First time QF F flyer

[calgarychris]

Hi,

I've snagged a DFW-SYD flight in the next few days and was wondering if anyone with more experience at the pointy end might share some tips on how to maximise my experience? A couple of quick questions that come to mind:

1. Is there anything I should be asking for that you don't get unless you ask? (i.e. PJs, amenity kits)?
2. Are there any decent lounges in DFW that I would have access to?
3. I'm connecting SYD-MEL and unfortunately that leg is in economy. Do I have access to the F lounge in SYD (I've been told no)
4. Any tips?

Thanks guys and gals!
Chris

 

[Hvr]

3. I'm connecting SYD-MEL and unfortunately that leg is in economy. Do I have access to the F lounge in SYD (I've been told no)

When you arrive in SYD you'll be funnelled into the immigration and customs area without seeing a lounge so no F lounge. But, once you do the transfer to the domestic terminal you'll have access to the J lounge by virtue of your F journey. Keep the F BP just in case they ask.

Enjoy the trip I'm sure other posters will have lots of great tips to enjoy your inaugural F trip.

 

[calgarychris]

When you arrive in SYD you'll be funnelled into the immigration and customs area without seeing a lounge so no F lounge. But, once you do the transfer to the domestic terminal you'll have access to the J lounge by virtue of your F journey. Keep the F BP just in case they ask.

That's what I figured - shame though. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Pushka]

That's what I figured - shame though. Thanks for the tip!

Sadly once you step into the domestic leg it’s all over red rover for the F lounge in Sydney. Going out is much better.
Generally crews are pretty good at handing out the freebies however they try to balance between not disturbing you with providing a service. If there is anything you want then sometimes you do need to press for service and not sit back and wait as it mightn’t happen.
Can’t help with US lounges.
Enjoy!

 

[Forg]

If you’re not familiar with the domestic J QF lounge in SYD ... don’t expect too much, IMHO it’s not on par with the international J lounge let alone the F you’ll have been enjoying.

 

[SeatBackForward]

The 1 time I've been in F was out of DFW on QF. From memory, there is no such thing as a F lounge at DFW.

 

[VPS]

Whatever happens just make the most of it - enjoy

 

[Silvia]

No F lounge in DFW. The 3rd party lounge that you get with QF is very subpar.
I think there are some renos in DFW at the moment, but if open, your best bet is the AA Flagship lounge.

And enjoy F class. What a way to spend +16 hours!

 

[calgarychris]

No F lounge in DFW. The 3rd party lounge that you get with QF is very subpar.
I think there are some renos in DFW at the moment, but if open, your best bet is the AA Flagship lounge.

And enjoy F class. What a way to spend +16 hours!

I believe from checking AA that their lounge is closed . I'll be hitting up whatever Priority Pass can arrange, or perhaps the Amex Centurion lounge...

I'm looking forward to QF F - I've only ever had a short hop in EK MEL-AKL to give me a taste of the good life. Going without Mrs Calgarychris - can't have her becoming accustomed to a lifestyle I can't maintain!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi,

I've snagged a DFW-SYD flight in the next few days and was wondering if anyone with more experience at the pointy end might share some tips on how to maximise my experience? A couple of quick questions that come to mind:

1. Is there anything I should be asking for that you don't get unless you ask? (i.e. PJs, amenity kits)?
2. Are there any decent lounges in DFW that I would have access to?
3. I'm connecting SYD-MEL and unfortunately that leg is in economy. Do I have access to the F lounge in SYD (I've been told no)
4. Any tips?

Thanks guys and gals!
Chris

AA lounge in DFW is your best bet. If you go to this lounge make sure you arrive at the gate in time for boarding as there'll be no announcements in the lounge.

There's nothing QF gives away that you won't be given automatically - amenity kit and PJs.

 

[calgarychris]

AA lounge in DFW is your best bet. If you go to this lounge make sure you arrive at the gate in time for boarding as there'll be no announcements in the lounge.

