I started to check-in online and I got to step 3 on the Qantas process and then a message came up, saying we are unable to check you in online, please check in at the airport/ see a staff member? Anyone knows what this means? Will there be a problem. It's also an international flight and its the return leg on the trip
This is normal and very common for the international flights. Qantas must check that you have the necessary documentation to enter the country of your destination and to leave Australia before issuing your boarding pass.
If you selected a seat during the check-in steps that you completed, it will remain assigned to you.
Some countries require additional document checks as per their border protection laws. You'll just have to go to a service desk and get your boarding pass there. If I remember correctly, you should be able to pre-select your seat and get it printed on the boarding pass at the airport.
There could be multiple reasons for this -especially right now. You say that you are trying to check in on the international return sector but do not state which country you are in.
1. A number of QF overseas locations have seperate and different dedicated country websites. Not all will have the same functionality. Two simple examples:
Australian pax get - qantas.com/travel/airlines/home/au/en
USA pax get - qantas.com
The UK, Argentina, Chile and a number of others locations have their own dedicated country websites (all 'hosted' on the main QF server / domain.
Some have identical features which will work. Some may not ... and some may not have the features you see on the normal Australian site. For instance, in the USA, by default, you will only see USD$ pricing on the US website.
Also, if you are overseas and trying to sign on to the local Australian website (which is my presumption) - your browser / IP address will be auto-detected to the country you are in, and the base QF Australian website may recognise this and prevent you from completing the process. In short, depending on the country, it may not allow you to do some of the more sensitive features. .
Additionally, as @Emre points out, certain document checks could be required. With the recent Belgium situation, many countries have raised their national security threat levels (especially Europe and the USA), Hence, QF may have to physically sight all relevant travel documents, as required under those (foreign) laws..
Another reason could be the main server going down - and in the process, off-loading certain tasks to auxilliary servers. ie. this occassionally happens in Australia when you may be trying to make a booking. It is usually only a matter of 10-15mins downtime and all is restored to normal.
I have to admit, I've checked in (from overseas) on numerous occasions via the Australian website (using VPN's) and not had problems.
Provided you have previously 'seat-selected', you should be fine.
Think of it this way: At least you have the ability to check in via the internet site. A number of QF's mobile (phone / tablet) applications will not even allow you to check in to international flights even when you are in Australia. I am thinking here of the Android and Windows QF apps. Haven't tried the Apple IOS onle lately.
The return sector is from Australia as I'm returning back overseas to where I'm temporarily based. The call centre said it would probably be a document check
As a general comment, the QF website is usually highly reliable, but it has a habit of throwing up obscure message numbers when something goes wrong - particularly with destination routing issues during the booking process.
It would be way more helpful for the public if more 'user-friendly' explanitive messages were displayed.
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Qantas won't let me check-in online?
mbe1510
mbe1510
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Aug 2014
Total posts 27
Qantas won't let me check-in online?
I started to check-in online and I got to step 3 on the Qantas process and then a message came up, saying we are unable to check you in online, please check in at the airport/ see a staff member? Anyone knows what this means? Will there be a problem. It's also an international flight and its the return leg on the trip
dimi
dimi
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 13 Jul 2012
Total posts 154
This is normal and very common for the international flights. Qantas must check that you have the necessary documentation to enter the country of your destination and to leave Australia before issuing your boarding pass.
If you selected a seat during the check-in steps that you completed, it will remain assigned to you.
aldrigsomandre
aldrigsomandre
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 31 Aug 2015
Total posts 86
Some countries require additional document checks as per their border protection laws. You'll just have to go to a service desk and get your boarding pass there. If I remember correctly, you should be able to pre-select your seat and get it printed on the boarding pass at the airport.
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
There could be multiple reasons for this -especially right now. You say that you are trying to check in on the international return sector but do not state which country you are in.
1. A number of QF overseas locations have seperate and different dedicated country websites. Not all will have the same functionality. Two simple examples:
Australian pax get - qantas.com/travel/airlines/home/au/en
USA pax get - qantas.com
The UK, Argentina, Chile and a number of others locations have their own dedicated country websites (all 'hosted' on the main QF server / domain.
Some have identical features which will work. Some may not ... and some may not have the features you see on the normal Australian site. For instance, in the USA, by default, you will only see USD$ pricing on the US website.
Also, if you are overseas and trying to sign on to the local Australian website (which is my presumption) - your browser / IP address will be auto-detected to the country you are in, and the base QF Australian website may recognise this and prevent you from completing the process. In short, depending on the country, it may not allow you to do some of the more sensitive features. .
Additionally, as @Emre points out, certain document checks could be required. With the recent Belgium situation, many countries have raised their national security threat levels (especially Europe and the USA), Hence, QF may have to physically sight all relevant travel documents, as required under those (foreign) laws..
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
Another reason could be the main server going down - and in the process, off-loading certain tasks to auxilliary servers. ie. this occassionally happens in Australia when you may be trying to make a booking. It is usually only a matter of 10-15mins downtime and all is restored to normal.
I have to admit, I've checked in (from overseas) on numerous occasions via the Australian website (using VPN's) and not had problems.
Provided you have previously 'seat-selected', you should be fine.
Think of it this way: At least you have the ability to check in via the internet site. A number of QF's mobile (phone / tablet) applications will not even allow you to check in to international flights even when you are in Australia. I am thinking here of the Android and Windows QF apps. Haven't tried the Apple IOS onle lately.
mbe1510
mbe1510
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Aug 2014
Total posts 27
The return sector is from Australia as I'm returning back overseas to where I'm temporarily based. The call centre said it would probably be a document check
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
Many thanks for letting us know, mbe1510.
As a general comment, the QF website is usually highly reliable, but it has a habit of throwing up obscure message numbers when something goes wrong - particularly with destination routing issues during the booking process.
It would be way more helpful for the public if more 'user-friendly' explanitive messages were displayed.