Tips on QF in NZ

[Chucksta]

Hi

I'm flying from Auckland (AKL) to Queenstown (ZQN) with Qantas through Jetconnect.

Where should I check in at AKL? Is there a Qantas Club counter? I am a GOLD QFF. Can we just check in at the QC lounge for domestic flights in NZ?

How many hand carry baggage can we take? Is it same as Aus domestic? 2 bags less than 7kgs (Economy).

thanks

Chucksta

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Hello Chucksta,

Having just come back from New Zealand, I will try and answer your questions.

The AKL Qantas Domestic terminal is rather small although has a counter for all FFers with status. When checking in, the overhead screen simply said "Qantas Club" although there was a sign saying "Platinum, Gold, Silver, Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire". You can check-in here no problems.

I don't see why you couldn't check-in at the Qantas Club counter.

IIRC, the 7KG hand luggage applies and it was interesting to note on my full AKL-CHC flight on the 737-400, Qantas requested that some pax weigh their hand luggage.

Are you on the non-stop AKL-ZQN or the service via CHC? Here's hoping the ZQN weather doesn't turn for the worst like it did for me .

Here's hoping you also get a J configured 733...

Cheers

PS: Enjoy Queenstown!

 

[Mal]

Don't believe you can check in at the lounge, but you could try.

AKL domestic lounge is nice with a good view of the airport apron. Much better than being outside in the cramped area they house pax in in AKL.

I've never seen big queues domestically checking in with Qantas in NZ.

I have also seen hand baggage weighed. I think Qantas is worried with certain weather flights just how much stuff is brought onboard.

If you get one of the J configured planes you will be in for a treat - as long as you get one of the front few rows. Shouldn't be an issue as I rarely see pax with status on NZ routes (by looking at lounge numbers etc).

 

[StevePER]

I didn't think it was small, but maybe that's because there was nobody there...

Auckland domestic Qantas Club photo

 

[Mal]

Now that's a photo of a QP I like

It does tend to be quiet.

It's a good QP, but I did have a funny encounter last time I was in AKL:

I walk in and flash my Plat Card.
QP: "So what flight are you on"
Me: "I'm not actually flying Qantas, I'm flying Air NZ and freshening up before my flight".
QP: "Huh?!?"
Me: "I just arrived from a Lan Chile flight and have an Air NZ flight later. Qantas Plats have access to Qantas Clubs when not flying".
QP: "Yeah I know that, just wondering if your flight was delayed".

It was a really bad day in AKL. Pretty much all Qantas flights delayed. Air NZ terminal in a mess. At least my flight left on time... With a total of 3 passengers!

I believe there was big fog problems in WLG that day, but can't remember. It was in April this year.

 

[serfty]

Hmmm.. Wunala ...That 'photo was taken from somewhere down near the PC's ....

I spent 2pm-8pm in CHC with Kiwi Flyer last month waiting for the aircraft that was to take us to ZQN; in the end it did not get back in time and we headed back to AKL. Still have an orphan CHC-ZQN-CHC trip in the aether.

 

[Chucksta]

But, are you allowed 2 bags, 7kgs each? or is it just 1 bag?

Also, how long does it take for FF points to appear on the activity statement?

I flew QF25 in business on 5 Dec, still not on the activity statement.

thanks

Chucksta

 

[JohnK]

OT slightly. Should I be able to get all my boarding passes in SYD for SYD-AKL, AKL-WLG, WLG-CHC?

I hope the weather remains fine end of January.

 

[Altair]

But, are you allowed 2 bags, 7kgs each? or is it just 1 bag?

Also, how long does it take for FF points to appear on the activity statement?

I flew QF25 in business on 5 Dec, still not on the activity statement.

thanks

Chucksta

I thought it was standard QF domestic rules.
My FF points appeared whilest in flight, checked during a transit stop after an hour's flight.
Follow up your QF25, you can do it on line.
Note in Queenstown (ZQN) there is no Qantas Club, just a NZ Regional KC. I like QF NZ domestic and the QP, although NZ KC are better , they just have issues with reliability and can cancel flights....

