Lounge Access

[Kef]

Papermate92, please don't get too excited about AA lounges in USA, all the ones I've been left a lot to be desired, nothing like our Qantas. Any Tom, Dick n Harry (or Shirley) can purchase a single entry for $15, most are old and run down but you do get an allowance of one drink!.

Dont forget the trail mix.. thats as far as it goes, in the AA lounges, bringing in your own food from the food court doesnt seem to raise an eyebrow with anyone, try doing that in a QF lounge..especially a J lounge in Sydney or Melbourne, lol...

The AA JFK lounge domestic, one of my early morning flights they had bagels which you could toast and yoghurt and fruit from memory but that has been the extent of food availability that you didnt have to purchase and order at the bar.

QF are miles ahead of anything AA do in their domestic lounges. Happy travels..

 

[Flying mermaid]

Dont forget the trail mix.

Is that the sort of pretzel snack mix they had? It was really gross. The biscuits were OK though and one lounge had donuts in the morning - can't remember which - possibly DCA. They all seemed to do things slightly differently. We tended to give our drink vouchers away - more interested in food than alcohol, so a food voucher would have been nice.

 

[Kangol]

QF are miles ahead of anything AA do in their domestic lounges. Happy travels..

Depends on what lounge benefits you value more - in my experience, AA offer better:
-Wifi internet
-Premium alcohol (just go back to the desk and ask for more complimentary drink chits when needed)

 

[Limewood]

QF are miles ahead of anything AA do in their domestic lounges. Happy travels..

Spot on there, we lasted all of 10 minutes in the LA AA lounge.

 

[Kef]

Is that the sort of pretzel snack mix they had? It was really gross. The biscuits were OK though and one lounge had donuts in the morning - can't remember which - possibly DCA. They all seemed to do things slightly differently. We tended to give our drink vouchers away - more interested in food than alcohol, so a food voucher would have been nice.

Yes, that pretzel type mix... I actually dont mind it but you can only eat a few..

 

[Kef]

Depends on what lounge benefits you value more - in my experience, AA offer better:

-Premium alcohol (just go back to the desk and ask for more complimentary drink chits when needed)

I didnt realise I could do that. I'll see how I go when I'm over there in June..

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes, that pretzel type mix... I actually dont mind it but you can only eat a few..

I quite liked the version you got on the planes in little packets, but the lounge version didn't do much for me

 

[The Rok]

There is a BA Galleries Lounge in LHR Terminal 1. Its near gate 8. Not sure if they will let you in though. Its spacious, has good WIFI, no showers, minimal food & beverages. @ Dublin there is a paid DAA Lounge in Terminal 1, the old Pier 1. Its upstairs. Has WIFI, minimal F&B but entry is only 20EUR.

 

[Travelqueen]

On the subject of lounges....can someone tell me if there is a seperate one world / Qantas first lounge at TBIT, or is it the business Qantas lounge?

Last time we were at lax we went to the lounge, but this time, hubby is platinum, so just wanted to see it there were any other options?

Always wanting to check new lounges out !!

Thanks TQ

 

[Flying mermaid]

The good news is there is a separate first class lounge at TBIT. The bad news is that it can feel very noisy and overcrowded. They are supposed to be building a new one opening some time this year but not sure of dates. No doubt someone on here will know. When we were there in late July last year there were smoked salmon sandwiches and French champagne so we were happy. We did spend some time over in the Flagship lounge in the American Airlines terminal, which was much quieter and more comfortable (although food and bubbly not as good). You can only access that if flying into the terminal prior to your departure from TBIT.

 

[tuapekastar]

There is a oneworld J lounge, and a oneworld F lounge next to each other in TBIT (I think they share shower facilities?), shared by CX, BA and QF. I think at the desk you turn left for one, and right for the other.

I've only been in the F lounge there, and it is much maligned, but if you can get there early in the evening (I'm assuming an evening flight to Oz?) and claim a couple of comfortable seats before the crowd rocks up it is OK enough. Wi-Fi can get very slow when its crowded (and it was certainly crowded on my visit). It has some hot food and the usual lounge foodstuffs, and self-serve drinks

 

[YQY]

I'm flying with my family (mrs yqy, miss yqy (8YO) and miss mini yqy (1YO)) on QF2 back to SYD in Y. What are my chances taking two guests (Mrs YQY & Miss YQY) to the BA F Lounge in LHR T3? Is it worthwhile ringing QF prior to organise access? or the lounge directly?

I understand, miss mini yqy doesn't get counted as a guest as she's under 2.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I'm flying with my family (mrs yqy, miss yqy (8YO) and miss mini yqy (1YO)) on QF2 back to SYD in Y. What are my chances taking two guests (Mrs YQY & Miss YQY) to the BA F Lounge in LHR T3? Is it worthwhile ringing QF prior to organise access? or the lounge directly?

