QF SYD F Lounge - at what cost would you visit?

[rock86]

Hi all,

I'm just listing down some potential routing's for a Reward trip we plan to book in the coming month, my better half and I will be going to the US (where neither of us have been). This trip is going to include EK F as we've got the points and we want to experience it even if only this once.

Now from reading many comments and reviews, the QF SYD F lounge sounds like an unbelievable lounge, and if we were to depart from SYD through DXB to JFK we would get to have about 5 hours in there after connecting from Toowoomba. On the other hand if we travelled through HKG, I would book the majority of the trip departing from HKG (leaving only the BNE-HKG leg booked from Australia) and this would save us approx $700 in taxes each.

My curiosity is saying just pay the extra and go from SYD, but my financial side is saying - don't be stupid!

So, what 'additional cost' would you consider travelling through SYD just to experience the F lounge (and am I being silly for even considering it)?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Hong Kong lounges are pretty good as well, especially in F.

 

[offshore171]

Agreed, I would definitely go via Honkers rather than Sydney, Dubai...

 

[rock86]

Hong Kong lounges are pretty good as well, especially in F.

We've got another short trip planned so we're looking to save some points, so at them moment we're just planning EK F one way & the rest in J.

Agreed, I would definitely go via Honkers rather than Sydney, Dubai...

Will more then likely have to travel through HKG (or Tokyo) one way anyhow as we've got no status, so the chance of us getting 2 QF J flights from the US to Oz are buckley's and none.

 

[kermatu]

While I am a big fan of the SYD F lounge - and the first couple of visits certainly have a wow factor - it isn't worth $700 in my view. Unless travelling QF F you are not guaranteed a spa treatment (which is a big selling point to me). It would be frustrating to turn up and be told no spa availability.

Are you able to spell out the alternative route a bit better (airlines and class of travel)? That would make it easier for people to advise on lounge availability as well as service onboard.

 

[Limewood]

We always depart HKG to Europe or USA as we refuse to pay the exorbitant Qantas fees, we can fly direct to so many cities and obtaining 2 award seats easy, and the stopover is excellent too, now with Mrs Lime being a professional lounge lizard its hard to find better lounges to visit than in HKG. Good place to stay is Regal Airport hotel attached to the Int. terminal.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

CX Pier F at HKG is better than QF F SYD. It’s a more relaxing space with comfortable chairs and a great semi-circular bar to sit at for a few pre-lunch/dinner drinks. The wine selection is poor but I’ve always had a good meal in the restaurant. Showers are very well appointed.

All my opinions of course.

 

[Happy Trails]

As nice as they are, the CX lounges won't be an option if the OP's departing HKG with EK.

 

[Steady]

This trip is going to include EK F as we've got the points

Now from reading many comments and reviews, the QF SYD F lounge sounds like an unbelievable lounge, and if we were to depart from SYD through DXB to JFK we would get to have about 5 hours in there after connecting from Toowoomba. On the other hand if we travelled through HKG, I would book the majority of the trip departing from HKG (leaving only the BNE-HKG leg booked from Australia) and this would save us approx $700 in taxes each.

Hong Kong lounges are pretty good as well, especially in F.

So long as you depart HKG on a oneworld airline IMO

 

[mrsterryn]

We are planning a trip from Melb F lounge just to see it.
We will go somewhere via Melbourne.
I think it depends on your perspective.
For me the lounges are all part of the fun (sorry people who do this for work )
Husband is seeing the Hong Kong lounges in Dec as he is going 1st via Cathay
No way you can fly Cathay from Sydney?
Best of both worlds as per your question

 

[rock86]

While I am a big fan of the SYD F lounge - and the first couple of visits certainly have a wow factor - it isn't worth $700 in my view. Unless travelling QF F you are not guaranteed a spa treatment (which is a big selling point to me). It would be frustrating to turn up and be told no spa availability.

Are you able to spell out the alternative route a bit better (airlines and class of travel)? That would make it easier for people to advise on lounge availability as well as service onboard.

Sorry should have been more clearer. The alternative route at this stage is

BNE-HKG (QF/CX J) - separate booking
HKG-SFO(CX J)/LAS-JFK(AA J)/JFK-DXB-BNE(EK F) - separate booking

 

[offshore171]

As nice as they are, the CX lounges won't be an option if the OP's departing HKG with EK.

I took the OP to mean that their HK alternative be instead of via DXB. This would mean an onward flight from HK to the US, which would be CX or AA I imagine.

 

[Pushka]

CX Pier F at HKG is better than QF F SYD. It’s a more relaxing space with comfortable chairs and a great semi-circular bar to sit at for a few pre-lunch/dinner drinks. The wine selection is poor but I’ve always had a good meal in the restaurant. Showers are very well appointed.

All my opinions of course.

Agree although our first trip there we were delayed for 4 hours and at 4am we didn’t like it so much. Still, worse places to be stuck. We were flying CX so they couldn’t kick us out.

 

[kermatu]

Sorry should have been more clearer. The alternative route at this stage is

BNE-HKG (QF/CX J) - separate booking
HKG-SFO(CX J)/LAS-JFK(AA J)/JFK-DXB-BNE(EK F) - separate booking

So this will be J lounges only on the way to SFO (BNE and HKG). But that's fine.
I reckon stick with this. Save $1400. Save the F experience till last. Two nice long EK F sectors. And you'll have the F Lounge in Dubai to enjoy.

 

[opusman]

The F lounge is good but it's just a lounge, once you've had a meal and a few glasses of wine you just end up sitting there waiting like you would anywhere.

 

[rock86]

So this will be J lounges only on the way to SFO (BNE and HKG). But that's fine.
I reckon stick with this. Save $1400. Save the F experience till last. Two nice long EK F sectors. And you'll have the F Lounge in Dubai to enjoy.

That's what I was logically thinking, I guess curiosity just kept making me second guess.

But it seems as though most would agree to save the $700 in taxes each and spend it elsewhere on the trip! And that is what we'll do, now just the countdown to booking and then the countdown to the actual trip - can't come quick enough!

 

[Matt_01]

rock86 I think logic has prevailed. Sure F lounges are nice, J lounges are nice but it is just a lounge. $700 buys a better restaurant meals (or several) on your holiday or frees up cash for other activities.

 

[CMA222]

The F lounge is good but it's just a lounge, once you've had a meal and a few glasses of wine you just end up sitting there waiting like you would anywhere.

I would have to agree. Certainly not worth the extra expense to travel via SYD and the saving will buy you a better meal and drinks somewhere else, with probably $1000 change. If you are travelling F on EK through Dubai then you have the excellent EK First lounges included at no extra cost. Allow a few hours if possible to enjoy, but once again its "just a lounge"

 

[drron]

We certainly wouldn't pay $700 for SYD QF Flounge.
But nor would we pay it for CX F Pier lounge.Over rated IMHO.

 

[Flying Fox]

On the other hand if we travelled through HKG, I would book the majority of the trip departing from HKG (leaving only the BNE-HKG leg booked from Australia) and this would save us approx $700 in taxes each.

There is no way that the SYD Flounge is worth $700/person!