Help me make the most of my QF1/QF2 flights in J

[Pollywaffle]

Hi all.

I'll be flying QF1/QF2 in a few weeks and wanted to make the most of my journey. I've never travelled internationally on QF J. I've never been to Dubai airport before and I haven't entered the UK via LHR since 2008! I am currently QF silver but will be gold on the return QF2 trip. I am also a Qantas Club member.

I have already searched this forum for relevant threads but want to make sure I understand everything correctly and don't miss out on anything.

Thanks, pollywaffle.

Checked Baggage
My booking says 40kg but looking at the baggage limits page I assume I have 52kgs for QF1 (Silver FF flying J) and 56kgs for QF2 (Gold FF flying J)

Seats / QF J cabin
I am travelling solo straight through to LHR (no Dubai Connect), so chose a seat in the middle aisle. I have seat alerts for middle aisle seats in rows 11/12/13 but given ExpertFlyer is telling me J is full, I don't think they'll open up.

I know there's a little lounge area on the plane but the consensus seems it's not that great. Still, I'll take a look to see for myself.

I have requested an upgrade to 1st Class but I have decided to cancel it and save the points instead. Even if I kept the request I assume I would not get it as I am low on the totem pole.

Chauffeur Drive
I have booked the chauffeur service to/from home & SYD. I am within the distance limits, so there's nothing extra to pay.

I don't need transport when I arrive in LHR but will book a car to take me back to LHR once I get a new SIM for my phone. I realise in some ways the tube will be easier but I thought I may as well take advantage of the service.

Lounges
In SYD, outward bound, I have access to the QF business lounge. I have been in here and it doesn't seem much different to the domestic J lounges.
At LHR, outward bound, I have access to either the AA or BA lounges at Terminal 3.

Question: Is there an arrivals lounge I could use for a shower before leaving LHR?

Duty Free
If I choose to buy bottles at duty free at DXB, they will be boxed and put in the hold. Will be available from oversize luggage collection at SYD.

 

[opusman]

I have requested an upgrade to 1st Class but I have decided to cancel it and save the points instead.

No no no...! How to make the most of your J flight : upgrade to F!

 

[Pollywaffle]

Over 200 views and no other input?

Out of everything I am asking I am most keen to find out if there is a lounge I can use on arrival for a shower. Is there one?

[/COLOR]
No no no...! How to make the most of your J flight : upgrade to F!

LOL. Point taken.

 

[serfty]

SHower at LHR on Arrval?

Yes, the American Airlines arrivals lounge for J and F PAX arriving on QF into LHR .

Lounge Locations | Europe | United Kingdom | London Heathrown Airport | Associated Lounges

 

[opusman]

I don't need transport when I arrive in LHR but will book a car to take me back to LHR once I get a new SIM for my phone. I realise in some ways the tube will be easier but I thought I may as well take advantage of the service.

Actually just a comment on this - depending on where you're coming from (and traffic of course) driving to LHR from London is not fun. Last time I did it (from Bermondsey) it took nearly 2 hours and I was well and truly wishing I'd just taken the HEx by the end of it.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Actually just a comment on this - depending on where you're coming from (and traffic of course) driving to LHR from London is not fun. Last time I did it (from Bermondsey) it took nearly 2 hours and I was well and truly wishing I'd just taken the HEx by the end of it.

I'm at Kings Cross, so it will be a straight shot through to LHR on the tube. It will just depend on how much shopping I end up with. My usual is somewhere between "a lot" and "what was I thinking?"

 

[Pollywaffle]

SHower at LHR on Arrval?

Yes, the American Airlines arrivals lounge for J and F PAX arriving on QF into LHR .

Lounge Locations | Europe | United Kingdom | London Heathrown Airport | Associated Lounges

Thank you. I did not see this page before.

 

[legroom]

The SCs should be in your account within 1-3 days of arrival bumping you up to SG which will instantly give you access to row 13 (subject to availability of course).

If I were you, I'd check MMB within that timeframe to pick 13 E/F and come back at T-80 to see if row 12 is available.

Upgrade ?

Unless you are very short of points and/or jaded with all the bubbles and sheepskin, then you should do it ... at least once.

