Lounge Access on Arrival as QF Elite?

[serfty]

Does this apply on arrival, or only if you have an onward flight that same day?

For Qantas Platinum on arrival, no onward flight required.

The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

Excellent views to a few hangars with Dash-8's. Sometimes they tug a 330 into one of their wider workshops across from the SYD J/QFd SYD QP.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[RichardMEL]

Only Domestic Lounges

Ironically denying the world to "World" Platinum....

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

OffT: QFi T3 at PER, int transit pax and int dep and int arr pax all intermiggle?OnT.

 

[DrJ]

OffT: QFi T3 at PER, int transit pax and int dep and int arr pax all intermiggle?OnT.

No. Except for the situation of pax arriving from MEL on QF9 who are continuing on to LHR (who are funneled through a corridor back to the Int departures area), on arrival you are sent down the escalators to immigration and customs, and then dumped landside like every other Int terminal in Australia.

The Int departures area in T3 (which is quite small and cramped, you really don't want to be in there for long unless you have lounge access) is only configured as such from mid morning onwards before the departures of QF71 and QF 9/10 - earlier than that the swing gate is open and gates 18 to 20 are sometimes used for early domestic departures (typically FIFO flights to the mines)

 

[Beano]

Have I missed the ideas here? If you arrive at a terminal and have on-arrival access, I don't suppose it matters what you do next; leave the airport or catch another flight with any carrier, whether part of the same group or not. Also international access on arrival would be difficult, as previously pointed out here, but if you go to the domestic side, does that qualify as an "arrival". (you would probably still need to go through security.)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Also international access on arrival would be difficult, as previously pointed out here, but if you go to the domestic side, does that qualify as an "arrival". (you would probably still need to go through security.)

It depends on how international arrivals are set up. In some circumstances (i.e. some EU airports) when you arrive from an overseas flight you are in the departures area of international (non-Schengen) terminal. In which case it is simple work to simply physically walk to the lounge to get lounge access. However, as others have pointed, many international airports are set up such that you have to either re-clear a checkpoint or go through immigration (i.e. USA) and thus won't be able to access the departures hall since you don't posses a valid boarding pass for a flight departing that airport that day.

For domestic flights, generally (although not always) you will arrive in the departures area and can thus simply walk up to the lounge, (especially if the lounge is located in the same terminal you are in, hence no need to re-clear security). For Australia domestic specifically there is no boarding pass/ID check at security meaning you could re-clear security and simply show your OneWorld boarding pass to get lounge access on arrival.

-RooFlyer88

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Going OffT again for a bit, yep, I noticed that PER QF T3 does use swing gates, like at ADL (airport), so part of the terminal, when there are no QFi flights, can handle QFd flights.
Must make an effort to do the walk around soon, not on QF9/QF10, but maybe J on the dom 737 ADL - PER/vv.OnT.

 

[Danger]

Per the AA admirals Club website:

Very interesting.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Because people have been asking about access to AA lounges on arrival when flying on a OW partner, I thought I'd give this a shot today - I'm flying AS from SEA to LAX and will try to access the Flagship lounge on arrival and report back what happens. If I do get in, this suggests that what is on the website is correct and more importantly that some lounge agents need to be trained on this item.

-RooFlyer88

 

[serfty]

Have I missed the ideas here? If you arrive at a terminal and have on-arrival access, I don't suppose it matters what you do next; leave the airport or catch another flight with any carrier, whether part of the same group or not. Also international access on arrival would be difficult, as previously pointed out here, but if you go to the domestic side, does that qualify as an "arrival". (you would probably still need to go through security.)

Qantas Domestic lounges only but same day international travel applies (as does domestic) for such access.

I have used it several times in recent years¥, both at MEL and SYD. See post #21 and this:

The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

Excellent views to a few hangars with Dash-8's. Sometimes they tug a 330 into one of their wider workshops across from the SYD J/QFd SYD QP.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

¥Used it much more when anytime access was a thing for WP.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Qantas Domestic lounges only but same day international travel applies (as does domestic) for such access.

I have used it several times in recent years¥, both at MEL and SYD.

One thing to keep in mind is accessing said lounges requires switching terminals and clearing security which may not be practical if you checked a large roller bag, or are unfortunate to arrive in SYD from overseas given the trek involved with going from T1 to T3. It is a real shame that QF doesn’t provide an international arrivals lounge given the volume of premium traffic involved. Then again, there is that Plaza Premium Arrivals lounge at SYD INT if you’re lucky enough to have a credit card with priority pass benefits

-RooFlyer88

 

[serfty]

checked a large roller bag

I don't do this. The only reason I have checked a bag while travelling internationally in the last decade is "Wine".

 

[Austman]

MH is a OW airline and offers arrival access to its international lounges in KUL.

I've used it a few times.

As far as I know it's only for MH pax in their Business Class. And it might only be to the MH business (not first) class lounges.

But they do seem to offer it to their elite status passengers as well. So maybe OW elites might have some luck?

Here is a link:

FAQ

"Note: Regional and International Satellite lounge passengers are allowed to utilise the lounge for departure, transit and arrival."

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Update on access to the AA lounge on arrival with a OneWorld partner, I just came off a SEA > LAX flight on AS (arriving at Terminal 6) and took the leisurely stroll over to the flagship lounge at terminal 4 (10 minute walk I reckon). Upon showing the boarding pass, indicating it's an arrival and showing my QFF digital Platinum card, I was let into the lounge.

