United Lounge IAH - How long before boarding can you get access?

[goldenhorn]

I've got J class award tickets booked in May (thanks LifeMiles!) and we are coming home IAH-SYD on UA 101 11:45pm flight.

The only issue is I'm visiting bro in Chicago, so need to fly ORD-IAH on the day of departure.

A few questions:

1. How long before an international departure from the US can you check in and get access to the lounge? (Can you do this more than 3 hours before check-in if you arrive super early? I'm considering a 3pm flight arrival time on day of departure)
2. How many hours would you allow for a domestic arrival to ensure you make the international leg. The domestic ticket is not on the international ticket.
3. Would you bother paying 24,000 QF miles per pax to get a domestic award ticket in J class. We can get tickets for $111 each, so I'm guessing it's probably not worth it for coughpy AA J class on a short flight?

I appreciate any feedback!

 

[Mattg]

As IAH is a United hub, I imagine you should have no trouble checking in any time on the day of the flight and then heading over to the Polaris Lounge. So a 3pm arrival should be OK (but best to check directly with United if in doubt). I've had lots of delays in the US, so would probably choose an earlier inbound flight rather than later.

Regarding using 24k Qantas points for American Airlines domestic J, I think you've answered your own question Not worth it IMHO.

 

[goldenhorn]

As IAH is a United hub, I imagine you should have no trouble checking in any time on the day of the flight and then heading over to the Polaris Lounge. So a 3pm arrival should be OK (but best to check directly with United if in doubt). I've had lots of delays in the US, so would probably choose an earlier inbound flight rather than later.

Regarding using 24k Qantas points for American Airlines domestic J, I think you've answered your own question Not worth it IMHO.

Ok great to know. Thank you!

 

[goldenhorn]

As IAH is a United hub, I imagine you should have no trouble checking in any time on the day of the flight and then heading over to the Polaris Lounge. So a 3pm arrival should be OK (but best to check directly with United if in doubt). I've had lots of delays in the US, so would probably choose an earlier inbound flight rather than later.

Regarding using 24k Qantas points for American Airlines domestic J, I think you've answered your own question Not worth it IMHO.

That was a great suggestion to call United, Matt.

They told me if we book an internal flight with United and land within 10 hours of our international departure they will be able to check our luggage all the way through to Sydney.

So we’re going to book a morning flight and get to Houston about 1 PM then we’ll have enough time to go to the Houston Space Center and come back to the airport and access the lounge before the IAH-SYD flight. Yay!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That sounds a sensible connection time on separate tickets. Note the cheaper tickets may not include bags - but this is waived if you have any status with OW. If flying AA their 'Main Cabin Extra' offering might be a good option - lots of legroom and free drinks. For UA I'd also recommend their economy plus. UA also sometimes has cheap upgrade offers (can sometimes be cheaper than buying F outright).

 

[jch]

Hopefully you aren't affected by the recent schedule reduction on the IAH-SYD route.

 

[goldenhorn]

Hopefully you aren't affected by the recent schedule reduction on the IAH-SYD route.

No I don’t think so. I’m travelling In May before the changes come into effect.

 

[goldenhorn]

That sounds a sensible connection time on separate tickets. Note the cheaper tickets may not include bags - but this is waived if you have any status with OW. If flying AA their 'Main Cabin Extra' offering might be a good option - lots of legroom and free drinks. For UA I'd also recommend their economy plus. UA also sometimes has cheap upgrade offers (can sometimes be cheaper than buying F outright).

Thanks. I’ll check out how much extra it is for the UA economy plus.

 

[Mattg]

No I don’t think so. I’m travelling In May before the changes come into effect.

The reductions come in from April

But hopefully you're flying on a day where the service is still operating.

 

[goldenhorn]

The reductions come in from April

But hopefully you're flying on a day where the service is still operating.

Oh! I think I’m ok. I’m flying on a Wednesday.

 

[Mattg]

Oh! I think I’m ok. I’m flying on a Wednesday.

Phew. UA101 IAH-SYD does appear to still be running on Wednesdays