Qantas operated LAX First/oneworld lounges at TBIT

[codash1099]

I am coming in on QF F and have 6 hours till my AA LAX-JFK also F from T4 LAX- JFK. AS this seems to be the best lounge, should I make my way to TBIT and (try to) get in there?

Definitely worth the effort. The T4 AA lounge is probably better than most, but not up to the QF F lounge.

 

[legroom]

Definitely worth the effort. The T4 AA lounge is probably better than most, but not up to the QF F lounge.

Just a cautionary note, the AA Flagship lounge requires OWE status for entry.

AA F tickets alone won't cut it unless it is for three class transcontinental or international flights.

http://www.americanairlines.com.au/intl/jp/travelInformation_en/flagshipLounge.jsp

 

[RichardMEL]

Just a cautionary note, the AA Flagship lounge requires OWE status for entry.

AA F tickets alone won't cut it unless it is for three class transcontinental or international flights.

American Airlines | Flagship Lounge(R) / Arrivals Lounge | AA.com Japan

They should allow entry with arriving F BP from QF though..... per OW rules.

the agents there are pretty good

 

[get me outta here]

Ok thanks. Not OWE any more, but F arriving and leaving on transcon. I may give it a go if its not too hard to actually find it.

They should allow entry with arriving F BP from QF though..... per OW rules.

the agents there are pretty good

 

[RichardMEL]

Just to clarify I am talking about the AA lounge in T4 opp. gate 40.

If you've not used the F lounge, it's sort of like the MEL domestic J lounge in that it's in the AAdmirals club. Entry is on the 2nd floor to the right of the area where the agents are (it, turn right at the foyer, then left down the (very small) corridor. The agents at the front desk will issue an entry card for the F lounge if they deem you worthy and you pop it in the slot on the wall and presto you're in.

Incidently regarding same day access rights for QF Premium pax, a few weeks back when I was checking in there myself, I overhead some miffed QF pax turned back by the AA agent because they wanted in on their QF J boarding passes from their arrival flight, but they had arrived 2 days prior and the agent was (correctly) pointing out that access was only granted based on OW status or *same day onward journey* so they are familiar with the rules.

 

[get me outta here]

OK, yes I guess I can get into the AA T4 opp gate 40 lounge.

Just to clarify I am talking about the AA lounge in T4 opp. gate 40.

If you've not used the F lounge, it's sort of like the MEL domestic J lounge in that it's in the AAdmirals club. Entry is on the 2nd floor to the right of the area where the agents are (it, turn right at the foyer, then left down the (very small) corridor. The agents at the front desk will issue an entry card for the F lounge if they deem you worthy and you pop it in the slot on the wall and presto you're in.

Incidently regarding same day access rights for QF Premium pax, a few weeks back when I was checking in there myself, I overhead some miffed QF pax turned back by the AA agent because they wanted in on their QF J boarding passes from their arrival flight, but they had arrived 2 days prior and the agent was (correctly) pointing out that access was only granted based on OW status or *same day onward journey* so they are familiar with the rules.

 

[opusman]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

Tipping is a personal preference, however not mandatory in the lounge. The service is part of the premium experience.

Kind of amusing experience in the new LAX F lounge the other night.

Both mrsOpusman & I wanted a shower room. The attendant was friendly and helpful and led us down the hall to two adjacent rooms. He then turned and said "This room is for the gentleman", and led me inside. Just as I entered he muttered "Oh, let me get that out of your way" and darted over to the basin where I caught a quick flash of a $ note being picked up. "Oh," I thought, "someone left a tip for him from before.". This of course prompted me to leave a tip on my way out as well.

It was only afterwards, concurring with mrsOpusman, that we realised he had performed exactly the same routine with her. Thinking about it afterwards, clearly the rooms had been cleaned as they were ready for use - there's no logical reason for the tip to have been left behind, except as a prompt for the next guest.

I don't have a problem with tipping the bathroom attendants and probably would have anyway (I did the last time I was in the J lounge there), but this felt almost sleazy in a way, and I'm not sure is really a good look for a premium lounge.


(Incidentally, we specifically chose not to leave a tip in the lounge's restaurant, since the service was rather abysmal - but more on that if I ever get around to writing up my trip report!)