There's nothing QF gives away that you won't be given automatically - amenity kit and PJs.

Thanks - good to know I won't be missing out. Do you know if I can access the other AA lounges since the one in concourse D is closed I believe for renos.

Cheers

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks - good to know I won't be missing out. Do you know if I can access the other AA lounges since the one in concourse D is closed I believe for renos.

Cheers

You can freely move between all the concourses at DFW, although you might need to hop on the skyrail - it can be a long walk otherwise. There are a couple of entry points to the skyrail on each concourse. Allow a bit of extra time to get back to the QF aircraft if using this method.

AA's website is still indicating a 'premium' lounge on concourse D: Flagship Lounge − Travel information − American Airlines

 

[GoldCanyon340]

The Amex Centurion Lounge is the best lounge at DFW if you have access.

 

[calgarychris]

The Amex Centurion Lounge is the best lounge at DFW if you have access.

I should, I have the platinum charge card...

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I should, I have the platinum charge card...

Plat Charge is all good.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Do you have any leeway on the time of the SYD - MEL dom flight?
I fly SYD - ADL a lot, on the end leg of flights from NZ, and that QF bus, while providing a so so service, has a lot to be desired.
Ideally, I would leave 3/4 hours from SYD T1 arr to get to SYD T3.
The QF bus can sometimes wait at T1, till more people fill it, they don't move till its full.
Because you will be doing passport and customs in SYD, hopefully, they don't ask you aside when they pick up the Smartgate ticket off you, which they can do.
Most of my trips from NZ, they just see I come back from NZ, and just pick up the Smartgate ticket and IPC, and thats it.
One time, the Immi girl thought I wasn't an Aust, she just saw my Smartgate ticket, and said "what type of work do you do", I said I am a shop cleaner and she said "you are coming here to work...!", then I waved my Aust passport, and she let me through.
Guess she didn't look at my IPC closely.
All the best of "luck", I have taken a few EK F's too, and they are a great product, haven't flown QF F though.
SYD dom J lounge, at the least, better than the SYD dom QP!
T1 and T3 are quite far apart, the QF bus is always preferable, as it drops you off at gate 15, near the QFlink planes are.
Like I said, the QF terminal bus in SYD can be greatly improved, more buses, shorter wait times, etc, but I guess then it would probably cost more.
Ok, enough of my waffly.

 

[Quickstatus]

Don’t sleep..

But be prepared for a somewhat underwhelming experience

 

[aussierob]

Don’t sleep..
But be prepared for a somewhat underwhelming experience

The seating and suites in F need an update. They are pretty tired and worn, especially compared to Emirates or Singapore. Definitely a “90’s” experience. Just turn on the seat massager and mentally project yourself into a tight Economy seat and luxuriate in what you have
The hours will be over before you know it.

 

[calgarychris]

Thanks for all the tips guys...

I really enjoyed the experience. I landed in DFW and it was suggested that I pick up my luggage and re-enter security with my checked luggage (that was a new one for me!) in order to catch the Skyrail. The alternative was catching a bus from one terminal to international and sitting on street-side for four or five hours. Needless to say it worked, although one of the AA staff asked me what I was doing going through security with a full size suitcase!

I had six hours or so in the Centurion lounge - busy but not overly crowded. They give free massages and have the usual food and coughtails, with a tex-mex flair. Pretty good. I almost forgot to check my bags in actually! Whoops, made it just before the counter closed!

The flight itself was great - service was attentive without being over the top. I thought the seat was good, the food was pretty good and the mattress pad was amazing. I slept on the flight - three or four hours reclining (thank you wine) and six or so on the bed, which I thought was really comfortable. Overall no complaints. It's not EK F, which I found decadent, but it was really nice.

Except the steak. The steak was...not good. Don't choose the steak.

Anyway, thanks for the tips, now I'm off to see how I can restock my points for the next trip!

Happy New Year, happy travels guys!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Glad you had a good flight @calgarychris. The bedding in QF F certainly helps the sleep.