 

[Pollywaffle]

The SCs should be in your account within 1-3 days of arrival bumping you up to SG which will instantly give you access to row 13 (subject to availability of course).

If I were you, I'd check MMB within that timeframe to pick 13 E/F and come back at T-80 to see if row 12 is available.

Upgrade ?

Unless you are very short of points and/or jaded with all the bubbles and sheepskin, then you should do it ... at least once.

Thanks. I didn't even think about seat choice for the return trip.

 

[wunala]

Lounges
At LHR, outward bound, I have access to either the AA or BA lounges at Terminal 3.

You also can access the CX lounge. If you have time, go and check them all out, so that next time, you know what lounge you want to spend more time in. I must admit, I do like the BA lounge because of the nicer wines, and the baked potatoes they have from about 5pm onwards. I always look forward to the baked potato, cheese and coleslaw before my flight home, washed down with something French.

 

[fiscal]

I'm at Kings Cross, so it will be a straight shot through to LHR on the tube. It will just depend on how much shopping I end up with. My usual is somewhere between "a lot" and "what was I thinking?"

Depending on time of day, the tube can be VERY crowded going to LHR and with your quotes about 56Kgs baggage limit means having to find a spot for them as well as you. Taxi to Paddington and then Heathrow Express is the preferred way, albeit more expensive.

 

[RobJ]

SHower at LHR on Arrval?

Yes, the American Airlines arrivals lounge for J and F PAX arriving on QF into LHR .

Lounge Locations | Europe | United Kingdom | London Heathrown Airport | Associated Lounges

I've never made use of this because I don't know what's supposed to happen to your luggage while you're in an airside lounge - advice from those who have used it, including where it is in relation to immigration and baggage reclaim?

 

[wunala]

The Arrivals lounge is after customs and baggage reclaim. Basically it is land side. As you exit into the masses of awaiting crowds follow the signs for the AA Arrival lounge and take the lift up a few floors. There is plenty of space for your luggage in the lounge (and shower room if you dont want to leave it).

The hash browns are delish

 

[kevrosmith]

I've never made use of this because I don't know what's supposed to happen to your luggage while you're in an airside lounge - advice from those who have used it, including where it is in relation to immigration and baggage reclaim?

Good review and description here on Ausbt.... Lounge Review: American Airlines Arrivals Lounge: Heathrow Terminal 3 - Airlines | flights | hotels | travel tech | style | apps - Australian Business Traveller

 

[RobJ]

The Arrivals lounge is after customs and baggage reclaim. Basically it is land side. As you exit into the masses of awaiting crowds follow the signs for the AA Arrival lounge and take the lift up a few floors. There is plenty of space for your luggage in the lounge (and shower room if you dont want to leave it).

The hash browns are delish

Thanks to you and to kevrosmith. Nowadays I fly Finnair or Cathay to avoid Dubai, but I think AA is available for their passengers also.

 

[wunala]

Yes, AA,BA,CX, and QF have access. Not sure if AY does or not. I know OW airlines from other terminals do not have access. I am hoping QR opens one very soon after joining OW and lets MH pax use it.

 

[serfty]

I've never made use of this because I don't know what's supposed to happen to your luggage while you're in an airside lounge - advice from those who have used it, including where it is in relation to immigration and baggage reclaim?

I have not used the AA one but would assume it is similar to the BA one that used to be at T4. It had a luggage room with an attendant.

 

[Allegro Vivace]

Thanks to you and to kevrosmith. Nowadays I fly Finnair or Cathay to avoid Dubai, but I think AA is available for their passengers also.

I haven't been to Dubai for many years, but may be flying EK next year
I thought that with the new upgrades to Dubai airport, and dedicated terminal for A 380s things had improved.
Is this not the case?

 

[katiebell]

I have not used the AA one but would assume it is similar to the BA one that used to be at T4. It had a luggage room with an attendant.

The AA arrivals lounge has an area to leave large luggage, opposite the reception desk but not supervised. The shower rooms are much larger than in the BA arrivals lounge and at the arrival time of QF1 and QF9 not very busy.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Thanks for all the additional info.

It's all very helpful.