Sydney Lounges - Qantas Business or Centurion?

[Beano]

Beer and spirits are not self serve in most DOM lounges except where there are no staff, e.g. Mackay.

 

[RealtimeY]

Food is OK with basically 1-2 options so probably on par with QF for that.

Having seen the two hot options at QF J a few days ago... I don't think that you were missing out on much. They both looked watery, only had very small bits of "matter" in them, and both had that awful plasticky sheen.

One lounge that gets overlooked a lot is the Plaza Premium and Skyteam operated by PP, which has a view outside and was comfortable enough.

QF J menu




Plaza Premium hot food options

 

[heolesgyn]

Here in SYD Amex lounge for the first time (can’t access QF as I’m flying FJ on award).

It’s a terrible lounge and I’d pay to go to the QF J lounge right now. Seating is terrible (none made for lounging) and a pretty uncomfortable way to spend three hours.

Food is OK with basically 1-2 options so probably on par with QF for that. Bar won’t do coughtails until 5pm and no spirits until 1pm. If you want a mimosa you get half sparkling and finish it yourself.

Sometimes it’s good to visit other lounges to make you appreciate what you have! (I’ll be back in the Flounge next trip out of SYD).

And, last time I tried, I couldn’t find any contact details so as to offer feedback on all the issues I experienced which resulted in one of the worst lounges I’ve ever visited..l

 

[Damo_Oz_1]

I'm flying out from SYD Int'l tomorrow. Do you have any recent experiences/updates on Amex vs. QF J lounge? Or is the general advice still to head straight to QF?

My flight leaves from Gate 53, around the corner from the Amex lounge.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm flying out from SYD Int'l tomorrow. Do you have any recent experiences/updates on Amex vs. QF J lounge? Or is the general advice still to head straight to QF?

My flight leaves from Gate 53, around the corner from the Amex lounge.

Depends what you are looking for. Food? Seating? I’d argue the AmEx lounge. If you want a shower or want to have slightly more outdoor lighting and views, then Qantas Business lounge is better.

The other thing to consider is your Qantas status and where you are flying to. If it’s Gold, you are flying to somewhere other than the Americas on Qantas, and the lounge is open then I’d argue emirates is the best (it’s located beside the AmEx lounge)

 

[heolesgyn]

I'm flying out from SYD Int'l tomorrow. Do you have any recent experiences/updates on Amex vs. QF J lounge? Or is the general advice still to head straight to QF?

My flight leaves from Gate 53, around the corner from the Amex lounge.

I used AMEX Centurion a couple of times last year and found it unbearable. However, if you’re not bothered about out-of-control children whose parents don’t give a toss about anyone else and ‘musac’ which doesn’t fit well with a relaxing atmosphere, then go for it. The public space was better…
Having said all that, it may have improved since then, but I wouldn’t return.

 

[Beano]

Depends what you are looking for. Food? Seating? I’d argue the AmEx lounge. If you want a shower or want to have slightly more outdoor lighting and views, then Qantas Business lounge is better.

The other thing to consider is your Qantas status and where you are flying to. If it’s Gold, you are flying to somewhere other than the Americas on Qantas, and the lounge is open then I’d argue emirates is the best (it’s located beside the AmEx lounge)

Emirates is my option if leaving on a Qantas flight from the 50s and 60s gates, and you have the status. Not much of an outside view but the seating, food and drink are excellent.

 

[justinbrett]

Depends what you are looking for. Food? Seating? I’d argue the AmEx lounge. If you want a shower or want to have slightly more outdoor lighting and views, then Qantas Business lounge is better.

You left out alcohol. Don’t go to Amex if you like to drink. QF is much better.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You left out alcohol. Don’t go to Amex if you like to drink. QF is much better.

You’re right at the Centurion lounge you’re served by a bartender who manages your boozing experience. Then again, if OP does have access to the Emirates lounge it is better than the QF J lounge as it’s self pour and it’s top shelf liquor. None of this Australian champagne nonsense.

 

[Damo_Oz_1]

You’re right at the Centurion lounge you’re served by a bartender who manages your boozing experience. Then again, if OP does have access to the Emirates lounge it is better than the QF J lounge as it’s self pour and it’s top shelf liquor. None of this Australian champagne nonsense.

Thank you all for the latest insights. My flight (QF33) leaves at 2.55 pm, so EK is out. Looking at all the comments, it's a choice between two bad options!

With a solid 25 hours in the air in J, there is no need to load up on drinks on the ground! There are plenty of opportunities to do that during the flight - and the 2 hours on the ground at the Perth Transit lounge.

