Upcoming flights - questions

[awilcockson]

Hi,

First post, after doing a lot of reading. Sorry if this is in the wrong area.

I recently, finally, attained WP after years of paying for QC, flying for work and usually just missing the cutoff.

I'm off to Washington in a couple of weeks, flying BNE-SYD-LAX-IAD.

The boss has booked this tickets this time, so I had no real control over routing or carrier. So whereas I normally book to ensure lounge access etc this time I had no real say. There I had a couple of questions due to the odd combination of carriers and routings.

1. Lounge access in LAX. I am flying QF from BNE-SYD-LAX, and Virgin America from LAX-IAD. Will I be able to access the loung in LAX for my six hour stopover? From reading the lounge access rules page it appears that my WP status will get me in, but I'm not certain.
2. Checked baggage. BNE-SYD-LAX on QF, LAX-IAD on VA. IAD-LAX on United, LAX-SYD-BNE on QF. Am I going to be able to check my luggage through on either of these legs, or am I going to have to collect my luggage and recheck 3 times each way?
3. Follow on from question 2. I have a one hour connection in Sydney on departure and 1.5 hours on return. Are these long enough if I have to collect luggage and recheck, and to get through customs and immigration on the return?

Cheers, and thanks in advance for any help.

Andrew.

 

[markis10]

I dont think you will get lounge access in LAX, others may have found different but travelling means next onward flight with one world. Regardless there are no lounges in Terminal 3.

 

[RB]

Regardless there are no lounges in Terminal 3.

If you have no access to lounge in T3, 6hrs is going to seem like a loooong time- there is very little there

 

[awilcockson]

Only been through LAX once, and it was a very quick transfer.

I was hoping to get into a lounge based on the following rules for International Lounge access for Platinum:

"Member and 1 guest can access lounge any time.^ Guest must be travelling with member. "
^ Must be travelling, not necessarily on Qantas, British Airways or Jetstar to access the lounge.

But then I realised that both QF operated lounges in LAX are airside so I guess I might be out of luck?

If only I was booked on AA instead of VA, six hours is going to be a hell of a long wait.

 

[serfty]

I dont think you will get lounge access in LAX, others may have found different but travelling means next onward flight with one world. Regardless there are no lounges in Terminal 3.

There's an AS boardroom in T3.

Alaska Airlines Board Room

You can purchase a Day Pass online for USD40. You do not need to be travelling AS or QX:

A One Day Pass must be used in conjunction with same-day ticketed air travel but such travel may be on any airline.

https://commerce.points.com/loungepasses

 

[markis10]

I believe there's an AS boardroom in T3.

You can purchase a Day Pass online for USD40. You do not need to be travelling AS or QX

https://commerce.points.com/loungepasses

I should have said no oneworld lounge, there is a clubhouse at IAD BTW

Airport Lounge And Clubhouse | Virgin America

 

[ozavanti]

Hi,

First post, after doing a lot of reading. Sorry if this is in the wrong area.

I recently, finally, attained WP after years of paying for QC, flying for work and usually just missing the cutoff.

I'm off to Washington in a couple of weeks, flying BNE-SYD-LAX-IAD.

The boss has booked this tickets this time, so I had no real control over routing or carrier. So whereas I normally book to ensure lounge access etc this time I had no real say. There I had a couple of questions due to the odd combination of carriers and routings.

2. Checked baggage. BNE-SYD-LAX on QF, LAX-IAD on VA. IAD-LAX on United, LAX-SYD-BNE on QF. Am I going to be able to check my luggage through on either of these legs, or am I going to have to collect my luggage and recheck 3 times each way?
3. Follow on from question 2. I have a one hour connection in Sydney on departure and 1.5 hours on return. Are these long enough if I have to collect luggage and recheck, and to get through customs and immigration on the return?

Andrew,

I cant say much about you VA or United legs, but with QF on the way out you can check your baggage right through to LAX from BNE so no need to re-check, just make your way over to T1 via the transfer bus then pass through customs - probably no time for a visit to the lounges before departure.

One arrival you should be ok again given that you have the pleasure of priority tickets on your luggage given WP status. You simply use the new transfer lounge in T1 and check-in before boarding the bus to T3 and your flight to BNE.

Happy Travelling

 

[Jasecoop]

I dont like your chances in terms of lounges, id prepare yourself not to and be surprised if you get into one. There arent too many and generally they wont let you in unless you are flying with them. One of the worst airports to wait in

in terms of bags, you will likely have to collect in LAX to clear customs and recheck. On the way home not 100% sure but United should check it through to Sydney (to clear customs) although most times I have stayed in LA before flying out again

1.5 hours is tight in Sydney - are you travelling business/first. My last trip I made a connection in 45min but was first off the plane and bags came out early. If you are in economy it will be very tight due to the time to get off the plane and wait for bags. There are pretty regular flights sydney to bris so wouldnt be worried, they will put you on the next one which is probably only an hour later

 

[Oneworldplus2]

SFO Clubhouse

San Francisco (SFO) Clubhouse
Access: All confirmed First Class guests, Main Cabin Select guests, and Elevate members are eligible to purchase Clubhouse access.

