Qantas to Westjet at LAX

[Mwenenzi]

40 posts in ~18hrs for a "Qantas to Westjet at LAX " considering baggage & lounge access shows it not that simple. Many permutations and combinations

 

[UP4014]

I’ll back up everyone else, don’t bother with the shuttle bus, go up to the top departure level and enjoy the outdoor walk. Walking on the bottom level can be like being in a cave full of fumes. Upstairs is enjoyable after a long flight.

 

[roslynm]

Qantas doesn't have a lounge at Vancouver YVR. Qantas website indicates lounge access via Skyteam Lounge at Vancouver. my research indcates Qantas is not part of Sky Team. What are peoples experiences of accessing this lounge? 2x QClub members +1 minor. flying Westjet on Qantas ticket. QF3356 YVR-LAX.

 

[RooFlyer]

Qantas doesn't have a lounge at Vancouver YVR. Qantas website indicates lounge access via Skyteam Lounge at Vancouver. my research indcates Qantas is not part of Sky Team. What are peoples experiences of accessing this lounge? 2x QClub members +1 minor. flying Westjet on Qantas ticket. QF3356 YVR-LAX.

It could be a SkyTeam lounge - when an airline, or its alliance doesn't have a lounge, or suitable lounge at an airport it services, it might use any lounge that is prepared to take its passengers (for a fee). In this circumstance, and flying Westjet on a QF flight number, I doubt you'd be given lounge access - or even if you are strictly entitled, that the lounge agents would probably not realise this, and not admit you.

That said, here's an article, suggesting that Qantas uses a Plaza Premium Lounge at YVR and that you could well get in via Qantas Club.

What to expect when flying to Vancouver

Canada's borders are open! With direct flights to Vancouver, here's how to jet across the Pacific, and the airlines that'll fly you.

www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[roslynm]

Thanks RooFlyer, Will report back how I go.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

It could be a SkyTeam lounge - when an airline, or its alliance doesn't have a lounge, or suitable lounge at an airport it services, it might use any lounge that is prepared to take its passengers (for a fee). In this circumstance, and flying Westjet on a QF flight number, I doubt you'd be given lounge access - or even if you are strictly entitled, that the lounge agents would probably not realise this, and not admit you.

That said, here's an article, suggesting that Qantas uses a Plaza Premium Lounge at YVR and that you could well get in via Qantas Club.

What to expect when flying to Vancouver

Canada's borders are open! With direct flights to Vancouver, here's how to jet across the Pacific, and the airlines that'll fly you.

www.pointhacks.com.au

This has been my experience flying Qantas to destinations that don't have a Qantas lounge. For instance, at Christchurch, they use the Priority Pass lounge there. IIRC flying out of VanCity back in July there were two major lounges: the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge (for flights operated by Air Canada and Star Alliance partners like ANA or NZ) and the Plaza Premium lounge (for those who have a heartbeat and an AmEx Platinum card). The Plaza Premium lounge at YVR is much like the one in Sydney in the sense that they also function as a SkyTeam lounge (it's basically a reserved section of the lounge to keep you socially distanced from the plebs with Platinum cards). There is also a CX lounge at YVR but that was closed likely due to HKG being cancelled. It will be interesting to see if that lounge does reopen at some point since that would obviously be the lounge QF would use given CX is a OW partner!

-RooFlyer88

 

[RooFlyer]

There is also a CX lounge at YVR but that was closed likely due to HKG being cancelled. It will be interesting to see if that lounge does reopen at some point since that would obviously be the lounge QF would use given CX is a OW partner!

I'm trying to think what lounge I used to use at YVR when not AC. I recall something near gate ?52 or 53, by the US transit security point ... Can picture it, but not what brand it was. Not Plaza premium. You came out of the domestic C gates, headed left, though a small security point, down a corridor, and it was on the left. Any suggestion?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm trying to think what lounge I used to use at YVR when not AC. I recall something near gate ?52 or 53, by the US transit security point ... Can picture it, but not what brand it was. Not Plaza premium. You came out of the domestic C gates, headed left, though a small security point, down a corridor, and it was on the left. Any suggestion?

I think you are mistaking YVR International for another airport (possible Pearson?). Vancouver it's domestic gates then you keep walking and there is a checkpoint where a guard checks you've got a valid passport and international itinerary then lets you through to the international gates. That being said, my memory has been jogged and you are correct that there is a separate SkyTeam lounge (I think I got confused with YYZ Terminal 3 where aside from the Delta/Air France/KLM lounge, it's Plaza Premium that shares its space with various airlines):

 

[justinbrett]

I'm trying to think what lounge I used to use at YVR when not AC. I recall something near gate ?52 or 53, by the US transit security point ... Can picture it, but not what brand it was. Not Plaza premium. You came out of the domestic C gates, headed left, though a small security point, down a corridor, and it was on the left. Any suggestion?

Pre covid, when YVR was seasonal, it was the Plaza Premium lounge (circa ~2018).

It was actually better than the BA lounge. I went to both, the BA lounge didn't even have showers.

 

[RooFlyer]

I think you are mistaking YVR International for another airport (possible Pearson?). Vancouver it's domestic gates then you keep walking and there is a checkpoint where a guard checks you've got a valid passport and international itinerary then lets you through to the international gates.

Def YVR but you are right - a passport check, not security to get to international area.