 

[eric2011]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

Kind of amusing experience in the new LAX F lounge the other night.

Both mrsOpusman & I wanted a shower room. The attendant was friendly and helpful and led us down the hall to two adjacent rooms. He then turned and said "This room is for the gentleman", and led me inside. Just as I entered he muttered "Oh, let me get that out of your way" and darted over to the basin where I caught a quick flash of a $ note being picked up. "Oh," I thought, "someone left a tip for him from before.". This of course prompted me to leave a tip on my way out as well.

It was only afterwards, concurring with mrsOpusman, that we realised he had performed exactly the same routine with her. Thinking about it afterwards, clearly the rooms had been cleaned as they were ready for use - there's no logical reason for the tip to have been left behind, except as a prompt for the next guest.

I don't have a problem with tipping the bathroom attendants and probably would have anyway (I did the last time I was in the J lounge there), but this felt almost sleazy in a way, and I'm not sure is really a good look for a premium lounge.


(Incidentally, we specifically chose not to leave a tip in the lounge's restaurant, since the service was rather abysmal - but more on that if I ever get around to writing up my trip report!)

TBH i've just returned from numerous flights in the states and it never occurred to me to leave any sort of a tip in any of the lounges I visited. Is it the norm ???

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

Kind of amusing experience in the new LAX F lounge the other night.

Both mrsOpusman & I wanted a shower room. The attendant was friendly and helpful and led us down the hall to two adjacent rooms. He then turned and said "This room is for the gentleman", and led me inside. Just as I entered he muttered "Oh, let me get that out of your way" and darted over to the basin where I caught a quick flash of a $ note being picked up. "Oh," I thought, "someone left a tip for him from before.". This of course prompted me to leave a tip on my way out as well.

It was only afterwards, concurring with mrsOpusman, that we realised he had performed exactly the same routine with her. Thinking about it afterwards, clearly the rooms had been cleaned as they were ready for use - there's no logical reason for the tip to have been left behind, except as a prompt for the next guest.

I don't have a problem with tipping the bathroom attendants and probably would have anyway (I did the last time I was in the J lounge there), but this felt almost sleazy in a way, and I'm not sure is really a good look for a premium lounge.


(Incidentally, we specifically chose not to leave a tip in the lounge's restaurant, since the service was rather abysmal - but more on that if I ever get around to writing up my trip report!)

EXACTLY my experience in the F lounge there last week. Previous tip on the bathroom bench quickly scooped up wit 'sorry' as I went in. Middle aged lady was the attendant. I too thought it bad form and was thinking of mentioning it to QF in feedback (not a complaint, but just the fact and an opinion on it) - I will now and maybe you might too. It is very bad form. The issue of tipping in this lounge was brought up in pre-opening discussions and IIRC RedRoo mentioned that NO tipping would be expected in this lounge. I don't mind tipping in general (see below) but soliciting for tips like this is not on for me.

I too had poor service in the restaurant - after giving my initial order, I ended up having to go to the bar to get a wine re-fill, then again to get a water re-fill and then again to order a dessert!

TBH i've just returned from numerous flights in the states and it never occurred to me to leave any sort of a tip in any of the lounges I visited. Is it the norm ???

I think it is widespread amongst the locals - yes, I think 'the norm'. I usually do in lounges other than the QF one; depends how I'm feeling. I don't like tipping any more than anyone else, but for bartenders and cleaners, where you suspect they are on a pittance, a few bucks I think 'why not'.

 

[eric2011]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

I think it is widespread amongst the locals - yes, I think 'the norm'. I usually do in lounges other than the QF one; depends how I'm feeling. I don't like tipping any more than anyone else, but for bartenders and cleaners, where you suspect they are on a pittance, a few bucks I think 'why not'.

Agreed, don't get me wrong, I have no problems in leaving tips for waiters, bar staff etc for good service but I did notice while I was there that the service in the likes of airport hotels etc was pretty poor, so much so that I actually didn't leave a tip for one waitress at the Crowne Plaza LAX. She did follow me out and tell me that I had not left her a tip and was argumentative when I told her that IMHO when I leave tips or gratuities it is an indication of appreciation of good service and that her service was less than satisfactory. She basically replied that it ( service ) doesn't really matter as they won't ever see me again.

