FLounge 6am to 10pm SYD for under $100?

[jpp42]

Even at domestic NTL, the secure area is for departures only, so you have to ask to leave if you don't catch a flight. It's not that difficult.

Yep, I've had to do this in India (DEL), which uses a similar secure area process for even domestic departures. It was far from unheard of, they had a clear process. As with many things in India, it did take a while but they got me through. In my case, I didn't want to travel as my meeting at the destination had cancelled - it was purely my choice - but the airline and airport staff gladly helped me get out.

 

[Quickstatus]

If leaving airport with duty free and without flying as intended might/will also cause issues

 

[Lynda2475]

LAX (arguably the best airport in the world)

Well that gave me a good laugh!

 

[BrettV]

A Jetstar domestic flight that departs from the international terminal is probably more optimal here, especially with their 787 operational reliability meaning you'll probably get many extra hours in the lounge due to your flight being delayed.

Can confirm have taken advantage of JQ delays in both the Melbourne and Sydney F lounges…

 

[djkelly69]

Well that gave me a good laugh!

Haha I thought I had been transported to the bizarro world for a minute!

 

[RichardMEL]

I think many of us have done the JQ shuffle at least once. I've also heard of people trying that one only to have the int tag cancelled and put on a domestic JQ flight - that really ruined the fun! lol

and well LAX.. best in the world ? I was wondering if anyone would bite on that one. Probably deserves its own thread

 

[jpp42]

and well LAX.. best in the world ? I was wondering if anyone would bite on that one.

Best at what? Overcrowded gate lounges? Best place to be an airport concession operator as you can serve terrible food at double-inflated prices? Best imitation of the ground-side announcements from the movie "Airplane!" ? Most restrictions on QF lounge access (no passes etc)? Best airport for getting rained on when walking between terminals? Airport with the best likelihood if sitting in a 1-hour traffic jam on a shuttle bus that needs to travel less than 2km? I'm sure it's the best at many things...

 

[Lynda2475]

How can an airport that does not allow genuine airside transfers (i.e. not having to clear immigration and enter the country just to board another flight immediately leaving) be best? For this reason alone, no USA airport can ever be the best.

 

[dajop]

Looks like a few people have taken the bait, I nearly did but thought better of it. Really way OT, and I am surprised some experienced contributors have fallen for it. I don't want to use the "T" word. but it does almost seem appropriate in this instance.

 

[justinbrett]

Looks like a few people have taken the bait, I nearly did but thought better of it. Really way OT, and I am surprised some experienced contributors have fallen for it. I don't want to use the "T" word. but it does almost seem appropriate in this instance.

I don't think it's bait. OP has made that claim in other threads, I think he genuinely believes it.

 

[dajop]

I don't think it's bait. OP has made that claim in other threads, I think he genuinely believes it.

Oh I'm sure it's a genuine belief. But anyone who knows anything about international travel (or AFF!) would also know that it is a controversial opinion that is likely to be hotly debated, and really it did not need to be raised in this thread, hence it does seem like bait to me.

 

[Sprucegoose]

and well LAX.. best in the world

OT (as usual)

Seriously I was through LAX in 10 minutes the other day ... you want to try and unpack that one?

Just when you least expect it........

 

[justinbrett]

Oh I'm sure it's a genuine belief. But anyone who knows anything about international travel (or AFF!) would also know that it is a controversial opinion that is likely to be hotly debated, and really it did not need to be raised in this thread, hence it does seem like bait to me.

I don't think he thinks it's a controversial opinion.

Also many references to the North American way being better than Australia.

 

[OZDUCK]

You're correct that this isn't a rarity, but it is uncommon. I would hazard a guess that over 95% of people who cleared emmigration and security actually departed for their final destination. And as others have pointed out if you make a habit out of this you will certainly raise the eyebrows of ABF. I don't know how sophisticated ABF's technology is (I reckon not nearly as good as the US CBP which can track your entries and exits from the country for over a decade) but is likely good enough to catch those lounge abusers.

One other question not asked in this thread, and I think is pertinent to the discussion is what are the legalities of this? I know in Singapore it is an arrestable offence to enter the transit area without having any intention of departing!

