OneWorld Ticket Questions

[coyote25]

Hi everyone,

Thanks to assistance from members of this fourm I've finally booked my first ever OneWorld Award ticket

I was hoping someone might be able to give some further advise. As a Platinum member I know in theory I have access to lounges (First lounge if they exist), I also believe that at some airports I might have access to more than one lounge. My question is what lounges to I have access to and do you have any recommendations.

Cape Town International (flying BA codeshare - COMAIR)
Johannesburg (flying BA flight) Terminal A
London (flying BA) transit only arriving Terminal 1, departing Terminal 4
(Also is it easy to transfer terminals, how much time should I allow & do you need to go through customs)

Paris (flying Finnair) Terminal 2D
Helsinki (flying Finair) Terminal 2
Vancouver (flying CX) Terminal M and
Hong Kong (flying CX)

Any advice on what to expect, suggestions or recommendations gladly accepted. With the exception of London I've never been to these airports (and LDN was not as a OneWorld Emerald). I also understand I might have no access at all to a lounge in Paris. :?:

 

[Craigo]

Thanks to assistance from members of this fourm I've finally booked my first ever OneWorld Award ticket

I was hoping someone might be able to give some further advise. As a Platinum member I know in theory I have access to lounges (First lounge if they exist), I also believe that at some airports I might have access to more than one lounge. My question is what lounges to I have access to and do you have any recommendations.

London (flying BA) transit only arriving Terminal 1, departing Terminal 4
(Also is it easy to transfer terminals, how much time should I allow & do you need to go through customs)

There are two ways to connect from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4 - landside via the Heathrow Express (which would entail going through Customs and Immigration) or airside via the Flight Connections Centre

Paris (flying Finnair) Terminal 2D
Helsinki (flying Finair) Terminal 2

I flew Paris-Helsinki and Helsinki-Singapore in Business Class in February. Finnair does have a lounge available in Paris-CDG but I didn't have a chance to use it, thanks to the unreliable shuttle service that almost caused me to miss the flight :evil: (don't book an airport shuttle with Bluvan). The long haul lounge in Helsinki is quite nice and they offer a buffet dinner from around 8pm for those who can't wait for the supper on the overnight flights to Asia.

 

[HardieBoys]

As a Platinum, you'll have access to the CX lounges in Hong Kong, which are far better the QF/BA lounge. The Business lounge in HK features a noodle bar, where chefs prepare dishes for you on demand. The First lounge has great bathrooms, and a buffet restaurant. Further out, near Gate 62, the First lounge has huge bathrooms and a buffet restaurant. All have free magazines, papers, drinks and internet.

 

[coyote25]

Thanks Craigo & HardieBoys that information is most useful especially how to get to T4 in UK.

Have to admit the tip[s and assistance from people on this forum is great. Hopefully I'll be able to help out others in the future.

Coyote25
QF Platinum Member since Dec 04

 

[aus_flyer]

As a platinum member, you can't go past the Cathay First Class lounge. So many organisations have picked this as the best airport lounge in the world and it certainly lives up to its reputation. As already mentioned, the joint QF/BA lounge is a waste of time.

I suggest the following..

Cape Town - BA
Johannesburg - BA
London - BA First
Paris - Cathay
Helsinki - Finnair
Vancouver - Cathay First
Hong Kong - Cathay First

 

[HardieBoys]

Don't forget that there are 2 First lounges in HK. One is located next to gate 62, which may be far closer to your departure gate than the more centrally located First lounge (which is just past the Immigration clearance). Allow 10 to 15 minutes to get from Immigration to the far gates (at least...)

 

[HardieBoys]

Changing between terminals at Heathrow is painful. If you have a transfer, the 'minimum allowable transfer time' (or some such) will have been factored into getting between terminals. Basically, you have to walk a long way, then you'll have a confusing decision to make between exiting via customs (incorrect in your case) or continuing on to the bus stop area, where you catch a bus to your destination terminal. Expect several queues along the way, and surprisingly long gaps between inter-terminal buses. All in all, it's a very English experience, and none too pleasant. Don't expect any of the efficiency that you've come to expect from the major Asian hubs.

 

[NM]

Changing between terminals at Heathrow is painful. If you have a transfer, the 'minimum allowable transfer time' (or some such) will have been factored into getting between terminals. Basically, you have to walk a long way, then you'll have a confusing decision to make between exiting via customs (incorrect in your case) or continuing on to the bus stop area, where you catch a bus to your destination terminal. Expect several queues along the way, and surprisingly long gaps between inter-terminal buses. All in all, it's a very English experience, and none too pleasant. Don't expect any of the efficiency that you've come to expect from the major Asian hubs.

If arriving on QF or BA in Business or First class, it can be faster to use the Immigration FastTrack on arrival at T4, catch the Heathrow Express train to Terminal 1, then go back through security at T1.

Even with the Flight Connections centre you still have to go through security, and in my experience the T1 normal security is often faster than the Flight Connections security process.

But this does lead to filling your passport with stamps if you do it often.