Advice kindly sought re access to Qantas 1st Class Lounge @ SYD
Nov 22, 2016, 12:22 pm
#16
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Likewise, Mrs og's e-Passport (Oz) is disliked by SmartGate machines especially in SYD T1 arrrivals. The counter staff say "no problem" but she (and I) can't get her's to function. Frustratingly, her passport works faultlessly in NZ and the US.
Nov 22, 2016, 12:59 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cairns, Australia
Posts: 930
Returning to BNE from AKL a couple weeks ago - my own passport, that off my travelling companion, and many other Aussies off the EK flight simply didn't work in the kiosk.
Mentioned this to the officer and he was completely dismissive (in a "that happens all the time" sort off manner).
Obviously a major problem at large....
Mentioned this to the officer and he was completely dismissive (in a "that happens all the time" sort off manner).
Obviously a major problem at large....
Nov 26, 2016, 1:10 pm
#18
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Yes there is often quite a line for smartgate assistance (i.e. passport is rejected by the machine). I don't have anywhere near as many issues in NZ on the same passport.
Nov 26, 2016, 2:43 pm
#19
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I've never seen an express lane for customs in Sydney. I'll have a good look for it next trip.
Last edited by Annalisa12; Nov 26, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Nov 26, 2016, 2:48 pm
#20
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You may well be right....I'm only going on my personal experience here - every single time I've held an express card I have been able to bypass (what I assume to be the post-passport / luggage collection) customs / quarantine inspection process by showing my express card and arrivals card to one of the officers (presumably at the officer's discretion hence my use of the conditional tense in my post), who has directed me straight to an exit to the landside arrivals hall...
Nov 26, 2016, 4:10 pm
#21
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You may well be right....I'm only going on my personal experience here - every single time I've held an express card I have been able to bypass (what I assume to be the post-passport / luggage collection) customs / quarantine inspection process by showing my express card and arrivals card to one of the officers (presumably at the officer's discretion hence my use of the conditional tense in my post), who has directed me straight to an exit to the landside arrivals hall...
...in fact, IIRC, there is some signage marked "Express Path" to the far right of the hall just beyond the baggage carousels (accepting layouts may have changed since I was last arriving into SYD which was mid 2015 and I only travel with one small carry on bag)...so I respectfully beg to differ pending others sharing their own and possibly more recent experiences...
...in fact, IIRC, there is some signage marked "Express Path" to the far right of the hall just beyond the baggage carousels (accepting layouts may have changed since I was last arriving into SYD which was mid 2015 and I only travel with one small carry on bag)...so I respectfully beg to differ pending others sharing their own and possibly more recent experiences...
Nov 26, 2016, 4:40 pm
#22
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Nov 28, 2016, 5:44 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: NZ*G, United.
Posts: 194
Nevertheless there does seem to be a problem.