Air New Zealand Air Points - Express Clearance SYD/BNE/MEL

Since June, 07 SYD, BNE and MEL have been running a trial for outbound premium customers who are given an Express path invitation at check-in.
This invitation allows them priority clearance through passport control and security. This trial has just been extended for another 6 months.


From November 1, 2007, they are now looking to extend this to premium inbound customers arriving into SYD, BNE and MEL only. This trial will be applicable to all Air New Zealand flights operating out of AKL, WLG, CHC & ZQN. The trial does NOT include Freedom (SJ) services.


The invitation is to be extended to all Business Premier, Business Class (A320) customers. It will also include all Star Alliance Gold and Gold Elite customers in all classes.

The invitation will give premium customers priority clearance through immigration, customs and AQIS (Australian MAF equivalent), as long as they meet the criteria they will be eligible to proceed through Express Path. The following are the criteria that our customers are required to meet:

You must have declared NO to questions 1-10 on the Incoming Passenger Card; and,

You must have no more than TWO pieces of checked luggage (not including carry-on luggage)

Yay, this is great news! Though when I flew out of SYD on Friday afternoon last week I was not offered a priority pass, despite being AC*G. The afternoon queues in each direction usually aren't bad though, so it would only have made a difference of a minute or two anyway, but for those early morning queues it would be great.

Since June, 07 SYD, BNE and MEL have been running a trial for outbound premium customers who are given an Express path invitation at check-in.
This invitation allows them priority clearance through passport control and security. This trial has just been extended for another 6 months.


From November 1, 2007, they are now looking to extend this to premium inbound customers arriving into SYD, BNE and MEL only. This trial will be applicable to all Air New Zealand flights operating out of AKL, WLG, CHC & ZQN. The trial does NOT include Freedom (SJ) services.


The invitation is to be extended to all Business Premier, Business Class (A320) customers. It will also include all Star Alliance Gold and Gold Elite customers in all classes.

The invitation will give premium customers priority clearance through immigration, customs and AQIS (Australian MAF equivalent), as long as they meet the criteria they will be eligible to proceed through Express Path. The following are the criteria that our customers are required to meet:

You must have declared NO to questions 1-10 on the Incoming Passenger Card; and,

You must have no more than TWO pieces of checked luggage (not including carry-on luggage)

Is this extended to APEC cardholders also, nz_crew?

Is this extended to APEC cardholders also, nz_crew?

how would check in agent know you have an APEC card to distribute it to you?

i am Air New Zealand *gold and didn't get express last week SYD-CHC.

how would check in agent know you have an APEC card to distribute it to you?

In Sydney a couple of weeks ago, the outgoing Express lane was the same as APEC lane, so what I am saying is that if there is an express lane is being introduced for incoming PAX in SYD, MEL et al, non premium ticket holders with an APEC card should be able to use the express lane

but inbound APEC already has a special lane - surely it is only outbound that is an issue?

I have found that the inbound APEC lane in SYD is not always open.

Did WLG - MEL early Friday morning flying QF. As usual at this time of the day there were very long queues at both immigration and customs. Used my APEC card for the express lane for customs which certainly shortened up the time.

Great innovation IMHO

Flying to BNE in 2 weeks, will see if I get one. I used to have a stack of the pink UA arrivals ones (from a very kind UA FA). I gifted my last one to Kiwi Flyer on our 59.5h RTW in May. I need to get a bunch more, can be very useful if there are long lines in T3...

tht

Pics of the front and back of the pass here (http://gallery.mac.com/jeffreywong#100005&bgcolor=black)

Jeff

Coming on holiday for a month, we are likely to bring some medicines with us. I suppose this disqualifies. Bummer.

Since June, 07 SYD, BNE and MEL have been running a trial for outbound premium customers who are given an Express path invitation at check-in.
This invitation allows them priority clearance through passport control and security. This trial has just been extended for another 6 months.


From November 1, 2007, they are now looking to extend this to premium inbound customers arriving into SYD, BNE and MEL only. This trial will be applicable to all Air New Zealand flights operating out of AKL, WLG, CHC & ZQN. The trial does NOT include Freedom (SJ) services.


The invitation is to be extended to all Business Premier, Business Class (A320) customers. It will also include all Star Alliance Gold and Gold Elite customers in all classes.

The invitation will give premium customers priority clearance through immigration, customs and AQIS (Australian MAF equivalent), as long as they meet the criteria they will be eligible to proceed through Express Path. The following are the criteria that our customers are required to meet:

You must have declared NO to questions 1-10 on the Incoming Passenger Card; and,

You must have no more than TWO pieces of checked luggage (not including carry-on luggage)

So we need to ask for the pass in Auckland?

tht

I asked for this at check in this morning.... NO idea about it...

