistency because what should be explained is what some of those times mean.

The Qantas strict guidelines (i.e. iron-clad, non-negotiable ... well, almost, but don't push your luck - seriously) are:

• If you have bags to check, you must be checked in with bags dropped no later than 30 minutes before scheduled departure
• If you do not have any bags to check, you must be checked in no later than 15 minutes before scheduled departure

Qantas nominally puts somewhere else (where?) a "recommended" time frame - these are not strict but rather they are the minimum times so that you can check-in and get to the gate for boarding without too much fuss. They are 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure with checked bags and 30 minutes without them.

As for OLCI, I always thought the cut-off was at 1 hour before scheduled departure. In saying that, I wouldn't try to leave it until that point. Check-in much earlier - as close to the start of the 24 hour window as possible. It is possible to check-in online and not print the boarding pass - this will at least register you being "checked in". Once you get to the airport, simply use a kiosk or ask at a help point to give you a BP. In a pinch, you can also pass through security and ask for one at the Qantas Service Counter (in SYD T3, located near Gate 13 at the circular concourse; in BNE D, 2 locations - one in the centre of the circular concourse, and one very near the escalators close to Qantas security screening (close to the Qantas Club entrance / food court)). Tell them the truth and they may be slightly annoyed, but that's life.

Note however that if you have bags to check-in, even if you use OLCI you must have your bags dropped at the airport no later than 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Without incessant begging, divine intervention and/or much discretion from the staff, if you arrive too late to drop your bags, you'll either have to no-show your flight or fly without your checked bags (or take your checked bags on board, if they will comply with the cabin baggage restrictions and rules).

 

[medhead]

Tell them the truth and they may be slightly annoyed, but that's life.

Indeed -"I checked in without a working printer, sorry"

 

[reductionist]

Indeed -"I checked in without a working printer, sorry"

For some the alternative may be something like this:

Bill III's Blog » Have you ever printed a boarding pass?

 

[williamsf1]

Thanks for the info

Might try the " dog ate it" option and use OLCI

 

[Ewing]

For some the alternative may be something like this:

Bill III's Blog » Have you ever printed a boarding pass?

Hmm, I can't do full poster size - but I wonder if trying this would suffice?

 

[zeiron]

Flying LHR-SYD on BA with a domestic connection down to MEL, I was pulled aside at the lounge in SIN and asked if I wouldn't mind transferring onto QF6? i said sure, but didn't realise this flight departs later than BA15. We were further delayed into SYD and I arrived at the transfer desk 1 or 2 minutes after the 30 minute limit and was told "i" missed my flight and as a courtesy, I would be put on the next flight with the same fare class availability, 3 hours later! So in short......Dont mess with QF checkin whatever you do, they are Bit*$&s and thats just the men!!

 

[LiamR]

Hmm, I can't do full poster size - but I wonder if trying this would suffice?

The best I can do is A2. Imagine the look on the lounge dragon when she saw that

I can imagine her trying to scan the barcode, but me having to stand at the other side of the terminal to fit the whole thing in...

 

[justinbrett]

There is certainly some inconsistency because what should be explained is what some of those times mean.


The Qantas strict guidelines (i.e. iron-clad, non-negotiable ... well, almost, but don't push your luck - seriously) are:

• If you have bags to check, you must be checked in with bags dropped no later than 30 minutes before scheduled departure
• If you do not have any bags to check, you must be checked in no later than 15 minutes before scheduled departure

Qantas nominally puts somewhere else (where?) a "recommended" time frame - these are not strict but rather they are the minimum times so that you can check-in and get to the gate for boarding without too much fuss. They are 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure with checked bags and 30 minutes without them.

As for OLCI, I always thought the cut-off was at 1 hour before scheduled departure. In saying that, I wouldn't try to leave it until that point. Check-in much earlier - as close to the start of the 24 hour window as possible. It is possible to check-in online and not print the boarding pass - this will at least register you being "checked in". Once you get to the airport, simply use a kiosk or ask at a help point to give you a BP. In a pinch, you can also pass through security and ask for one at the Qantas Service Counter (in SYD T3, located near Gate 13 at the circular concourse; in BNE D, 2 locations - one in the centre of the circular concourse, and one very near the escalators close to Qantas security screening (close to the Qantas Club entrance / food court)). Tell them the truth and they may be slightly annoyed, but that's life.

Note however that if you have bags to check-in, even if you use OLCI you must have your bags dropped at the airport no later than 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Without incessant begging, divine intervention and/or much discretion from the staff, if you arrive too late to drop your bags, you'll either have to no-show your flight or fly without your checked bags (or take your checked bags on board, if they will comply with the cabin baggage restrictions and rules).

Of all the Australian Airlines, Qantas is the least strict.

I have turned up to the airport 20 minutes before departure (due to a traffic jam on Brisbane's gateway motorway) and was still allowed to check my bags in (already checked in online). I went straight to the first QF agent I could find (who was standing near the entry doors) and flash my QF gold card. She told me to go straight to the end counter. The flight was on time.

It is important to at least check in, even if you haven't dropped your bags - so they don't give your seat to a passenger on stand by. They can't do this if you check in (for all they know, you don't have bags). This is a regular occurance to/from Darwin in the dry season when flights can be sold out for weeks on end.

 

[anat0l]

Of all the Australian Airlines, Qantas is the least strict.

I have turned up to the airport 20 minutes before departure (due to a traffic jam on Brisbane's gateway motorway) and was still allowed to check my bags in (already checked in online). I went straight to the first QF agent I could find (who was standing near the entry doors) and flash my QF gold card. She told me to go straight to the end counter. The flight was on time.

It is important to at least check in, even if you haven't dropped your bags - so they don't give your seat to a passenger on stand by. They can't do this if you check in (for all they know, you don't have bags). This is a regular occurance to/from Darwin in the dry season when flights can be sold out for weeks on end.

Whilst you may get away with what you did, that is not to say QF had to do that for you. Since you are not within the guidelines, they could also exercise their discretion and refuse to allow your bags.

A blessing that these things happen, but I wouldn't advise relying on such a thing happening all the time. It's not worth the risk.

 

[pauly7]

Of all the Australian Airlines, Qantas is the least strict.
.[/QUOTE

Agreed, although I would say most flexible / accommodating.

But as has been pointed out when I rock up late, have overweight baggage and QF looks the other way then I am thankful but in no way is it my expectation.