5 weeks till our (belated) honeymoon ... lounge help please!

[MatF]

Hi guys,

After what feels like a bit too much planning, Mrs MatF and I are finally off on our belated honeymoon on the 6th of December.

Could I possibly draw on the combined knowledge of AFF for some advice regarding lounge access for our trip? I have zero experience accessing lounges in any of the ports we'll be in (apart from Sydney ... 99% of my flying is domestic), and we'd like to make the most of the trip!

I've read a whole bunch of "what lounge should I use" threads, but I think I'm just becoming more confused.


Our itinerary is (all time local):

On the way over
QF009, MEL-SIN, 17:05 - 21:40, then, after a 2hr 40m change
QF031, SIN-LHR, 23:59 - 06:20
(also, is there arrival lounge access for a shower/etc in LHR? Mrs MatF is very keen on this idea!)

Then, on the way back:
BA559, FCO-LHR, 17:00 - 18:45, then after a 3hr, 20m change
CX254, LHR-HKG, 22:05 - 17:45

2 days later:
QF128, HKG-SYD, 20:10 - 08:05


Given those flights, what would the good AFF people suggest?

I'm WP, my wife is a lowly NB, and we're flying either Y+ or Y on each of those legs.
Other than the FL in MEL, I'm having trouble figuring out the best options!

All help greatly appreciated




Cheers,
Mat.

 

[TonyHancock]

I'm a regular on QF9 so I can tell you my experience.

To start with Congratulations.

You will be able to use the MEL F lounge with your wife as a guest. It is not as big as the SYD lounge but it is very nice.

In Singapore you can use the F lounge with your wife as a guest. It is good, but not as nice as the MEL or SYD F lounges.

Not sure about the arrival access. Some said they have used the AA arrivals lounge at T3 at Heathrow but I don't think this is part of the WP deal unless you are in J or F. (Others will be better placed to confirm this.)

I have used the BA/Qantas F lounge at LHR and also the CX F lounge. The BA lounge has more facilities but I found the CX lounge a little quieter. These days I use the BA/QF lounge though - more wine choices!!!!!!!!

I'd be interested in feedback about HK too. From my previous CX days I found the CX F lounge to be very good.

 

[samh004]

In Hong Kong you’d be best at the lounge closest to your gate, be that the Wing or the Pier, however the Wing may be closed for renovations while you are there, though dates haven’t been announced yet. If that were the case, they have the Cabin nearby, but the Pier would probably offer something better, despite a long walk. It all comes down to what gate you’re leaving from in HKG.

Both the Wing and the Pier have F and J sections, while the cabin is dual purpose.

 

[MatF]

Thanks guys - great info so far.

Departing from T1 in HKG according to the booking (I think!), but I guess we won't know the gate until the day.

 

[Burgo]

Bad news for you on accessing the AA arrivals lounge in T3 LHR, J & F classes only, your WP/OWE gets you nothing - it's your boarding pass they want to see

My preferred flight to LHR is QF31, the AA lounge is normally empty early morning & is a godsend.

.................................. QF Airport Info.................................................
Qantas First and Business customers travelling on Qantas are eligible to use the American Airlines arrivals lounge when arriving into Terminal 3.
........................................................................................................

 

[samh004]

Departing from T1 in HKG according to the booking (I think!), but I guess we won't know the gate until the day.

There’s only one terminal in HK, but the terminal is shaped like a "Y" with the stem being very long.

Example image.

 

[Leumas]

There’s only one terminal in HK, but the terminal is shaped like a "Y" with the stem being very long.

There are actually 2 terminals at HKG. Most flights depart on T1. T2 are mostly LCCs and intra-Asia flights.

Airport Check-In - Hong Kong International Airport

Most QF flights depart near the QF lounge, or the low number gates (i.e., 1-4), I think. This will make the Wing the closer choice...

Re LHR - I actually thought the policy has changed recently allowing WPs to access the Arrival Lounge at T5, not sure about the guesting situation though. Should investigate further on this.

 

[samh004]

There are actually 2 terminals at HKG. Most flights depart on T1. T2 are mostly LCCs and intra-Asia flights.

Well okay, we could pretend that the North Satellite Concourse is where a QF flight will depart from, but unless they start short haul from HKG, I doubt it

And yes, there is T2, which just joins T1 ultimately.

