re: Strategy to get "Early" JQ check-in for International
I've done QF8 a number of times, and these are a few of my experiences.
QF8 to JQ1 (SYD-MEL), booked on one PNR:
OLCI wouldn't work for the JQ flight, and the QF staff in BNE weren't able to access the system or print a BP. They issued only the QF8 BP, with the orange D sticker.
In SYD, we went through transit security, and straight to the F lounge (with a print-out of the res, showing the onward flight). No problems getting past the bouncer, though the reception staff also couldn't access the JQ system. As the JQ transit desk was closed, we were still invited in.
Closer to the flight time, we headed to a JQ gate, where it looked like a flight would be called for boarding within the next few minutes (not our gate).
I waited until the gate agents no longer looked busy (they'd been printing the manifests and dealing with wheelchairs until that point), and politely asked if they could check us in and issue BPs (mentioning that the lounge staff couldn't access their system, and that we had no checked luggage). No problems issuing the BPs (no D sticker of course).
On arrival in MEL, I just handed the Customs officer both BPs, and he handed me back the JQ SYD-MEL BP – retaining only the QF8 BP with the D sticker... he didn't seem concerned by it at all, and let me pass without question.
I had expected a few questions (as their systems *may* have shown that I should have arrived in SYD), but QF may have also noted my 'I-I' (D) connection when disclosing the passenger lists.
I don't know if I'd 'bother' again (if I return to WP) – there was just too much hassle (as I had left the lounge every ~30 mins or so to see if there was anyone at the JQ transfer desk, before giving up and hunting down a JQ gate), so I didn't find my time there as relaxing as I usually would. I became rather acquainted with the F lounge bouncer though!
QF8 to LA800 (SYD-AKL), booked on two PNRs
I presented both itineraries on check-in. The staff weren't able to issue my LAN BP, but did note the connection in my res, and issued my QF8 BP sans D sticker (as I was connecting to an int'l flight).
Customs in BNE didn't ask me for my other BP (I also presented my outgoing passenger card with the LA800 flight number), and let me pass without question.
The plan was to obtain a LAN BP at the transfer desk in SYD, though the QF8 a/c went unserviceable, so one of the QF lounge staff escorted me out of the terminal (I was HLO).
As I had technically 'left the country', it did take a moment for the Customs staff to process my re-entry (they had to take my passport away and spend a couple of minutes on the phone – I could still see them), but they returned and let me proceed.
No issues, questions or weird looks when again 'leaving the country' in SYD (for the second time that day), albeit on a different flight number with a new outgoing passenger card (I didn't make my original connection).
QF8 to QF127 to KA906 (SYD-HKG-PEK), booked on the one PNR
I received all BPs in BNE (no D sticker obviously), and had no issues with being on QF8 before departing on an int'l flight.