Originally Posted by
mileshound
All these scenarios are confusing me. Please help and give advice.
Arriving on AA F at 7:30am in T3. Departing on BA to CDG at 1:30pm on BA in J from terminal 5. They are separate tickets.
I assume we would grab our bags at T3 and and check in and recheck bags with BA. Now we have lots of time before the CDG flight. Can we go to the multiple lounges in T3 or do we have to go straight to T5? Probably around 11 we would make our way to T5. We would prefer to make it later so we get lunch noodles at CX lounge.
Assuming you can't convince the AAgent to check your baggage through to CDG, you will arrive, clear UK passport control, collect your bags, and take them through customs. You may use the AArrivals lounge if you like, on level 2 after customs.
You need to take yourself and your bags to T5 on the free train – get a free transfer ticket from the machines or touch one contactless card/mobile wallet per passenger on the fare gates when entering and leaving the stations. You cannot check bags in T3 for a flight from T5. At T5 you can go to business check-in (zone H) to give your bags back, and use fast track security, then you can use the Galleries First lounge on the strength of having flown inbound in F.
Arriving and departing passengers are separated at LHR, so you won't have access to T3 airside lounges without the highly tedious and non-recommended process described by
UKtravelbear.