Need some lounge tips

[boomy]

I'm about to book a return flight MEL-SYD-BKK-AMM-TLV with QF & RJ in J class and I have some lounge enquiries:

The Flounge in SYD. I've been there before (P1 status) but never early in the morning. What I would like to know is, how is the breakfast and does it worth taking an early flight out of MEL to spend extra time there.

In BKK, can I a access Thai Royal First or QF/BA Flounge is my best option?
Also, I have about 8 hours to spend there, any advise on how to make the best use of this time?

In AMM, have anyone been to the new RJ lounge? Would welcome any reviews on it. I hope it's better then the old one where you had to pay to use the showers!!!

In TLV, can OW enter the King David lounge? I've been there a few years ago and it's very nice inside but then I was flying LY and they are not part of OW.
If not KD, what's the other lounges they have there and which one is the best?

Thanks in advance for all replies and if anyone has more tips regarding this route please feel free to share

 

[JohnK]

Personally I would not route via SYD just for the First lounge breakfast but others will. It is just breakfast. Ans the breakfast in MEL First lounge will be exactly the same anyway.

In BKK you can use either the lounge RJ invites you to visit or the QF lounge, CX lounge or BA lounge if they are open. You will not be able to use the Thai First Lounge as a Oneworld customer travelling in business.

As a business class customer you will get some sort or lounge invitation in TLV.

Note as a Platinum you can visit any Oneworld lounges or you can visit any lounge you are invited to visit as a business class customer.

 

[Hvr]

Personally I would not route via SYD just for the First lounge breakfast but others will. It is just breakfast. Ans the breakfast in MEL First lounge will be exactly the same anyway.

<snip>

Given the OP is headed to BKK with QFi he has to route via SYD. Otherwise I'd agree with your sentiment re the MEL F lounge.

So yes worth taking an early flight to get some extra lounge time. This also gives them some leeway in case of late running etc.

 

[boomy]

I called QF premium service to enquire about the Flounge opening hours in BKK and the guy told me there is only J lounge which is open 14.30-20.00 daily.
When I said that I've been to the QF/BA Flounge a number of times in the past, he checked again and said that there is no OW Flounge in BKK.
It sounds very unlikely they closed it down. Anyone been in there lately?

 

[simongr]

I did get an invite to a Thai lounge flying in J on RJ. I probably should have used that rather than waiting for the QF/BA F lounge to reopen. This was in September last year. My main issue was getting a BP for RJ (I was flying SYD-BKK-AMM-JED) - couldnt get a BP until the desk in BKK opened - which was a while after my flight landed.

I believe a new Terminal recently opened in AMM so my opinion on the poor quality lounge there looks to be superseded.

 

[JohnK]

I called QF premium service to enquire about the Flounge opening hours in BKK and the guy told me there is only J lounge which is open 14.30-20.00 daily.
When I said that I've been to the QF/BA Flounge a number of times in the past, he checked again and said that there is no OW Flounge in BKK.
It sounds very unlikely they closed it down. Anyone been in there lately?

The old F Lounge is now the BA lounge and the old Business Lounge is now the Qantas Lounge.

From memory the Qantas Lounge is open earlier in the day and the BA Lounge is open later in the night.

The Qantas lounge is much better than the BA lounge (Old F lounge) and is my choice of lounge.

Again from memory MH issues invitations to TG lounge in concourse F and both lounges are OK but nothing special. They are opposite one another and one is called Royal Silk but cannot recall the name of the other. Royal Orchid Plus Lounge?

 

[boomy]

My main issue was getting a BP for RJ (I was flying SYD-BKK-AMM-JED) - couldnt get a BP until the desk in BKK opened - which was a while after my flight

You can call the QF service team and ask them to organize all your OW flights in one itinerary one reference number and when you go to check at the airport they will issue BP for all your flights in that itinerary.

 

[boomy]

The old F Lounge is now the BA lounge and the old Business Lounge is now the Qantas Lounge.

From memory the Qantas Lounge is open earlier in the day and the BA Lounge is open later in the night.

Thanks for the info.
It really puzzles me how the biggest airport in Asia and a such major connection hub to Europe doesn't have OW Flounge or even a proper J lounge that is open all day.

 

[JohnK]

It really puzzles me how the biggest airport in Asia and a such major connection hub to Europe doesn't have OW Flounge or even a proper J lounge that is open all day.

The simple answer is there are not enough Oneworld flights to justify a First lounge.

From memory the CX lounge is open all day. As mentioned Qantas opens the early part of the day and BA the evening.

Carriers such as MH prefer to send passengers to TG lounges.

*Shrugs shoulders*

 

[boomy]

From memory the CX lounge is open all day.

Would I be able to enter the CX lounge?
How would u rate it compared to QF & BA?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Would I be able to enter the CX lounge?
How would u rate it compared to QF & BA?

You can try all OW lounges. Lounges outside of home port are never as good

 

[JohnK]

Would I be able to enter the CX lounge?
How would u rate it compared to QF & BA?

As a Oneworld business class customer you are entitled access to any Oneworld business lounge.

In my opinion the current Qantas lounge is the best of the Oneworld lounges in BKK although I have not tried the JAL lounge.

Also if you get an invitation to the TG Lounge and you have time and are able to enter the TG lounge down near concourse C this would be worth it. There is a First section there as well but you would not have access.

Use your invitation for the TG lounge and then enter the Oneworld lounges in concourse G with your boarding pass closer to the time of your flight.

 

[boomy]

Still thinking how to burn 8 hours in BKK... Too bad RJ don't fly out of SIN