Start using those hoarded express cards

[dfcatch]

ok, pnr was just off the top of my head, and in response to the comment that express passes should only be used by those ENTITLED to it, and boo hoo if I couldn't give my spare passes to my 80 year old parents when they have to fly jetstar to christchurch.

my comment was quite clearly aimed - and should not be taken so literally on the term pnr - at those people who arrange lounge meets and take in a guest they have never met before. this is also clearly unintended. I quite clearly said in my post that the quest privilege if for a guest that the passer knows... be it wife, spouse, relative or work colleague or friend. not someone completely random that has no connection to the entitled member other than a 'I can't get in on my own so will someone stump up to get me in for free' stranger.

if you want to limit the use of express passes because people aren't entitled, let's look at clamping down on all the other things too

Guest passes are the way of the future

 

[drron]

Well the express passes were no good flying into SYD yesterday on QF114.Only plane at the time so Customs had only the Express Pass lane open and everyone had to use it.

 

[dfcatch]

Well the express passes were no good flying into SYD yesterday on QF114.Only plane at the time so Customs had only the Express Pass lane open and everyone had to use it.

I've found that many times.

Outbound is useful, as is BNE inbound express lane.

 

[anat0l]

Well the express passes were no good flying into SYD yesterday on QF114.Only plane at the time so Customs had only the Express Pass lane open and everyone had to use it.

Well that's another thing, too. I often find myself checking in for departures at the right time so the queues are quite quick, or non-existent. Hence why I have a healthy collection of the outbound express passes.

The last times I've used express passes are possibly on short-ish connections (e.g. QF501 to QF63) and maybe an F lounge run (for the security screening part only, of course).

And again, since I always have something to declare on arrival (usually food), inbound passes make nice elite souvenirs but are of little use to me.


As for whether they really work, that's not guaranteed either, but in my experience when I do use an express pass (outbound), there's a much better than even money chance that I'm glad I used it.

 

[notzac]

Do we know if this is a QF-only thing, or is it something all airlines must implement? Also, what is the timeframe?

 

[moa999]

"Priority AAcess" maybe?

 

[harvyk]

One question, how does one horde them? Everytime I've been given one, I've used it then and there (as intented) as it's pretty rare that there is absolutely no lines which could be skipped, and then once through the formalities they've been taken off me again...

Or have I just been flying at the wrong times?

As for something to print on the boarding pass,

Q(ueue)Fast?

 

[simongr]

I don't have any outbound cards - they are always used. I have many inbound cards which I think are just a case of good timing. I also used to use the duty free express immigration lane so my only queue was at quarantine and travelling to the UK/US with hand luggage only I don't often get Xrayed. I now use the smart gate so again have just quarantine to deal with.

 

[NM]

One question, how does one horde them? Everytime I've been given one, I've used it then and there (as intented) as it's pretty rare that there is absolutely no lines which could be skipped, and then once through the formalities they've been taken off me again...

Or have I just been flying at the wrong times?

As for something to print on the boarding pass,

Q(ueue)Fast?

At quiet times there is no need to use it. At some places like BNE outbound, you sow the card to enter the security screening express line then put it in your pocket and it's often not needed or requested for immigration.

But outbound in SYD there is usually someone standing at the entry to express immigration line who collects the cards.

Will see if I am offered one arriving into SYD on JAL (Y+ and OWE). If not, one of my QF ones will come out of my travel documents wallet just before I get off the plane.

 

[simongr]

At quiet times there is no need to use it. At some places like BNE outbound, you sow the card to enter the security screening express line then put it in your pocket and it's often not needed or requested for immigration.

But outbound in SYD there is usually someone standing at the entry to express immigration line who collects the cards.

Will see if I am offered one arriving into SYD on JAL (Y+ and OWE). If not, one of my QF ones will come out of my travel documents wallet just before I get off the plane.

I think it is the other way around in SYD - the cards are collected before security and after immi. My card is checked to enter the express queue and then confiscated just before security.

 

[NM]

I think it is the other way around in SYD - the cards are collected before security and after immi. My card is checked to enter the express queue and then confiscated just before security.

Yeah. That is probably right. I don't go through there often. But my card was certainly collected there last week. No way was said ticket collector going to let anyone retain their prized possession! He even seemed to have a box with slots for each airline's cards to keep them separate, as if to recycle them or to use to bill the airlines for the service.

 

[BVT]

I have never had them asked for or collected anywhere (BNE/SYD/MEL) except MEL.

The outbound MEL Immigration Officer would not even look at my passport, until I handed over my card. In SYD and BNE outbound, I am often asked, but usually show my BP instead, so far that has worked. A small collection has been useful for travelling in whY and not given one on arrival.

 

[simongr]

In SYD immi is not a dedicated desk for Express Path as such - they do direct people from the main queue to the express path queue. Immi never look at the express path ticket.

 

[tuapekastar]

I've only used them at MEL and use them to go through the express security lane, then check the queues at immigration to see whether it's worth using (and subsequently surrendering) the express card or going through 'normal' immigration and retaining the card. Moot point soon I guess.

 

[Archphoto]

When I was WP never had them given as an outbound passenger from ADL, but I've still got some left from inbound flights. The only time I use them is when I fly through Sydney; last few flights I've managed to get CX direct to ADL or QF 81 SYD-ADL, so I haven't used them lately.

Guess they'll be obsolete by the time I need to use again. . . . and I hate clearing customs in SYD - it's an absolute nightmare! They were sanity savers. :mrgreen:

 

[simongr]

Guess they'll be obsolete by the time I need to use again. . . . and I hate clearing customs in SYD - it's an absolute nightmare! They were sanity savers. :mrgreen:

Ebay!!!! Couldn't find any listings so obviously a gap in the market!!!!

 

[Archphoto]

Ebay!!!! Couldn't find any listings so obviously a gap in the market!!!!

:mrgreen: Sounds like a cunning plan! "Collector's Item" anyone. . . . . ?

 

[LiamR]

I think it is the other way around in SYD - the cards are collected before security and after immi. My card is checked to enter the express queue and then confiscated just before security.

When I was at SYD last week, I showed my Express Card to use the Priority Immigration and then they took it off me as I entered Priority Security.

 

[simongr]

When I was at SYD last week, I showed my Express Card to use the Priority Immigration and then they took it off me as I entered Priority Security.

That is correct

 

[Tooner]

One question, how does one horde them? Everytime I've been given one, I've used it then and there (as intented) as it's pretty rare that there is absolutely no lines which could be skipped, and then once through the formalities they've been taken off me again...

Or have I just been flying at the wrong times?

I've often been given outbound and inbound passes when checking in at the F counter with QF (never with VS or SQ), using the outbound and receiving another inbound on the return leg.

To me, it makes sense to print it on the BP, presumably including all the discount whY travellers checking in at the F counter with QF