Needless to say, I did forget about that new building, but nothing (of value) departs from there. I’m still waiting on the "X" terminal originally planned beyond the ATC towers.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The Wing in HKG is great, Mrs Mat F will love the Cabanas with bath and lounger. As others have said I don't think you will have access to AA in LHR arrivals but I would definitely enquire with WP card and shiny new wedding rings. The BA F lounge is by far the best lounge in T3 , has an Elemis Travel Spa. As I've mentioned in a previous thread the CX lounge is small, icy cold and with indifferent food ( but does have noodle bar). The shops in T3 are quite good now also Tiffany, Chanel amongst them. Congratulations and enjoy

 

[MatF]

Thanks everyone (for the advice, and the congrats).

We were married last year, but I flew back to Brisbane for work the Monday after the Saturday wedding, so this honeymoon has been a long time coming, and SWMBO was none too impressed with my rapid exit, so I have a lot of brownie points to make up!

So far:
MEL - QF F Lounge
SIN - QF F Lounge?
LHR - No arrivals lounge access? This would be a big plus to Mrs MatF if it was available, considering our arrival time, and a subsequent full day in London.

FCO - ?? Anything worthwhile there?
LHR - BA F Lounge
HKG - The Wing?

Sound about right?

Any other tips or traps? Are any lounge spas bookable, or only on arrival?


Cheers,
Mat.

 

[samh004]

Are any lounge spas bookable, or only on arrival?

I believe only bookable if in F, generally.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks everyone (for the advice, and the congrats).


Any other tips or traps? Are any lounge spas bookable, or only on arrival?


Cheers,
Mat.

The SYD spa is bookable only on day unless flying F. T3 Elemis likewise, I had to show my WP card, but had no problems getting a booking.

 

[serfty]

QF128 will depart from a low numbered gate; the Wing will be your best bet. Hopefully it will not be undergoing renovation at that time.*

Now to maximise your wing/cabana time, you can employ the Airport Express train with In town Check-in. You check your bags and get your BP's.

(TIP: Two can travel together for HKD160 one-way from Central, less from Kowloon)

This way you can check your bags to Oz early on the last day or even the day before. The last time we took QF128 we checked our bags at Central Station at 10am, did our last HKG day stuff before catching a train around 3pm; we were in a cabana in the wing having a quick shower by 4pm, before a nice dine at "the haven". About 75 minutes before scheduled departure time we took the 10 minute wander from the Wing to the QF Flounge to await the boarding call about ¼ hour later.

The easiest way to access the wing is to use the emigration dates at the south end of T1 (CX). After X-ray, head to the left for the direct entry to the Wing F/L.


*Note that if the wing is closed, you can use the "people Mover" to head to the Pier lounge. However, you will need to walk/travelator back, so I'd depart around 1½ hours before the QF128 departure.

 

[kirk7]

From memory the QF 747-400 flight usually departs very close to the QF lounges....with the new lounges i've found them to be very nice... besides the SYD n MEL F lounges- i reckon the HKG is the best so far.

I had to meet a few friends who were stuck in the J lounge and the food/service is definitely the best i've seen....puts the SYD J lounge to shame.

 

[kirk7]

FCO- BA executive lounge....according to the plaque on the wall it was opened in 1995 or 1996....i must say they have tried to keep it the "same feel" as back then....it is very tried and dated.

If you are a smoker, you're in luck....its the only lounge I have seen that has a smoking room.

Managed to use the Air Italia wireless- very fast

I would spend more time doing some shopping around the airport.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I second that, Italian lounges are not worth the trouble generally. Used the one in Venice recently and it was terrible.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Oh and also be aware that the SIN F lounge is a fair walk and hard to find. But follow your fellow WPs and I am sure you will find it. It is nice but nothing to write home about. Ask for some noodles, they cook them on the spot. Mmm.

 

[JohnK]

Oh and also be aware that the SIN F lounge is a fair walk and hard to find. But follow your fellow WPs and I am sure you will find it. It is nice but nothing to write home about. Ask for some noodles, they cook them on the spot. Mmm.

Sitting in the SIN QF F lounge right now and the waiter just came round with some wonton noodles which I refused.

There was very little food on offer when I arrived here earlier (cold pizza slices and french onion soup anyone?), only 5 internet desktops and way too many self-centered w@nkers in suits who think life revolves around them and them alone.

I was in the Skyview Lounge earlier but decided to move as AFF kept crashing on their version of IE6. May wander over to the QF Business Lounge later.

 

[TonyHancock]

Oh and also be aware that the SIN F lounge is a fair walk and hard to find. But follow your fellow WPs and I am sure you will find it. It is nice but nothing to write home about. Ask for some noodles, they cook them on the spot. Mmm.

It is a bit of a walk and there has been some renovations at SIN recently. The F Lounge is OK but only OK.

Turn right when you get to the top of the escalator and you will be fine.