MEL F vs SYD F Lounge

[Cruiser Elite]

Excellent thread - very informative - I have only ever experienced MEL F on 4 occasions - I think it is a wonderful Lounge - I always wondered should I try SYD F once - but the transfer would not justify it IMO after reading this thread - thanks to all posters.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Excellent thread - very informative - I have only ever experienced MEL F on 4 occasions - I think it is a wonderful Lounge - I always wondered should I try SYD F once - but the transfer would not justify it IMO after reading this thread - thanks to all posters.

I beg to differ CE, definitely worth doing once
YMMV of course

 

[kpc]

The comments (and photos) in this http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/qf-f-lounge-run-new-10187.html#post130544 which I posted back in 2007 covering both Mel and Syd QF F lounges, I believe, are still valid today, 8.5 years later. After having visited the Syd F lounge (my home port, and motivation to achieve and maintain QF Plat status for the last 6 years) many times, and the Mel F lounge several times since, my opinion hasn't changed much. Mal, JohnK and I coined the term "F lounge run" after this trip:mrgreen::idea:

From my reading, the only 2 lounges that i have seen some state as being better than the Syd F lounge are the LH F lounge at Fra and the new Cx Pier lounge at Hkg, tha latter of which i will visit shortly

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I beg to differ CE, definitely worth doing once
YMMV of course

PF thanks for response - you really think that the SYD F Lounge is that superior that it warrants the inconvenience of SYD dom -> Int transfer?

 

[kpc]

PF thanks for response - you really think that the SYD F Lounge is that superior that it warrants the inconvenience of SYD dom -> Int transfer?

Lounges aside (and I would checkout the Syd F lounge at least once ), the Syd dom -> Int transfer is airside and it is quite interesting to see the planes up close and personal. Last year, we flew Syd-Mel-Lax as this was the only way we could get 5 QF award seats on the same flight albeit in Y (I know it is just a short walk Mel Dom--->Int )

 

[kermatu]

Lounges aside (and I would checkout the Syd F lounge at least once ), the Syd dom -> Int transfer is airside and it is quite interesting to see the planes up close and personal. Last year, we flew Syd-Mel-Lax as this was the only way we could get 5 QF award seats on the same flight albeit in Y (I know it is just a short walk Mel Dom--->Int )

Did this transfer about a fortnight ago and had a 747 freight plane taking off (what felt like) metres away from the bus as we just passed the runway threshold - was quite spectacular (and loud). It seemed to use all of 34L before lifting off. Also got an up close view of a QF A380 with one of it's engines opened-up and being inspected (believe this was the flight to LA which ended up being a few hours late). So yep, that's an extra bonus of the Dom-Intl transfer to F lounge - if you are a bit of a geek!!

 

[JessicaTam]

I have tried both and prefer the intimacy of the MEL lounge.

The transfer at SYD is not that bad to discount trying the SYD lounge at least once, IMHO.

 

[hb13]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think that the SYD F lounge must be tried once and with my trip in February being the first of 3 planned international hops in 2016, I probably should try it once.

Based on the information here, I think I'll stick to the MEL F lounge for my immediate upcoming trip.

I think another factor is the view. I'm heading to DXB, and departing on QF1, that's a 4.45 pm departure. Now I'm not saying the view in the middle of the afternoon is poor or not great, I'm sure it is quite stunning, however I would prefer a view during sunset where in my personal opinion the views would be spectacular. Once again, this is only my opinion and I haven't tried either lounge to see that for myself. Hopefully I'll have the chance to try both lounges in time, which I can imagine are both amazing lounges.

 

[QF029]

The advantage of connecting is that you may be able to schedule a particularly long visit to the lounge if this appeals to you.

 

[eminere]

Because I think the Pooch meant to say SYD INT J wins over MEL INT J.

And I think I might agree with that.

I agree too if we're comparing the international J lounges, but that's not what the OP was asking.

 

[farstar]

Both F Lounges are great. Which lounge you route through may depend on whether you need extra SCs.

 

[Princess Fiona]

PF thanks for response - you really think that the SYD F Lounge is that superior that it warrants the inconvenience of SYD dom -> Int transfer?

Absolutely, it's a quite spectacular space.
It starts when you are greeted by the charming Nestor at the door. Truly a lovely guy and a credit to QF.
MEL has the same furniture etc but it does not have the grand entrance, living walls, whalebone wooden arches and the huge departures board. Also the view of Sydney CBD as a backdrop makes for great photo opportunities.
As a space and experience it's really hard to beat.
I wouldn't do it as a regular thing if I lived in MEL but as a once off, yes definitely without hesitation.

 

[JohnK]

In my opinion the SYD First lounge is a little better than the MEL First lounge.

I normally wouldn't spend more than 45m-60m in a lounge unless it was part of a lounge crawl and I wouldn't reroute just to visit a lounge. In saying that I did reroute via MEL a few times to SE Asia when the A380 was still being used but that was for extra SCs and the aircraft.

I have been to the CX lounges in HKG. They are not as good as the SYD First lounge. The only lounge I have visited which was better was the BA First lounge in LHR T5 but that was over 6 years ago.

 

[bosox76]

Being based in MEL I certainly have a bias towards the MEL one. I agree with many of the comments that the MEL lounge is certainly more intimate but the SYD one is very impressive. Maybe reroute once to check it out but unless the SC are needed I'd use the MEL for the bulk of trips.

Havent had had too much difficulty with spa treatments at either lounge. Service and food quality was very similar. I don't drink much alcohol so can't comment on that side of things.

 

[DC3]

You can't go wrong with either

 

[Princess Fiona]

In my opinion the SYD First lounge is a little better than the MEL First . The only lounge I have visited which was better was the BA First lounge in LHR T5 but that was over 6 years ago.

What did you think was better about the BA T5 F Lounge JohnK ?
Really interested to know. You are the first person I've come across who thinks this.
I'm a regular visitor there and don't rate it anywhere close to SYD F. Only slight advantage I think is a slightly better booze selection. Doesn't worry me really as I usually only drink Champagne and sparkling water (separately of course).

 

[snabbu]

What did you think was better about the BA T5 F Lounge JohnK ?
Really interested to know. You are the first person I've come across who thinks this.

+1. Interesting comment as I've also never come across anyone who thought T5 FL was better than SYD QF FL.

 

[JohnK]

What did you think was better about the BA T5 F Lounge JohnK ?
Really interested to know. You are the first person I've come across who thinks this.

The variety of the food on offer. I don't like ordering off a menu. I enjoy buffet style and when the quality of the food is good that gets my vote.

From memory there was a good variety of alcohol available and the service was very good.

And again from memory the lounge was spacious. Not a lot of people at that time as well.

I like the overall atmosphere of the lounge. It's not dull.

 

[mannej]

The variety of the food on offer. I don't like ordering off a menu. I enjoy buffet style and when the quality of the food is good that gets my vote.

From memory there was a good variety of alcohol available and the service was very good.

And again from memory the lounge was spacious. Not a lot of people at that time as well.

I like the overall atmosphere of the lounge. It's not dull.

You may be interested to know that the BA F Lounge at T5 has had issues with the standard of it's food previously.
There were reports in the media that about food hygiene standards going back to 2013 from memory - Poor Food Hygiene and Safety Rating For British Airways Lounges in Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport | The Gate

 

[JohnK]

You may be interested to know that the BA F Lounge at T5 has had issues with the standard of it's food previously.
There were reports in the media that about food hygiene standards going back to 2013 from memory

Thanks for pointing that out. Very disappointing if that's the case.