AMEX lounge opening at SYD airport - 16th December 2014, T1 next to gate 24

[medhead]

Clause 2 (b) states
All other eligible cards are entitled to two (2) entries into The American Express Lounge per calendar year (1st January to 31st December) for each American Express Card account. The entries may be used by the basic Card Member, Supplementary Card Member or a guest travelling with a Card Member. Complimentary access is available for the Card Member’s children between the ages of 2-17. Card Members wishing to bring additional guests will be subject to a charge that is to be processed on the Card Member’s American Express Card. Please refer to the reception desk at the American Express Lounge for the applicable charge

Do others think this clause means if I take a guest in then I have used up my 2 yearly visits, or am I allowed 2 visits a year bringing in a guest?

I think it means you've used up your annual allowance. Breaking down:

1) you get 2 entries per calendar year
2) those 2 entries can be used by the card member, supplementary card holder or a guest travelling with the card member.

That suggests the guest travelling with the card member will use one of the entries to enter the lounge.

Hard to tell - I think the wording is confusing. Also I don't think it's clear what they mean for "American Express Card account"... e.g. if my wife is a supplementary card member and she visits the lounge twice, does it mean I won't be able to use the free entries if I show up using my (basic) card? Or in other words, would 2 cards (basic + supplementary) give you 2 x 2 = 4 entries or else?

Should be able to clarify with AMEX once the lounge opening is officially announced...

It seems pretty clear. A supplementary card does not have a separate account. An account has the main card and one or more supplementary cards. One account gets 2 entries per year regardless of how many cards are attached to the account.

 

[deka2]

I tend to agree Medhead

One visit as a couple and that's it for the year.

 

[casanovawa]

That does suck about the two visits only for Black card members....

 

[lobo76]

Hmnnn looks like switching from a Platinum Edge card to the Velocity Plat might be worth a look if I'm taking any non-velocity internationals next year....

 

[Princess Fiona]

Apologies I do realise it's the Air New Zealand lounge. Not sure exactly where it's located.

If it's the lounge that VS used to use and also used by Velocity Gold and Platinum members then I don't understand the criticism. The lounge is spacious and has a decent variety of food and beverages.

Each to their own JohnK.
It's certainly spacious but the F&B leaves a lot to be desired.
I'm personally not a fan of Hot Dogs washed down with NZ Sparkling.
It's currently undergoing renovations so interesting to see what happens there.

 

[moa999]

Comment on AusBT that this Amex Lounge and the Skyteam Lounge are one and the same.
Has anyone ventured near Gate 24 recently to confirm.

 

[HyperHam]

I'm confused by the T&C's, do the American Express Velocity Platinum Card holders have unlimited access or only two (2) entries?

 

[moa999]

Per Clause 2a the only cards with unlimited entry are
American Express Centurion,
American Express Platinum,
American Express Business Centurion
American Express Business Platinum Card

Per Clause 2b all other eligible Amex cards only receive 2 entries per calendar year
By deduction this includes:
Amex Issued

• American Express Corporate Platinum Card,
• American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum Card,
• American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card,
• Qantas American Express Ultimate Card,
• American Express Velocity Platinum Card.

Partner issued

• ANZ Frequent Flyer Black American Express Card,
• ANZ Rewards Black American Express Card,
• Westpac Altitude Black American Express Card,
• Westpac Earth Black American Express Card,
• Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards American Express Card.

 

[HyperHam]

Thanks moa! I didn't know if the "American Express Platinum" included the Velocity or not.

 

[ellen10]

Good news, will look forward to checking it out.

 

[fersea]

if it is anything like the one I went to in Buenos Aries it will be well worth a visit.

I suspect that I will have cancelled the Platinum Charge Card by the time I next fly in February, but having the ANZ Black means I can get in.

To think, there are all these comments criticising the ANZ Black - 50,000 points, 2 Qantas Lounge passes, 1.5 points per $, overseas lounge access and now (admittedly limited) access to a lounge at SYD INT - terrible deal for $0

 

[kevinyhli]

Just walked past the lounge and found that it is open - it is a nicely appointed lounge but seem to only be on the top floor (lower level is the Skyteam lounge). Decent hot food offering from what it seems (no time to take part before my flight) but can imagine it can get quite crowded as there would probably just be 50-70 seats available. Overall it is nice and would be a good place to camp out as long as it won't be overcrowded

 

[serfty]

... - it is a nicely appointed lounge but seem to only be on the top floor (lower level is the Skyteam lounge). ...

ok, so it uses much the same area as the original Qantas First lounge ...

 

[moa999]

First look by AusBT

First look: American Express opens Sydney Airport lounge - Australian Business Traveller

 

[paultiffen]

I have the Reserve card so will update on the guest issue when I ring soon. My question is:

- Is it 2 visits with one guest each? Or you and a guest counts as one visit?
- Does this reset with annual fee?

I'll be calling AMEX soon to confirm. Will be good as I have no lounge access when flying Jetstar to coughet later on (have VA and Priority Pass only).

Paul

 

[rcn]

Finally, an actual useful feature of my uni-student-commbank card! Will be passing through next week, and will probably write a review.

 

[moa999]

I have the Reserve card so will update on the guest issue when I ring soon. My question is:

- Is it 2 visits with one guest each? Or you and a guest counts as one visit?
- Does this reset with annual fee?

I'll be calling AMEX soon to confirm. Will be good as I have no lounge access when flying Jetstar to coughet later on (have VA and Priority Pass only).

Paul

I think its fairly clear by the T&Cs.

- IT is two entries of an individual. So you and a guest will take up your allocation
- It resets on a calendar year basis

 

[mooingchicken]

Finally, an actual useful feature of my uni-student-commbank card! Will be passing through next week, and will probably write a review.

A Student commbank card wont get you in... Diamond only

 

[rcn]

A Student commbank card wont get you in... Diamond only

Yeah my uni-student commbank diamond.

 

[mooingchicken]

Yeah my uni-student commbank diamond.

If you mean this card https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/credit-cards/low-fee/student.html then that is not a diamond card. and that is the only 'student' card comm bank do.

This is the diamond card you need https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/credit-cards/awards/diamond.html which has a yearly fee of $400, though if you have this card as a uni student (often means no annual fee) please share how you got it as i would be intrested