Two hour turn in MEL: is it possible?
Apr 13, 2019, 3:22 pm
#1
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Two hour turn in MEL: is it possible?
There are a number of threads on mileage runs to Melbourne (LAX/MEL), but they're old--around 10 years.
I am looking at UA98/UA99, which has a two hour layover in MEL. I realize I have to go through immigration/customs; I will just have carry on baggage. Is the two hour layover feasible? The threads from 10 years ago suggest that it is, but I am looking for recent information.
Thanks in advance!
I am looking at UA98/UA99, which has a two hour layover in MEL. I realize I have to go through immigration/customs; I will just have carry on baggage. Is the two hour layover feasible? The threads from 10 years ago suggest that it is, but I am looking for recent information.
Thanks in advance!
Apr 13, 2019, 4:30 pm
#2
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There are a number of threads on mileage runs to Melbourne (LAX/MEL), but they're old--around 10 years.
I am looking at UA98/UA99, which has a two hour layover in MEL. I realize I have to go through immigration/customs; I will just have carry on baggage. Is the two hour layover feasible? The threads from 10 years ago suggest that it is, but I am looking for recent information.
I am looking at UA98/UA99, which has a two hour layover in MEL. I realize I have to go through immigration/customs; I will just have carry on baggage. Is the two hour layover feasible? The threads from 10 years ago suggest that it is, but I am looking for recent information.
As a guess UA will be expecting to see your Au ETA to allow you to board at LAX.
At MEL I am usually out on the street, with checked luggage ~20-30 minutes after aircraft door open (Au passport and QF/JQ/NZ/VA flights). But it can vary.
- Airport info MELBOURNE (MEL) - amenities, transfers, transport Click to open the wiki
- Smartgate at Australia & NZ immigration Click to open the wiki
- Free Australian ETA Visa application* Click to open the wiki
Processing Australian ETAs for free * to FT members (and up to 3 more friends & family) who have more than 80 posts, AND have at least been members for more than 12 months! Please read post 1. Thanks to Guy Betsy for his service to the FT community - Au Government web site link --> Australian Electronic Travel Authority AUD$20. For passports holders from Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Hong Kong (SAR PRC), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and United States. Beware of non government 3rd party look-a-like web sites that charge more, often found with a browser web search. Only the Au government web site/department issues visas. Other scam web sites just send you data to the Au Gov web site.
Apr 13, 2019, 5:27 pm
#4
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UA99 looks to leave at 09:30. About the time as other international flights, including flights I often take.
https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/...hts/Departures (Poor display also shows codeshares. Other airports show operating & codeshares far better)
Apr 13, 2019, 6:33 pm
#5
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MEL has airside transit. Why do you think you need to go through Australian immigration & customs?
As a guess UA will be expecting to see your Au ETA to allow you to board at LAX.
At MEL I am usually out on the street, with checked luggage ~20-30 minutes after aircraft door open (Au passport and QF/JQ/NZ/VA flights). But it can vary.
As a guess UA will be expecting to see your Au ETA to allow you to board at LAX.
At MEL I am usually out on the street, with checked luggage ~20-30 minutes after aircraft door open (Au passport and QF/JQ/NZ/VA flights). But it can vary.
- Airport info MELBOURNE (MEL) - amenities, transfers, transport Click to open the wiki
- Smartgate at Australia & NZ immigration Click to open the wiki
- Free Australian ETA Visa application* Click to open the wiki
Processing Australian ETAs for free * to FT members (and up to 3 more friends & family) who have more than 80 posts, AND have at least been members for more than 12 months! Please read post 1. Thanks to Guy Betsy for his service to the FT community - Au Government web site link --> Australian Electronic Travel Authority AUD$20. For passports holders from Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Hong Kong (SAR PRC), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and United States. Beware of non government 3rd party look-a-like web sites that charge more, often found with a browser web search. Only the Au government web site/department issues visas. Other scam web sites just send you data to the Au Gov web site.