More images to be forthcoming once I'm off this crummy wifi at my hotel (Four Points LAX in case anyone is wondering)

-RooFlyer88

 

[kangarooflyer88]

MH is a OW airline and offers arrival access to its international lounges in KUL.

I've used it a few times.

As far as I know it's only for MH pax in their Business Class. And it might only be to the MH business (not first) class lounges.

Forgive me for my naivety, but it has been close to a decade since I've been to KL, if I'm not mistaken upon arrival at KL you are in the departures area and then like Singapore have to clear security at that gate is that correct? In which case I suppose one could waltz up to a MH lounge before clearing immigration and entering the country.

If true that means we've got AA and MH along with QF Domestic (if QF Emerald) offering access to lounges on arrival. It will be interesting to uncover if any other airlines extend the courtesy to elites.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Austman]

I'm not mistaken upon arrival at KL you are in the departures area and then like Singapore have to clear security at that gate is that correct? In which case I suppose one could waltz up to a MH lounge before clearing immigration and entering the country.

Correct.

Or, I suppose, you could be in transit and departing, internationally, on a non-OW airline.

I've used it when I had a fairly long connection to an MH domestic flight.

Of course, checked luggage, if any, can be an issue.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Finally managed to get somewhere with decent internet. So picking up where I left off, I arrived in Los Angeles from an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle. There are two types of lounges AA operates: Admirals Club (generally, aside from SFO) have a very small snack buffet with the option to order food and drinks (for a cost), some seating areas and a tiny business centre. The Flagship lounges, on the other hand have a more comprehensive buffet set up with an open bar (including Piper-Heidsieck champagne), showers, rooms to place calls, etc. There are presently 4 Flagship lounges in the AA network - Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Miami and Los Angeles (the lounge I visited). The Alaska flight I took arrived at terminal 6 and the AA lounges are in terminals 4 and 5. Arguably the better of the AA lounges is the one located at Terminal 4 which is a 10 minute trek airside from Terminal 6:


The lounge itself is located near gate 40 and is a combined Flagship and Admirals Club lounge. Upon presenting my Alaska boarding pass from SEA, a piece of photo ID and my Qantas club, I was given this placard to a present to a lounge agent upstairs (where the lounge is located):



The agent took the placard and guided me to the Flagship wing of the lounge, where I promptly picked up a Piper from the bartender:

I will also point out that the lounge has a very well stocked fridge with a number of options aside from bottled water. In particular, I was blown away that they carry Red Bull at the lounge, one of the rare instances where I get to enjoy such a drink given the ongoing Red Bull embargo:


-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

This presumably only works arriving on a domestic/trans border flight. Arriving from International flights, you need to pass through TSA (with onward BP). Although I guess you could arrive on a OW flight and be connecting to a non-OW flight. Plenty of reports here of peeps denied access to the QF lounges when connecting to WS from QF inbound flights.

Now, if you can talk your way into the QF F or J lounge without an onward OW BP, that will also be of interest. Although a QF SG (OWS) is probably better off in the AA FS lounge. OWE QF F then AA FS.

I assume you didn’t try visiting the AS broom cupboard? They have a pancake machine…

 

[kangarooflyer88]

This presumably only works arriving on a domestic/trans border flight. Arriving from International flights, you need to pass through TSA (with onward BP). Although I guess you could arrive on a OW flight and be connecting to a non-OW flight. Plenty of reports here of peeps denied access to the QF lounges when connecting to WS from QF inbound flights.

It is my understanding that access to international QF lounges on arrival is not permitted irrespective of status. What is unique about AA is they say, if you are arriving on a AA or OW flight you can access our Admiral/Flagship lounge same-day.

Now, if you can talk your way into the QF F or J lounge without an onward OW BP, that will also be of interest. Although a QF SG (OWS) is probably better off in the AA FS lounge. OWE QF F then AA FS.

I would tend to agree with your assessment here for OneWorld lounges at LAX. I suppose if one was lucky to be holding a ticket for a domestic AA/AS flight with OWE status and provided they are departing at the right time (i.e. later in the morning or afternoon) when the QF Flounge is open, that may be your best bet (esp if you don't mind the hike between terminals).

I assume you didn’t try visiting the AS broom cupboard? They have a pancake machine…

I did visit the AS broom cupboard on departure at LAX since I was departing out of T6 and didn't see the need to schlep between terminals that early in the morning. Also, I think there are many proud Tasmanians who would take offence to the AS lounge at LAX being referred to as a broom cupboard, when they have to deal with the Qantas Club at HBA. And for the record, yesterday I flew SFO > LAX > PDX > SEA > LAX as part of a mileage run. I visited the AS lounges at SFO, LAX, PDX and SEA. SEA is clearly the best AS lounge out there in terms of space and amenities (I suppose that's why most people informally refer to AS as Seattle Airways). Oh and I also visited the AmEx Centurion lounge at SEA which is arguably the best Centurion lounge I've been to so far having been to the ones at MEL, SYD, DEN, LAX, PHX and SFO. Then lastly I visited the Flagship lounge at 10:40 PM on arrival from that mileage run (AA lounges at LAX are open till 1 AM).

-RooFlyer88

 

[elanshin]

I wonder if there's access to AA flagship at DFW on arrival from QF7