Qantas Frequent Flyer - Intl Flight No. on a Domestic leg

Forgive my ignorance but I wanted to check this.

I am on QF 176 on Tuesday morning which is an International flight on a domestic leg.

When I check in at Brisbane Int is there anything different I have to do then what I would usually do on a normal domestic flight.

I can't believe I have never done this before but there's a first time for everything I suppose. :)

Thanks.

Hi Russell.

Firstly, you will need to have completed check-in an hour prior to departure, rather than 30 minutes for a domestic flight. When you check-in you will need photo-ID - a passport is not required (although I take it anyway), a drivers licence will suffice.

When you check-in you will get a large orange 'D' sticker on your boarding pass. This identifies you to customs and immigration authorities as a domestic passenger.

Upon arrival, proceed to the clearly marked Domestic counter at immigration, then after collecting any checked baggage proceed to exit the customs hall. You won't (or at least you shouldn't) have anything to declare, so use the green channel.

Bear in mind though that you are still subject to the same search procedures as international passengers, namely because it would be ridiculously easy for a smuggler to switch the goods over to a co-offender flying domestically on the same flight. It doesn't happen often that domestic passengers get searched, but it does happen.

Also note that some of us have had problems with customs at various airports (SYD in my case) wanting to know why we were catching an international flight, grilling us as to why we would subject ourselves to the inconvenience. It is a PITA when it happens, but then again it is their job to be suspicious.

Have a great flight.

Dave

Also note that some of us have had problems with customs at various airports (SYD in my case) wanting to know why we were catching an international flight, grilling us as to why we would subject ourselves to the inconvenience. It is a PITA when it happens, but then again it is their job to be suspicious.
Just tell them it was the cheapest flight option available when you booked. Don't mention the all-day booze in the F lounge (see, I knew could get this thread back on topic).

Cheers thadocta and NM

A few points I'll add:

1) Make sure Qantas put the sticker on. While most staff (esp the ones in Int terminal) know the drill, some forget to put it on.

2) Make sure Qantas staff actually write the correct details on the D sticker, and that you sign it. It's amazing how many of them don't know what they are supposed to do. If it's not properly filled in then Customs at the other end might ask some strange questions.

3) You need any passport, or an Oz drivers license. International licenses won't work. Shouldn't be a hassle in your case, but I thought I'd mention it.

4) If you're enrolled in Smartgate, you can't use that to get through Customs at Syd.

PS - enjoy the booze, although i've been on that flight before and it's a little too early in the morning for anything more than 1 drink!

A few points I'll add:

1) Make sure Qantas put the sticker on. While most staff (esp the ones in Int terminal) know the drill, some forget to put it on.

This will only be a problem at departure immigration, when you will not have the departure card and a passport (if using a D/L for photo-ID). They will send you back to check-in to have it fixed.

2) Make sure Qantas staff actually write the correct details on the D sticker, and that you sign it. It's amazing how many of them don't know what they are supposed to do. If it's not properly filled in then Customs at the other end might ask some strange questions.

I have seen them only give cursory glances to what is written on the sticker and barely look at it. Given my experiences with SYD customs, I now make sure I have my passports with me, as all they do with a passport is write the letter "P" on the sticker - so no problems with incorrect details.

PS - enjoy the booze, although i've been on that flight before and it's a little too early in the morning for anything more than 1 drink!


You will find yourself expelled from the QF board if you continue with such heresy. :D

Dave

When you check-in you will get a large orange 'D' sticker on your boarding pass. This identifies you to customs and immigration authorities as a domestic passenger.One thing to stess here that has not yet been posted is that you must hang on to your boarding pass with the D sticker all the way through to the last where immigration will collect it after arrival processing.

I once travelled on an evening international flight (QF96?) with an associate from BNE to MEL. This guy was in the habit of tearing up and binning his boarding pass, which he did. He was in J, me WHY, so I was unable to stop him.

Lot's of fun at MEL immigration; didn't help that he was more than a little "tired and emotional".

Need some advice on this. Planning to fly CNS-SYD-ADL. CNS-SYD is comes out of the international terminal. Will I have to claim my bags at SYD and go thru "customs" or will the bags be checked thru to ADL? Thanks.

Need some advice on this. Planning to fly CNS-SYD-ADL. CNS-SYD is comes out of the international terminal. Will I have to claim my bags at SYD and go thru "customs" or will the bags be checked thru to ADL? Thanks. Probably need to re-claim in SYD, as I do not believe they can do a straight transfer from an INT flight to a DOM flight. Bags will be tagged through to ADL, so just a matter of picking them up, and then dropping them off again at the transfer desk.

Dave

Although, I don’t recommend this or endorse duty / tax evasion in anyway ;).
Its a good opportunity to pick up some grog and smokes.

I had the opportunity twice in MEL a couple of years ago, looking at the duty free. Noticed the nice lady behind the counter wasn’t asking for boarding passes with purchases.

Let me say being a smoker, I was at the counter in a heart beat....

But then again, every time I’ve bought DF when going OS, I’ve been asked. Must have just been my lucky day.

Rob