The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[ZenFlyer]

Lol, can't quite figure out the multi-quote function here (yet) but thank you Mwenenzi and SeatBack for the additional info. I'm glad to hear that security screening at SYD should be less tiresome than I'm used to in the States.

In terms of check-in, I understand the idea of doing it via app or kiosk, but I'm thinking more about the physical check-in of the luggage -- is there not a counter line for that?

And yes, I kind of wound up over-doing it on status for this trip -- I originally purchased the QC membership at a time that I did not have any OneWorld status at all, but that wound up changing rapidly and unexectedly due to new work requirements. But that's not to say that the QC membership is for naught -- ironically, that gets me access to American's Admiral's Club lounges for domestic flights in the US, which AA status members do not normally receive.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Lol, can't quite figure out the multi-quote function here (yet) but thank you Mwenenzi and SeatBack for the additional info. I'm glad to hear that security screening at SYD should be less tiresome than I'm used to in the States.

In terms of check-in, I understand the idea of doing it via app or kiosk, but I'm thinking more about the physical check-in of the luggage -- is there not a counter line for that?

And yes, I kind of wound up over-doing it on status for this trip -- I originally purchased the QC membership at a time that I did not have any OneWorld status at all, but that wound up changing rapidly and unexectedly due to new work requirements. But that's not to say that the QC membership is for naught -- ironically, that gets me access to American's Admiral's Club lounges for domestic flights in the US, which AA status members do not normally receive.

Nope. The machine spits out a bag tag, you attach that to your bag and then you walk a few steps and drop the bag on a conveyor. The kiosk area has roving QF staff to assist if needed. Pre koisk days would have ~10 times the QF staff.

Did wonder why you had QF club. With OWE won't give any extra. Except for the JQ flight, where QF club gives you and a guest QF lounge acess where as AA OWE will not.

 

[SYD]

Further to what @Mwenenzi has added security is far less a hassle here, you don't need to take off shoes or belts unless they specifically get triggered through the screening.

and generally no dramas with LAGs in carry on luggage!

The self-checkin of luggage is quite straightforward. If you have QF smart tags just go straight to one of the bag drop machines. Otherwise, the kiosks will print bag tags for you (including priority baggage coded in).

With OWE status head to the domestic QF Business lounges where available (SYD, MEL, BNE, CBR and PER). if you’re heading there, Canberra is probably the oddity with no tarmac view.

Plus, if you’re heading home on a OW operated flight, you’ll get into the SYD QF First Lounge (regardless of class of travel).

 

[ZenFlyer]

Nope. The machine spits out a bag tag, you attach that to your bag and then you walk a few steps and drop the bag on a conveyor. The kiosk area has roving QF staff to assist if needed. Pre koisk days would have ~10 times the QF staff.

Thank you for the additional info. (And look, I think I figured out how to multi-quote!)

and generally no dramas with LAGs in carry on luggage!

The self-checkin of luggage is quite straightforward. If you have QF smart tags just go straight to one of the bag drop machines. Otherwise, the kiosks will print bag tags for you (including priority baggage coded in).

Another plus!

And another newbie question: I read about the smart tags -- are they generally working well for people? It's not clear if Qantas will send them to me in the States or not, but if people are finding them more useful than troublesome I might investigate further.

 

[RooFlyer]

Will either Oneworld Emerald status or Qantas Club membership give me access to a priority check-in assistance at the counter, and/or priority security screening at SYD? Would being on a business class ticket provide any additional benefit in that regard?

Yes, OWE is equivalent to Qantas Platinum, and you will get all those with that status

Sorry to suggest a divergent opinion, but is the priority queue for status pax at security at SYD always open? It isn't at other ports and absent at the smaller ones (in case ZenFlyer travels on).

OWE/Qantas Platinum should get you Priority Boarding and Priority baggage arrival. The latter almost never happens and priority boarding is very hit and miss as to enforcement (there's a thread here on this). We don't do boarding 'zones' - its "Priority queue " and the other queue, so if they don't enforce priority, its a free-for-all.

Australians don't tend to take as much carry-on as in the US (as there is no charge for standard checked-bag allowance) but the bins will usually still get full. If you wait until the boarding announcement in the lounges, you'll probably be well back in the boarding queue, so if you'll need overhead bin space, my suggestion is to go to the gate lounge before scheduled boarding time and hover near the priority boarding lane to join that queue when boarding is announced.

And just for info, Australian airports have an array of security apparatus (body scanners are appearing more and more, but some still have the 'old fashioned' x-ray and beeping walk-through thing), so if you travel around, be prepared to be corrected for doing the wrong thing - like the rest of us . Adelaide airport in particular seem to 'make it up as they go along'

Further to what @Mwenenzi has added security is far less a hassle here, you don't need to take off shoes or belts unless they specifically get triggered through the screening.

Some of the new body scanners you do need to take belt off - like at Melbourne this morning for me.

But that's not to say that the QC membership is for naught -- ironically, that gets me access to American's Admiral's Club lounges for domestic flights in the US, which AA status members do not normally receive.

