WP vs QP lounge access in LAX

[scheps]

Hi guys,

Just wondering what would the difference be.

As i will prob just turn WP when i arrive at LAX, which at that time, i would only have my QP card, but not a platinum. And it probably wouldn't even be recorded as such either (assuming a few days lag due to AA sc run).

So just wondering am i losing out big time for some reason. Sorry not familiar with LAX at all!

scheps :mrgreen:

 

[samh004]

You’d have access to a better lounge as a WP, but if you’d literally just taken the flight to get to WP, it probably wouldn’t be showing yet.

 

[scheps]

So there is a first lounge? and a "normal" lounge? are you familiar with the names by any chance?

Although i would theoretically have enough sc for WP, but it wouldn't be posted therefore no chance in hell i can prove it isnt it. Was thinking if i could show them my account if it had posted, that might work hahahaha

 

[samh004]

So there is a first lounge? and a "normal" lounge? are you familiar with the names by any chance?

Although i would theoretically have enough sc for WP, but it wouldn't be posted therefore no chance in hell i can prove it isnt it. Was thinking if i could show them my account if it had posted, that might work hahahaha

Depends where you’re flying on to as to what lounges are available I think, I’ve never flown through there myself, however check here: Lounge access - oneworld

 

[Kangol]

So there is a first lounge? and a "normal" lounge? are you familiar with the names by any chance?

Although i would theoretically have enough sc for WP, but it wouldn't be posted therefore no chance in hell i can prove it isnt it. Was thinking if i could show them my account if it had posted, that might work hahahaha

In TBIT, there is a Business and a First Lounge. This the shared QF/BA/CX one, with the Business on the LHS and First on the RHS. If you have QP only (ie NB/PS but not SG) you can access the J lounge here.
There is also another shared oneworld lounge, which I believe is run by JAL but I have never been. Reports from here indicate it is worse than the two I've just mentioned. I think you have to be OWS/OWE to get here (ie QP only won't get you in) - might have to double check that one.

Both QF J and F lounges can get crowded at night as many flights depart at this time and they are (relatively) small. The food offerings are similar, although slightly better in the F lounge and there is a horrible selection of alcohol in the J lounge IMO. The spirits are not what I would term "business class standard" (something what underage schoolkids might fancy!) and the beer is what probably redeems it. In saying that once I got to the J lounge early in the night and they had a bottle or two of Taittinger open. When they were finished I enquired about more and they said that was it. Maybe I was lucky. The F lounge has a better range and quality of alcohol but is smaller. Both J/F lounges share the same showers (in F you go through the door at the back which opens into the back part of the J lounge) but the toilets are separate. The internet speed is nothing to get excited about, in case you are planning on downloading movies for your flight.
I think a new F lounge, similar to the Mel/Syd F lounges is planned for LAX and a couple of the hubs in Asia but I'm not sure if anything is confirmed yet.

To answer your question, are you losing out big time? I'd say no.

 

[Storyteller]

Sounds like you may be in LAX heading back to Australia, but you don't say for sure where you're going.

If BNE then you fly out of the AA terminal 4. The Admirals club will be your lounge if you are SG & in Y or J. This is a pleasant space to hang out in, with food for purchase & a voucher will be given to you for alcohol. Other beverages are free. Simple cold nibbles are also free. IIRC there are showers. If WP or F then within the Admirals Club you will be given a key card to the Flagship Lounge. This is quite nice with showers, hot & cold food selections & a good selection of grog, all in the same style as the QP ie help yourself & free with the ticket / status. Can't recall if they call the flights. Ask at the desk.

If you are heading for SYD or MEL, then you will be in TBIT. The lounges are on the 5th floor, with the J/F lounge to the right of the QP. They share showers. Both are more the style of the DOM lounges in Australia. Hot & cold food, good selection of non& alcoholic beverages. All help yourself. The J/f lounge is not like the F lounges in SYD / MEL. They call the flights, so you can relax & enjoy right until the mass exodus.

Personally I prefer the Flagship lounge in Terminal 4, but it takes time to catch the airside bus from T4 to TBIT airside ( if it is still running with the renos going on), allow at least 30 minutes.

If you are flying into LAX on AA, your only chance could be to have a printout of your QF Summary showing HM SC you need to get to WP, then go into the lounge with your BP & Summary & do a show & tell. I find the agents have more time there. You could do the same show & tell at TBIT lounge too. They may say no because really it is up to QF to progress you to the next level, even if you have qualified.

It would be nice for you to enjoy the differences between the lounges seeing you are there, so worth a try. Biggest difference to you will be if you fly out of Terminal 4.

If you can only access the Admirals Club part of the lounge, others here have been successful in asking for more than one drinks voucher. Getting the drink from the barman, I either don't tip, but then often feel cheap, or I tip $1 or a few quarters. Wages are not the same there. Others here will have their own opinion on tipping, but that's what I do. When in Rome...

Edit: Spent too long typing - Kangol beat me to some of the info!

 

[tuapekastar]

Worth noting that 'basic' alcohol is now (allegedly - I have not taken advantage of this) free of charge in the AC at T4 (i.e. the business class lounge). The vouchers can still be used for 'premium' alcohol which otherwise incurs a charge.

