Qantas rolls out 'three-click' SMS check-in for mobile phones
By David Flynn, March 9 2015
Qantas' SMS-based 'three-click' check-in system is now available on all domestic flights, giving Aussie travellers yet another hassle-free way to obtain their boarding pass.
Originally trialled in December on a small number of Sydney routes, all jetsetters can simply open an email link or text message from Qantas before confirming that they're not carrying dangerous goods and finally receiving a boarding pass barcode on their phone in just three clicks.
“Our Auto Check-in technology is an evolution of an already world class system that simplifies the check-in process for time-poor customers on the go,” suggests Qantas Domestic Head of Customer Strategy Philip Capps.
Capps says the system has been designed "to include seat and flight change options, ensuring customers can tailor their journey and are effectively ‘ready to fly’ before leaving home or work."
"More than 30,000 customers have already used the new service to check in, view or change their seats and head straight to the lounge or gate without the need to print a paper boarding pass," he added.
Here's how Qantas Auto Check-in works:
1. When booking a flight, customers will need to provide a mobile phone number. If not supplied, the email address attached to the booking will be used.
2. On the day of travel or the night before, the customer will receive an SMS/email asking if they’re still planning to take the flight.
3. After confirming they are not travelling with dangerous goods, customers will receive their boarding pass on their phone. All other customers will be referred to a Customer Service Agent at the airport to complete their check-in.
To see how it's done in real-time, watch this quick, 30-second video:
Customers needing to check bags can simply scan their mobile boarding pass at the Bag Drop when travelling with a Q Bag Tag, or at the automated check-in kiosk for a printed luggage tag.
Also read: Qantas expands economy meal times, launches new headsets
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
When I first saw on Qantas' website the words "Auto Check In" the other day, I had a concern this was some sort of forced measure to prevent people using face to face check-in. Thankfully not the case!
Hopefully Qantas will follow American Airlines lead and support boarding pass scan via Apple Watch, because that's the only electronic check-in that interests me (no digging for phone, just flick the wrist and go!)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Oct 2012
Total posts 9
When does Qantas send the SMS for auto-checkin?
I'm probably too organised (and not "time-poor"): I have an entry in my Google Calendar which alerts me 24hrs prior to my flight to check-in. So I normally have my boarding pass 23h 59mins before my flight.
I'm thinking to myself, Auto Checkin probably doesn't change my checkin processes much hey?
QantasFF Platinum
16 Feb 2012
Total posts 152
FYI - Trip it has this feature too. Very handy place to have all the flight related information.
20 Apr 2014
Total posts 93
good idea but why not use email like CX has for years to prompt their elites to check in
sms is old world technology prone to failure (old phone number, international format etc)
everyone has smartphones to receive email with most people using push notification i would think
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