Yes, that always tickles us - we get Admiral's club access domestically when regular AAdvantage members don't!! But I think it'll only get you access if you put your QFF number in your AA booking

And another newbie question: I read about the smart tags -- are they generally working well for people?

Others may disagree, but many of us just use them as drinks coasters. But if you do get them and choose not to use them, don't put them in your luggage - it'll trigger the reader and confuse the machine!!

 

[encryptededdy]

is the priority queue for status pax at security at SYD always open?

In my experience seemingly yes

 

[Montyrulz15]

Hi, very new to the whole one world concept. Just a quick question, I note the Qantas multi city tool only allows 6 flights. How would you book the remaining 10 if you wished to utilise the full 16 flights? Also how does this work in terms of points? For example if I had 320k pts for a business class rtw trip, how would I book all flight legs with only that many? I’ve read that you get refunded points? But how would that work if you didn’t have enough points for the original pricing? Hope that makes sense

 

[Mwenenzi]

Hi, very new to the whole one world concept. Just a quick question, I note the Qantas multi city tool only allows 6 flights. How would you book the remaining 10 if you wished to utilise the full 16 flights? Also how does this work in terms of points? For example if I had 320k pts for a business class rtw trip, how would I book all flight legs with only that many? I’ve read that you get refunded points? But how would that work if you didn’t have enough points for the original pricing? Hope that makes sense

Look here --> "oneworld" award (132.4K/249.6K/318K/455K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

 

[Jurahn]

I don't often fly with QF, so sorry if this is a silly question! I'm flying out of Hobart later this week on a B717 in Row 13, which is classed as an exit row on the seat map (shows "extra legroom seat" on my booking). It appears from their Q & As that being in an exit row, I'll have to check in at the airport rather than online - is that correct? A bit of a pain if so as I'll only have hand luggage, but if that's what I have to do, so be it . Thanks

 

[sqrt()]

Canberra J lounge sucks bad. Needs more hate (staff are great though). Not going back until I'm sure it's not Chicken Cacciatore .

Canberra is probably the oddity with no tarmac view.

 

[encryptededdy]

I'll have to check in at the airport rather than online - is that correct?

I don't think I've ever had a problem with online check-in for exit rows, although usually I switch to exit row after checking in.

 

[tea4three]

I returned from Noumea yesterday and notice that I haven't been credited the points or 65 SC I was expecting for the Aircalin codeshare leg NOU-SYD QF8692. Do these generally take some time to be credited?

 

[marki]

Usually yes or unless the level of ticket purchased was without SC that happens too.

 

[tea4three]

Usually yes or unless the level of ticket purchased was without SC that happens too.

on my booking, it indicated that SC and points would be earned for that leg

 

[tdimdad]

I returned from Noumea yesterday and notice that I haven't been credited the points or 65 SC I was expecting for the Aircalin codeshare leg NOU-SYD QF8692. Do these generally take some time to be credited?

Yes, many of the partner airlines take weeks to credit the points / SC's to your QFF account. Just keep the boarding passes in store in case you need to claim the points/SC's afterwards.

 

[acinod]

I can't seem to book a classic rewards flight for JAL domestic.

There are 0 taxes and I keep getting this error when I try to pay with points
And if I don't play around with the numbers and just click Next

 

[SYD]

I returned from Noumea yesterday and notice that I haven't been credited the points or 65 SC I was expecting for the Aircalin codeshare leg NOU-SYD QF8692. Do these generally take some time to be credited?

My flight SYD-NOU a few weeks ago posted 2 or 3 days later. Which is not unusual. Any more than a week or two, I’d be logging a missing points claim online.

 

[Rich]

But if you do get them and choose not to use them, don't put them in your luggage - it'll trigger the reader and confuse the machine!!

I can confirm that. I put a luggage tag on a suitcase with a Q tag and the reader wanted to charge me for an additional bag.

 

[AussieJasmine]

I've got some Avios from the UK that are going to be wasted if I don't use them. I need to fly SYD-AKL next June so want to use them for that. Do I need to book these through the BA website, and if so, is it still possible to claim QFF SCs if flying on a Qantas aircraft with a QF flight number on my booking?

 

[Mwenenzi]

I've got some Avios from the UK that are going to be wasted if I don't use them. I need to fly SYD-AKL next June so want to use them for that. Do I need to book these through the BA website, and if so, is it still possible to claim QFF SCs if flying on a Qantas aircraft with a QF flight number on my booking?

Yes: as avios is the ff currency need to book via BAEC.
But QF may/may not have the awards. Unsure if BA will offer offer avios and cash. Only earn SC from cash flights

Avios are also used as the ff currency by IB, QR Qatar and others. Avios can be moved to/from these ffp's, subject to the t&c's .

VA is a ffp of QR Qatar.
Virgin, Qatar Partnership Teething Issues

Virgin Australia Launches Partnership with Qatar Airways

In some exciting news for Australian frequent flyers, Virgin Australia's unlikely new partnership with Qatar Airways is taking off from 6 September 2022.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Are ways to keep avios alive with various flying and non flying activities.