This is true, although at the moment QF does not use the chip as often as it probably should be. It is only useful if you are checking in via the new NGCI poles, which is only necessary if you have already selected your seat but haven't OLCI'd yet. When you check-in via this pole, you get an SMS confirmation that you've checked in (provided you have supplied a mobile number).


Some interesting comments here. I see no one has commented a lot on how others have viewed the system, and whether it is useful or seen as a service cutting initiative. In all, it seems people like the system.

Certainly there are quite a few people in Australia (based on No News comments yes, not exactly accurate) who are appalled that they have to pay higher prices on QF yet have to check themselves in, i.e. carry their own bags, put paper tags on them, etc.; these people insist that they pay a premium compared to say DJ etc. in order to be able to have these done for them. I suppose some specific demographics may have more to say about this than others, for example elderly people.


Priority baggage with NGCI is supposed to be encoded on the Q Bag Tag or paper tag, and sorted accordingly in the processes which happen in the belly of the airport (i.e. correct container or placement strategy). I'm not sure how this works properly with connecting baggage to international flights (where NGCI is not applicable for the longer flight, although can be applicable for the domestic connector) - I know that Q Bag Tags can't be used on Dom->Int interline connections and paper tags must be used, and the paper tags now have small printed information on them (similar to the NZ paper tags with a big black PRIORITY printed on it).

Still, priority baggage in Australia on QF is a hit and miss affair, really. It's not that the systems aren't designed properly, but I think at least half of the baggage handlers need a good, hard kick up the backside.