 

[justinbrett]

You’re right at the Centurion lounge you’re served by a bartender who manages your boozing experience. Then again, if OP does have access to the Emirates lounge it is better than the QF J lounge as it’s self pour and it’s top shelf liquor. None of this Australian champagne nonsense.

As above Amex won’t even give you spirits before 1pm.

EK wins for sure but that’s not what I was talking about.

 

[justinbrett]

Thank you all for the latest insights. My flight (QF33) leaves at 2.55 pm, so EK is out. Looking at all the comments, it's a choice between two bad options!

With a solid 25 hours in the air in J, there is no need to load up on drinks on the ground! There are plenty of opportunities to do that during the flight - and the 2 hours on the ground at the Perth Transit lounge.

Likely your flight will depart from a gate close to the QF lounges. I’d suggest going to Amex early on and repositioning to QF for the second half. The Amex lounge is a bit of a cupboard, the QF lounge is much bigger (but with more people) which at least feels less claustrophobic, and has natural light. That would be good before your long journey.

Or otherwise just go to QF. The Amex lounge isn’t really worth the long walk IMO.

 

[DejaBrew]

Looking at all the comments, it's a choice between two bad options!

As a wise little Mexican girl once suggested...

 

[elanshin]

You could always do both. Given QF is near the main terminal entrance, you coukd always go there first check it out and then goto Amex later as your gates closer to there.

 

[Damo_Oz_1]

Likely your flight will depart from a gate close to the QF lounges. I’d suggest going to Amex early on and repositioning to QF for the second half. The Amex lounge is a bit of a cupboard, the QF lounge is much bigger (but with more people) which at least feels less claustrophobic, and has natural light. That would be good before your long journey.

Or otherwise just go to QF. The Amex lounge isn’t really worth the long walk IMO.

That's the weird thing: QF33 is showing as departing from Gate 53 on the app.

 

[justinbrett]

That's the weird thing: QF33 is showing as departing from Gate 53 on the app.

They’ll change. No point looking this far out.

QF33 left from 9 or 10 on its last flight (18th) and the one before that. I can’t remember which is which but both are close to the QF lounges.

 

[elanshin]

That's the weird thing: QF33 is showing as departing from Gate 53 on the app.

Also keep in mind those are tentative gates. It may change tomorrow depending on the aircraft. It can even change while you're in the lounge if they change physical aircrafts.

 

[DejaBrew]

@Damo_Oz_1 - you could always try posting in the relevant thread(s) to see if anyone is available to guest you into the FLounge (which would negate this whole either/or debate )

See here and here.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thank you all for the latest insights. My flight (QF33) leaves at 2.55 pm, so EK is out. Looking at all the comments, it's a choice between two bad options!

I'm flying out of Sydney international tomorrow as well (catching the LA flight to AKL). I do have QF Platinum status but cannot use it as I'll be flying LA, so must resort to the Business lounge which I have access to as a LA Black elite member.

Likely your flight will depart from a gate close to the QF lounges.

That's right. From my experience, most QF international flights depart from gates near security (i.e. low numbered gates). The only exception I can think of are QF flights across the ditch to NZ, particularly those on narrowbody aircraft. Other flights which from my experience tend to take off from the higher number gates would be EK flights and also JetStar international flights.

But as pointed out earlier, your best bet would be to consult the departure boards after you've checked in.

Or otherwise just go to QF. The Amex lounge isn’t really worth the long walk IMO.

Gonna disagree with you here. Now I'm not sure when you last visited there, but late last year they refurbished the lounge greatly to meet global Centurion standards for catering. Here are some photos I snapped at the time (October 2023):

 

[justinbrett]

I'm flying out of Sydney international tomorrow as well (catching the LA flight to AKL). I do have QF Platinum status but cannot use it as I'll be flying LA, so must resort to the Business lounge which I have access to as a LA Black elite member.


That's right. From my experience, most QF international flights depart from gates near security (i.e. low numbered gates). The only exception I can think of are QF flights across the ditch to NZ, particularly those on narrowbody aircraft. Other flights which from my experience tend to take off from the higher number gates would be EK flights and also JetStar international flights.

But as pointed out earlier, your best bet would be to consult the departure boards after you've checked in.


Gonna disagree with you here. Now I'm not sure when you last visited there, but late last year they refurbished the lounge greatly to meet global Centurion standards for catering. Here are some photos I snapped at the time (October 2023):
View attachment 412998
View attachment 412999

April this year. I believe it was post renos.

They lost me at their stupid alcohol policy.

Your food photos could have come from a Qantas club. Looks like typical lounge food. If that’s the global standard for Centurion lounges then I think I thought they were better than they actually are.