Qantas canceled original flight so we fly early and have 7 hours transit time in Melbourne airport.
Traveling with 2 toddlers so thinking of going to lounge to perhaps ease the pain slightly. Any tips on what we can do to access lounge for discount?
Unfortunately, no Amex platinum (just the free airpoint ones) and TSB Platinum card only. Parents are QFF member but only the low tier version
Any tips?
The Parkroyal hotel is right at the terminal and they have day rooms. At least you can have a shower/sleep/throw on some cartoons for the kids
Looks like it's outside of the terminal though. We can't get out as we don't have visa.
Yep, you need to clear immigration
Dang, not for us then but good to know
Errmmmm if you're NZ citizens you don't need a visa
Even if not, for many countries it is a five minute process to apply online, and a small fee (might be A$25 or something). If that amount is right, it would come to A$100 for a family of four though.
yeah, we're not hence need a visa to clear and cost around $120 per application.
@spam: Transit visa? Wonder what they do if you get booted from the terminal entirely from cancellation.
@mdsl32: To my knowledge transit visa is only for if you're transitting for more than 7 hrs in oz. That's what apply for my passport anyway so transit visa is not for clearing immigration
EDIT: I was wrong. up to 72 hours in Australia.
@spam: yeah ; transit visa allows you to stay upto 72 hours in Aussie . transit visa is valid for 1 year from the day it gets processed . Although visa application is free of cost , you have to pay 51 NZD each for biometric fees.
When are you flying
Friday 28june
Not sure with a paid pass, but most if not all lounges only allow entry 3 hrs before departure flight.
Yeah, i was thinking for the first 2 hours we'll just go around the terminal with the kids and the next 3 hours in lounge.
Usually that doesn't apply to connections, especially international to international connections. With paid passes they make you check in again every 3 hours though.
My best recommendation upgrade the AMEX to airpoint platinum. You get two entries to the Centurion Amex lounge at Melbourne which you can use. Guests below age 2 are free. I have used the lounge and we stayed for 9hrs in the lounge.
Thanks for the suggestion, For next time perhaps. Doubt that i can get it done in 4 days
Wonder why they limit to two guests when most are families of 4? Or they they not that fuzzy.
I have exhausted mine as I didn't want to eat crappy meal from Air NZ. Have to wait another year I guess. PS its takes a week to deduct from the Priotity pass app .
With the priority pass, you are allowed guests but they charge $55 per person so only your entry is free not the guest's. On top of that, the card also offers 2 entries to the Centurion Amex lounge in Sydney and Melbourne. You are allowed to bring in guests and use up that additional entry so anyone over this amount will be a fee of around $50 per guest. With the Priority pass entries they renew 1 Jan each year I believe so still a few months for you to go haha
@Joe: Correct, however only for the centurion lounge. Here are the details https://www.americanexpress.com/en-au/credit-cards/membershi…
Also, these ones don't enforce the 3hr time limit, whereas I feel priority passes are tougher on them. Me and my Wife last year spend 9hrs in the lounge due to a long layover and they didn't say a word.
Perhaps best to check if you can get in with toddlers at all.