 

[roslynm]

So, this is how it goes for us. Travelling on QF3356 VYR- LAX. Once passed thru security & customs we are on US side of the YVR terminal. Looking for Skyteam Lounge, as per the Qantas website instruction for VYR, it is near gate 53. Can't get to gate 53 it is on the Canadian side of the VYR international terminal.
So give Plaza Lounge a try no go. Definitely not accepting Qantas and we have Amex Ultimate not Platinum which they do accept.

Looking forward to the lounge for a more comfortable wait in LAX. Did do some DF shopping in VYR $C, but not a good range of single malts... much better in LAX. Now relaxing before QF12.

 

[jrfsp]

So, this is how it goes for us. Travelling on QF3356 VYR- LAX. Once passed thru security & customs we are on US side of the YVR terminal. Looking for Skyteam Lounge, as per the Qantas website instruction for VYR, it is near gate 53. Can't get to gate 53 it is on the Canadian side of the VYR international terminal.
So give Plaza Lounge a try no go. Definitely not accepting Qantas and we have Amex Ultimate not Platinum which they do accept.

Looking forward to the lounge for a more comfortable wait in LAX. Did do some DF shopping in VYR $C, but not a good range of single malts... much better in LAX. Now relaxing before QF12.

You're flying AA (QF codeshare) so AA lounge access applies in YVR. AA doesnt have a lounge contract it seems so no option there.

 

[roslynm]

You're flying AA (QF codeshare) so AA lounge access applies in YVR. AA doesnt have a lounge contract it seems so no option there.

Was Westjet codeshare. Same issue. See earlier in the post I had the same problem LAX - VYR. QF ticket on Westjet, no access to Q lounge. Just checked again on my way back thru if I was given the correct advice as Qantas Club website says differently , i should have had access, however Ihave been told by the service staff here LAX Lounge) the Qantas PR/Marketing people are currently revising was is published.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Qantas doesn't have a lounge at Vancouver YVR. Qantas website indicates lounge access via Skyteam Lounge at Vancouver. my research indcates Qantas is not part of Sky Team. What are peoples experiences of accessing this lounge? 2x QClub members +1 minor. flying Westjet on Qantas ticket. QF3356 YVR-LAX.

Whoops! I did not notice this part of your reply. So your flight back to Australia from Vancouver is via LAX? That means you aren't departing from the international terminal since that's not an international flight (it's a trans-border flight). The process there is you'll clear US Customs and Immigration in Vancouver to enter the trans-border terminal. Vancouver trans-border has two lounges: Air Canada and Plaza Premium. Per the Qantas/WestJet partnership website flying them it will be based on Qantas lounge policy. So far as I can tell there is no recognized OneWorld lounge at YVR in the trans-border terminal (just international terminal) so my guess is no lounge access at YVR. Then again, you aren't missing much there either!

LAX will be where all the good lounges are anyway, so I would just save your appetite for that experience!

-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

It does seem odd that neither AA nor AS have a lounge in YVR….

 

[jrfsp]

It does seem odd that neither AA nor AS have a lounge in YVR….

I think there used to be an AS lounge in YVR but it got the axe during covid and i think got taken over as a plaza premium. Im not sure how much space there is in the USA border area for another lounge.

If / When the CX lounge reopens would you be able to access the intl area and then go through USA connections?

 

[SYD]

If / When the CX lounge reopens would you be able to access the intl area and then go through USA connections?

No idea. There’s also a BA lounge?

 

[jrfsp]

No idea. There’s also a BA lounge?

Also a covid casualty

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think there used to be an AS lounge in YVR but it got the axe during covid and i think got taken over as a plaza premium. Im not sure how much space there is in the USA border area for another lounge.

There has never been an Alaskan (Seattle Air) lounge at Vancouver - all of their lounges are in the US and in any event it is a very, very short hop between the cities of Vancouver and Alaskan's hub of Seattle (a shorter flight than even Cairns to Townsville). There has been Plaza Premium lounges at all terminals of major airports in Canada (i.e. Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto) for quite some time.

If / When the CX lounge reopens would you be able to access the intl area and then go through USA connections?

Not possible. Canadian security checks your boarding pass and passport. If it's not an international flight you can't go through to the international terminal. US flights are by definition not international since you are leaving from Vancouver,USA (or Toronto, USA or Dublin, USA if you are abroad) to a destination in the US. Keep in mind too that Canada and Australia hold a similar belief on passenger segregation, that is you cannot enter the international terminal unless you are on an international flight, and once you cross into the international zone you have "left" Canada meaning you can't just leave the terminal you have to be escorted through a series of doors, clear Canadian immigration, etc.

For arriving passengers into Canada, yes it's possible to connect in the manner you describe. In particular you'd follow signs for US connections, clear US pre-clearance and security and be on your way. For domestic connections you would clear immigration air-side then be dumped into the domestic terminal (no security screening required since you were already screened). For international connections, I think you are just dumped into the international terminal (no immigration or security required).

-RooFlyer88

 

[jrfsp]

There has never been an Alaskan (Seattle Air) lounge at Vancouver - all of their lounges are in the US and in any event it is a very, very short hop between the cities of Vancouver and Alaskan's hub of Seattle (a shorter flight than even Cairns to Townsville). There has been Plaza Premium lounges at all terminals of major airports in Canada (i.e. Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto) for quite some time.

The plaza premium lounge was a reincarnation of the AS lounge which closed

https://investor.alaskaair.com/news-releases/news-release-details/alaska-airlines-board-room-opens-its-first-canadian-location