I thought I read in an earlier thread (2008 vintage?) that passengers had to go through immigration. There were posts about following unlit signs to a locked door, then asking some people to open it. I figured that this issue should be resolved by now, but wanted to check.
United currently is offering fares from the second week in May through the second full week in June for as low as $608 r/t all in.
Apr 13, 2019, 6:35 pm
#6
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Thanks for the help.
Apr 13, 2019, 6:40 pm
#7
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..I thought I read in an earlier thread (2008 vintage?) that passengers had to go through immigration. There were posts about following unlit signs to a locked door, then asking some people to open it. I figured that this issue should be resolved by now, but wanted to check....
Post 167 in MEL airport thread. Airport info MELBOURNE (MEL) - amenities, transfers, transport
To add to Mwenenzi's good info, at MEL international transit is often unmanned (over 50% in my experience in many international transits at MEL). There is a phone on the wall to get someone to come across from departure security, which typically takes 10-20 minutes. Makes it even harder to get back to arrivals - (1) it may be unmanned and (2) they won't take kindly to being called out for someone not actually connecting to an international departure.
Apr 13, 2019, 7:21 pm
#8
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That would be the transit door, not that I have ever used it. In Au arrivals & departures are physically separate (both airside)
Post 167 in MEL airport thread. Airport info MELBOURNE (MEL) - amenities, transfers, transport
Post 167 in MEL airport thread. Airport info MELBOURNE (MEL) - amenities, transfers, transport
It probably sounds crazy, but I usually do back-to-back MRs to SIN. If I leave on a Sunday and return on a Tuesday, I head out again on Tuesday evening and return on Thursday. I sleep fine on the B789 and don't suffer jet lag. I brought this topic up, because I am wondering if it's worthwhile to use the option to combine the reservations, just in case something goes wrong with the first flight. I think I lucked on SIN MRs, because I have never had an issue with back-to-back flights.
Apr 13, 2019, 8:08 pm
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Apr 13, 2019, 8:44 pm
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It probably sounds crazy, but I usually do back-to-back MRs to SIN. If I leave on a Sunday and return on a Tuesday, I head out again on Tuesday evening and return on Thursday. I sleep fine on the B789 and don't suffer jet lag. I brought this topic up, because I am wondering if it's worthwhile to use the option to combine the reservations, just in case something goes wrong with the first flight. I think I lucked on SIN MRs, because I have never had an issue with back-to-back flights.
Good luck!
David
Apr 13, 2019, 9:10 pm
#11
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I am happy to report back. I could write a treatise on Singapore. I am pretty sure that many other FTer's are doing SFO/SIN MRs; I haven't run into anyone yet.
Apr 13, 2019, 9:24 pm
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I suspect that a wiki will quickly be added to the thread to allow folks to let other FTs know when they're making the MRs. A similar long running thread is the UA, USA to China OJ from $303 ai,
David
Apr 13, 2019, 9:28 pm
#13
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Then I encourage you to start a thread, potentially in this forum, or possibly under the Singapore Forum. (I was going to suggest a trip report but that's way too narrow.)
I suspect that a wiki will quickly be added to the thread to allow folks to let other FTs know when they're making the MRs. A similar long running thread is the UA, USA to China OJ from $303 ai,
David
I suspect that a wiki will quickly be added to the thread to allow folks to let other FTs know when they're making the MRs. A similar long running thread is the UA, USA to China OJ from $303 ai,
David
Last edited by ContinentalFan; Jun 3, 2019 at 12:26 pm Reason: corrected spelling
Apr 14, 2019, 2:26 am
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You need to reach out to UA1flyer I have been with Tom when he has done the 98/99 turn.
There may be different bonuses he has being GS but worth an opinion from him
There may be different bonuses he has being GS but worth an opinion from him
Apr 14, 2019, 3:12 am
#15
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