Dec 1 SYD-MEL the following flights around the middle of the day have 9+ economy award seats:
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Dec 9 MEL-SYD all flights early morning have 9+ economy award seats:
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There is a risk flying in the morning before your longhaul flight, although I think one of the first few would be ok. You will need to do a landside transfer between terminals at SYD which is not quick or free.
But
robr does not QF (or AA?) ff miles/points
11:30 - 3:00 is 8:30. That is an incredibly busy time at SYD. And a ~ 07:00 flight ex MEL
If QF would through check baggage would be OK. But that is very unlikely now.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qanta...xceptions.html
(its ~ 15:30 here in MEL now)