SFO Transit and Lounge Access

[garybatz]

Hi Folks,

Next month I'm flying SYD-SFO in PE with Qantas. I have a few hours transit before flying in First with Alaskan Airlines to Seattle.

Does anyone know how my transit will work? Looking at the SFO airport map, it appears that QF and Alaskan both use the International terminal. I assume I'll need to go through Customs/Immigration in SFO, collect my bag and check-in with Alaskan? But all in the same terminal?

Secondly, so far as I can tell I won't have any lounge access during my transit time. By that time I'll be back to Silver QF status, with paid QC. I don't think flying with Alaskan will get me into Admirals Club. Alaskan themselves don't have one of their own Board Rooms at SFO. I also have a Diners Club International card but their website has nothing in SFO.

Assuming I'm right about no lounge access, any suggestions for how to spend my three hours in the airport? (though I guess a bit less time than that by the time I do the customs/check-in processes).

Thanks.

 

[TomVexille]

Yes to Immigration, collect bag, Customs at SFO. Not a 100% sure about the rest, but I'd lean towards no.

 

[harvyk]

Bag collect and Customs at SFO.
No lounge access as AS do not accept QP members.

In the US, "International" terminal only really means that they can accept international flights. Departing from an International terminal in the US is no different than departing from a pure domestic terminal, thus the reason AS can use the Int terminal like a Dom terminal. It's not like here where Dom from Int is a much more difficult thing.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I'm assuming you're booked on separate tickets with that PE/F combo so your bag would only be tagged to SFO so after clearing customs you would need to go landside and checkin again with AS. The express transfer lane in SFO only applies if your bags have been tagged to SEA (or whatever your final destination is beyond SFO). At least you'll be able to use the AS F checkin lane.