International Lounge Access - Sydney

[Jurahn]

From the research I've already done, I guess I know what the answer will be to this question, but thought I'd ask anyway in case there's an option I've overlooked! We're flying PE with V Australia in Nov/Dec, PER-SYD leg of course is with DJ in PE then we have a 6-hour layover (unfortunately!) in Sydney before our flight to LAX. Is there ANY international lounge where we can buy a day pass? We're not Gold status nor are we flying J (I wish) so no complimentary lounge access for us, but just wondering now given the recently-announced partnership with Air NZ (albeit mainly a trans-Tasman one) whether we'd be able to buy day passes for the Air NZ International Lounge at Sydney? (I realise this is usually restricted to Koru or Star Alliance Members).

As I said, I'm guessing the answer will be a resounding "no" but thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

[connieguy]

From the research I've already done, I guess I know what the answer will be to this question, but thought I'd ask anyway in case there's an option I've overlooked! We're flying PE with V Australia in Nov/Dec, PER-SYD leg of course is with DJ in PE then we have a 6-hour layover (unfortunately!) in Sydney before our flight to LAX. Is there ANY international lounge where we can buy a day pass? We're not Gold status nor are we flying J (I wish) so no complimentary lounge access for us, but just wondering now given the recently-announced partnership with Air NZ (albeit mainly a trans-Tasman one) whether we'd be able to buy day passes for the Air NZ International Lounge at Sydney? (I realise this is usually restricted to Koru or Star Alliance Members).

As I said, I'm guessing the answer will be a resounding "no" but thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.

I would suggest you "give it a go" to stay in the DJ Syd Domestic lounge (using your PE Per/Syd boarding passes) until you need to go to the Syd international terminal to catch the Syd/Lax flight. A lot of SMILES and NICE words with the Per/Syd cabin staff and Syd DJ Lounge staff might also help.

You could also ask if any AFF DJ Gold can Guest you into the Syd DJ Lounge.

As a last resort you may be able to buy OnLine / WalkUp DJ Syd Domestic Lounge One Day Lounge Passes.

Prices & Membership | Virgin Australia

Bottom line. Be nice, praise the service and SMILE a lot as DJ/VA do not own any Oz International lounges and so have little say in who can enter them.

Another option is to buy the least expensive Priority Card and pay for the DJ Domestic Lounge entry. Should work until end July 2011.

Yes I know what you are thinking. Not what you would expect for a truly world class airline. I agree.

 

[Jurahn]

Being guested in probably isn't an option unfortunately as there's 2 of us travelling together and we'd have to strike it lucky with 2 AFF DJ Golds at the same time - don't fancy our chances at around 7am on a Sunday!

Good suggestions though re the cabin crew and Lounge staff, it's certainly worth a try and lots of smiles and praise never go astray

 

[connieguy]

Being guested in probably isn't an option unfortunately as there's 2 of us travelling together and we'd have to strike it lucky with 2 AFF DJ Golds at the same time - don't fancy our chances at around 7am on a Sunday!

Good suggestions though re the cabin crew and Lounge staff, it's certainly worth a try and lots of smiles and praise never go astray

My take is that Per/Syn in PE is a long flight and big DJ spend, so try to be nice with the DJ Syd Domestic Lounge staff and get anytime / arrivals access. And yes if you talk to the Per/Syd PE cabin staff, they may be able to clear you for DJ Syd Domestic Lounge entry, while you wait for the VA international leg.

 

[Noob]

I'm sure if you asked really nicely and explained you are having a 6hr stopover they would suss something out for you.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Assuming you are sandgropers, why not use the 6 hours to jump on a train into Sydney for a bit of sightseeing?

It's not my favourite city, but good old Sydney does have some great attractions to use up 6 hours. How about a nice lunch at Bondi or a stroll around The Rocks? Make Sydney a part of your holiday, rather than just a stopover in a lounge (the SYD lounge is nice, but 6 hours would be stretching the enjoyment :-|).

Alternatively, if either of you are a DJ lounge member already, you could buy one cheap $75 fare SYD-OOL departing after your SYD-LAX flight and use that flight to enter the Dom lounge with a guest!

 

[Jurahn]

Thanks for the suggestions , swanning_it - I actually grew up in Sydney, moved away when I was about 20 (many moons ago )and to be honest, ever since I've only looked at Sydney as a place to transit through and to get out of as quickly as possible LOL (no offence to those Sydney-ites on the forum, but after a lot of years living elsewhere, I don't really enjoy spending time in Sydney these days). We get in at around 6am and fly out just after midday on a Sunday, so that also limits what would be open and what we could do anyway! Neither of us are Lounge members, we only fly domestically about once a year so can't justify the cost of membership, especially as we're only Red status, although this trip to the US should at least bump us up to Silver by the time we get back but we won't quite make it to Gold, I don't think.

I think I'll go with Noob's (and others' advice) and speak very nicely to the cabin crew/Lounge staff and see if something can be arranged. The VA staff seem to always be very friendly and helpful, so it's worth a shot!

Thanks for your suggestions and advice, everyone.

 

[notzac]

..but just wondering now given the recently-announced partnership with Air NZ (albeit mainly a trans-Tasman one) whether we'd be able to buy day passes for the Air NZ International Lounge at Sydney?

$55 per pax for a day pass, from International Lounges - owned & operated by Air*New*Zealand - Lounge Information - Koru - Airpoints - Air*New*Zealand - Australia Site -- no need to be flying a certain cabin or on a certain airline.

For a J lounge, it's actually pretty nice

 

[schmorandom]

+1 for going into the city. Even at that time, you could be at Circular Quay, Coogee Beach, Centennial Park, Danks St, Surry Hills or Brighton Le Sands in 20mins - having a delicious breakfast and a nice walk. Much better IMO than sitting around the airport

 

[medhead]

As you are flying PE then you get access to The Lounge for the domestic flight. The virgin rep on here as said there is arrivals access for The Lounge, I'm not sure if that is limited to velocity gold or includes PE pax as well.

Oh to echo other comments I might be inclined to go to the rocks or something. But then again 6am on a Sunday....