 

[Kangol]

If you are flying out of T4 and can only access the A/C, yes there is some substantial difference between that and the F/L (mainly food and drink offerings). You can get a proper hot meal complimentary in the F/L but not the A/C (mixed nuts and apples etc are free, proper meals you have to pay for). Also the drink chits (vouchers) are free (for the A/C) and you can go and ask at the desk for another when you run out. The F/L is self serve everything and the quality of the alcohol is somewhat better. One thing I noticed is that the F/L got quite dark at night. I don't recall any A/C ever calling flights either.

The T4 airside bus runs until 10.30pm IIRC and leaves twice per hour - on the hour and 30mins past the hour. If you *just* miss it, walking over to TBIT may be quicker but you have to pass through immigration again which for a lot of people isn't worth saving the 10 or 15 mins.

 

[gizzard]

As i will prob just turn WP when i arrive at LAX, which at that time, i would only have my QP card, but not a platinum. And it probably wouldn't even be recorded as such either (assuming a few days lag due to AA sc run).

You might find this thread useful in terms of your status showing as having altered:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....m/turned-platinum-while-overseas-37260-2.html

 

[serfty]

[-]Note the BNE flights will soon be departing from TBIT leaving no QF to/from T4.[/-]

As the OP, you refer to QC and WP ... will you not be SG at any stage?

 

[moa999]

Also note that TBIT is going through a massive rebuilding program at present with new concourse, gates and lounges.
This complex is expected to open in 2013 (although some gates eg Gate 134 will open in 2012).

Some renderings (external only) of the Emirates, skyteam and star lounges in the latest construction newsletter.
LAX Development Documents

 

[scheps]

thanks guys for the information. and help.

I am going from LAX to BNE so looking for lounge at LAX.

I will be going from silver to WP in a three day period so i didnt ask about SG access because i doubt it would credit in that time for me to get the proof. esp i am flying with AA

Think i will just resort to going to any of the lounges that will allow QP entry

Thanks guys.

 

[NM]

Note the BNE flights will soon be departing from TBIT leaving no QF to/from T4.

As the OP, you refer to QC and WP ... will you not be SG at any stage?

Do you know when this change is to happen? I am planning a trip and a T4 departure is one reason to influent towards taking the B744 to BNE verses A388 via SYD or MEL.

 

[scheps]

Sounds like you may be in LAX heading back to Australia, but you don't say for sure where you're going.

If BNE then you fly out of the AA terminal 4. The Admirals club will be your lounge if you are SG & in Y or J. This is a pleasant space to hang out in, with food for purchase & a voucher will be given to you for alcohol. Other beverages are free. Simple cold nibbles are also free. IIRC there are showers. If WP or F then within the Admirals Club you will be given a key card to the Flagship Lounge. This is quite nice with showers, hot & cold food selections & a good selection of grog, all in the same style as the QP ie help yourself & free with the ticket / status. Can't recall if they call the flights. Ask at the desk.

If you are heading for SYD or MEL, then you will be in TBIT. The lounges are on the 5th floor, with the J/F lounge to the right of the QP. They share showers. Both are more the style of the DOM lounges in Australia. Hot & cold food, good selection of non& alcoholic beverages. All help yourself. The J/f lounge is not like the F lounges in SYD / MEL. They call the flights, so you can relax & enjoy right until the mass exodus.

Personally I prefer the Flagship lounge in Terminal 4, but it takes time to catch the airside bus from T4 to TBIT airside ( if it is still running with the renos going on), allow at least 30 minutes.

If you are flying into LAX on AA, your only chance could be to have a printout of your QF Summary showing HM SC you need to get to WP, then go into the lounge with your BP & Summary & do a show & tell. I find the agents have more time there. You could do the same show & tell at TBIT lounge too. They may say no because really it is up to QF to progress you to the next level, even if you have qualified.

It would be nice for you to enjoy the differences between the lounges seeing you are there, so worth a try. Biggest difference to you will be if you fly out of Terminal 4.

If you can only access the Admirals Club part of the lounge, others here have been successful in asking for more than one drinks voucher. Getting the drink from the barman, I either don't tip, but then often feel cheap, or I tip $1 or a few quarters. Wages are not the same there. Others here will have their own opinion on tipping, but that's what I do. When in Rome...

Edit: Spent too long typing - Kangol beat me to some of the info!

Thats a nice story, storyteller . I shall go exploring.

 

[amaroo]

The T4 Flagship lounge is nothing special, bordering on disappointing. Probably the best thing - it doesn't have a chit system for drinks:-|

 

[scheps]

maybe i should just sit on a random bench .... i really just need a power point..!!

 

[serfty]

The T4 Flagship lounge is nothing special, bordering on disappointing. Probably the best thing - it doesn't have a chit system for drinks:-|

Each to their own - for an AA lounge it's quite good. Certainly my preference over TBIT First Lounge.

Do you know when this change is to happen? I am planning a trip and a T4 departure is one reason to influent towards taking the B744 to BNE verses A388 via SYD or MEL.

Actually, while I did see reference to it, I had thought it was to be in relation to the end of QF26 ex LAX.

However, QF26 had indeed ceased and QF16 is showing as having T4 departures in March next year.

It may have been in relation when the TBIT West development is completed - so plenty of time on that basis.

 

[NM]

Actually, while I did see reference to it, I had thought it was to be in relation to the end of QF26 ex LAX.

However, QF26 had indeed ceased and QF16 is showing as having T4 departures in March next year.

It may have been in relation when the TBIT West development is completed - so plenty of time on that basis.

OK, thanks. so can continue to factor that into the detailed equation to determine the preferred routing. Its not a huge factor in the decision process, but does have some influence.