No more express cards for WP pax in Y?

[Hvr]

As I returned to Australia this morning in Y, I asked the CSM for an immigration express card.

This is a listed OneWorld benefit for Emerald (i.e. Qantas Platinum) passengers.

Welcome to the fast lane.
Green means go. If you are a oneworld Emerald frequent flyer, enjoy ‘Fast Track’ or ‘Priority Lane’ access at select airports worldwide.

It is also listed on the Qantas site:

• Express Immigration
  Access express immigration on departure and arrival where available

I was advised that this is now only for J pax (no F on my flight). She said that staff had complained but to no avail. She did slip me a card.

Have other AFFers been affected by this or even heard being mentioned by flight crew?

In the end I didn't need said card but if this is a new Qantas policy it will be an enhancement of the worst kind.

 

[sudoer]

nor any express lane at SYD

At Immigration, Customs, or both?

 

[Himeno]

At Immigration, Customs, or both?

Customs.
Didn't see any signage for express immigration, but didn't need it with the smart gate.

 

[justinbrett]

There was no cards given out, nor any express lane at SYD when arriving on QF26 Monday (25th) morning.

Are you saying it wasn't open or it wasn't there?

...Because I think this thread has pretty much established it's there...

 

[Himeno]

Are you saying it wasn't open or it wasn't there?

...Because I think this thread has pretty much established it's there...

There was no signage for an express lane. Period.

Either they only had it for the peak arrivals of 5:30-8am and then removed the signs, or there was no lane.

 

[justinbrett]

There was no signage for an express lane. Period.

Either they only had it for the peak arrivals of 5:30-8am and then removed the signs, or there was no lane.

Ahhh - I think perhaps it's only in the main arrivals channel (gates 8-37), not the secondary channel (gates 50-63). I actually never realised there was a duplicate setup...

I'm almost certain there's fixed signs on the main customs area, to the left as you approach it - it's also marked for flight crew etc.

https://assets.ctfassets.net/v228i5...8a253aa14d288afcf3e053063c42d/T1_Arrivals.pdf

I'm fairly certain it was open last time I arrived on QF4 at 5pm in the afternoon - the crew definitely handed out cards but I couldn't use it as I had to declare alcohol.

 

[AFF Editor]

I asked Qantas about this and was told that the information given to the OP is incorrect. Express passes should still be offered to Platinum frequent flyers travelling in economy or premium economy at most airports, although there are a couple of airport-specific exceptions such as BKK.

Qantas has issued a reminder to their staff about this.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Customs.
Didn't see any signage for express immigration, but didn't need it with the smart gate.

It is there in between smartgate assistance desk and the non-smart gate lines. I use it all the time, quicker than going to smartgate, rejected and queuing in the assistance line.

 

[Hvr]

although there are a couple of airport-specific exceptions such as BKK.

Thanks for the follow up. The BKK exception is interesting, I've never had a refusal based on class of service, just the failure to load as I've mentioned elsewhere.

BKK is an airport where the Fast track pass is very useful. Did they mention the other airports where Y pax don't get issued passes and why they aren't issued?

 

[Danger]

I asked Qantas about this and was told that the information given to the OP is incorrect. Express passes should still be offered to Platinum frequent flyers travelling in economy or premium economy at most airports, although there are a couple of airport-specific exceptions such as BKK.

Qantas has issued a reminder to their staff about this.

Let me guess: Qantas also told you it offers priority boarding for Gold and Platinum members.

 

[Himeno]

Ahhh - I think perhaps it's only in the main arrivals channel (gates 8-37), not the secondary channel (gates 50-63). I actually never realised there was a duplicate setup...

I'm almost certain there's fixed signs on the main customs area, to the left as you approach it - it's also marked for flight crew etc.

https://assets.ctfassets.net/v228i5...8a253aa14d288afcf3e053063c42d/T1_Arrivals.pdf

I'm fairly certain it was open last time I arrived on QF4 at 5pm in the afternoon - the crew definitely handed out cards but I couldn't use it as I had to declare alcohol.

That might be the case. I was surprised to be coming out in Arrivals B when every other time I've arrived at SYD has been through A. For some reason QF26 appears to have been using the 60 gates for much of the past week. It normally uses the mid 20s.

 

[trooper]

I can't recall the express lane being open for any of my arrivals in ages... usually on NZ...so NOT early morning....

 

[calmelb]

OT but: I gave one of my friends a QF express path card so they could skip the queue whilst flying Jet* out of MEL, they were denied so they sometimes do check who the carrier is and enforce it

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

That might be the case. I was surprised to be coming out in Arrivals B when every other time I've arrived at SYD has been through A. For some reason QF26 appears to have been using the 60 gates for much of the past week. It normally uses the mid 20s.

Happens quite often early morning arrivals on QF from NZ, that is if don't get a remote stand.

 

[JohnK]

I never make the criteria for express lane coming home.
Always way too much shopping

LOL. And I have golf clubs and golf shoes that have to be declared.

I've got quite a few inbound express cards and from memory received one for QF2 back in December.

BKK is the disappointing one as I travel there quite often but having a young daughter we'll get fast track arrivals and departures for a few more years.

 

[AFF Editor]

Thanks for the follow up. The BKK exception is interesting, I've never had a refusal based on class of service, just the failure to load as I've mentioned elsewhere.

BKK is an airport where the Fast track pass is very useful. Did they mention the other airports where Y pax don't get issued passes and why they aren't issued?

They didn't mention any other specific airports.

The reason that passes aren't given to Y passengers for BKK is that the airport apparently only allows J & F passengers to use this service.

 

[pauly7]

OT but: I gave one of my friends a QF express path card so they could skip the queue whilst flying Jet* out of MEL, they were denied so they sometimes do check who the carrier is and enforce it

Good to know. They definitely don’t check the age of them though! I have a stack of ancient ones I deal out now and then and always work.

 

[HDD]

A big thanks fpr the explanation of the express card isssue at BKK. I first encountered this on the 16th of January when i was arriving at Bangkok from Sydney. Im a QFF Platinum member who travels economy and this was the first time the cabin staff didnt issue me an express card. I travel from Sydney to Bangkok twice a month and it frustrates me now not being able to use the express lane. I waited 3 weeks for a reply from Qantas and it still didnt explain to me what the issue was like this article did, so thank you because now i finally know. I just thought it was something being taken away from us by Qantas.

 

[Happy Trails]

Arriving on CX in Y a month ago, I requested and was given a fast track card for BKK.

 

[leadman]

There's no date on those cards and they don't change the design often - I have a stack of them because I often don't need to use them. I wonder if they could tell if I brought out an old one? They don't seem to look very hard at them.

If their for BKK and the old brown ones, they have been replaced by a smaller card. I saw a PAX get knocked back the other day after presenting one. There was no "forgiveness" by the officer and he sent him packing back to the general queue.

 

[Hvr]

This is the current card used at BKK for arrivals and departures.