The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[kangarooflyer88]

There is no preferential treatment for Canadians transferring HEL.

You're correct there. However, if you are on a tight connection and there's a huge queue at the non-EU line there is no harm in using the EU line, especially for emmigration. I mean what harm is there for the border officer in stamping your passport out as you are now leaving the country?

But on my recent entry there were two airport staff patrolling the huge non EU line calling out specific flight numbers departing soon and bringing those people to the front of the line (but not the EU desks even though they were empty).

That's the issue with connecting international flights like that. My motto is catch the connection worry about the repercussions later.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Lynda2475]

I did a food tour in Helsinki with an Aussie woman who is married to a Finn (and also has Finn citizenship now too) and her other job is at HEL monitoring that passport control line and also sometimes doing pre-check on departures for the USA.

I asked her why when the non-EU line was so huge (almost 1 hour wait for me, but I was entering Finland not needing to connect) and the EU counters are empty (as most EU citizens use the self service terminals) they didn't send some non-EU to the EU counters and she told me it isn't permitted and they can get in trouble for processing passports on the wrong lanes.

So good luck with trying to jump the queue, you are likely to lose time and end up further back in the queue you should be on.

That said there is passport control on both the upper and lower levels of arrivals, so if upper looks busy head to the lower.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I asked her why when the non-EU line was so huge (almost 1 hour wait for me, but I was entering Finland not needing to connect) and the EU counters are empty (as most EU citizens use the self service terminals) they didn't send some non-EU to the EU counters and she told me it isn't permitted and they can get in trouble for processing passports on the wrong lanes.

It may not be permitted but it's not immoral. It's certainly a Pareto inefficient use of immigration officers. Where is the harm to EU citizens if none are in the lineup? I will also point out a couple of examples where things are borderline. Suppose my wife is Italian and I am travelling with her to the EU. Could I not use the EU line with her? After all, she is an EU citizen and entitled to use the line? What about a UK citizen holding a passport issued before Brexit where it clearly says European Union on it?

That said there is passport control on both the upper and lower levels of arrivals, so if upper looks busy head to the lower.

I'll give that a try. One thing nice about my flight is that I'll be arriving into HEL early in the morning meaning there will be very little traffic at the airport since so far as I'm aware, there aren't many flights from the Americas going to HEL. But if worse comes to worse, I'm using that EU lane.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Lynda2475]

It may be inefficient but the Finns dont care. There were 5 of 22 gates open when I joined the queue, then one guy goes on his break and even though the 3 on the EU gates were serving no one, they didnt send any help over to the non-EU side.

They are very by the book, sure if your partner is EU you can get away with it, but not because you think it is silly use of resources.

What about a UK citizen holding a passport issued before Brexit where it clearly says European Union on it?

Doesn't matter no longer eligible - not enough people thought that through when voting for Brexit. I had to listen to two whining poms complain about the line for almost 45mins and how it was better when they could use the EU gates.

 

[tdimdad]

In general, EU is pretty detailed about their rules. And Finns are one of the most rule-obedient cultures over there. Besides, invariably the EU/EEA lanes are for eGates - and the Canadian passport is not eligible for automated immigration into Schengen (at least when crossing the border in Finland). In other words, the reader is likely to reject the passport and you'll be back at the end of the non-EU queue.

It's no different to the eGate / SmartGate eligibility at Australian airports or elsewhere. The eligibility is clearly signposted and you follow that.

 

[tdimdad]

Qantas Brisbane Premium Lounge Entry (Domestic) operating hours? When's the lane open these days in the BNE domestic terminal, please?
I.e. when going through this coming weekend, is it likely I need to join the school holiday folks in the general security queue or is the shortcut to the lounges open?

BTW, I tried to google it but the operating hours of the premium entry are a well-kept secret for some reason. I wonder why.

 

[AIRwin]

Qantas Brisbane Premium Lounge Entry (Domestic) operating hours?

It was open before my 6 am flight last month

 

[tdimdad]

Qantas Brisbane Premium Lounge Entry (Domestic) operating hours? When's the lane open these days in the BNE domestic terminal, please?
I.e. when going through this coming weekend, is it likely I need to join the school holiday folks in the general security queue or is the shortcut to the lounges open?

BTW, I tried to google it but the operating hours of the premium entry are a well-kept secret for some reason. I wonder why.

I can now answer my own question, after going past it on arrival. The hours have been extended nicely.

Mon-Fri 4:15-17:45
Sat-Sun + public holidays 5:00-16:45

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Have your paper BP/phone BP/app BP ready for scanning at the very first stage, on the ground floor before going into the dom sec screening point.
They were quite strict about that, ...
Had to search my bag for my phone, as I had put it away into the bag, after leaving the BNE airport dom train station.

 

[ApeLex]

Hi,
I was just looking at my upcoming flight and it says every domestic flight has food provided. I am flying from NTL to Brisbane, does that mean food is included (no extra cost) and what would I expect to be on the menu?
I have booked as a rewards flight does this make a difference?
Thanks!

 

[TripTrap]

Hi,
I was just looking at my upcoming flight and it says every domestic flight has food provided. I am flying from NTL to Brisbane, does that mean food is included (no extra cost) and what would I expect to be on the menu?
I have booked as a rewards flight does this make a difference?
Thanks!

