Qantas MEL First Class Check-in

[Silvia]

I got express path departure cards a few weeks ago when flying on QF35 in Y. My partner who is Silver also got one as we were travelling together.

Staff have always been very helpful, even when it gets crowded, they do their best to do things quickly and efficient. Very good experience. It is obviously not as large as SYD but I prefer the experience there.

 

[flyingfan]

So it is worth grabbing an express path card / BP to use before security then?

Yes, you might save a few minutes at security. I think the marshal enforcing the express path nowadays is willing to accept seeing a J/F BP in place of the exp path card.
Means you get to the F lounge that little bit quicker

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I wouldn't consider BA and NH to be a true apples to apples comparison.

I was only drawing the comparison that for both of those, like QF, you have to do some walking through the terminal, mixed with other pax. I accept the point that NH’s security is dedicated, which is nice.

Another one to add to the list of ‘true’ premium check-ins is VS at LHR. Although that is business class.

 

[PDog]

This is news to me! We’re flying Qantas F for the first time in April - where do I go??

 

[Austman]

The Qantas MEL T2 (international terminal) First Class check-in is located kerbside at the far end of T2, closest to the T1 (Qantas domestic) terminal:



Be aware that, unless there are other QFi flights departing beforehand, it might not be open until 3 hours (3.5 hours for an A380) before your flight.

 

[TomVexille]

I'd like to nominate SQ F at SIN as one of the better ones

 

[LadyC]

I'd like to nominate SQ F at SIN as one of the better ones

Love the SQ F at SIN check in. Especially as they have their own passport control. Now if QF could do that too,that would be great!

 

[Christoo]

The QF F check-in at Melbourne is great, the staff are always warm and attentive and if they are closing the check-in early they call you and let you know.
The only thing that lets the experience down is the whole Melbourne International departures, the Express lane is frequently closed and all the lanes feed into the same free for all at the X-Ray machines.
I would like to eyeball the person that oversaw the purchase and training on those new luggage X-Ray machines... The people always do the craziest stuff interfering with the trays, banking the system up while you stand there for 10 minutes. And if you take the furtherest tray then your stuck as they keep interrupting the flow of trays for no good reason, Auckland is just as bad for this.
machines work flawlessly in so many parts of the world.

 

[RichardMEL]

Love the SQ F at SIN check in. Especially as they have their own passport control. Now if QF could do that too,that would be great!

And it's set up so perfectly that you exit that dedicated F passport control and you're right in front of the stairs to the lounges. My last time the passport control officer even had the thought to tell me how far away my gate was - now THAT was a level above given that officer is a SG official, not SQ. I was impressed (as always with Changi)


Most Oz airports though are not set up for anything like this. The closest I can think of is the relativly new QF premium check in at BNE with dedicated security and a clear entry to the lounge complex. I think VA have similar at PER IIRC?

International though.. it's a whole other story and I suspect that given many of these airports or terminals with such dedicated facilities are either owned by the govt - SQ, SIN/MH KUL, TG/BKK etc or are dedicated to a specific airline (BA F @ LHR T5, AA Flagship check in at LAX T4, and so on) there just isn't a situation like this at Oz international terminals.

IMO

 

[MR61]

Are Platinum members travelling on J (in a Y, J only aircraft) eligible for this entry point ? Or F ticket holders ?

 

[Hvr]

Are Platinum members travelling on J (in a Y, J only aircraft) eligible for this entry point ? Or F ticket holders ?

If you've got WP status then you're welcome to use the F check in and then the lounge.

 

[qiaqia]

How long does the whole check-in journey usually take from MEL Qantas F?
I have a booking next year:
SYD-MEL business,
*1Hr 20Min layover*
MEL-SIN first,
Is that enough time to collect luggage, then check-in, and still have time to try their spa treatment in the lounge?
or should I pay points now to change my SYD-MEL to an earlier flight, and leave more time to experience the spa and lounge, etc.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

How long does the whole check-in journey usually take from MEL Qantas F?
I have a booking next year:
SYD-MEL business,
*1Hr 20Min layover*
MEL-SIN first,
Is that enough time to collect luggage, then check-in, and still have time to try their spa treatment in the lounge?
or should I pay points now to change my SYD-MEL to an earlier flight, and leave more time to experience the spa and lounge, etc.

FIrst, unless you really want to check in separately in MEL, you should be able to check in for both flights in SYD.
You won't need to collect your bags in Melbourne and check them in again.
If I were you I would take that path, and just visit the F check in counter in MEL to pick up an Express Path pass.

Second, an hour and 20 minutes is a very short time for a transit from DOM to INT.
It is definitely not enough time to enjoy the lounge and even more definitely not enough time to enjoy the spa.
I would definitely change your flight SYD-MEL to give you a longer transit time.
I would recommend 3 hours or more!


Edit: I realise I repeated the word "definitely" three or more times but I have left it in because I am very definiite about this advice!

 

[JessicaTam]

I do like the MEL QF F checkin. The staff are consistently ( ) great.

The only checkin process I can think of that is better is the BKK TG F checkin. They assume you have lost the use of your legs and so get buggied from checkin to security to the lounge door.

 

[qiaqia]

Edit: I realise I repeated the word "definitely" three or more times but I have left it in because I am very definiite about this advice!

hahaha, thanks for the advice! I definitely listened to your advice, and changed my flight just now.
(charged 5k points for the change, but was credited back $143.10, not too bad lol)
I have 3Hr 20Mins to explore the lounge and spa now.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Love the SQ F at SIN check in. Especially as they have their own passport control. Now if QF could do that too,that would be great!

EK have separate passport control at DXB (and separate entrance) but. that’s for both F and J. Not sure if that makes for a superior J experience or an inferior F experience. IIRC, EY. have similar at AUH.

Cheers skip

 

[Quickstatus]

I have 3Hr 20Mins to explore the lounge and spa now.

That’s assuming your first sector is on time.

Why are so many F passengers so disabled they can’t carry their own bags?

 

[JessicaTam]

That’s assuming your first sector is on time.

Why are so many F passengers so disabled they can’t carry their own bags?

If you are referring to the bags that get loaded on the trolley in the MEL QF F checkin, that is for the checked bags as there is no conveyor belt or chute for them there.

 

[Quickstatus]

If you are referring to the bags that get loaded on the trolley in the MEL QF F checkin, that is for the checked bags as there is no conveyor belt or chute for them there.

No they can’t carry bags to the checkin

 

[esseeeayeenn]

So now I am confirmed in J on QF9 I have another question. Should you / can you book time in the spa in advance as in the SYD F Lounge?
At least there should be no one with much higher priority as there is no F cabin on the QF 787s.