Hours of Operation: 1:00pm – 4:15pm: daily
Cost: $35
Tickets: You can purchase your clubhouse pass during online check-in or at the airport.
Location: To get to the SFO Clubhouse, follow the signs to the A concourse, turn left before security, enter the corridor next to the museum, and take the elevator to the 5th floor.

Rules:

• Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the Clubhouse.
• Guests must be flying a Virgin America flight within 90 minutes of the hours of operation of the clubhouse to use the facilities.
• Hours may vary and are subject to change.Refer to the grid above.
• Purchase of the Clubhouse pass is for the purchased date and Clubhouse only.
• Clubhouse is open to First Class and Main Cabin Select in all cities and Elevate members in SFO only.
• Amenities differ between Clubhouses and are subject to change.
• No pets are allowed in the Clubhouse.
• Guests must present the Clubhouse pass and their boarding pass at the entry door of the Clubhouse.
• Picture ID may be required for entry.
• Clubhouse staff reserves the right to refuse entry who is deemed unsuitable by Staff (this includes but not limited to guests perceived to be under the influence of alcohol/drugs, offensive general attire or unruly behavior).

Typo?

 

[docjames]

The connection on return in SYD is not an issue (I presume it's bought as a through (single) ticket LAX-(SYD)-BNE, not LAX-SYD and SYD-BNE?) Our QF2 was late ex-BKK into SYD and they just put us on the flight that went an hour later. Your booking is protected so no need to worry.

Cant help with lounges but if it was me i'd be using a day pass to a lounge in you departing terminal (and paying on the company credit card!)

 

[awilcockson]

1.5 hours is tight in Sydney - are you travelling business/first.

Haha, those were the days!

Premium economy is the best it gets these days, although at least it's on an A380.

Good point about the later flights, I guess I shouldn't be too worried about missing the connection.

 

[awilcockson]

The connection on return in SYD is not an issue (I presume it's bought as a through (single) ticket LAX-(SYD)-BNE, not LAX-SYD and SYD-BNE?) Our QF2 was late ex-BKK into SYD and they just put us on the flight that went an hour later. Your booking is protected so no need to worry.

Yep it's a single ticket.

Cant help with lounges but if it was me i'd be using a day pass to a lounge in you departing terminal (and paying on the company credit card!)

Will look into day lounges. Company credit card, what's that? They went out along with business class flights. Don't like my chances of getting the expense reimbursed either, but I'll see how I go.

Cheers,

Andrew.

 

[Jasecoop]

Good point about the later flights, I guess I shouldn't be too worried about missing the connection.

I should point out with 45 min my bags didnt make it

 

[awilcockson]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not really a novice flyer, even though it sounds like it. Just that I normally fly to Europe (I can reel of info about Singapore/Hong Kong/Heathrow airports from memory) and this is only my second trip to the US, and the first connecting through Sydney, so it is like learing to walk (fly) all over again.

 

[Timtammi]

T3 at LAX is the pits. There is NOTHING there. Recently had to hang out there for a couple of hours waiting for my VA2 flight back to SYD and this is part of the reason I won't bother with VA again.

I WISH I had bought a day pass to the Alaska boardroom which I believe is the only lounge in that terminal. Its tucked away up a flight of stairs (I think there is an elevator as well). Can't comment on what its like but it has to be better than the small overcrowded, loud zoo that is T3.

Good luck!

Cheers

Timmi

 

[awilcockson]

T3 at LAX is the pits. There is NOTHING there. Recently had to hang out there for a couple of hours waiting for my VA2 flight back to SYD and this is part of the reason I won't bother with VA again.

I WISH I had bought a day pass to the Alaska boardroom which I believe is the only lounge in that terminal. Its tucked away up a flight of stairs (I think there is an elevator as well). Can't comment on what its like but it has to be better than the small overcrowded, loud zoo that is T3.

Yep, based on reading some other threads I think I'll be plonking down my $40 and heading to the Alaska Boardroom. Thanks for confirming my suspicions that 6 hours in T3 wouldn't exactly be fun ...

 

[Optics]

While the 6 hours with possibly no lounge access in LAX is a real worry, the other issue you have with your itinerary is the short transfer time in SYD prior to heading to LAX. You say you have just achieved WP, and so I assume this will be your first opportunity to visit the FLounge? If I was you I would be looking to get an earlier flight from BNE-SYD so you can properly enjoy the FLounge experience.

 

[Jasecoop]

Agree with Optics, im conservative and allow 3 hours, 1 hour before they will be boarding. You will be lucky to make it to the international terminal in 1 hour, especially if the plane is a little late

 

[awilcockson]

You say you have just achieved WP, and so I assume this will be your first opportunity to visit the FLounge? If I was you I would be looking to get an earlier flight from BNE-SYD so you can properly enjoy the FLounge experience.

Correct, I was quite looking forward to checking out FLounge, but have already resigned myself to missing that opportunity. What I'm more worried about it missing the flight all together. I will look and see if there is an earlier flight out of Brisbane (although I'm already on the 7:30 am, so I doubt it!)

 

[docjames]

Don't like my chances of getting the expense reimbursed either, but I'll see how I go.

.

Do they pay for you to eat food etc whilst travelling? In which case $40 (or $35) is a bargain for a 6hr layover. Given they'll have saved more than that presumably by not booking a through ticket with QF, they should stump for the lounge. At least that'd be one arguement.

Still, what some employers should do, and what is the reality, are not always aligned.....