I have used the BA lounge prior to IAD-LAX-SYD. What's more they even let me in using my AA status (since I had a
oneworld international flight that day I was entitled, but it wouldn't have surprised me if I had met some resistance). Alcohol is pour-your-own, and the spirits are better quality than over in the Admirals Club.
BA lounge ambience is much better than the AC - the BA lounge was refurbished a couple of years ago. Both lounges are small, but the AC seems more crowded. Seating is nicer in the BA lounge.
justinbrett, your timing is perfect because you will be gone before most BA pax arrive.
Remember that Qantas Club membership is not enough to get into the BA lounge if you are travelling on AA. You need
oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status.
In addition to QC members, drinks vouchers in the AC are also provided to non-AA
oneworld Sapphire and Emerald pax, and to AA Sapphires and Emeralds on an international itinerary. But yes, they still expect a US$1 tip per drink. I don't like it, but when in Rome ...
justinbrett, the US airports work differently from the way they do in Australia. Often (as in IAD's case) there is no separation of international and domestic flights. There are also no special customs/immigration formalities to go through. In fact on your itinerary you will arrive in LAX at Terminal 4 and leave from the same terminal, without even having to go through any more security checks.
NM said:
But the BA lounge agent is likely to remind you that the AA lounge is just down the hall and you may need to say something like "yes, I know, but your lounge is so much nicer and as a OneWorld Emerald/Sapphire I would like to use this lounge before my OneWorld flight today".
That's almost word for word the conversation I had with the lounge attendant! (And with the BA lounge attendant in DFW a few weeks ago.)