Sydney Lounges - Qantas Business or Centurion?

[cah23]

I will be taking my first Qantas business flight later this year, and am also an Amex card holder with access to the Centurion Lounge. My question is - what lounge should I use?

I've heard mixed reviews about the state of the Sydney Qantas business lounge, but only 'official' reviews of the Centurion lounge. What would people here recommend?

 

[albyd]

IME Qantas business lounge in SYD is pretty meh. When I flew CX I preferred to go to the old Amex lounge. Wasn’t too excited when I went to the new larger Amex lounge (am I missing something or have I become a lounge snob?) as was flying SQ.

I reckon if you have the time, check out both. My preference is the Amex Lounge.

YMMV.

 

[justinbrett]

My brother (who is not a frequent Flyer) thought the Sydney domestic Qantas Club was better than the Amex lounge. He didn’t rate it at all.

No reason you can’t do both and see for yourself.

 

[albyd]

I agree no harm in checking them both out. Is there the option of the Qantas club? I went to the business lounge which looked like it had seen better days (though much better than the Public waiting areas of the airport which I don’t miss).

 

[stm1sydney]

The new(ish) larger Amex lounge downstairs is pretty good, certainly it has better and newer seating than the tired old QF J lounge seating.

 

[djkelly69]

Went to Amex Centurion in Syd for the first time a couple of weeks ago, very disappointed. Small, busy, not much on offer. Also a long walk from most gates.

Did the QF Int Business lounge in late Nov last year and didn't really rate that either, but IMHO better than the Amex lounge.

Honestly the QF Dom QC was better than both, although it was not busy at the time and I didn't really rate it previously when it was very busy.

If you have Priority Pass through your Amex or elsewhere and can access The House, I have heard that is pretty good although didn't get a chance to visit myself.

 

[justinbrett]

Went to Amex Centurion in Syd for the first time a couple of weeks ago, very disappointed. Small, busy, not much on offer. Also a long walk from most gates.

Did the QF Int Business lounge in late Nov last year and didn't really rate that either, but IMHO better than the Amex lounge.

Honestly the QF Dom QC was better than both, although it was not busy at the time and I didn't really rate it previously when it was very busy.

Exactly what my brother said.

I of course only frequent the First class lounges so would have to defer to his advice

 

[DrJ]

Agree that Amex has the edge over QF J, the main downside is that it is a long walk from where your QF flight is likely to be boarding.

Also, flying QF J, I'm fairly sure that you will have access to the EK lounge IF it is open, and if you are not flying to the States. This lounge runs second to the QF Flounge IMO, but its opening hours are sadly very limited.

 

[SCM]

I recently checked out the Amex "Centurion" lounge in SYD, and I am not sure why anyone would recommend for anyone to go there, I think better to just go to a bar in the public section of the airport. It's a really sorry excuse of a lounge.

I would definitely ignore it and head straight to the QF J lounge, even a qantas pub lounge in Adelaide or something would be better in my opinion.

 

[Beano]

Try the EK lounge. Another long walk.

 

[heolesgyn]

I used the Amex lounge a couple months ago and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. It was noisy - screaming kids and over-loud ‘music’ - with few seats available. In the end we went to the public area and found it to be far less stressful.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

If you have 2 AmEx centurion passes, it's my understanding that these passes can only be used at Australian Centurion lounges (i.e. SYD and MEL INTL). The MEL one is better IMHO there's way more seating, but SYD lounge isn't too bad either. In terms of catering, I'd say it's pretty meh compared to Centurion lounges elsewhere (LA, Denver, and San Francisco come to mind for instance).

Qantas International business lounge in SYD is very underwhelming to put it mildly. I think the only thing it has going for it are some decent taxiway views. Lounge also seems bustling and noisy and catering ain't much better than QF Club in my books.

Try the EK lounge. Another long walk.

I would concur with you here. If you are travelling QF and have access to the Emirates lounge (i.e. travelling after 5 PM out of the INTL terminal) to a destination other than the Americas, it is your best bet. Here's what I came across on my visit there back in December:

 

[justinbrett]

Try the EK lounge. Another long walk.

Destination wasn't specified by the OP. If it's US or a market not in the EK/QF alliance, then no dice.

 

[clifford]

I'd just like to say that in my opinion, the QF Business lounge beats the pants of the Amex lounge, which I find to be pokey, dingy and having staff with an attitude problem. Just my experience, and YMMV.

As someone that likes to have some food and a couple of drinks before a flight, I am much happier with the Qantas lounge, including the self-pour drinks, rather than having to front up to a bar manned by condescending staff. I won't ever be visiting the Amex lounge again, and if I'm travelling on an airline where I have no affiliations, I'll be using my Diners card to access The House, which is not too bad.

Oh, and as a One World Emerald (BA and QF), I do also spend a little time in the Qantas FCL, but usually also visit the Business lounge for a while to sample the offerings.

