New SFO Flights

[mikejr]

Needed to head over to the US in Jan and saw the deals on SYD-SFO (deals compared to LAX prices)

I have only flew through SFO domestically before - does anyone have any ideas on what the Lounge offerings might be for the return (or even arrival) there for the new Qantas flights?

I am praying for something more than the AA so called lounges - a few chairs, free chips and a voucher for a terrible drink...

 

[Mattg]

I'm not aware of any QF lounge in SFO, or any plans to open one. I believe that BA, CX and JL all have lounges there that you'd be able to use, but I don't know specifically which would be open for the QF74 departure or where QF would try to send you.

 

[flapper]

QF74's first departure is this Friday, can someone flying on it advise which lounge J class passengers will be allocated to use.
I'll be flying it in a few months ( no status or membership) but I have been unable to find which lounge will be used.
I don't feel like CC and waiting on the phone for a more than an hour to find out.

 

[kreuky]

Most likely CX. It will be the best one anyway. Though reading the reviews, they don't bring out the real food till 8pm (even though it's open), which is closer to CX departure times. That's fine though since the QF departure is 11:25pm. I'll be going in a few days, but will probably lounge hop (if they're open). This is assuming of course it departs from SFO's international terminal, which I would guess it does since SFO doesn't mix domestic and international passengers like most other US airports.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

There's also an Amex Centurion Lounge in SFO if you have an Amex charge card. Certain other Amex cards can pay an access fee of USD50.00 for a day pass.

http://thecenturionlounge.com/locations/SFO

The Lounge can be accessed post-security from Terminal 3 or from International Terminal G. All terminals are not connected post-security at SFO. If you are flying out of another terminal, you may be able to use your boarding pass to enter through T3 security, subject to approval by the TSA agent. After visiting the Lounge, you will need to exit through security, take the AirTrain or walk to your terminal and re-enter through security.

Hours: 5 am – 11 pm

 

[Himeno]

What lounge did QF use pre March 2011? I've used QF74 SFO-SYD before, but that was before I had lounge access.

AA has a club in T2 concourse D, but that's not connected airside to Concourse A where the oneworld international flights are based out of. The long term plan is for AA to end up in T1 Concourse B with an airside connector to concourse A, but that's 5 or 6 years away once the refurbishment of the airport is complete.

There are JL, CX and BA lounges in Concourse A.

The AA lounge is just after the T2 security checkpoint. The CX and JL lounges are above gate A1 on the 4th floor. The BA lounge is near gate A4.

 

[Timba-Jet]

I recall the JL Sakura lounge was the designated QC associate lounge. Though with OW benefits I made way straight to the BA lounge. CX lounge did not exist I think back in 2011.

 

[Moindardt]

Centurion Lounges are excellent. Been in the DFW, LAS and MIA ones and love them.

 

[UP4014]

Centurion Lounges are excellent. Been in the DFW, LAS and MIA ones and love them.

It's been a while, but i take it you've not seen the Sth American versions. :shock:

 

[jimmylikesitwet]

Just got this from Qantas through their Facebook page:

Hi Nicholas, eligible customers will use the KLM/Air France Lounge. This facility has WiFi, local and international newspapers, a business centre, refreshments and selection of cold meals. Thanks, Liv

 

[flapper]

Thanks for the answer even if it seems to be bad news.
Here's a review: The Air France KLM Lounge at San Francisco airport is one of the sadder lounges at SFO, and a place to avoid if at all possible...

Doesn't really compare to the LAX lounge.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

So is the KL/AF the only option for J pax no status? Surely OWS/OWE can still use OW Lounges?

 

[jimmylikesitwet]

So is the KL/AF the only option for J pax no status? Surely OWS/OWE can still use OW Lounges?

Correct. PAX with OWS/OWE status can of course use any OW lounge.

 

[kreuky]

Correct. PAX with OWS/OWE status can of course use any OW lounge.

And in addition, I belive oneworld rules that if you are flying J you can use the J lounge of any oneworld member even without status. I'd say the AF lounge is for QC members


Eg according to this you only need to be on a oneworld business class ticket to access the SFO lounge.

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US/travel-information/airport/lounges/lounge-admittance.SFO.html

 

[Himeno]

oneworld rules allow access to oneworld lounges based on ticketed cabin on a oneworld flight or status.

The AF lounge is to the left of the checkpoint. Looks like it's next to the BA lounge.
It's also used by AeroMexico, China Eastern, and China Southern.

Looks like they'll have to extend the AF lounge hours. They are currently 0900-1530 and 1730-2030. QF74 departs at 2325.

Would QFF status holders also be able to access the EK lounge?

 

[Moindardt]

Flying JAL out of JFK, we had to use the AF lounge as JAL was the only Oneworld carrier at the terminal. If it is anything like that, find a coffee shop. Only the bag of chips were edible, soft drink/beer were served hot and coffee cold. The difference between first and business was one was upstairs, otherwise equally as bad. Apparently only JAL used it because AF pax would use the other lounge.

 

[Himeno]

Flying JAL out of JFK, we had to use the AF lounge as JAL was the only Oneworld carrier at the terminal. If it is anything like that, find a coffee shop. Only the bag of chips were edible, soft drink/beer were served hot and coffee cold. The difference between first and business was one was upstairs, otherwise equally as bad. Apparently only JAL used it because AF pax would use the other lounge.

Would be nice if JAL sold its share in JFK T1 to ANA and they swapped terminals. Then ANA would be with a number of Star Alliance partners and JAL would be with BA/CA/QF.
Would also be nice if AA built out T8 to it's full available size allowing more oneworld members to move over (or at least build out and add in an airside tunnel under the JFK Expressway to T7).

 

[serfty]

I believe the May 2014 easing of terminal access restrictions (any terminal at departure port with same day BP) was not just for LAX ... I have seen reports on FT of such access be available at other places such as ORD, JFK & (to be on topic) SFO.

 

[mikejr]

As some of you mentioned CX appear to have the best offering. And for information here is a recent article that summarises the situation: Qantas San Francisco SFO airport lounge access - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Saurs82]

We are flying this route in October from Adelaide via Sydney as a family in economy, i will have 2 Qantas lounge passes via a credit card, can we use the AF/KL lounge as a family with these passes before our flight back to Sydney?