Connection time INTL to domestic at AKL on separate bookings
Feb 10, 2019, 12:56 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,638
Most people will only see Customs officers (Blue shirts), as they run immigration desks and the Bio Security/Customs initial desks/queues. They will refer you to MBIE (black shirts or business wear (I think never actually seen one in person only the TV shows)) or MPI (brown shirts) staff at the actual Bio Security tables or running a dog. A face to face with a MBIE staff member will be in an interview room.
Feb 10, 2019, 1:05 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 73
As people have stated it's all about risk tolerance really. I went from aircraft to bag drop in in intl terminal in 9 minutes a few weeks ago (landed 1hr 20 min before domestic departure and didn't fancy lugging my bags over to dom terminal myself). In the domestic lounge 25 minutes after disembarking.
Feb 10, 2019, 3:02 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Lifetime *G (MP), Lifetime PE (Bonvoy)
Posts: 1,465
That, or the airline I was on was using up its old stock
Feb 10, 2019, 3:41 pm
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 101
NZ and some other countries can use SmartGate, others have a face-to-face immigration experience with an Immigration official. We all potentially get the same customs treatment.
The purpose is to determine whether or not to grant entry to NZ and under what conditions. Whilst almost all pax are legit, flags are raised on a few - including those holding a visa.
[slightly OT]
Having a Visa doesn’t guarantee entry, it is effectively just a (initial) screening which gives confidence (but not absolute sureity) to the airline that the pax is OK to board at origin, and to the Customs official on arrival that the pax has been though a process and has made certain declarations on the purpose of their travel. But they can still decide not to issue an Entry Permit ( the old inky stamp or now electronic record). The differences between a Visa and Entry Permit are not well known - since almost all pax don’t have .a problem.
And of course some countries just use the visa as a revenue source and/or reciprocity for what NZ requires of their citizens who want to travel here
[/slightly OT]
The purpose is to determine whether or not to grant entry to NZ and under what conditions. Whilst almost all pax are legit, flags are raised on a few - including those holding a visa.
[slightly OT]
Having a Visa doesn’t guarantee entry, it is effectively just a (initial) screening which gives confidence (but not absolute sureity) to the airline that the pax is OK to board at origin, and to the Customs official on arrival that the pax has been though a process and has made certain declarations on the purpose of their travel. But they can still decide not to issue an Entry Permit ( the old inky stamp or now electronic record). The differences between a Visa and Entry Permit are not well known - since almost all pax don’t have .a problem.
And of course some countries just use the visa as a revenue source and/or reciprocity for what NZ requires of their citizens who want to travel here
[/slightly OT]
Actually not off topic at all .
Only citizens holding valid passports have an absolute right to enter a country. Evereyone else can be denied entry at the border regardless of previously issued ViSAs permits or grants. We’ve seen that happen in the US in recent years.
Feb 10, 2019, 3:52 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 101
As people have stated it's all about risk tolerance really. I went from aircraft to bag drop in in intl terminal in 9 minutes a few weeks ago (landed 1hr 20 min before domestic departure and didn't fancy lugging my bags over to dom terminal myself). In the domestic lounge 25 minutes after disembarking.
Sounds like a real smooth experience! Do you mind sharing What time of day and from Where you flew in?
I usually have ZERO risk tolerance. Both professionally and a privately I work hard to always cover my bases and have elaborate plans B, C and often also D.
That is What makes me so nervous this time
Feb 10, 2019, 3:58 pm
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 101
Getting a bit confused here...
I read the fine print too.
Off course I understand that you need to comply with and fulfill same requirements and rules as anyone seeking to enter NZ.
But in reality What are you paying for? Someone holding your name on a sign walking alongside you from gate to immigration hall?
Useful for elderly travelers or anyone Needing Special Assistance, But Maybe not for me...
Feb 10, 2019, 4:13 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 73
Sounds like a real smooth experience! Do you mind sharing What time of day and from Where you flew in?
