Best oneWorld lounge in ORD and LHR
 

This might be posted elsewhere but I can't find it, if so, sorry about this post.
I will be spending a few longer layovers in both ORD and LHR and was wondering what would be the best lounges in these airports for a Sapphire elite member traveling on AA and BA in Y class? I understand that I should be able to use any non-first only lounge; I am just wondering which ones would be best.

Thanx in advance,

- bdkorn

Only if it is in the same terminal ;)

Since AA leaves from different terminal in LHR than BA you won't have access to the other's lounge. You probably already know that no AAdvantage miles if you fly BA between US & UK.

If travelling AA from LHR you leave from Terminal 3. The two oneworld lounges are an Admirals Club and a Cathay Pacific lounge. It cannot be stressed enough that the latter is the one to use.

If travelling BA from LHR you will probably be travelling from T1 or T4 (in the event that it is from T3, see the previous paragraph). Both have BA Terraces Lounges and are very good. T4 has two - one near Gate 1 and one near Gate 10. The former is generally regarded (including my me) as the better.

I'm afraid I can't comment on ORD, having only used the Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge.

Sorry, I was not clear on my flight. On the outbound I will be going ORD to LHR on AA then connecting to BA (T4). On the way back it would be BA to LHR and AA to ORD.

So for LHR it sounds like BA T4 Gate 1 outbound and CX T3 outbound.

So that just leaves ORD...

Thanks for all the information!

- bdkorn

sounds like the perfect plan.

Which is a choice of the AC or the AC. You dont have FL access (not enough status) and you don't have international terminal access at ORD. So there really is nothing to decide.

That sure limits the options...

Thanks for the info!

- bdkorn

There are two Admirals Clubs in Terminal 3 at ORD. See this page for details. The one between Gates H6 and K6 is much bigger than the one near G8. If you have a long layover try both, but they are just standard Admirals Clubs.

The two lounges you will visit at Heathrow, on the other hand, are both really good in my opinion. The BA lounge near Gate 1 is on two levels, so take the time to explore it (on passing through security, turn left). The CX lounge in T3 is a little hidden, but worth the search. Follow the signs to "Gate A Lounge" (turn right after security) and then look for Cathay Pacific signs. The lounge is upstairs.

Thanks for your expert advise!

The H-K A/C is a LOT bigger, & has showers (nice for a long-haul flight, either before and/or after). And, you'll get a couple of drink coupons for it for being on an international itinerary.

The G A/C is a lot smaller, but a lot of people like it that way. Several like the help-yourself "soda fountain" that's there, eliminiating the need to ask a bartender just for a coke.

Agreed that the Cathay lounge is waaay better than anything American has there. Look for the "Lounge A" signs as you go thru the shopping area. It's not far from where you are deposited into the shopping area after plowing thru security....which makes it really convenient for just going straight there once you put your shoes back on. It is a few minutes walk, 'tho, from the end-of-the-concourse gates that the AA flights leave from. One good routine is that after you've left the Cathay lounge, swing into the AAdmirals Club to see if the flight is leaving on time (it's on your way to the AA gates)..& if it is, then keep going. If not, then at least you're somewhere slightly better than the terminal to chill out in for a few more minutes.

If you have priority pass there is a Delta CRC in terminal 3 airside.

In ORD, because you are travelling internationally to London and beyond, should you not have access to:

Terraces BA lounge or
Sakura Lounge Jal lounge?

Nope. ORD's International Terminal (T5) has those. AA international departures are out of ORD T3. Can't get access to T5 on the outbound AA int'l itin.

The oneworld website doesn't show a CX lounge anywhere at ORD. Where exactly is it located? Is it easy to find? I am flying ORD-SFO next month and would like to take the above advice and use the CX lounge in preference to the AC.

CX doesn't fly to ORD so I'm fairly certain there is no CX lounge there. The "above advice" I think you are talking about was referring to LHR for the CX lounge.