 

[jimmylikesitwet]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

TBH i've just returned from numerous flights in the states and it never occurred to me to leave any sort of a tip in any of the lounges I visited. Is it the norm ???

You basically should tip everywhere in the states. Lounge bar staff, wedding bar staff (even if the drinks are free), airport transfer bus drivers, hotel concierge, hotel room cleaning (once per stay), obviously restaurant and bar staff... the list is endless. No-one in the service industry gets paid a decent wage so it's unfortunately up to the consumer to subsidise that.

 

[opusman]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

hotel room cleaning (once per stay)

I always leave a couple of dollars every morning, since there's no guarantee the person who does your room when you check out is the one who did it every other time.

 

[opusman]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

I will now and maybe you might too. It is very bad form. The issue of tipping in this lounge was brought up in pre-opening discussions and IIRC RedRoo mentioned that NO tipping would be expected in this lounge. I don't mind tipping in general (see below) but soliciting for tips like this is not on for me.

I too had poor service in the restaurant - after giving my initial order, I ended up having to go to the bar to get a wine re-fill, then again to get a water re-fill and then again to order a dessert!

Yes I might send them some feedback, although I always wonder whether anyone actually reads it or not

Actually I had a spectacularly good flight over all so I probably should send them some praise for that. F service was excellent, the food and wine on-board was excellent, it was just let down by the lounge which frankly was disappointing (despite the decor it's not even close to the MEL/SYD F lounges in terms of experience).

 

[TheBOSman]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

Yes I might send them some feedback, although I always wonder whether anyone actually reads it or not

Actually I had a spectacularly good flight over all so I probably should send them some praise for that. F service was excellent, the food and wine on-board was excellent, it was just let down by the lounge which frankly was disappointing (despite the decor it's not even close to the MEL/SYD F lounges in terms of experience).

Not many lounges anywhere close to the MEL/SYD F lounges. And sadly, the QF LAX F lounge is one of the best lounges anywhere in the US!

 

[Katie]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

I was in the LAX F Lounge on Fri 22nd, and had the same with the bathrooms/shower rooms. The attendant (who seemed to be run off her feet, and looking after the list as well as cleaning the rooms) let me in to the room & there was some money on the edge of the sink; I vaguely remember her grabbing something else from the room, and I said "I think that's yours", while pointing to the money. I left a tip, as I usually do in the shower rooms. I did not tip the staff in the restaurant, although I did tip the bar attendant at the AC in ATL when I collected my free Chandon mini-bottle.

Given the other occurrences of the tip money being "left behind" until the next person comes in, it does seem it's a not-so-subtle way to prompt for tips. Will be back in a few weeks, and will see what happens.

Also, I really did *not* like the shower waiting system. Put your name on the list, and keep coming back to check if there's a room!???!! What happened to the buzzers?? They're noisy, but they work.

 

[serfty]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

It may have been mentioned upthread, but I have seen references that the staff turnover at the *O TBIT lounges has been quite high - apparently due to the lack of tipping.

 

[danza108]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

Hi All

I recently flew LAS - LAX - PVG with AA in Y as a QF SG. With the transit at LAX, I walked from T4 to TBIT wanting to gain access to the oneworld lounge but was refused access by the bloke at the door who stated this was only available to QF, CX and BA pax.

Is this correct? I thought, all OWS gained access to all Business Class lounges operated by OW when flying OW flights; I can't see any clear exceptions on either the QF or OW websites. When pressed, the guy at the front indicated that only QF, CX and BA were part of OW. The lounge seemed empty after QF11 had left for JFK, maybe he didn't want any pax in the lounge?

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: QF/CX/BA open new Los Angeles Business Lounge

Hi All

I recently flew LAS - LAX - PVG with AA in Y as a QF SG. With the transit at LAX, I walked from T4 to TBIT wanting to gain access to the oneworld lounge but was refused access by the bloke at the door who stated this was only available to QF, CX and BA pax.

Is this correct? I thought, all OWS gained access to all Business Class lounges operated by OW when flying OW flights; I can't see any clear exceptions on either the QF or OW websites. When pressed, the guy at the front indicated that only QF, CX and BA were part of OW. The lounge seemed empty after QF11 had left for JFK, maybe he didn't want any pax in the lounge?

