Advice re DIY connection in MEL
Jun 8, 2014, 6:01 am
#16
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
The VA lounge is a nightmare as it can take a very long time to get to the departure gate, as I found out to my delight the last time I flew VA (and missed the flight -- and VA is an even bigger nightmare, even on a flex ticket, when that happens ... a different world from QF. I found the VA lounge inferior, even their much touted and new coffee barista service is no better than what QF has been doing for years. At least they finally have decent coffee, but to suggest that VA offers a better experience or service is a bit misleading. In my experience, admittedly on 3 or 4 VA flights, it was inferior. They do have some good looking staff though.
Jun 13, 2014, 1:40 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Programs: QF Platinum One (LTG), UA Plat IHG Plat
Posts: 5,836
You could book the 10a flight and be 95% sure you'd be fine. Indeed if you are out of customs by 8 (flight may well arrive early) you can go to QF check-in/transfer and ask to go on an earlier flight and it's likely they could do that too.
You could also try to check-in for the 2 flights in SIN, have them tag you to SYD so QF "knows" you are making that connection, even if it is on seperate tickets.
If it were me I'd prob book 9:30 or 10, then work towards an earlier flight on arrival. QF are pretty good about getting people on earlier flights if there's space and it's not a totally restricted ticket (and status helps too)
You could also try to check-in for the 2 flights in SIN, have them tag you to SYD so QF "knows" you are making that connection, even if it is on seperate tickets.
If it were me I'd prob book 9:30 or 10, then work towards an earlier flight on arrival. QF are pretty good about getting people on earlier flights if there's space and it's not a totally restricted ticket (and status helps too)