The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[Lynda2475]

Say you booked a transcon flight in A330 J but before departure QF swaps the equipment to a 737, are you able to request to be changed onto a different flight with an A330?

Not for free, ticket terms do not guarantee aircraft type. You would need to pay the change fee and fare difference.

However the aircraft change means you are no longer in J (due to there be less J seats on B737), then yes you can ask to be move to another flight with J availability. Or if the departure time has changed you can say the new time does not suit.

But if purely an equipment swap then no.

 

[SYD]

I was pondering this scenario myself.

SYD+1 and I were originally booked QF J YUL-ORD-LAX-SYD (all QF codes), but AA did an equipment swap on YUL-ORD that only had whY. Next best option was AA/QF YUL-DFW-SYD (which I’ve just flown). In doing so, missed out on 2x squiggles (QF sectors - no biggy), but less SCs overall PLUS much less SCs towards a LB.

Please let me know how you go! How far in advance was the equipment swap?

Lodged an ORC request today for QF J YUL-ORD-LAX-SYD instead of reticketed and flown AA J YUL-DFW / QF J DFW-SYD. Received a response very quickly (~45 mins) and noted that my outbound was unchanged (QF J SYD-YVR) and that they're reviewing the three requested return flight sectors.

The points and SCs from the actual return flights flown and credited have since disappeared of my activity. Hopefully to be replaced by the three original. That'll be 40 SCs extra plus it'll trigger a LB for another 50 SCs (as well as 2x squiggles).

Will keep you posted!

Edit: I’m also now expecting quite a few more QBR points when this goes through!

 

[MelbFlyer]

First time flying business internationally on QF - if checking in online, how far in advance can you arrive at the airport for bag drop?

Assume it's the regular 3hrs prior to departure? Thankyou in advance!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Where to?
If US, it might be better to arr at airport bit earlier, as there is one final check at the gate, where they do further checks.
Even with OLCI, sometimes, you might see the words "this is not a boarding pass, please see staff at the airport of departure"/words to this effect.
But at least with QF, you can use the J queue, which tends to be a bit better than Y.
Man/Woman with ipad asking more questions, not that I have been to the US, but from what I could tell from 2 gates away at SYD int a few years ago, I was going to NZ, the UA flight gate, they were putting up screens, maybe even opening sus HLO.
If SIN/HKG, etc, yes 3 hrs is enough.
QFi J lounge in Aust capital cities have no wow factor, but worth it for some grub and grog.

 

[SYD]

First time flying business internationally on QF - if checking in online, how far in advance can you arrive at the airport for bag drop?

Where are you flying from?

Assume it's the regular 3hrs prior to departure? Thankyou in advance!

SYD "All day check-in" has been a bit hit and miss of late but upto 4 hrs before ought to be ok.

Even with OLCI, sometimes, you might see the words "this is not a boarding pass, please see staff at the airport of departure"/words to this effect.

These have all but disappeared with the removal of most/all Covid checks.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Where to?

Where are you flying from?

Sorry guys, didn't have a coffee this morning!

I'll be flying from Melbourne to HK this week.

I've got a TRS claim so ideally if we could arrive >3hrs prior, I'd prefer that, just to be safe + have more time in the lounge.

 

[kamchatsky]

I have a ticketed CX156 J BNE-HKG for 4 issued by QF (Classic Award). I am looking to book QF Y SYD-BNE separately. CX156 departs at 00:40, so I am looking at QF556 or QF554 (arriving in BNE at 21:05 and 22:35 the day before, respectively). Questions:

1) Is QF554 too tight for domestic - International connection? Or QF556 is a much safer bet?
2) At SYD, can I check in at QF Domestic for both QF and CX flights and get boarding passes altogether? if so, can the bag checked through all the way to HKG? Or I have to check in at CX separately?
3) If I can check in QF/CX altogether, since we fly CX J, can we access to QF J Domestic lounge at SYD?

 

[Lynda2475]

1) Is QF554 too tight for domestic - International connection? Or QF556 is a much safer bet?

Personally I think both of those are too tight. If there are any weather delays out of SYD, due to curfew you could easily find yourself on a flight the next morning after your CX flight has left.

Id go much earlier, better to be sitting in J lounge at BNE than stressing about not making it

 

[kamchatsky]

Personally I think both of those are too tight. If there are any weather delays out of SYD, due to curfew you could easily find yourself on a flight the next morning after your CX flight has left.

Id go much earlier, better to be sitting in J lounge at BNE than stressing about not making it

Assuming I take a much earlier QF Y flight, would I still be able to get CX boarding passes and luggage check through to hkg? Also would I have access to SYD Domestic J lounge?

 

[elanshin]

Assuming I take a much earlier QF Y flight, would I still be able to get CX boarding passes and luggage check through to hkg? Also would I have access to SYD Domestic J lounge?

You won't be able to access QFd J at SYD, but will be able to at BNE.

As for baggage and BP, in theory this should be allowed under the separate PNR (QF > OW) booked with award redemption and revenue clause. You will most certainly need to talk to the domestic service desk at SYD as well as have checks done by them.

 

[eminere]

Sorry guys, didn't have a coffee this morning!

I'll be flying from Melbourne to HK this week.

