Gold Star Alliance - expedited security lines at Auckland airport?
Jul 30, 2017, 4:08 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
There is no such thing at Auckland Airport.
I suspect they're getting confused with the Premium check-in area which has it's own lift to dedicated Smartgate machine and immigration desk.
There hasn't been a single occasion I've ever used it where I've thought I'd saved time vs using the regular entry, but I'm sure there are times of the day where you may save a few minutes. It's certainly nothing like *G Gold Track at airports which can often save 15 - 30 mins waiting in queues.
I suspect they're getting confused with the Premium check-in area which has it's own lift to dedicated Smartgate machine and immigration desk.
There hasn't been a single occasion I've ever used it where I've thought I'd saved time vs using the regular entry, but I'm sure there are times of the day where you may save a few minutes. It's certainly nothing like *G Gold Track at airports which can often save 15 - 30 mins waiting in queues.
Jul 30, 2017, 4:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: NZ*E
Posts: 808
There is no such thing at Auckland Airport.
I suspect they're getting confused with the Premium check-in area which has it's own lift to dedicated Smartgate machine and immigration desk.
There hasn't been a single occasion I've ever used it where I've thought I'd saved time vs using the regular entry, but I'm sure there are times of the day where you may save a few minutes. It's certainly nothing like *G Gold Track at airports which can often save 15 - 30 mins waiting in queues.
I suspect they're getting confused with the Premium check-in area which has it's own lift to dedicated Smartgate machine and immigration desk.
There hasn't been a single occasion I've ever used it where I've thought I'd saved time vs using the regular entry, but I'm sure there are times of the day where you may save a few minutes. It's certainly nothing like *G Gold Track at airports which can often save 15 - 30 mins waiting in queues.
Jul 30, 2017, 5:51 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
For other airlines there sort of an express emigration line, from the main entrance but that requires an invite from the airline you're traveling with.
The NZ entrance does has the bonus that it pushes you towards the front of the line for AVSEC.
The NZ entrance does has the bonus that it pushes you towards the front of the line for AVSEC.
Jul 30, 2017, 6:57 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
Security has changed recently maybe 2-3 wk ago. After premium machine passport checks you walk down a wide corridor with the masses and then directed into one of maybe 6 lines? I didn't see any signs for fast tracking at the time but was busy looking round at the new changes. No wait time. I'm out again in a couple of wks and interested to see if any fast track added.
Otherwise premium check in area is the same
Otherwise premium check in area is the same
Jul 31, 2017, 1:20 am
#6
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
Security has changed recently maybe 2-3 wk ago. After premium machine passport checks you walk down a wide corridor with the masses and then directed into one of maybe 6 lines? I didn't see any signs for fast tracking at the time but was busy looking round at the new changes. No wait time. I'm out again in a couple of wks and interested to see if any fast track added.
Otherwise premium check in area is the same
Otherwise premium check in area is the same
Jul 31, 2017, 1:28 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Programs: NZ *G
Posts: 411
Bummer. Yet another frequent flier benefit lost. Air NZ may well blame AIAL, but we still lose out. In my experience the shorter queue always looked like it saved time, with some days looking like a massive difference.
Last edited by gratn; Jul 31, 2017 at 1:30 am Reason: Added final sentence
Jul 31, 2017, 1:34 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Auckland, NZ
Programs: NZ G
Posts: 40
I'd rather an expedited line at the other end. Landing in AKL at 5:30am on Sunday morning (from DPS) - the biosecurity queue was down past baggage line 3...
A line for NZ*G/E to get through biosecurity quicker would be a revelation.
A line for NZ*G/E to get through biosecurity quicker would be a revelation.
Jul 31, 2017, 1:52 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
Generally have to agree although have had shorter lines than you've described lately (evening arrival) so been through quicker.
Jul 31, 2017, 2:42 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Programs: NZ *E, QF Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, PanPacific Platinum
Posts: 754
Agree 100%. Every time I land in NZ I write to MPI and draw comparisons with Express lanes in other parts of the world. I suggested using the crew lane here in Chc so nonadditional resources are used. They are adamant they want a face-to-face. I get that, but why wait in a queue with frogs legs, wood, honey and shark fins from our visitors!
Jul 31, 2017, 3:36 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
Agree 100%. Every time I land in NZ I write to MPI and draw comparisons with Express lanes in other parts of the world. I suggested using the crew lane here in Chc so nonadditional resources are used. They are adamant they want a face-to-face. I get that, but why wait in a queue with frogs legs, wood, honey and shark fins from our visitors!
The last few times I've been through AKL it's either much improved over what it was a year or so ago or I've just been striking it lucky.
Jul 31, 2017, 8:21 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YYZ/SFO/AKL
Programs: NZ*G, back of the bus UA, corner of the MLL AC.
Posts: 373
90 minutes from doors open to the cab off NZ7 the other day, was an absolute shambles down there.
Jul 31, 2017, 4:31 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
They don't police the lines at arrival customs is the issue. The other day a whole load of Chinese tourists just used the NZ Passport - Nothing to Declare (green lane) and no one from customs came up to them and put them in the Foreign Passports - Something to Declare line so it took forever.
Jul 31, 2017, 5:20 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
They don't police the lines at arrival customs is the issue. The other day a whole load of Chinese tourists just used the NZ Passport - Nothing to Declare (green lane) and no one from customs came up to them and put them in the Foreign Passports - Something to Declare line so it took forever.
Jul 31, 2017, 10:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*E
Posts: 186
I believe the absence of TV cameras there for a "reality" show is the problem. The sooner they are back and filming the better. Had there been a film crew nearby then there would have been a battalion of the people that dedicate their lives to protecting New Zealand's borders available. There would be none of this nonsense about having to go to lunch or on a break. We can only hope that they are back and filming soon.