Hi,
It's not going to be a proper meal on a 1h flight. Best case some pastry like quiche or a pie, but also possibly only a bag with a hand full of tiny cookies. That's assuming you're flying in economy.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hi,
I was just looking at my upcoming flight and it says every domestic flight has food provided. I am flying from NTL to Brisbane, does that mean food is included (no extra cost) and what would I expect to be on the menu?
I have booked as a rewards flight does this make a difference?
Thanks!

And if it’s an afternoon flight, quite likely cheese and rice crackers… a bit like the ones you pack in a lunchbox for a child going to primary school.

 

[ApeLex]

Hi,
It's not going to be a proper meal on a 1h flight. Best case some pastry like quiche or a pie, but also possibly only a bag with a hand full of tiny cookies. That's assuming you're flying in economy.

Yep economy. I thought if i was getting food I could skip getting some breakfast at the airport. Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yep economy. I thought if i was getting food I could skip getting some breakfast at the airport. Thanks!

Not a full meal replace,ent in short flights… but something to fill the gap. Usually around 200-400 calories of snack food. Plus tea, coffee, water and juices. Helps pass the time more than anything

 

[Karlyla]

Hi, I have an economy saver fare flying SYD-LAX and I had a bid now upgrade in for money only. I wanted to do a points upgrade request but couldnt see an option for it. I called Qantas customer service and they said they could put the points upgrade request through for me. I cancelled my monetary 'bid now' upgrade and was told that the points bid request was in.

In my account its still showing my monetary bid and I don't have any confirmation that the points upgrade was submitted. In your experience can this take time to be reflected in the booking ? I will call back eventually if it doesnt update, it just takes so long to get through. I was on hold for 30 mins this morning before they answered my call.

I just wanted to see if anyone had insight on whether this is normal when doing upgrade requests over the phone or if I should still have received an email confirm for the points upgrade request?

 

[serfty]

Hi, I have an economy saver fare flying SYD-LAX and I had a bid now upgrade in for money only. I wanted to do a points upgrade request but couldnt see an option for it. I called Qantas customer service and they said they could put the points upgrade request through for me. I cancelled my monetary 'bid now' upgrade and was told that the points bid request was in.

Qantas do generally allow points upgrades on International Economy Saver Fares (presumably you are booked in G, K, L, M, S & V classes).

Qantas Class Types | Frequent Flyer

To see how Qantas Fare Types align to the Frequent Flyer Categories, see details here.

www.qantas.com

Presumably the booking shows on Qantas web site "Your Bookings" after logging on?

Is there an UPGRADE option or the booking on that page?

Another way is to bring up you "My Account" page and select "Upgrade a Family Member" from the options on the Left hand side of the page. (you your details and booking reference).

 

[eminere]

Qantas do not generally allow points upgrades on International Economy Saver Fares (presumably you are booked in G, K, L, M, S, V classes).

You mean Sale, not Saver.

 

[Karlyla]

Qantas do not generally allow points upgrades on International Economy Saver Fares (presumably you are booked in G, K, L, M, S, V classes).

Oh really. I was worried this may be the case but I called again and they assured me I could. I haven’t had the best experience with Qantas customer service. So now I’m unsure if I should leave it as is or do another bid now upgrade. I at least want to have a chance

 

[serfty]

You mean Sale, not Saver.

Oh really. I was worried this may be the case but I called again and they assured me I could. I haven’t had the best experience with Qantas customer service. So now I’m unsure if I should leave it as is or do another bid now upgrade. I at least want to have a chance

It was a mistype, it has been fixed.

Qantas allow points upgrades on International Economy Saver Fares (booked in G, K, L, M, S & V classes).

Qantas Class Types | Frequent Flyer

To see how Qantas Fare Types align to the Frequent Flyer Categories, see details here.

www.qantas.com

The booking should show on Qantas web site "All Bookings" after logging on.

Is there an UPGRADE option beside each segment for the booking on that page?

Another way is to bring up your "My Account" page and select "Upgrade a Family Member" from the options on the Left hand side of the page. (Use your details and booking reference).

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/my-account/upgrade-family-member.html

 

[Karlyla]

I ha

It was a mistype, it has been fixed.

Qantas allow points upgrades on International Economy Saver Fares (booked in G, K, L, M, S & V classes).

Qantas Class Types | Frequent Flyer

To see how Qantas Fare Types align to the Frequent Flyer Categories, see details here.

www.qantas.com

The booking should show on Qantas web site "All Bookings" after logging on.

Is there an UPGRADE option for the booking on that page?

Another way is to bring up your "My Account" page and select "Upgrade a Family Member" from the options on the Left hand side of the page. (Use your details and booking reference).

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/my-account/upgrade-family-member.html

Thanks for that. On the website on a desktop it says 'upgrade not available' then it says 'bid now' request already submitted. When I click on that it shows my cancelled 'bid now' upgrade.

On the app it shows 'upgrade requested' then when I click 'view more' it says 'information on my upgrade is currently unavailable'. Its all a bit confusing.