Connecting Flights / TRS GST Claim - Need Advice

LHitesh T on 25/09/2019 - 00:59
Last edited 15/12/2019 - 18:53 by 2 other users

Dear Ozbargainers,

I’m flying to HongKong from SYDNEY and have almost $300+ of GST to claim through TRS.

But my flight schedule is odd (didn’t notice at the time of booking the ticket) :(

Takes off from Terminal 3 at Sydney domestic airport at 7.00am, reaches Melbourne airport Terminal 1 at 8.35am, and the next flight is at 9.40am from Melbourne Airport Terminal 2.

Not sure if it’s possible for me to catch the connecting flight from Melbourne to HongKong, and whether I’ll be able to claim TRS either at Sydney airport Terminal 3 or Melbourne airport Terminal 1 / 2.

Any advise or thoughts will be much appreciate.

Thanks :)

• 

  Meho2026 on 25/09/2019 - 01:39

  +2

  Your connection is too tight.
  Contact the airline and explain that the transit time is too short to make a domestic to international connection and see it they will put you on a 0600 out of Sydney.

  • 

    Hitesh T on 25/09/2019 - 07:51

    Many thanks for your input, calling Qantas now :)

• 

  AdosHouse on 25/09/2019 - 03:32

  +2

  The hell. Did you purchase both flights on the one ticket? I wish you luck leaving the domestic terminal, possibly having to collect your bags, getting to other terminal, checking in bag if required, clearing customs and getting to the other flight, in one hour.

  • 

    Hitesh T on 25/09/2019 - 07:54

    I know I stuffed it up, I booked it from the Qantas website and didn’t think it through at the time, now i’m Worried sick.
    And yes, both flights are on 1 ticket :(
    Thanks for your input though :)

    • 

      bluedufflecoat on 25/09/2019 - 08:05

      +1

      If it's on a connecting flight on one ticket, you're unlikely not to miss your flight, but probably not going to make the Gst claim.

    • 

      AdosHouse on 26/09/2019 - 14:15

      Okay so on the one ticket. Look you should be fine, it is only 5 minutes from Terminal 1 to 2 at Melbourne from what I have read. Also you should already have your International flight boarding pass printed at Sydney, and your bags should be automatically transferred to the international flight. So just walk straight from the domestic gate to the international flight gate and you should be fine.

      But you will not have time to do any TRS claims.

  • 

    Love a bargain on 25/09/2019 - 15:25

    Bags would be checked all the way through as OP is leaving the country and does not require to clear custom. However, that's an incredibly tight connection regardless.

• 

  BugsBunnyAUS on 25/09/2019 - 03:41

  +2

  You have to do it in Melbourne. The connection is too tight for claiming TRS as well unless every possible star aligned, and it will not at that time of the morning it's busy.

  Try get on an earlier flight out of Sydney if you can, and TRS claim is important to you.

  • 

    Hitesh T on 25/09/2019 - 07:55

    Thanks for your input. If you’re from Melbourne, can you please advise how do I get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2? And how long is it likely to take?

    • 

      Nice one baby on 25/09/2019 - 08:16

      +2

      They are next to each other and the buildings are joined up. 4 mins walk max from the furterest part it T1 to get to T2. Go to the right when leaving the building. You want to be on the second floor of T2

      • 

        Hitesh T on 25/09/2019 - 09:19

        Thanks for your input, I have a feeling I might be able to make it.

        You’re kind, thanks for the info :)

  • 

    Love a bargain on 25/09/2019 - 15:30

    Can only do TRS just before you leave the country (and therefore they're only available at international terminals).

    There is a time limit on when you need to submit your TRS claim by (x minutes before departure time - can't remember how many minutes though). I suppose this rule is put in place so that people don't miss the flight because they made a late TRS claim.

    I'd say the OP has no chance in claiming TRS on its current itinerary unless the MEL-HKG flight is significantly delayed.

• 

  boomramada on 25/09/2019 - 08:30

  +2

  almost $300+ of GST

  which is about $30, so your saving of $30 could possibly miss the flight? tough decision :)

  • 

    Poppin on 25/09/2019 - 09:19

    You won’t get the $30 if you miss your flight. TRS agents are extremely strict with the 30 minute cutoff

  • 

    Hitesh T on 25/09/2019 - 09:23

    Thanks for the input.
    I should have been more clearer.
    The GST itself is $300+ (all savings)
    The actual gifts are worth ~$3400 :)

    • 

      Stopback on 25/09/2019 - 09:57

      remember to show the goods to customs when you return

      • 

        Hitesh T on 25/09/2019 - 10:35

        +1

        Thanks for your input.
        I won’t have anything when I return, these are gifts for family.

    • 

      boomramada on 25/09/2019 - 14:26

      Almost $300 is $3400 ? :) Just don't tell that to TRS people.

• 

  ilubbargains on 19/11/2019 - 17:37

  Hey All, I've got a similar question to the OP:

  Wondering if anyone has any experience with claiming TRS on checked baggage (fancy vinyl record player for mate's wedding), with the spanner in the works being that I'm flying Brisbane > Melbourne > Los Angeles on a single itinerary. Essentially once I check in the baggage containing the gift at Brisbane Domestic Airport, I don't think I'll see it again until I arrive in LA.

  Does anyone know whether there is an ABF Customer Liaison Office within the Brisbane Domestic Terminal where I can show the item prior to check-in? Had a quick look at the map of the domestic terminal and didn't see a mention of this office.

  Being on a single-itinerary, I hoping that I won't have to:
  i) collect the checked baggage when I arrive in Melbourne (don't think this is even possible);
  ii) make my way to the landside and show to the ABF office at the MEL international terminal;
  iii) check it in again.

  • 

    LarraineP on 15/12/2019 - 18:47

    HI ilubbargains.

    I'm flying out tomorrow with the same problem as you. Flying to Canada from Gold Coast Airport via Sydney.
    How did you go with your item in checked luggage at Brisbane Airport?

    Cheers

    • 

      ilubbargains on 16/12/2019 - 10:33

      My trip's not for a few more months. From what I've read on the AFF forum, it sounds like you can only claim TRS at an international airport (Sydney international in your case). I'm resigned to the fact that I won't be able to claim TRS on my gift as it'll be a check-in item. Would be interested in hearing how you went, seeing that your trip begins today.

      • 

        LarraineP on 02/02/2020 - 22:56

        +1

        I was unable to claim the GST until the last airport departure point, which was Sydney. I took my items as carry on and had no problems claiming the refund at the very efficient TRS office at Sydney International Airport. I tried to claim it at Gold Coast airport but not an option. If you want to claim I can only suggest you take the item as carry on, if not possible to do that you will not be able to claim the GST. Good luck

  • 

    dane45 on 16/12/2019 - 13:37

    Not sure about an ABF office in Brisbane Domestic, but if you check your bags at a staffed counter they should be able to tag them through to Melbourne for you to pick up and re-check. Not ideal, but may be your only option.

    • 

      ilubbargains on 16/12/2019 - 17:18

      Yeah have thought about it; the logistics of doing all this just to get about $45 is not worth it

  • 

    scozbargain on 16/12/2019 - 16:56

    In North America, the standard voltage is 110-120 V, does the record player have an external adapter as a power source?

    • 

      ilubbargains on 16/12/2019 - 17:19

      12V DC power supply so all good, cheers.