Lounge advice for SFO

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Hi,

I will be flying QF74 SFO-SYD next week and am seeking some lounge advice. I am a mere PS with QF but am flying J. I have a long layover (6-7hrs) and I have heard that the KLM-Air France lounge is *not* nice, but probably better than nothing. I do have the Platinum charge card - is it possible to get through security in Terminal 3 (which is where I think it is?) and then get across into the International terminal (ideally airside)? Alternatively I have heard the CX lounge is great but that they limit access so it might be hard to get into?

What do folks reckon? What are my options and your recommendations?

Thanks folks!
 
Are you arriving on a domestic flight and which airline are you flying into SFO?

If your luggage is checked through, then you might consider going into San Francisco for an early dinner?

If you’re arriving on AA then your J ticket should get you into the AA lounge (T3) but I can’t imagine you’d want to spend ~6 hrs there. Technically, you could get into the CX lounge (and certainly worth trying) but it can be very fickle.
 
Try CX, but expect to be knocked back. The AF lounge is worse than QP standards but better than many US lounges.

It kinda reminded me of a community center rather than an airline lounge.
 
Try CX, but expect to be knocked back. The AF lounge is worse than QP standards but better than many US lounges.

It kinda reminded me of a community center rather than an airline lounge.
AF lounge Reminded me of a hospital canteen.
CX lounge is off limits to WP and below even though OWE should have access, but they use the “sorry lounge is full”. WP1 usually get access to CX Lounge.
 
AF lounge Reminded me of a hospital canteen.
<snip>

Yes yes, that's exactly what it reminds me of... Not enough graffiti on the walls for the full on community centre feel, but as stark and as uninteresting as an entirely utilitarian space can get.
 
My brother recently used the Amex Centurion lounge there flying United to Vancouver. Not sure what terminal that would have been, but sounds like you have sufficient time to change terminals if need be.
 
You must have lost the lottery, this 5 weeks ago:
There's a report of the list today on FT:
Originally Posted by LifeTimeBronze


Currently in SFO Cathay lounge awaiting QF74.


At checkin was told to go to Cathay Lounge. On arrival, BP scanned and name ticked off on a printed list. I presume this was a list of WPs on QF74 provided by QF.


Made to feel very welcome. Arrived about 2000. Lounge very airy and bright. good selection of food & drinks.
 
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I think it depends on the lounge angel / dragon on the day. I've made it in as a SG, I've also been told WP's only / J flyers only.
I kinda feel it's poor form from the CX crowd. When I have been in there, it was hardly crowded and it had more of a feeling like they didn't want to play nice with QF.

Whilst sure, QP's get given what there is, the ability to access any (open) OW lounge as a OWS / OWE is kinda a selling point behind flying OW airlines.
 
My 3 attempts were as a OWE/WP on a J revenue tix.
Ouch. 3 for 3 and with +1 (SG) for me on a mix of paid J and award J tix.

What time are you getting there? The other thread on the topic notes something like the first 10 (or so) get in.

I poked my head into the AF lounge once and ran away in horror. It’s a sad reflection on both AF and QF for not lifting their game.

The CX lounge is quite large and as mentioned above rarely busy pre-QF departure.
 
Friend who is a newly minted SG has managed entry into CX lounge at SFO Int terminal A gates.

Time of entry 1500hrs 25/6/18
He is the only one in the lounge as the last Cathay flight departed at 1300hrs and next one I think departs at 0100hrs.
CX lounge opens 0630-2300
Departing flight AY12 SFO-HEL (nonstop)

Officially AY uses AF canteen (same as QF)


......

Maybe CX has a limit on the number of OW eligible passengers it will take
 
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CX is my favourite lounge (and I love having the Dan Dan noodles before the flight). Not sure what defines the list, but I've never had issues as a WP flying J (but I have seen many others not "make the cut").

I've never made it to the AF lounge but haven't heard nice things about it. I've sometimes asked my neighbour in J (having not seen them in the CX lounge) which one they used and the common response is AF and how bad it is.

I've never seen the lounge more than half full either - so I think capacity constraints is just their reasoning. Here's the typical "overcrowding" when I've been in there before QF74:

cx1.jpg
cx2.jpg
 
CX is my favourite lounge (and I love having the Dan Dan noodles before the flight). Not sure what defines the list, but I've never had issues as a WP flying J (but I have seen many others not "make the cut").

I've never made it to the AF lounge but haven't heard nice things about it. I've sometimes asked my neighbour in J (having not seen them in the CX lounge) which one they used and the common response is AF and how bad it is.

I've never seen the lounge more than half full either - so I think capacity constraints is just their reasoning. Here's the typical "overcrowding" when I've been in there before QF74:

Wow, it's as crowded as when I've been there... (Tongue firmly in cheek)
 
Maybe CX has a limit on the number of OW eligible passengers it will take

That's kinda against the whole philosophy of OW. You should be able to book any OW airline, and then access any OW resource which your level has given you.

There are some defined exclusions, such as QF Dom J is a OWE lounge not a OWS lounge, and QR has managed to get some of their lounges excluded, but CX at SFO has not been granted such an exclusion -> Lounge access - over 600 lounges , multi destination flights
 
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