Help with US trip (recommended lounges etc)

[Platy]

I am finally heading stateside after many years! I would be grateful for any wisdom on the following queries from any wiling to share their experiences and recommendations:

I am flying JQ SYD-HNL. Am I right in assuming:

- earliest check in is 3 hrs before scheduled depature?
- As a WP/OWE myself and guest can use QF Ist lounge?

I am then flying:

AA162 HNL 1250 LAX 2110 First class Fri 18th July connecting to
AA192 LAX 2205 BOS 0635 First class

- how early can I check in (if i fail to do a OLCI)?
- which lounge should I head for at HNL given it's a domestic flight?
- will the incoming AA162 and outgoing AA192 at LAX be in the same terminal?
- if I have time to get to a lounge at LAX, which should I aim for (being WP/OWE)?

I am then flying:

AA1089 BOS 0545 MIA 08:55 First class Friday 1st August connecting to
AA1647 MIA 1005 Trinidad(POS) 1345 Business class

-which lounge at BOS?
- where do I clear customs/Immigration (Miami?)
- which lounge MIA?
- will incoming and outgoing flights be in the same terminal?

I am then flying:

AA1818 POS 0715 MIA 1105 Business class Monday 11th August connecting to
AA1506 MIA 1250 BOS 1605 First class

- is there a lounge in POS (Trinidad) given none is listed either on the AA or OneWord web sites, but a shared lounge is listed on BA web site?
- how are people finding the queues/waiting times etc at MIA customs and immigration?
- which lounge is best at MIA?

I am then flying:

AA1725 BOS 0605 ORD 07:40 First class Wednesday 13th August connecting to
AA73 ORD 0900 HNL 1300 First class

- which lounge is best in BOS (I think they open at 0500?)?
- will incoming and outgoing flights be in the same terminal in ORD?
- which lounge is best in ORD?

Finally a hop back on JQ HNL-SYD Thursday 14th (or 15th) August:

- currently on a Thursday which is a non flying day for QF, it seems the QF/AA lounge only opens at 1100 so I assume the JAL Sakura lounge is an option (or won't they let us in given we're on JQ even though WP/OWE status)?

It would appear that QF do NOT bother opening their HNL lounge for Starclass passengers on days when QF HNL-SYD is not operating?! On other days it appears the lounge opens at 0730 by QF taken over by AA at 1100.

Finally, I can find my own way to the F lounge for a QF167 hop back to CNS!!!

Cheers!

 

[serfty]

I am finally heading stateside after many years! I would be grateful for any wisdom on the following queries from any wiling to share their experiences and recommendations:...

I am flying JQ SYD-HNL. Am I right in assuming:

- earliest check in is 3 hrs before scheduled depature?

Yes, people start queuing 3½ hours beforehand to try to snaffle on of the 4 exit seats lest they not yet be allocated.

- As a WP/OWE myself and guest can use QF Ist lounge?

Absolutely!(Note, OWE is not generally sufficient, you may need to be WP)

I am then flying:

AA162 HNL 1250 LAX 2110 First class Fri 18th July connecting to
AA192 LAX 2205 BOS 0635 First class

- how early can I check in (if i fail to do a OLCI)?

Do OLCI if you can, then you do not need to go Land side. With checked baggage this may not be possible. In any case AA check-in should be open.

- which lounge should I head for at HNL given it's a domestic flight?

The Morphing QP/QC works for all QF(&JQ)/AA flights.

- will the incoming AA162 and outgoing AA192 at LAX be in the same terminal?

Yes, LAX T4

- if I have time to get to a lounge at LAX, which should I aim for (being WP/OWE)?

The AA Flagship lounge in T4

I am then flying:

AA1089 BOS 0545 MIA 08:55 First class Friday 1st August connecting to
AA1647 MIA 1005 Trinidad(POS) 1345 Business class

-which lounge at BOS?

The BOS A/C

- where do I clear customs/Immigration (Miami?)

You won't even notice, they'll pull you I94 card from you PP at BOS (or they Should)

- which lounge MIA?

"North Terminal" Concourse D (generally)

- will incoming and outgoing flights be in the same terminal?

Probably Concourse D , may be concourse E - if you need to change, don't go through security - it can be a zoo. You can connect Airside. http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/aboutUs/whereWeFly/terminals/terminal_MIA.jsp

I am then flying:

AA1818 POS 0715 MIA 1105 Business class Monday 11th August connecting to
AA1506 MIA 1250 BOS 1605 First class

- is there a lounge in POS (Trinidad) given none is listed either on the AA or OneWord web sites, but a shared lounge is listed on BA web site?

Dunno

- how are people finding the queues/waiting times etc at MIA customs and immigration?

Dunno, but being in F I would move fast

- which lounge is best at MIA?

D

I am then flying:

AA1725 BOS 0605 ORD 07:40 First class Wednesday 13th August connecting to
AA73 ORD 0900 HNL 1300 First class

- which lounge is best in BOS (I think they open at 0500?)?

Only one option - the A/C

- will incoming and outgoing flights be in the same terminal in ORD?

Yes, concourse may vary
- which lounge is best in ORD?

Flagship Lounge at end of concourse K http://www.aa.com/content/aboutUs/whereWeFly/terminals/terminal_ORD.jhtml

Finally a hop back on JQ HNL-SYD Thursday 14th (or 15th) August:

- currently on a Thursday which is a non flying day for QF, it seems the QF/AA lounge only opens at 1100 so I assume the JAL Sakura lounge is an option (or won't they let us in given we're on JQ even though WP/OWE status)?

