Earliest time to check-in/use F Lounge at SYD T1?

[beardoc]

I'm going to be taking a trip shortly that will leave from SYD T1, and being a newly minted WP, I wanted to take my guest travelling with me to the F Lounge. I figure that I can use Premium Check-In desks at Counter D, but it's not really clear from the QF website what time those check-in desks open, and what time we can first access the F Lounge? Does anyone know?

 

[medhead]

Depending on where you are going and assuming it's with QF. There is always OLCI. Then the only limit is the F lounge opening time.

 

[serfty]

.. Then the only limit is the F lounge opening time.

The 3 hour limit may still come into play if you need to check luggage.

SYD is open most of the day as there are regular QF flights.

If you wish to guarantee four or more hours in the SYD F/L, then book via MEL/BNE/CBR/ADL/etc. so you simply tranit there. (Make sure your flight gets into SYD five or more hours before scheduled departure. )

 

[jamesatfish]

I took two early morning flights to NZ last year (0630 & 0655 departures). I believe we checked in around 0500, though on one occasion the First checkin wasn't open so we just used the regular check-in area which was empty anyway.

The First lounge didn't open until 0530 so we had to spend a bit of time wandering around the terminal until the lounge opened, but McDonalds airside was open to grab a coffee whilst we waited.

Best part was that the bar is open at the same time as the lounge itself, so the kind staff opened a bottle of Verve to go with my breakfast... lovely!

 

[beardoc]

The First lounge didn't open until 0530 so we had to spend a bit of time wandering around the terminal until the lounge opened, but McDonalds airside was open to grab a coffee whilst we waited.

Sounds like a 5:15am checkin is the way to go, then!

 

[dfcatch]

3 hours is the earliest check-in time.

4 hours if travelling to the US (QF11/107).

More if following Serfty's advice.
I travel from CNS and always catch the earliest flight down arriving at 8:45am. Usually gives me 5 hours in the lounge

 

[medhead]

I recently considered the 6 am flight ADL-SYD to connect with QF5. But sanity took over and I settled on the 9:30am flight. Got me in the F lounge at about 12:45pm. In hindsight QF 82 (or 81) at 8:50 would be the best option.

 

[kpc]

To be honest, 3 hours is more than enough time to have a drink, a massage and then a 3 course meal and another drink or two.....with plenty of time to spare; could even squeeze in a shower. I would say 4 hours is the maximum amount of time you need to sample all the extravagances of the F lounge before you start getting a little bored! If you have a long flight(s) to follow, I would suggest that 4 hours if your first time, otherwise 3 hours to be more than adequate time to fully enjoy the F lounge:idea:

 

[Princess Fiona]

I would say 4 hours is the maximum amount of time you need If you have a long flight(s) to follow, I would suggest that 4 hours if your first time, otherwise 3 hours to be more than adequate time to fully enjoy the F lounge:idea:

I agree kpc, the best lounge is my house, the F lounge runs a close second. For a first time visit I would allow a little longer. I usually have some refreshments and leave for a little while to check out the shops and let the bubbly settle before returning for dessert +/- spa.
Enjoy

 

[gumpy]

I hate it when it's really busy and you can't get a spa treatment... my hit rate is 50%.

the other month I guaranteed my spa treatmeny by having a connection via Mel with a 5hr layover... that was awesome...

 

[Flying Fox]

As others have said, the Mrs & I did OLCI and the F counter staff were nice enough to put our bags aside until the 3 hr official open before checking our bags in. They then let us go to the lounge for 'the works'.

 

[dfcatch]

As others have said, the Mrs & I did OLCI and the F counter staff were nice enough to put our bags aside until the 3 hr official open before checking our bags in. They then let us go to the lounge for 'the works'.

Did they give you bag tags right away?

Also were you flying F?

 

[Flying Fox]

Yes they gave us bag tags, fast passes (both exit & entry) and some other bits a pieces straight away. Put our bags 'around the corner' and then pointed us towards the Flounge. Can say I was initially concerned that someone might forget to put our bags on the aircraft but they only had clothes (camera etc was with me). Thankfully, they were great and everything happened with a hitch!

Yes, flying F with the Mrs.

Would love to do it again... and soon

 

[dfcatch]

Yes they gave us bag tags, fast passes (both exit & entry) and some other bits a pieces straight away. Put our bags 'around the corner' and then pointed us towards the Flounge. Can say I was initially concerned that someone might forget to put our bags on the aircraft but they only had clothes (camera etc was with me). Thankfully, they were great and everything happened with a hitch!

Yes, flying F with the Mrs.

Would love to do it again... and soon

Great result

I do find they give a lot more service to F pax than to WP's in lower classes.

So I wouldn't expect that level of service unless actually flying F.

 

[Flying Fox]

Yes I really happy with the outcome. Unfortunately I'm not WP so I wouldn't know what standard of service WP's get when not flying F. I loved the Flounge, and the way we were pampered and would highly recommend it. Only ever visited it once and from all reports on a global standard, it ranks very highly. Glad that I have done it at least once in my life.

 

[dfcatch]

Yes I really happy with the outcome. Unfortunately I'm not WP so I wouldn't know what standard of service WP's get when not flying F. I loved the Flounge, and the way we were pampered and would highly recommend it. Only ever visited it once and from all reports on a global standard, it ranks very highly. Glad that I have done it at least once in my life.

Well Fox!

You know what you need to do then!!

I was the same though, after my first and second F visits to the F lounge I was determined to make WP so that I could enjoy it more often

 

[FuzzyAUS]

Im going to say something naughty here, and say i think there is a fine line between too much FLounge time.. and that line is different based on where your going..

Im off to LAX on the 28th April, where I will only arrive to the airport about 2 hrs before the flight, its a long enough day as it is, from SYD-LAX-LAS with stopover etc..

However whenever i am going to AKL or short trips, then a few good hours there is good, and hey on a JQ35 fun-run then the longests we can get in there is the line

 

[dfcatch]

Im going to say something naughty here, and say i think there is a fine line between too much FLounge time.. and that line is different based on where your going..

Im off to LAX on the 28th April, where I will only arrive to the airport about 2 hrs before the flight, its a long enough day as it is, from SYD-LAX-LAS with stopover etc..

However whenever i am going to AKL or short trips, then a few good hours there is good, and hey on a JQ35 fun-run then the longests we can get in there is the line

See I like a bit more F lounge time when flying to LAX as it's a long flight, and a long day and I like to take my time (meal, massage, shower, bubbles) and board the flight as relaxed as comfortable.

 

[TonyHancock]

See I like a bit more F lounge time when flying to LAX as it's a long flight, and a long day and I like to take my time (meal, massage, shower, bubbles) and board the flight as relaxed as comfortable.

+1

I like to have a leisurely breakfast, a browse through the newspapers and then perhaps a nice glass of something medicinal to settle me in for the flight! (All assuming it is a morning flight of course!)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

To be honest, 3 hours is more than enough time to have a drink, a massage and then a 3 course meal and another drink or two.....with plenty of time to spare; could even squeeze in a shower. I would say 4 hours is the maximum amount of time you need to sample all the extravagances of the F lounge before you start getting a little bored! If you have a long flight(s) to follow, I would suggest that 4 hours if your first time, otherwise 3 hours to be more than adequate time to fully enjoy the F lounge:idea:

Agree! Now days if I book the spa its for 1.5 hours prior to departure - allows arrival at airport 2 hours before departure and then straight to boarding. Everything else in the lounge (except the view) you can enjoy at home.