Qantas Lounges Access - QFF Points bookings on PE/Bus/First

[karmg]

I was just wanting to get some advice from you very knowledgeable people. We are travelling from Perth to Orlando and I've managed to book a few legs on points already, and I'm still needing a few more points to book the rest.

We have no status (Bronze Frequent Flyer), but I had enough points to book the Syd to Lax leg on Qantas PE, and a return leg from Lax to Bne to Per on Business.

I am now looking to book a domestic leg from Lax to Dallas to Orl. I might have enough points to book first class in the next month or so.

But what I was wondering is, even though I have no status, and have made these bookings using FF points, will we get to use any type of airport lounges. One friend said we just have to show the boarding passes, it doesn't matter whether we purchased tickets with money or points. Can anyone confirm for me?

Thanks.

Karen

 

[Ewing]

Unfortunately PE doesn't include lounge access, so you will not be able to enter a Qantas lounge for your SYD-LAX flight.

Business class includes lounge access, which you will get in LAX and BNE. Your boarding pass is all you will need.

Unfortunately domestic AA flights within the US do not include lounge access in any class (even when booked in "First"). The only way you will get lounge access for your LAX-DFW-MCO (Orlando) flights is if you were a member of Qantas Club or had status (Gold or above).

Of course, when it gets closer to your departure date you could try the Meetings and Social Events area. If there's a member on the same flight, then that member may be able to help you out with lounge access (although that may be hard as you're travelling with another person and even Platinum members are limited to one guest on International flights or those on partner airlines such as American).

In any case, enjoy your trip!

 

[karmg]

Yes I knew that PE didn't include lounge access, but I thought if I managed to get an onward First Class from LAX to DFW that I might be able to get access for the long stopover in LAX. Never mind, I wasn't counting on it. Although now I won't be that unhappy if I can't get scrape up enough points in time to go First class.

I won't bother trying to get in with another member as I'll be travelling with my husband and two kids and it might just be a bit of a stretch I would have really only liked access to the lounge to have a shower and relax a bit as it's going to be a long couple of days.

Thanks for your help Ewing.

 

[jamesatfish]

Yes I knew that PE didn't include lounge access, but I thought if I managed to get an onward First Class from LAX to DFW that I might be able to get access for the long stopover in LAX. Never mind, I wasn't counting on it. Although now I won't be that unhappy if I can't get scrape up enough points in time to go First class.

If you fly trans-continental with AA in First (or Business on their 3 class services) then you do get access to the Admirals Club / Flagship Lounge. If you can route LAX-MIA-ORL rather than LAX-DFW-ORL then you'll be eligible for lounge access on your transit at LAX.

 

[karmg]

Oh, that sounds like a good plan. The flight through Miami was another option I was looking at. The reason I was going to go via DFW was because it would get us to Orlando earlier.

I didn't know much about Admirals Club so did a bit of research. If I've understood the rules correctly, it looks like there's an option to buy a day-pass for $50, and I can take my family with me. So that's pretty good value and it looks like I'd then be able to use lounges at both connections whether travelling LAX/DFW or LAX/MCO. Does that sound right?

 

[serfty]

A/C daypass is $50 per Adult (each adult can have up to 3 under 18YOs as 'guests'.).

If you have Qantas Club membership then you get access to the A/C's before flying AA.

One Day Pass. All The Admirals Club ( R ) Benefits

 

[simongr]

If you fly trans-continental with AA in First (or Business on their 3 class services) then you do get access to the Admirals Club / Flagship Lounge. If you can route LAX-MIA-ORL rather than LAX-DFW-ORL then you'll be eligible for lounge access on your transit at LAX.

I dont think that iss true of award flights - only F/Z inventory (not even A):

When you travel full-fare in our First Class cabin (F and Z inventory) on an American Airlines three-class nonstop transcontinental flight or First Class on an American Airlines international* flight, it's yours to enjoy with our compliments. We also invite our oneworld™, First Class or Emerald international customers to use the Flagship Lounge when traveling on eligible oneworld flights.

Flagship lounge access

 

[serfty]

I dont think that iss true of award flights - only F/Z inventory (not even A):
...
Flagship lounge access

Z class on AA is indeed sAAver award first class.