Asked for it in the lounge..... the lady said she had no idea, I persisted, and explained the details, then she said she had read something... I went off to have a shower..... on my return (I went to ask for Vodka, again there were no spirits out).... she had made some calls, apparently these will be handed out on the plane like on UA... she said to show my :-:G card (my status woulkd not print on my BP, despite being in the system (she showed me the screen, it had:

1. :-:S
2. BD,xxxxxxxx/G

And then a further 2 or 3 lines with my BD number on them....

Will update after the flight...

tht

I'm Gold Elite and I will be VERY keen to have this when I fly in at 0830 into SYD in mid December on a Monday. I have a 1000 appointment and this could make the difference between a frantic trip through and maybe missing it, and being more leisurely.

^^^ Air NZ, they had these on the plane, they handed out in C and to Elites in Y. Worked like a charm, not only do you get Express passport control (next to crew line), but you retain the voucher and get to use the same line as crew for customs, I did aircraft to train station in 15mins, and the other cues were BIG.

As an aside I got given one on my return as well... which I could not use, but handy to have in case I have any friends in need :D

Now if only Air NZ gave miles trans Tasman I would fly to AUS a lot more....

tht

Since June, 07 SYD, BNE and MEL have been running a trial for outbound premium customers who are given an Express path invitation at check-in.
This invitation allows them priority clearance through passport control and security. This trial has just been extended for another 6 months.
Soo... I have been meaning to comment on this for a while. I fly ex-MEL to NZ (WLG and AKL) fairly regularly. We'll say about 25 times a year.

I've not once been offered the express pass departing MEL. I have had it offered (once), inbound on QF business, after asking.

I flew NZ6 MEL-AKL yesterday (21/12) in business as a Gold Elite; and according to the check-in staff, they had not had any express invitations for "a few days now".

As a result, I had to go through the very long Customs & Security queues; as did a number of other NZ6 pax - the flight was about 25 mins late departing due to people failing to board.

Side note: I also had to argue with the gate agent serving the flight to change my FFP from NZ to UA. Apparently just quoting the number to them isn't good enough - you have to have the actual card with you. :confused:

I've not once been offered the express pass departing MEL. I have had it offered (once), inbound on QF business, after asking.

I flew NZ6 MEL-AKL yesterday (21/12) in business as a Gold Elite; and according to the check-in staff, they had not had any express invitations for "a few days now".

As a result, I had to go through the very long Customs & Security queues; as did a number of other NZ6 pax - the flight was about 25 mins late departing due to people failing to board.



My Mum received an express pass from the very very lovely check-in agent this morning for the MEL-AKL flight in business with no status. Let me tell you the airport was busy busy busy and around 150-200 people waiting in the economy check-in queue, and we walked straight up to the business counter :D

As I said in another thread, she was happy at the surprise of business class!

The check-in agent was very very friendly and in fact gave me an express pass even though I was not travelling!!! :p

Also gave directions to the lounge and explained about the express pass etc etc :)

I presume you can also get these from the Koru clubs (seen a stash of them in the WLG international lounge). During the trial period i've only been through SYD and had no problems getting them either in or outbound. Recently been in C and they were offered on board (but I did not notice them being handed out to Y passengers with *G status)

Jeff

My Mum received an express pass from the very very lovely check-in agent this morning for the MEL-AKL flight in business with no status. Let me tell you the airport was busy busy busy and around 150-200 people waiting in the economy check-in queue, and we walked straight up to the business counter :DAirport was very busy yesterday as well (the MEL-CHC-RAR and MEL-AKL-LAX flights were checking in simultaneously; lines were out of the snake farm)... I think NZ6 was oversold (or close to it) as I had to waitlist to get on it, despite a C fare.

I'm glad that they have the express passes again. I guess I'm just unlucky!

Airport was very busy yesterday as well (the MEL-CHC-RAR and MEL-AKL-LAX flights were checking in simultaneously; lines were out of the snake farm)... I think NZ6 was oversold (or close to it) as I had to waitlist to get on it, despite a C fare.

I'm glad that they have the express passes again. I guess I'm just unlucky!

Yep people everyone along with a HUGE line of Vietnamese checking in for that flight, they were queued out the door.

Was so nice to be able to walk straight up to the Business Check-In counter, and the agent did say that the flight was 100%+ full. Mum said the express pass was great and saved her a huge queue trying to get through security etc

My Mum also said the service on the plane was sensational, granted she hasn't flown in J since 2001 and that was on UA.

She said the lunch service took around 2 hours, table cloth service, outstanding food and lovely wine. She loved the lounge access as well and has some Salmon sandwiches and a glass of champas for breakfast :D

She was in seat 6K which I reserved for her back in August, but now apparently this forward J cabin on the 744 is only for customers with status !

She said the next J cabin back was alot louder and no-where near as nice as the forward cabin.

