Originally Posted by
allergictocoach
Thanks for the reply. That would be great as I checked and the visa fees as shown on the AU visa china site seem to add up to $90 in total.
I checked the QF visa info tool and the first page seems to differ from the subsequent details page about leaving the airport. It also says something about bags being checked through. Experiences here suggest you are ok if you get there. I'm hoping QF won't have an issue w the separate ticket or bags on leaving SYD. Another friend was denied boarding his return easy jet flight from MAD to LGW where he was to catch a VS flight to the USA w transit time of 2.5 hrs. He was eligible for a TWOV in the books and was in fact given one (inc. leaving airport for 8 hrs.) at LGW before catching easy jet down to Madrid.
Hoping the Aussies are a bit more understanding.
Expect QF to not check bags any farther than PVG as their ticket ends there, but she can always try. It's not a tragedy if she has to pick up bags, though with the length of her layover, the check-in for her onward flight likely won't be possible (though again, she can try). The solution is to do a pickup at Baggage Claim, head through Customs (not normally any issues for foreigners) and park those suckers at Left Luggage for a small fee before heading to town. Or take them all to hotel with her. On the return, she should get back at the airport at least 1.5-2 hours ahead of departure to pick up the bags, get checked in and boarding pass, and then get to boarding gate.
None of this has any bearing on TWOV and leaving the airport. Note: If QF agrees to board her but warns her that she can't leave the airport at PVG during her transit, the proper response from her should be to smile and say yes, she knows. Don't get into an argument in SYD. What actually happens upon landing in PVG is a different story which Chinese immigration + us here on FT China forum all know how it turns out--she receives her TWOV stamp and then leaves the airport.