Sydney, Honolulu and Hilo lounges

[akashra]

Hi All,

I've booked my flights to fly MEL-SYD-HNL-ITO for late last month, ITO-HNL for the middle of the trip, then HNL-SYD-MEL coming back. HNL-ITO and ITO-HNL are Hawaiian Airlines business class, and is SYD-MEL is Virgin business class - the remaining flights (SYD-HNL, HNL-SYD) are Hawaiian premium eco.
I'm a Silver Velocity member with lounge membership, so Melbourne I'll be fine and have access to the lounge there.

I've left myself 3 hours in Sydney, but I have to cart a bike box, a bag, and my carry on all the way over to the International terminal, which once there it doesn't look like I'll have access to any airport lounges given what I've booked. Is that the case?
Because I've booked business class, it appears I have access to the Premier club at both Honolulu and Hilo, but not the Plumeria Lounge in Honolulu - is that right?

Can anyone think of any other options I might be able to use while hanging around the Sydney international terminal?

 

[Mattg]

I don't believe you'll have access to any lounge in SYD international terminal. Unless you have an eligible Amex card (for entry to the Amex lounge), the only real lounge option would be to pay for access to the Skyteam lounge. The price is $77 for up to 2 hours - which is pretty expensive. You'd probably be better off just hanging around at a good restaurant in the terminal.

When I flew Hawaiian inter-island First class last year, I was able to access the Premier Club beforehand. The lounges are nothing special, but better than nothing.

 

[akashra]

Bit of an update on this now that I'm home:

The Hawaiian lounges were a bit of a joke.

In Hilo, the 'lounge' was basically a very small room tucked right around a back corner where you can hardly find it, divided in two, with each side havin about six single-seat lounge-type chairs in it. Available in the room: Coffee (decaf and standard), soft drinks, and some mixed nut things. That's it. Apart from the free soft drinks, even the public areas of the Brisbane terminal are more comfy.

The downstairs Honolulu lounge was pretty similar - just a bit bigger. Upstairs were some very basic meals, and alcohol, but nowhere near what you'd get at the Velocity lounges.

Returning from Honolulu on the way home I didn't even bother hanging around the lounges as the difference between the gate area was so insignificant.

 

[PLANT]

Hawaii islands are a bit smaller than Australia remember