It would appear that QF do NOT bother opening their HNL lounge for Starclass passengers on days when QF HNL-SYD is not operating?! On other days it appears the lounge opens at 0730 by QF taken over by AA at 1100.

In my experience, the lounge is open. Both for QF and *class PAX. The lounge is also open for AC members in any case. - you should not have an issue

 

[Chambo]

Thanks serfty for this brilliant information - as a WP flying to HNL later this month I also found it very very useful.

One extra question - i have a 2 year old with me and Mrs Chambo. Will we have any problems getting into the F lounge in SYD or the QP in HNL?

Chambo

 

[simongr]

My understanding is that lounge staff dont seem to count small until they get to the age that they can help themselves to booze unless the lounge is very busy.

S

 

[Platy]

1

I.....- you should not have an issue

Many thanks indeed, Serfty!

May I prevail with a couple of further quick queries?

- do I have to pick up drinks vouchers at desk when visiting ACs and FLs as a OWE/First passenger?
- protocol for tipping lounge bar staff ($1?)?
- do they call flights in the lounges (if not, how do you decide when to go to gate?)?
- when connecting between flights upon arrival how would you decide whether to go to lounge or go to gate ready for next flight? (In OZ I would normally check to see if flight boarding and if not go to lounge double checking if it ad been called with desk staff on the way in)

Thanks a million!

My shout next time you visit CNS!

 

[serfty]

May I prevail with a couple of further quick queries?

- do I have to pick up drinks vouchers at desk when visiting ACs and FLs as a OWE/First passenger?

They should offer you one or two when entering the lounge; if not ask for some. Note: In BOS on a Sunday they would not give me a voucher before my 10am flight as the bar was not going to open until Noon (due to local liquor laws)

- protocol for tipping lounge bar staff ($1?)?

Tipping is optional, it is up to you. If I tip I normally place a $1 note under the voucher.

- do they call flights in the lounges (if not, how do you decide when to go to gate?)?

They do not normally call AA flights in A/C's.

- when connecting between flights upon arrival how would you decide whether to go to lounge or go to gate ready for next flight? (In OZ I would normally check to see if flight boarding and if not go to lounge double checking if it ad been called with desk staff on the way in)

Boarding normally commences 30 minutes before scheduled flight time. I find it better to be there when boarding commences to ensure I can place my carry-on above me. On arrival, check the monitors, looking for delays to your flight. Do a time calculation and work out what it best for you. There can be a long walk between gates, especially at ORD (with your itinerary)


My shout next time you visit CNS!

Looking forward to it.

 

[simongr]

May I prevail with a couple of further quick queries?

- do I have to pick up drinks vouchers at desk when visiting ACs and FLs as a OWE/First passenger? yes for AC, no for FL
- protocol for tipping lounge bar staff ($1?)? That is deemed the protocol but it is your call
- do they call flights in the lounges (if not, how do you decide when to go to gate?)? No - but they tend to have up to date screens of fligths
- when connecting between flights upon arrival how would you decide whether to go to lounge or go to gate ready for next flight? (In OZ I would normally check to see if flight boarding and if not go to lounge double checking if it ad been called with desk staff on the way in) There should be screens as for a an Oz airport

 

[Platy]

Looking forward to it.

Excellent info - many thanks!

 

[Platy]

May I prevail with a couple of further quick queries?

- do I have to pick up drinks vouchers at desk when visiting ACs and FLs as a OWE/First passenger? yes for AC, no for FL
- protocol for tipping lounge bar staff ($1?)? That is deemed the protocol but it is your call
- do they call flights in the lounges (if not, how do you decide when to go to gate?)? No - but they tend to have up to date screens of fligths
- when connecting between flights upon arrival how would you decide whether to go to lounge or go to gate ready for next flight? (In OZ I would normally check to see if flight boarding and if not go to lounge double checking if it ad been called with desk staff on the way in) There should be screens as for a an Oz airport

Many thanks indeed!

 

[drron]

When we flew CUR-MIA-LGA in December 07 we had a 1.45 hour connection and due to the efficient Immigration staff at MIA missed the connection.The AA gate agent just outside customs got all 8 of us onto the next flight which was supposedly full.Included getting mrsdrron and myself into our booked F.Saved my bacon.
So select row 1 or 2.Precede quickly to Immigration and try and assess quickest moving line.Telling the wandering minstrels that patrol the lines that you have a tight connection gets you nowhere.Probably wont get to the lounge on this connection.From memory we arrived in MIA about 1100.

 

[Dave Noble]

Given that there is only 1hr 20 connection at ORD , I would look at arrival/departure gates to decide which lounge to use

The FL is at the far end of the K concourse, go if you are departing from a gate on another concourse, I would suggest skipping the FL and going to the AC which is at the connection between the H and K concourses . Walking all the way up and back down the K concourse and visting the lounge in 45 minutes ( assuming you are going to do the recommended get to gate for when it starts boarding at T-30 in order to get luggage space before it is full thanks to ppl carrying on their kitchen sink ) isnt worth it imo; go to the AC and collect some drinks vouchers and have a drink in the AC

If the flight ends up being delayed for an appreciable time, then go off to the FL or if you arrive into ORD up in the K10-K19 range of gates then the FL is worth visiting

Dave

 

[Platy]

If the flight ends up being delayed for an appreciable time, then go off to the FL or if you arrive into ORD up in the K10-K19 range of gates then the FL is worth visiting

Dave

Thanks, Dave. I think that I'll print off the terminal maps of the AA web site before leaving!