-RooFlyer88

They may well have entered the modern era by now but certainly in the 1980's and 90's at least US customs IT systems were abysmal to non existent. In the mid 1980's in Australian Customs I was part of a team developing a new procedures and systems for imported cargo entry and clearance. We approached the US for information about their systems to see if they had anything new to offer. They advised that the vast majority of their ports were not linked by any computer system and that they basically operated with paper transactions like something out of the early 20th Century. At that time all Australian ports and airports in every state were already electronically linked to our mainframe computer and had been since the late 1960's. All information on imports was electronically stored and available on a national basis. The UK was a little better in that something like six of their numerous ports had some form of computer systems. A quick look indicates that the UK has still not transitioned to a full paperless system. I had occasional interactions with US Customs, including with regards to passenger movements, up until 2009 and they were still far behind best practice.

My understanding is that because of the various jiggery pokery happenings in the US Congress sufficient money to provide up to date IT systems has consistently been extremely hard to obtain. You can see the same thing still happening today in regard to Electronic Lodgement of personal tax returns. I am on another forum with lots of US members and they are amazed how easy and cheap it is to lodge a 'simple' tax return here compared to what they have to do.

 

[Quickstatus]

Ok so can we mostly agree that Flounge all day for $100 is hardly a great deal or not a good idea?

 

[Sprucegoose]

My understanding is that because of the various jiggery pokery happenings in the US Congress sufficient money to provide up to date IT systems has consistently been extremely hard to obtain.

Agree. Associates of mine that work in 'critical' areas report the same.

OZ is quite advanced; it turns out.

 

[rcn]

Ok so can we mostly agree that Flounge all day for $100 is hardly a great deal or not a good idea?

Crazy good deal.

Used the Digital prepaid mastercard $100 as the starting point. (heres the link, Buy The Card Network Digital Prepaid Mastercard | Qantas Rewards Store, you snooze you lose).

27, 710 points for $100 gift card
that means 20,300 points= $73 (rounded)

$73 for unlimited food, alcohol, massage? Show me a better deal. I'll wait.

 

[Quickstatus]

27, 710 points

Not if the 27K points are considered to be 10% of a 217K points award return SYD-LAX in J - and as an OWE I would also get FLounge - twice.
The 217K award equates to a $12K ticket if purchased with $.

Divide $12k by 10 and you get $1200 cost of one FLounge visit.

Another way to express this is:
Save up 10 x 27k points for 10 FLounge visits - also equates to 10x $100 gift cards = $1k.
Save up 10 x 27K points and redeem for a J Ticket Syd-LAX, I will get the equivalent of a $12K flight plus 2 FLounge visits (in SYD and in LAX)

I am confident most people will know which is the better deal....
If unsure ask yourself - is an FLounge visit is worth $1200 per visit?

There is a reason why Qantas Loyalty is such a great money spinner.....

 

[flyingfan]

imho once you deliberately miss the flight and have to get out you might face some pretty annoyed or aggressive staff which might make you question if the S&P squid and eggs benedict were worth it.

The question's been discussed a few times that I remember:

Cheapest way into the SYD T1 F lounge as a guest?

I've been searching for this, but I can't find it anywhere. I remember that someone did an elaborate method of getting into the Singapore Airlines lounge at SYD T1 without buying a Singapore Airlines Business Class ticket - or they did and then they cancelled it. I really would like to find...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

FLounge Hacking

Just musing... Is there anything to stop a WP from buying a JetSaver Light fare for JQ30 (MEL) or JQ35 (SYD), going and spending 3 hours in the FLounge and then, when the flight is called, simply go to the desk and say you're not feeling well and have decided against getting the flight...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I think it tends to get a reaction because some might feel their 'legitimate' status/paid tickets are being gazumped by this gaming or abuse... yet we want the best deal and look for loopholes.

I'd keep it as a pure thought exercise and fantasy and not try it out. Realistically, even though you don't have 'pay' for the meals, compare their contents and plating up to any decent trendy cafe... chalk and cheese.

Enjoy the lounge when you do get in (when intending to fly would be my strong recommendation!)

 

[rcn]

I was being sarcastic, but I think it wasnt obvious enough in my previous post.

This thread is is about a cost/benefit analysis. OP chose to value 20 300 points at < $100 by using the Woolies gift card as a benchmark, then going ahead to ignore the added cost as well as the customs/immigration issues of entering an international zone of an aiport with no intention of travelling.

So i think the key point of this thread really should be about what it'll actually cost you to pull off a stunt like this, and what on earth is so amazing about the First Lounge to even think of doing something like this!