I've got a TRS claim so ideally if we could arrive >3hrs prior, I'd prefer that, just to be safe + have more time in the lounge.

It's 3 hours prior to departure at MEL.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

On an unlinked PNR, (the 6 alphanumeric code) for both airlines, try to get the lunch time SYD - BNE if you can, or a bit into the early afternoon.
If on a linked PNR, then its ok to be a bit later, as the int airline knows where you are in the process, and you can usually get a BP for all the way.
If SYD will tag your bags, then you won't have to collect it it BNE dom, so you save a bit of time.
But like as Elanshin mentioned, best to talk to the staff at SYD dom T3 and see, to be 100% sure.
But as yours is unlinked in the system, noon or a bit after dep from SYD, is best.
BNE dom - int terminal needs a bus or train to get across, so a bit of time needed.
===
According to google, today Sun, QF540 today got cancelled.
QF534, QF544 and QF546 were late arr into BNE.

 

[MelbFlyer]

It's 3 hours prior to departure at MEL.

Thankyou, guess it's just as normal then. I'll still arrive 4hrs prior the flight just to try my luck due to said TRS and have a Lounge visit, plus to be safe.

If I have to wait 1hr (so it's 3hrs prior to departure), then so be it.

I would have thought that being in business I'd be able to rock up slightly earlier though

 

[kamchatsky]

On an unlinked PNR, (the 6 alphanumeric code) for both airlines, try to get the lunch time SYD - BNE if you can, or a bit into the early afternoon.
If on a linked PNR, then its ok to be a bit later, as the int airline knows where you are in the process, and you can usually get a BP for all the way.
If SYD will tag your bags, then you won't have to collect it it BNE dom, so you save a bit of time.
But like as Elanshin mentioned, best to talk to the staff at SYD dom T3 and see, to be 100% sure.
But as yours is unlinked in the system, noon or a bit after dep from SYD, is best.
BNE dom - int terminal needs a bus or train to get across, so a bit of time needed.
===
According to google, today Sun, QF540 today got cancelled.
QF534, QF544 and QF546 were late arr into BNE.

I am booking separately so it will be separate PNR, I will request linkage but not sure how successful it is. I guess we will just fly earlier to BNE, maybe go to BNE city centre to have a look. Just not sure if anything actually opens on Boxing day.

 

[serfty]

You won't be able to access QFd J at SYD, but will be able to at BNE.

@kamchatsky The oneworld "Connecting Flights" rule for lounge access should allow access to SYD. The rule text does not indicate anything other than long/short haul connecting to short/long haul. In this case we would have short haul (Y) connecting to lounge haul (J).

 

[kamchatsky]

@kamchatsky The oneworld "Connecting Flights" rule for lounge access should allow access to SYD. The rule text does not indicate anything other than long/short haul connecting to short/long haul. In this case we would have short haul (Y) connecting to lounge haul (J).

Sounds good! The only thing with QF is that their tickets are very expensive on the day, so I will decide whether QF Dom J lounge is all worth it for 4 of us .....

 

[MelbFlyer]

Thankyou, guess it's just as normal then. I'll still arrive 4hrs prior the flight just to try my luck due to said TRS and have a Lounge visit, plus to be safe.

If I have to wait 1hr (so it's 3hrs prior to departure), then so be it.

I would have thought that being in business I'd be able to rock up slightly earlier though

Can confirm that it is 4 (four) hrs prior to departure - I was able to check in early and use the Express Path for security in Melbourne too.

TRS was pretty easy too - about 50 people in line but it moved quite quickly surprisingly.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I am booking separately so it will be separate PNR, I will request linkage but not sure how successful it is. I guess we will just fly earlier to BNE, maybe go to BNE city centre to have a look. Just not sure if anything actually opens on Boxing day.

Too expensive to go to BNE city for party of 4.
Train is fast, but might be $40 return for 2 adults and 2 kids.
Uber might be cheaper.
Enjoy.

 

[elanshin]

Too expensive to go to BNE city for party of 4.
Train is fast, but might be $40 return for 2 adults and 2 kids.
Uber might be cheaper.
Enjoy.

Taxi was $50 one way last time I was in Brisbane from the airport. Uber is likely slightly cheaper than that but not by too much @kamchatsky

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Because its a "from" BNE - dom to the city, and then BNE - int on the way back, train fares might or might not be eligible for the return, it might work.
Haven't tried this combo, ...
Have some time now, might go and do a dummy Air train fare check, ...
===
BNE dom airport - city (Central is a bit closer to shops but away from the river), or you can go down to Roma St, 26/11
City - BNE int airport, 26/11
There is a return for free deal, 2 adults and 2 kids 5 - 14 years, $41.80.
But have to book on the Airtrain website.
On the way back, explain your case to the girl/guy at the counter to get out one stop prior to BNE dom, ie, get off the train at BNE int.
===
This is of course presupposing that the QF staff at SYD will tag your plane hold bags onto the CX flight, and then you carry around min items.
Also that SYD QF staff will issue the CX BP.
===
If they won't tag bags/won't issue CX BP, then maybe you just have to spend time at BNE int, the orange transfer bus is free, takes about 15 mins across.