QF Gold - express path card - SYD

[Ade]

Although it barely makes a difference Inbound, Murphy’s Law usually is the overriding factor outbound - express pass only ever seems to be of value when I don’t have one.

Agree with you on this.

In the last three times over the past couple of months, I've seen that the queue in the ex-path is more than the normal queue twice and the other way around once.

Also, as I use "Other Nationalities Passport", sometimes the queue is longer, but bearable.

I think when you're using a non-smart gate passport, then ex-path is helpful, to some extent, in a sense that, you don't have join the end of the "Other Nationalities Passport" queue, which can sometimes, depending on the time of arrival can extend well until duty free shops, and can finish immigration fairly quickly via the ex-path

 

[dajop]

In the last three times over the past couple of months, I've seen that the queue in the ex-path is more than the normal queue twice and the other way around once.

Typically, at the time I day I usually depart MEL internationally (for flight at either 6pm or 6:30pm - 1 hr later during daylight savings), there just isn't a queue period, and often have express path closed off anyway. Everyone just walks up to the free-est security lane. The new security process is a farce there (especially if you have multiple items) express path or not - but that's a discussion for another thread.

 

[Ade]

Unless you have a passport that isn't eleigible for those gates (a small minority of QF elites I'm sure), then the "Express" Lane is almost certainly slower than the automated gates.

My situation exactly!! I use an Indian passport and almost every time I'm stuck at the back of the Other Nationalities Passport queue inbound. Outbound, hasn't been a problem, so far.

 

[Spongbob]

Do Express cards still have any meaning at SYD, for either departure or arrival?
I have a bunch of them because I cannot see any way they are of benefit nowadays

 

[Happy Trails]

Really ?? This is the first time I'm hearing about this ? Has anyone had ex-path entitlement printed on their BP? May be someone who has can post a pic ? (of course after masking out personal information & bar/QR codes)

OLCI BPs Now Include Express Path Pass

This is new, I think.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[chickentalon]

In my 40 or so international arrivals into SYD over the past 5 years I've never once used an incoming express path card. Even when it's busy through customs, which is rare, they never have the express path going.

Outbound SYD makes a slight difference sometimes, but often the "fast" lane looks slower so I don't bother.

 

[Ade]

OLCI BPs Now Include Express Path Pass

This is new, I think.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Thank you @Happy Trails. I see that most of those who've got ex-path printed on their BP are WP and above. And as I'm Gold, that's why I didn't get it this time.

 

[jpp42]

Do Express cards still have any meaning at SYD, for either departure or arrival?
I have a bunch of them because I cannot see any way they are of benefit nowadays

If you read the posts just above you can see where I and others have mentioned they still might be of use outbound - mainly for the security part. For a while due to renovations , the express paths weren't in use at SYD, but this is now completed and it is operating again.

On arrival it seems the main benefit is only for those who cannot use the automated gates and would otherwise need to queue in the Other Nationalities line.

 

[Ade]

If you read the posts just above you can see where I and others have mentioned they still might be of use outbound - mainly for the security part. For a while due to renovations , the express paths weren't in use at SYD, but this is now completed and it is operating again.

On arrival it seems the main benefit is only for those who cannot use the automated gates and would otherwise need to queue in the Other Nationalities line.

Good summary, @jpp42