boomy, Just try a US Exec lounge.... PAYG.
Given the complaints about queues at the glass restaurant for breakfast I can sort of understand the restriction - overseas there is a mix on whether you can alternately take breakfast in the main restaurant if you have Exec Lounge acces.
Have a stay at SYD tonight as Gold (Stay number 29 for the year).
Interestingly when I went to e-checkin yesterday was only able to select King Plus up to floor 25 (so certainly no lounge access) - I therefore declined to select.
This morning I had a pre-allocated Exec Room and choice of Exec Rooms up to floor 38.
Hypothesising, but suspect I may not have got the upgrade had I checked in earlier.