Qantas Frequent Flyer - How early can you check-in for SYD-AKL flights?

We're off to AKL tomorrow evening and I wanted to kill some time in the First lounge. How early would QF allow you to check in for a SYD-AKL flight? If I arrive say 5 or 6 hours before (yes, I'd really like to make the most of the lounge :D) would they allow us to check-in our bags already for the evening flight?

I believe that it is three hours before, but I don't know for certain. If you were travelling with just hand luggage and had printed your boarding passes online you could in theory go through security and enter the lounge at any point.

Ah, I was fearing that this was the case but then I figure that they have flights out of SYD all the time and therefore check-in would be available earlier for us with bags.

Any chance they would let us check-in with bags that early?

Check in opens 3 hours prior for Syd-Akl flights if you need to check luggage.

Ok.....posting from the F lounge. Checked in at T-3.5 hours. on the wait list for a massage Lounge is packed; also waiting for a table for lunch / snack . I asked at the Syd F check in. If you have luggage to check in, for long haul flights eg US, UK, they can check you in at T-4 hours, otherwise they can't. All other flights, can only check you in at T-3 hours. If you don't have checked luggage, they can override the system, and can check you in whatever time you turn up. The guy was a bit puzzled as to why one would want to spend more than 4 hours at the F lounge!!!http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/on-line-check-qf-international-37242.html#post570507

I have to admit that I have not checked in at SYD F desk more than 3 hours before the flight, but I know at MEL I have checked in on-line, and then dropped the baggage off 6 hours before a flight at the F check-in. The possible difference is that at MEL the F check-in luggage is taken manually, i.e. not put onto a conveyor belt, as the F check-in is in a separate area not connected to the main check-in luggage system. The put your luggage on a trolley and take it over for you.

Maybe a phone call will see if SYD will do the same.

Well, unfortunately it turned out to be worse than thought. I'm sitting at the F check-in and now have to wait until they open the flight at -3h. I've read through the thread mentioned above and it appeared that they are able to check you in at -4h sometimes even earlier...but apparently not to AKL...or at least not if they don't want to :(

So, here's a lesson learnt and probably means we have to tag on a domestic flight next time we really want to enjoy the F lounge. I'm sure by the time we get through immigration there won't be any spa appointment left...happened to me just 2 weeks ago where I had 2 hours in the lounge.

It's HLO & OLCI or connecting via another port.

Earlier this year we started our journey to AKL from BNE (QF8) and had 6 hours in the lounge. Always nice to jag an F seat even if it's only for an hour.

Well, unfortunately it turned out to be worse than thought. I'm sitting at the F check-in and now have to wait until they open the flight at -3h. I've read through the thread mentioned above and it appeared that they are able to check you in at -4h sometimes even earlier...but apparently not to AKL...or at least not if they don't want to :(

So, here's a lesson learnt and probably means we have to tag on a domestic flight next time we really want to enjoy the F lounge. I'm sure by the time we get through immigration there won't be any spa appointment left...happened to me just 2 weeks ago where I had 2 hours in the lounge.I take it you have bags to be checked? If that's the case, the situation is exactly as I have described above. If going long haul to US / UK, you can checkin at T-4 hours. If you have no checked bags, and do OLCI, I believe you can check in what ever time (within reason) you like.