 

[Beano]

I'd just like to say that in my opinion, the QF Business lounge beats the pants of the Amex lounge, which I find to be pokey, dingy and having staff with an attitude problem. Just my experience, and YMMV.

As someone that likes to have some food and a couple of drinks before a flight, I am much happier with the Qantas lounge, including the self-pour drinks, rather than having to front up to a bar manned by condescending staff. I won't ever be visiting the Amex lounge again, and if I'm travelling on an airline where I have no affiliations, I'll be using my Diners card to access The House, which is not too bad.

Oh, and as a One World Emerald (BA and QF), I do also spend a little time in the Qantas FCL, but usually also visit the Business lounge for a while to sample the offerings.

If you've spent any time in the Q F lounge, the business lounge is a bit dissapointing and I got a funny look when I went into the business lounge where they told me I had access to the Q F lounge.

 

[Beano]

If you have 2 AmEx centurion passes, it's my understanding that these passes can only be used at Australian Centurion lounges (i.e. SYD and MEL INTL). The MEL one is better IMHO there's way more seating, but SYD lounge isn't too bad either. In terms of catering, I'd say it's pretty meh compared to Centurion lounges elsewhere (LA, Denver, and San Francisco come to mind for instance).

Qantas International business lounge in SYD is very underwhelming to put it mildly. I think the only thing it has going for it are some decent taxiway views. Lounge also seems bustling and noisy and catering ain't much better than QF Club in my books.


I would concur with you here. If you are travelling QF and have access to the Emirates lounge (i.e. travelling after 5 PM out of the INTL terminal) to a destination other than the Americas, it is your best bet. Here's what I came across on my visit there back in December:View attachment 336878
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View attachment 336879
View attachment 336876

Absolutely Fab! And note the single malt Glenmorangie, when the best in Qantas business is Chivas Regal!

 

[kangarooflyer88]

As someone that likes to have some food and a couple of drinks before a flight, I am much happier with the Qantas lounge, including the self-pour drinks, rather than having to front up to a bar manned by condescending staff. I won't ever be visiting the Amex lounge again, and if I'm travelling on an airline where I have no affiliations, I'll be using my Diners card to access The House, which is not too bad.

I would tend to agree with you on the bar situation, at least here in Australia. However, I do find it less crowded than the QF J lounge. I should also point out that if anything the Australian AmEx lounges are an outlier in the AmEx lounge network, there are many quality Centurion lounges, particularly stateside.

I will agree with you that Priority Pass be it through a credit card like Diners Club or AmEx Platinum can be a real boon too. The House lounge is certainly a lot larger than the shoebox that's called the Centurion lounge. At the same time, it is nice being able to get a shower and meal after arriving internationally via the Plaza Premium arrivals lounge at SYD.

Oh, and as a One World Emerald (BA and QF), I do also spend a little time in the Qantas FCL, but usually also visit the Business lounge for a while to sample the offerings.

From what I hear the QF Flounge is miles (or is that kilometres?) ahead of the J lounge. Big difference between a-la carte dining and spa services in F lounge, versus Vegas style buffet found in the J lounge.

 

[Beano]

I would tend to agree with you on the bar situation, at least here in Australia. However, I do find it less crowded than the QF J lounge. I should also point out that if anything the Australian AmEx lounges are an outlier in the AmEx lounge network, there are many quality Centurion lounges, particularly stateside.

I will agree with you that Priority Pass be it through a credit card like Diners Club or AmEx Platinum can be a real boon too. The House lounge is certainly a lot larger than the shoebox that's called the Centurion lounge. At the same time, it is nice being able to get a shower and meal after arriving internationally via the Plaza Premium arrivals lounge at SYD.

From what I hear the QF Flounge is miles (or is that kilometres?) ahead of the J lounge. Big difference between a-la carte dining and spa services in F lounge, versus Vegas style buffet found in the J lounge.

Never been to Vegas but it's not much better than QC, except a hot dish ans self-serve liquor.

 

[justinbrett]

Here in SYD Amex lounge for the first time (can’t access QF as I’m flying FJ on award).

It’s a terrible lounge and I’d pay to go to the QF J lounge right now. Seating is terrible (none made for lounging) and a pretty uncomfortable way to spend three hours.

Food is OK with basically 1-2 options so probably on par with QF for that. Bar won’t do coughtails until 5pm and no spirits until 1pm. If you want a mimosa you get half sparkling and finish it yourself.

Sometimes it’s good to visit other lounges to make you appreciate what you have! (I’ll be back in the Flounge next trip out of SYD).

 

[Beano]

Never been to Vegas but it's not much better than QC, except a hot dish ans self-serve liquor.

Same as every DOM lounge apart from the self-serve. Note that in BNE and PER QF J lounges alcohol is not self-serve. There is some self-serve wine in most others and in SYD QF F lounge. Something to do with local licensing laws.