Online Check In

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Rickles

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#171617 25-Apr-2015 10:54

A number of airlines now offer online check in some 48 hours before departure, and even allow printing off of Boarding Passes.

My questions is, does this now mean that if I do that then I no longer need to turn up 2 and 3 hours beforehand as in the 'old days' of check in queuing?

Presumably, if I print off my Boarding Pass at home, then I just need to turn up at the departure gate at a reasonable time for boarding?

cb1

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#1291239 25-Apr-2015 11:06

If you have bags, you still need to drop those off.

We've gone to Oz for a couple of long weekends with only carry on luggage and found that is pretty much the case. Once you get to the gate, you should report to the desk there to verify your passport details. We didn't and when we actually boarded, got taken aside for them to do so. 1st time they didn't explain what they were doing so were wondering why we singled out!

sbiddle

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#1291240 25-Apr-2015 11:07

The simple answer to that is it really depends on your airline, destination, booking class, airport and whether you have luggage. Overall online check-in is rather pointless for many passengers and has no real purpose.

If you're just flying domestically or internationally on Air NZ with no luggage there is no need to check-in, just turn up at the gate no longer than 10 minutes (or 30 mins before international) before a flight and use the Air NZ app on your phone and you'll get your boarding pass at the gate.

If you're flying domestically on Air NZ and have luggage online check-in is a waste of time as you still need to use the kiosk to tag your bag.

If you're flying internationally from NZ it's very much the same - you still have to use the Kiosk to tag your bag if you're taking a bag. If you're flying to the US however and haven't entered your address details you can save time by doing this online as it'll save having to type it into the kiosk.

The only real advantage online check-in offers is for people with no status and no bag who haven't selected a seat at the time of booking - you're able to select your seat at check-in or move if your seat has already been randomly allocated 48 hours out (as is the norm)

Rickles

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#1291281 25-Apr-2015 12:38

I go to Oz at least once a year, and usually with AirNZ, so from Wellington that means transiting to Auckland and double the price!

This next trip I booked using JetStar's new Wgton to Gold Coast direct, AND at half the usual cost too .... they offer online check in etc, and my seating has already been allocated.

I cannot find anything on their web site that tells me what time to "report" if I do online check in and print boarding passes ... I only take carry-on luggage.

Presumably, allowing for security, customs, immigration etc, I'll only need 30 minutes or so to be ready for boarding?