A nice Xmas pressie for her me thinks :)

Flying MEL-WLG tonight. Express pass was not offered on check-in, and had to ask for it specifically. Was told it was only offered to "premium" pax. Enquired what is more "premium" than a Gold Elite in Business. Received pass.

Didn't use pass as there were no lines, but it's nice to keep for... some other time, or to pass to statusless colleagues.

We got the express card outbound from BNE, but I don't think it saved any time at the security checkpoint.

Never saw an express card for arrival immigration/customs but both Aus and NZ had priority lines for families with infants ^ ^ Of course, you still have to wait for the checked bags....

It still isn't going as smoothly as it should. Crew today forgot about the express cards. When I asked for one the FA didn't know what I was talking about :( Fortunately one of the other crew knew and found them, handing them out just a couple of minutes before landing.

Once again no need to use the card at immigration (no queues anyway) but saved 20 minutes I'd estimate at x-ray. The main line seemed to be stationary!

I received one of these passes during my AKL-SYD leg in Biz in January but never ended up using it.

I was surprised that it carries no identifying airline/airport logos or T&Cs and was curious if anyone has ever tried to use this pass elsewhere?

Only SYD/MEL/BNE have express lanes. QF cards are very different and have their logo all over it. SQ and NZ have the same cards, but I noticed today Air NZ is now printed on it.

You can easily use on other airlines, although perhaps best not to at immigration desk where it will be obvious not for the right airline and thus may cause a problem.

ajnz - I think someone must have had a word. Today I got invited to check in at economy line because the business agents were busy (1 seeing to a couple and the other just chatting with her QF check in mate :mad: ). Not offered an invite though - annoying to have to ask. For the 2nd time in the past week it was useless - immigration had trouble processing me. Turns out the flight is entered in their computer with 2 leading zeroes and doesn't accept NZ6 (the previous time was on arrival when I got held up at customs because the immigration officer processed me incorrectly).

What is the point of having express cards if you don't save time? (Okay I'm just unlucky, but still.)

ajnz - I think someone must have had a word. That's good news! I'm flying WLG-MEL tonight and MEL-WLG on Wednesday, so I will see whether the cards are offered in either direction.
What is the point of having express cards if you don't save time? (Okay I'm just unlucky, but still.)Yes, it is a bit pointless. Luckily for me I very rarely have to travel through the airports at their peak times in Australia so there's usually no lines anyway. :)

I'd love to know what it is about my passport that causes problems with QF departures from MEL-AKL/WLG. Every time something happens and they have to get a supervisor to override the computer.

It isn't just you. About half the time I also have problems. Last week from SYD the transit desk couldn't process and it took a supervisor to come to first check in to override, yet the same problem a few weeks earlier was resolved with a phone call. (That time the agent asked do I have a visa for NZ :rolleyes: ). A month ago AKL-MEL they even had to call someone in Canberra?!

Must be something in QF system - I don't have such issues on trans-tasman flights on NZ, EK or LA.

NZ753 tonight the crew handed out the express immigration cards - although due to a series of fail it didn't really work out so well for me.

It looked like they handed out A LOT in Economy - I wonder if they were handing out to *S and Koru as well? (Only 2 *E in economy).

NZ758 tonight - premium checkin did not offer the express pass (or even mention it). Inquired - they had none.

Might be time to write to NZ and point out that as far as the trial goes, it's not going so good.

Two more trips on Air NZ to Australia, and both times they forgot about express cards. It is annoying to have to ask for them at top of descent almost every time.

BNE check in needed no prompting. Saved 15 minutes at immigration, but lost 15 minutes at x-ray. The 2 express lanes were barely moving - the nonexpress lines were much faster.

Was handed the Express arrivals card "routinely" last Monday when Aussie arrivals docs were handed out...... It just has those two words plus the NZ logo/name...

Walked off the flight to find a completely empty arrivals hall....:D.. so put the (undated) card away for when it is needed!! Just like everyone else!!

I'd love to know what it is about my passport that causes problems with QF departures from MEL-AKL/WLG. Every time something happens and they have to get a supervisor to override the computer. Happened again tonight on QF37; but they did give me an express pass without asking.

The arrivals cards are a godsend during peak arrivals in the AM - wish I had had one on Saturday at MEL when the customs/quarantine line was backed all the way up to the arrivals hallway after immigration. I eventually got pulled out of the queue and thrown out a door; the queues looked to be at least 90 mins long.

Ouch. So why didn't you get a card? Surely you have some spare cards from earlier trips that didn't get collected (either accidentally or deliberately)? I check how bad the queues are and decide whether or not to use the express lanes - if not then I have kept a card for a future time if I don't get a card handed out.

Was traveling on SQ... NZ*G doesn't get you much in cabbage class it would seem :).

I used my last spare arrivals card a few weeks prior.

NZ721 on Friday 28th the crew did not hand out express cards.