I understand, miss mini yqy doesn't get counted as a guest as she's under 2.

From what I have read over the years on the BA board, probably zero. They police the rules quite strictly (and this is supported by their Frequent flyers). As I understand it, it is an associated lounge not a Qantas lounge, so Qantas' family friendly policies don't apply. However others on here might have more experience of actual practices.

 

[YQY]

From what I have read over the years on the BA board, probably zero. They police the rules quite strictly (and this is supported by their Frequent flyers). As I understand it, it is an associated lounge not a Qantas lounge, so Qantas' family friendly policies don't apply. However others on here might have more experience of actual practices.

Ta, it seems i have four choices...

1. I'm currently 235 SC's short of getting WP+PG and I don't have any work related trips organised for the next month, therefore I would need to do a status run (i was hoping to bank the 50K points)....OR
2. Purchase a QC membership for my wife...not really an option for one lounge visit as my wife seldom travels by herself...OR
3. I think I have a QC Pass somewhere, but this may have expired and possibly doesn't cover access to the BA Galleries lounge...OR
4. Get my wife a pass to the No.1 Traveler Lounge in T3

Any advice is appreciated...

 

[MrJetset]

There are 3 OW Lounges at T3, BA, CX and AA. Try all three. Otherwise take your wife and 1yo into one lounge, then leave them and take the 8yo to another. Of course this would require leaving your 8yo unattended for a while so I'm not sure whether you would do this.

The easiest and safest option is to purchase an AA One Day pass for $50 USD which allows 2 guests. You would buy this for your wife and use your own status to access the AA lounge.

 

[YQY]

There are 3 OW Lounges at T3, BA, CX and AA. Try all three. Otherwise take your wife and 1yo into one lounge, then leave them and take the 8yo to another. Of course this would require leaving your 8yo unattended for a while so I'm not sure whether you would do this.

Hmmm, may not be a option (ie leaving 8YO outside the lounge (even fleetingly)), wouldn't CX, AA question me as to why i'm not using the BA F Lounge? Has anyone done this before?

The easiest and safest option is to purchase an AA One Day pass for $50 USD which allows 2 guests. You would buy this for your wife and use your own status to access the AA lounge.

I had a look at this, it seems the guest needs to fly on AA.

Any thoughts on the paid lounges in LHR? My wife does not drink alcohol, she would be open to using a paid lounge if i took care of the kids in the BA Lounge...

 

[MrJetset]

Hmmm, may not be a option (ie leaving 8YO outside the lounge (even fleetingly)), wouldn't CX, AA question me as to why i'm not using the BA F Lounge? Has anyone done this before?



I had a look at this, it seems the guest needs to fly on AA.

Any thoughts on the paid lounges in LHR? My wife does not drink alcohol, she would be open to using a paid lounge if i took care of the kids in the BA Lounge...

Guest does not need to fly AA to use the One Day Pass. https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/AdmiralsLocations.jsp#LHR

 

[YQY]

Guest does not need to fly AA to use the One Day Pass. https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/AdmiralsLocations.jsp#LHR

According to this --> https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/admiralsClubArticles/oneDayPass_terms.jsp

Eligible for purchase by any American Airlines customer ("visitor" must be 18 years of age or older).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

. For people who only travel occasionally, I just don’t get why they would even consider paying for QC membership.

Well I only ever now fly in J or F International on points, so lounge access is free....but a number of years ago was not as adept at earning points as I am now.

However to answer you question:

Not everyone pays full-rate. Used to only cost me less than $200 per year, and was then tax deductible. So an effective cost of about $100 per year for about ten return domestic flights and one international long haul return in Y which may have been 4 flights (and allowed a family of 5 into the lounge as wife had a cheap membership too).

Long-haul flight alone was worth that money then as it gained:
* Lounge access...showers...food and drinks
* Priority boarding
* Business class check in

Domestically using the business class or Qantas Club check in was great as it avoided the economy check-in queue. Priority on bags saved lots of wait time.

However in recent years some of the benefits have been eroded both domestically and internationally, and so QC membership is really just a lounge benefit now. It used to deliver much greater value and benefits. Plus on-line check in has removed some of the need for priority check-in if you are bagless.

 

[MrJetset]

According to this --> https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/admiralsClubArticles/oneDayPass_terms.jsp

I have used the One Day Pass and 30 Day Pass solution with many friends who wanted to use the QF J lounges at SYD/MEL, and BA Lounges in Europe as well as ACs in the US on QF metal. So you purchase it for your wife on the day of travel.