Express Pass
Mar 28, 2023, 1:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Programs: NZ *E, QF Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, PanPacific Platinum
Posts: 754
Express Pass
I had a dialogue with NZ about the lack of Express passes in MEL. I just received an email to confirm outbound ( from MEL) boarding passes will have Express logos now. Now need to work on inbound lanes. Everyone speak up please.
Mar 28, 2023, 2:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
And with smart gate usually was less than 15min jet birdge to land side. Mostly walking.
Outbound will be nice to have.
Mar 28, 2023, 2:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
I've never once used an express pass on arrival into Australia and not once thought there was a need - but I've only been to Oz twice post Covid rather than the usual 6-8x per year.
Have others actually encountered queues for their customs /biosecurity screening post Covid?
Have others actually encountered queues for their customs /biosecurity screening post Covid?
Mar 28, 2023, 3:23 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
I've never once used an express pass on arrival into Australia and not once thought there was a need - but I've only been to Oz twice post Covid rather than the usual 6-8x per year.
Have others actually encountered queues for their customs /biosecurity screening post Covid?
Have others actually encountered queues for their customs /biosecurity screening post Covid?
In Australia
Less than 5min for the biosecurity collect the form part. i don't really count that as a queue.
Smart gate may be one person.
Arrival into Wellington can be a mad house if third plane in within 30mim and not first off.
Mar 28, 2023, 3:35 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
In in my trips to Australia I've only once waited for more than ~5 mins to get through their customs /biosecurity. It's why I'm not sure there is any need for express entry unless things have now changed post Covid.
Had a major issue at MEL in maybe 2018 or 2019 where the queue took close to an hour due to multiple issues that day in the airport - but we know that's normal at AKL these days. 🤣
Departures are very different, and the express queue is often a significant time saver.
Had a major issue at MEL in maybe 2018 or 2019 where the queue took close to an hour due to multiple issues that day in the airport - but we know that's normal at AKL these days. 🤣
Departures are very different, and the express queue is often a significant time saver.
Mar 28, 2023, 6:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 908
In in my trips to Australia I've only once waited for more than ~5 mins to get through their customs /biosecurity. It's why I'm not sure there is any need for express entry unless things have now changed post Covid.
Had a major issue at MEL in maybe 2018 or 2019 where the queue took close to an hour due to multiple issues that day in the airport - but we know that's normal at AKL these days. 🤣
Departures are very different, and the express queue is often a significant time saver.
Had a major issue at MEL in maybe 2018 or 2019 where the queue took close to an hour due to multiple issues that day in the airport - but we know that's normal at AKL these days. 🤣
Departures are very different, and the express queue is often a significant time saver.
I remember when they used to give Express for arrival and I never used it. Express on departure on the other hand...
Mar 29, 2023, 1:21 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 131
Traveled MEL-AKL last Friday 24th in J and confirm didn't get Express card and/or logo show up on boarding pass. There was a lane for Express path at security which basically was no line. I think I could've saved around 10-15minutes or so if I was able to go through Express path. Keen to know what the criteria is for use at this Express path.... Air NZ not participating or something??
Last edited by flyer94; Mar 29, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Mar 29, 2023, 1:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
SYD and MEL both ditched express path lanes during the pandemic. Both restarted them last year but only for first/business customers.
From a few articles I've read in recent months both airports are consulting with airlines about expanding this to include HVCs - which no doubt means they're trying to work out the $$$
From a few articles I've read in recent months both airports are consulting with airlines about expanding this to include HVCs - which no doubt means they're trying to work out the $$$
Mar 29, 2023, 4:43 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,204
Traveled MEL-AKL last Friday 24th in J and confirm didn't get Express card and/or logo show up on boarding pass. There was a lane for Express path at security which basically was no line. I think I could've saved around 10-15minutes or so if I was able to go through Express path. Keen to know what the criteria is for use at this Express path.... Air NZ not participating or something??
Mar 30, 2023, 6:25 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Programs: NZ *E, QF Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, PanPacific Platinum
Posts: 754
The email I received told meEligible customers are:
All Business Premium travellers
All Elite and Gold Economy Class travellers
All Business Premium travellers
All Elite and Gold Economy Class travellers
Apr 5, 2023, 3:39 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 131
On the Star Alliance website, it actually says at both SYD and MEL, all Star Alliance Gold customers (even traveling in Y) have access to 'Express Path' or 'Priority Pass' for Departures....
https://www.staralliance.com/en/airp...irportCode=MEL
https://www.staralliance.com/en/airp...irportCode=SYD
I've got a few trips coming up to SYD and MEL so I'll just try to use these (if they're open and looks like it'll be quicker) as my Air New Zealand boarding pass should show *G. I'll report back afterwards.
https://www.staralliance.com/en/airp...irportCode=MEL
https://www.staralliance.com/en/airp...irportCode=SYD
I've got a few trips coming up to SYD and MEL so I'll just try to use these (if they're open and looks like it'll be quicker) as my Air New Zealand boarding pass should show *G. I'll report back afterwards.