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

If you have hand luggage only you can check in in the lounge. I do this if there is a queue, or if I have just arrived on another flight on another ticket.

Otherwise you can check in with whatever queue is shortest. At AKL there are normally 2 general queues, plus 1 QC queue.

Chucksta - when are you flying to Queenstown? I have some more flights there - would be nice to meet up. As others pointed out there is a risk with weather. Of 4 trips to Queenstown in the past month I have had delays with 3 of them - 1 minor (but check in being closed was a pain), 1 medium (a few hours stuck at ZQN airport) and 1 cancellation.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Hmmm.. Wunala ...That 'photo was taken from somewhere down near the PC's ....

There are 2 lots of PCs - 2 by the picture windows at one end (closest to food), and 2 at the other end (closest to bathroom). The photo is by the latter looking towards the former.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Yes carryon baggage same as in Australia.

OT slightly. Should I be able to get all my boarding passes in SYD for SYD-AKL, AKL-WLG, WLG-CHC?

I hope the weather remains fine end of January.

If it is all the same ticket and same day flights then sure get all BPs in SYD. They generally will not issue BPs for separate tickets until at the departure airport (and flown the previous ticket).

Weather is not normally an issue, except sometimes at Queenstown (and more rarely Wellington due to fog). However the QF domestic schedule is tight and so one a/c being stuck at ZQN, or delayed leaving WLG due to the wind, can cause delays on the entire network - these delays never being recovered. This is one reason I mainly dont use QF for work travel domestically - a bit too unreliable (and not as good a schedule cf NZ flights at least every hour).

JohnK when in January are you travelling?

 

[JohnK]

If it is all the same ticket and same day flights then sure get all BPs in SYD. They generally will not issue BPs for separate tickets until at the departure airport (and flown the previous ticket).

They are 3 seperate tickets but same day flights. Time to call QF and see if I can get the bookings linked.

JohnK when in January are you travelling?

SYD-AKL-WLG-CHC on 26 January and return AKL-SYD on 2 February.

In between hiring a car and driving CHC-AKL.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I've made a note in case I end up travelling those days, nothing planned yet (not quite true - I have something I want for 2nd but no availability and unlikely to be any)

 

[Flashback]

Ok, now... this is *well* into the future, but here's my first NZ trip!

PER-SYD-CHC arriving 18 July

return Wellington - MEL - PER (leaving Wellington on 27 July)

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

That is planning well ahead. Going skiing?

 

[Flashback]

That is planning well ahead. Going skiing?

That's right.. I've been working hard, and it's my first holiday in a *long* time. Have never been skiing before (last time I saw snow.. I was 1.5 years old!), so looking forward to 2 days of skiing in Queenstown.

Actually going on a Contiki tour, just a short one 'cause can't bear to be away from the office too long

 

[Chucksta]

Chucksta - when are you flying to Queenstown? I have some more flights there - would be nice to meet up. As others pointed out there is a risk with weather. Of 4 trips to Queenstown in the past month I have had delays with 3 of them - 1 minor (but check in being closed was a pain), 1 medium (a few hours stuck at ZQN airport) and 1 cancellation.

Kiwi Flyer: Sorry, I missed your post!.. Back in AKL now. I wasn't online when i was in Queenstown.

The flight from AKL to ZQN was delayed by 1 hour. Coming back we arrived 20 mins ahead of schedule!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

How did you enjoy Queenstown?


yhpm

 

[Flashback]

Kiwi, time to pick your brains again.. the departure tax from NZ is NZ$25 - I was reading a thread not too long ago, that mentioned what countries would accept c/c, cash, etc - I'm leaving via Wellington.. am I able to pay that departure tax on my c/c, or should I keep cash for the occasion?

Cheers!