SYD INT-INT transfer & exit in between

[Mattg]

Some years ago, I flew AKL-SYD-HND (on NZ/NH) with a ~10 hour layover in Sydney, all on one ticket. Boarding passes issued in AKL, bag checked through to HND, and I spent the day in Sydney in between with no issues.

 

[dajop]

I’d suspect that of course intl-intl should be ok. I think the only confusing thing here is the domestic leg as BP will need a d-sticker to reenter the departures area on a domestic sector, whilst baggage wont have been through customs unless short checked and collected.

 

[exceladdict]

Which call centre though? I'd be sceptical of anything someone at a QF call centre tells about procedures at an airport.

I suspect not Hobart, but either way, I can now back it up with "I was told this would be okay" - at least when asking for my baggage to be short-checked.

 

[Warragul]

Yes they are. Bags get a D sticker as well (like the BP) which bypass checks.

On reflection I think this will be an issue. If it was true I to I it would be fine, but you will only be able to re-enter as a domestic pax, but the bags will still need to be cleared in PER. It will be a coughshow.

Correct, a D sticker on the BP will be needed, which someone at check in might slap on. ABF at Perth might notice the lack of D sticker on bags and ask questions ( unless re-checked as D at SYD). They might not notice as well.

Technically no checks are bypassed, the D indicates a domestic traveller, ABF can question and search as if you're international. Rarely done but is occasionally.

 

[exceladdict]

Thought I'd come back with a report on what I experienced.

On check in with AA the agent was initially unsure if she would be able to "short check" the bags to SYD. However she was able to enter a reason - "business meeting" was chosen, and bags were short checked successfully with Oneworld priority tags. BP for QF5 to PER was issued but of course, no D sticker was provided.

Bag emerged in the first batch thanks to priority tag (or luck) and I had nothing to declare so waltzed through customs faster than ever.

However, F check in was unable to accept my bag at ~7am as QF5 check in was not open until ~2. I pushed slightly as I already had a BP, but my question about "what if I had it through checked" didn't help. The rep suggested asking the QF baggage services team if I could leave the bag with them for a few hours - this desk was unattended so I parted with $15 at the nearby storage provider instead.

When I returned in the afternoon, I thought I'd check again in case I choose to do this again. The rep at J check in (was directed there due to a queue at F) confirmed that in all cases, you should short check the bag and clear customs in Sydney, but they wouldn't be able to accept the bag early for QF5 (unlike if I was connecting through to a domestic flight from the domestic terminal). They went as far as to recommend not doing this particular itinerary as dropping the bag early was not possible.

I didn't enquire whether, if doing HLO, it would be possible to go straight through and spend the day in the F lounge (eg. Getting my D sticker on the BP at the transfer desk, or exiting and then going back in straight away). However I did notice that on going through customs, border protection stamped my BP, suggesting that entering (eg. To visit the lounge) and then exiting might be difficult.

The only people I didn't check with were the lounge and the QF international transfer desk (pre-customs), however, based on the two above interactions at F check in I believe the advice provided by many of you in this thread prevails - short check and exit.

Zero regrets as I had a great day in Sydney and the $15 was well worth it due to being able to enjoy the F lounge vs domestic J. But thanks all for your advice and feedback.

 

[SYD]

Sounds like the main wrinkle was the lack of “all day checkin” at SYD T1. That‘s been reported elsewhere here - not sure if it’s permanent or temp thing?