Express Path Immigration and Quarantine

[Hawkeye]

I don't remember seeing this being posted, but noted on the latest QFF e-mail that BNE / SYD and MEL will have express immigration and AQIS lanes for F, J and WP.

Will commence from 1st November. Baggage limit not including cabin baggage will be 2 bags.

Sounds good to me. I have been suffering listening to all the APEC card holders bragging about express immigration for so long!!

EDIT: to amend info above - is express path through customs and quarantine.

[Mal]

I havn't seen the email yet.

The Express path immigration trial was originally for outbound customs and security scanning. If it has been changed to inbound as well, then that's great.

Do you have the link to the Qantas email (normally in the email as a "if you can't read this email click here" type message).

[straitman]

I'd better read my email a little more closely.

[Hawkeye]

Link removed - thanks Mal!

[Mal]

Hawkeye, the particular link you gave is personalised, so It's probably best if you remove it... Normally the links they give are unpersonalised.

Thanks for the link though, the appropriate text is below.

A *very* nice present from Qantas

New fast track through customs Our premium travellers will soon be able to get on their way more quickly. From 1 November 2007, Qantas First, Business and Platinum Frequent Flyers arriving at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane international terminals can take an Express Path lane through customs and quarantine checks. Travellers will be handed an Express Path 'invitation' by cabin staff before disembarkation and will need to present this invitation at customs and quarantine. To qualify to use the Express Path, you must have declared no to questions 1-10 on the inbound passenger card and have only two pieces of checked luggage (not including carry-on).

The Australian Government is trialling inbound express immigration lanes as an extension of the current outbound express immigration trial in Sydney and Melbourne.

[Mwenenzi]

I was given as Express Path 'invitation' outbound MEL-AKL last week. Did not use it as the lines were short. Kept it for another time when the lines are long or I am not in business class. Am QF Gold ff now, but often try for upgrades on QF25 MEL-AKL .

[Mal]

I was given as Express Path 'invitation' outbound MEL-AKL last week. Did not use it as the lines were short.

I have a couple of spares

I fly back into Australia in mid Nov via Syd, so will be interesting to see if I get offered a fasttrack pass inbound and what it looks like.

It really is about time Qantas (and the other airlines that fly into SYD/MEL/BNE) were able to negotiate special immigration and customs handling for their premium pax.

[PPW]

I wonder if JQi will extend such an offer to its Star Class passengers and to WPs slumming it on JQi.

[serfty]

I have a couple of spares ...

Me too; you only need to surrender them at the x-ray; only once in my travels since the e implementation has normal x-ray been such that I needed to employ it. I did surrender another one time early on when I was escorted through e emigration to the express x-ray.

Now I think of it, the white BP like cards have DEPARTURE clearly printed on them.

[JohnK]

Just my luck that I have tick yes to question 1 due to prescription medication. Maybe next time....