I think its been mentioned in other threads - but I can't find at the moment - that they are specifically excluding non TBIT pax from the lounge (not sure about pax with a QF BP from T4, but I think they would qualify unless, as normal they stamp the AA flight number on the BP and not the QF one; but I digress). Unfortunately not formalised in writing I think.

A pain but not that surprising considering that, with the airside T4-TBIT access coming soon, the lounge could well have too many AA pax for comfort, and for what it was designed for.

 

[Red Roo]

Both mrsOpusman & I wanted a shower room. The attendant was friendly and helpful and led us down the hall to two adjacent rooms. He then turned and said "This room is for the gentleman", and led me inside. Just as I entered he muttered "Oh, let me get that out of your way" and darted over to the basin where I caught a quick flash of a $ note being picked up. "Oh," I thought, "someone left a tip for him from before.". This of course prompted me to leave a tip on my way out as well.

It was only afterwards, concurring with mrsOpusman, that we realised he had performed exactly the same routine with her. Thinking about it afterwards, clearly the rooms had been cleaned as they were ready for use - there's no logical reason for the tip to have been left behind, except as a prompt for the next guest.

I don't have a problem with tipping the bathroom attendants and probably would have anyway (I did the last time I was in the J lounge there), but this felt almost sleazy in a way, and I'm not sure is really a good look for a premium lounge.

(Incidentally, we specifically chose not to leave a tip in the lounge's restaurant, since the service was rather abysmal - but more on that if I ever get around to writing up my trip report!

EXACTLY my experience in the F lounge there last week. Previous tip on the bathroom bench quickly scooped up wit 'sorry' as I went in. Middle aged lady was the attendant. I too thought it bad form and was thinking of mentioning it to QF in feedback (not a complaint, but just the fact and an opinion on it) - I will now and maybe you might too. It is very bad form. The issue of tipping in this lounge was brought up in pre-opening discussions and IIRC RedRoo mentioned that NO tipping would be expected in this lounge. I don't mind tipping in general (see below) but soliciting for tips like this is not on for me.

I too had poor service in the restaurant - after giving my initial order, I ended up having to go to the bar to get a wine re-fill, then again to get a water re-fill and then again to order a dessert!

I was in the LAX F Lounge on Fri 22nd, and had the same with the bathrooms/shower rooms. The attendant (who seemed to be run off her feet, and looking after the list as well as cleaning the rooms) let me in to the room & there was some money on the edge of the sink; I vaguely remember her grabbing something else from the room, and I said "I think that's yours", while pointing to the money. I left a tip, as I usually do in the shower rooms. I did not tip the staff in the restaurant, although I did tip the bar attendant at the AC in ATL when I collected my free Chandon mini-bottle.

Given the other occurrences of the tip money being "left behind" until the next person comes in, it does seem it's a not-so-subtle way to prompt for tips. Will be back in a few weeks, and will see what happens.

Also, I really did *not* like the shower waiting system. Put your name on the list, and keep coming back to check if there's a room!???!! What happened to the buzzers?? They're noisy, but they work.

Thanks for this feedback opusman, RooFlyer and Katie.

This type of behaviour is absolutely not on, and not at all what is expected of our staff. These examples of tip-fishing (or should I say phishing!) have been passed on to our International Customer Experience manager responsible for overseeing all our international lounges. They will be following up internally with the relevant local managers and individuals concerned.

I've also included the feedback about your recent experiences with service in the restaurant, and suggestion about reintroducing the bathroom buzzers.

Once again, I'd like to reiterate that tipping is personal preference, however not necessary at any of our lounges. All services are provided as part of our premium offering.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Once again, I'd like to reiterate that tipping is personal preference, however not necessary at any of our lounges. All services are provided as part of our premium offering.

Thanks for your response Red Roo and your efforts to passim feedback to management is appreciated.

However I think the underlying issue/question is if tipping is not expected, then do the wages paid to staff reflect the lack of tipping income compared to normal hospitable venues or even the AA lounges.

Culturally most Australian visitors understand the system and tip service staff, to ensure they make a living, but this understanding may stop when they are in a international airport lounge.