I usually have ZERO risk tolerance. Both professionally and a privately I work hard to always cover my bases and have elaborate plans B, C and often also D.
That is What makes me so nervous this time
I believe there is a thread somewhere in here about the ins and outs of the flexitime fares also.
Feb 11, 2019, 1:31 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Programs: NZ *E, QF Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, PanPacific Platinum
Posts: 752
Getting a bit confused here...
I read the fine print too.
Off course I understand that you need to comply with and fulfill same requirements and rules as anyone seeking to enter NZ.
But in reality What are you paying for? Someone holding your name on a sign walking alongside you from gate to immigration hall?
Useful for elderly travelers or anyone Needing Special Assistance, But Maybe not for me...
Feb 11, 2019, 6:24 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 101
Feb 11, 2019, 3:08 pm
#40
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,100
Times to get through immigration, baggage and biosecurity really do just depend on the time of day.
On my arrival on NZ27 this morning from ORD by the time we'd walked from the gate (via quick duty free pickup) we had about a 3 min wait for bags and no wait at all for biosecurity.
On my arrival on NZ27 this morning from ORD by the time we'd walked from the gate (via quick duty free pickup) we had about a 3 min wait for bags and no wait at all for biosecurity.
Feb 11, 2019, 8:53 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BLQ / TRG
Programs: NZ*E, UA*1K, QF Plat
Posts: 1,071
On Friday when I arrived from IAH had a five minute wait for bags and one person in front of me at MPI. In the domestic Koru lounge less than 40 minutes after landing.
The strategy to buy two flexitime seats will work perfectly. One for your preferred flight, and one for a later back up option. Fully refund the one you don't need.
Personally I have no issue with a two hour connect from Int to Domestic. I will often book shorter and have never missed (yet).
Safe travel.
WLGNZ
The strategy to buy two flexitime seats will work perfectly. One for your preferred flight, and one for a later back up option. Fully refund the one you don't need.
Personally I have no issue with a two hour connect from Int to Domestic. I will often book shorter and have never missed (yet).
Safe travel.
WLGNZ
Oct 14, 2019, 6:44 pm
#42
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Arriving on 11 Dec on NZ7, which is scheduled to arrive at 5:45 AM.
Will need to book a separate ticket to CHC.
NZ has flights to CHC departing on the hour around the clock it appears.
Would the 8 AM flight be too optimistic? I would assume 9 AM departure would be safe but that appears to be the most expensive flight of the day while the 10 AM flight is less than 1/3 according to Google Flights, though that may reflect different types of tickets, with or without checked baggage allowance.
Will need to book a separate ticket to CHC.
NZ has flights to CHC departing on the hour around the clock it appears.
Would the 8 AM flight be too optimistic? I would assume 9 AM departure would be safe but that appears to be the most expensive flight of the day while the 10 AM flight is less than 1/3 according to Google Flights, though that may reflect different types of tickets, with or without checked baggage allowance.
Oct 14, 2019, 7:26 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ*E, QF-G, EK-P
Posts: 604
8 am will be absolutely fine, except if arriving late from SFO - then all bets are off.
My average time (with no bag) from landing to Domestic is consistently 30-45mins.
Occasionally have got caught at MAF with a long line but even then, that only adds 20-30 mins.
My average time (with no bag) from landing to Domestic is consistently 30-45mins.
Occasionally have got caught at MAF with a long line but even then, that only adds 20-30 mins.
Oct 14, 2019, 7:33 pm
#44
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
What about immigration?
I guess one time, they wanted to see my hiking shoes for evidence of seeds so I had to get them out of my checked bag.
Second time to NZ, they waved me through when I said I had some packaged snacks like nuts and beef jerky.
I guess one time, they wanted to see my hiking shoes for evidence of seeds so I had to get them out of my checked bag.
Second time to NZ, they waved me through when I said I had some packaged snacks like nuts and beef jerky.
Oct 14, 2019, 8:03 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,467
thanks! Thats super interesting and useful when travelling with family, i had no idea this was available. I will bookmark the link you shared