More on policies here:

Lounges (AA) - FlyerGuide Wiki

 

[karmg]

Serfty that is the website I looked at for Admirals Club and somewhere it said 2 guests under 18 or immediate family. But that could be if you have full membership, not just a day pass. Still I think its worth it even to pay $100 for the both of us. I find it a bit difficult to understand all the different options as I'm not familiar with all the terms that are used

 

[serfty]

Serfty that is the website I looked at for Admirals Club and somewhere it said 2 guests under 18 or immediate family. But that could be if you have full membership, not just a day pass. Still I think its worth it even to pay $100 for the both of us. I find it a bit difficult to understand all the different options as I'm not familiar with all the terms that are used

No, it's actually rather clear. I posted this link: One Day Pass. All The Admirals Club ( R ) Benefits

• One-Day Pass Fees
  • $50* - per Visitor^
• One-Day Pass can be used at multiple lounges throughout your day of travel

^ Visitor must be 18 years of age or older.
Up to three children under the age of 18 are admitted at no additional cost if accompanied by an adult day pass visitor.

 

[ab156]

Paying to access any Admirals Club, especially LAX ... um, not my recommendation. Depending on your schedule you may be better getting a day room close by.

I've never tried the showers in the AC but if they are anything like the rest facility then spend the $100 on some nice perfume and push through to destination. You will still be in better shape than may of your fellow passengers :shock:

Don't expect anything bordering on Qantas Club levels of quiet, cleanliness or service. Just my experience, YMMV.

 

[Ewing]

I've never tried the showers in the AC but if they are anything like the rest facility then spend the $100 on some nice perfume and push through to destination. You will still be in better shape than may of your fellow passengers :shock:

The showers in the LAX AC are excellent.

If I didn't already have access by virtue of status, I'd pay $50 just to use them to feel human again after such a long flight.

 

[karmg]

I've never been into Qantas lounges so my expectations are not too high. Travelling with two sons (11 and 13) I'm not necessarily looking for somewhere quiet either, just somewhere to freshen up and waste a bit of time before the next flight. We will have a stopover in LAX for 3-4 hours, and then possibly DFW or MIA for a few hours, so we will probably get to use two lounges on the one day pass. Still good value for $100 IMHO.

 

[drewbles]

I've never been into Qantas lounges so my expectations are not too high. Travelling with two sons (11 and 13) I'm not necessarily looking for somewhere quiet either, just somewhere to freshen up and waste a bit of time before the next flight. We will have a stopover in LAX for 3-4 hours, and then possibly DFW or MIA for a few hours, so we will probably get to use two lounges on the one day pass. Still good value for $100 IMHO.

The Hilton at LAX has day room rates for around $90USD and very frequent shuttles between the (5 minute travel time each way and I've never waited more than 10 minutes at either the airport or the hotel).

Might be a better option than the A/C in T4. The A/C is pay-for everything so you're really paying $100 for a shower (at least the hotel will be your own space for a while).

Just my 2c!

 

[JohnM]

I've never been into Qantas lounges so my expectations are not too high. Travelling with two sons (11 and 13) I'm not necessarily looking for somewhere quiet either, just somewhere to freshen up and waste a bit of time before the next flight. We will have a stopover in LAX for 3-4 hours, and then possibly DFW or MIA for a few hours, so we will probably get to use two lounges on the one day pass. Still good value for $100 IMHO.

Your 3-4h stopover in LAX may be considerably less depending on day/time of arrival effect on time to clear immigration and re-clearing security back into T4 and maybe having to queue for a shower x 4 people. But if you got to use the day pass twice in the one day for four people, $100 is probably a reasonable way to go.

 

[david-au-2000]

Agree with Drewbles, Hilton LAX is a good way to go. I used to stop off there and for a very long layover they had a free shuttle bus to the local mall, Manhattan Beach I think it as called, a great way to kill a few extra hours.

 

[serfty]

... The A/C is pay-for everything so you're really paying $100 for a shower (at least the hotel will be your own space for a while). ...

There are nibble snacks and complimentary basic (or "well") drinks available in the A/C's. Also, being on a same day international itinerary they may give you vouchers for "Premium" drinks.

That coupled with multiple uses may indeed make it worthwhile.