Sep 8, 2016, 6:42 am
Last edit by: serfty
For access to the Qantas First Lounge at TBIT just one of the following needs to be true:
- Non US (not AAdvantage and not Mileage Plan) oneworld Emerald departing on a oneworld Marketed and operated flight.
- AAdvantage or Mileage Plan Emerald departing on a oneworld Marketed and Operated flight NOT solely on a "North American* Itinerary".
- First Class passengers departing on a oneworld Marketed and Operated flight not solely on a "North American* Itinerary".
- Passengers in First Class on a flight longer than five hours connecting to/from an international or domestic short haul (five hours or less) oneworld Marketed and Operated flight and not solely on a "North American* Itinerary".
- First and Business Class passengers^ travelling on a non stop transcontinental American Airlines Marketed and Operated flight on a designated route (i.e. between Los Angeles & New York or San Francisco & New York).
Connecting the same day or before 6am the following day. Such Lounge access is based on the class of services of the long haul flight (First or Business) regardless of the class of travel on the short haul flight.
^ Regarding AA EXP in any cabin. This is a "Class of Service" based access, so status should not be relevant. Rules indicate NO ACCESS unless in First or Business on a designated non stop transcontinental route, but there had been some contradictory experiences about this. Early on EXP based access had sometimes been granted; not so much these days. Presumably this related to confusion about the rules on behalf of some agents.
__________________________________________________ _____________________
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING, YOUR QUESTION MAY BE ANSWERED HEREIN
Lounge access rules
All non-AA and Non-AS Oneworld Emerald members have access to this lounge on any oneworld itinerary regardless of cabin or final destination.
AA EXP have access when traveling to all destinations outside North America, Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Includes if pax is flying LAX-DFW-LHR because you are flying internationally that day.
No Class of Service access for domestic F without non AA and non AS Emerald status unless on designated (generally 3-class) flights to JFK and MIA.
Passengers on any 3-cabin AA flight to JFK, BOS or MIA in First Class.
Emirates pax do not have access except for Qantas Platinum One. EDIT: Appears to be that Qantas removed that access criteria from their lounge access page so I wouldn't count on this working.
No access if connecting to a non-Oneworld airline or partner.
Separate tickets within oneworld do not matter other than it has to be same day . E.g. QF F to AA Y on the same day.
To walk from T4 to TBIT will take approximately 10 minutes one way so plan accordingly if visiting this lounge.
More detail here: Lounge Access | oneworld.com
Qantas.com Access Rules, with specific carve-out for transcon markets.
Los Angeles / LAX Qantas First Class Lounge [Master Thread]
Dec 7, 2024 | 3:38 pm
#1366
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: DL Gold, AA Gold, EK Silver
Posts: 3,979
thanks!
yeah I booked this on CX’s own program with MR transferred over. It’s a long time coming - booked CX F HKG-JFK using 70k AS back in 2020 and Covid led to equipment swap so only got J.
another question if you wouldn’t mind - what’s the best sleeping spot? Centurion seems to have a dark room. QF has some private rooms but I think only for VIPs and they’re only single person couches and can’t really lay down on them?
yeah I booked this on CX’s own program with MR transferred over. It’s a long time coming - booked CX F HKG-JFK using 70k AS back in 2020 and Covid led to equipment swap so only got J.
another question if you wouldn’t mind - what’s the best sleeping spot? Centurion seems to have a dark room. QF has some private rooms but I think only for VIPs and they’re only single person couches and can’t really lay down on them?
Same here April 2020 for me, CX F w miles and cancelled !
Last edited by happiest_at_40000; Dec 7, 2024 at 6:16 pm
Dec 10, 2024 | 5:37 pm
#1367
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: AA Explat, MVP 75K, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 28
Hi All - thanks in advance for answering.
I have no status. I am flying LHR-ORD -LAX-SFO
LHR-ORD is in BA first and ORD-LAX-SFO is in AA economy. Will I have access to the QF F lounge in LAX? Inbound and outbound all on same day. Not sure if the inbound has to be In first to LAX or could be anywhere the same day.
I have no status. I am flying LHR-ORD -LAX-SFO
LHR-ORD is in BA first and ORD-LAX-SFO is in AA economy. Will I have access to the QF F lounge in LAX? Inbound and outbound all on same day. Not sure if the inbound has to be In first to LAX or could be anywhere the same day.
Dec 10, 2024 | 6:52 pm
#1368
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: DL Gold, AA Gold, EK Silver
Posts: 3,979
I think I had mentioned the same above as well. Youre good to go just sometimes they will want to send you to AAs T4 for the FL.
Dec 10, 2024 | 7:01 pm
#1369
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, TK Elite, Delta Silver, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 395
This lounge has amazing food. I'm glad I was early for my flight so I spent 4hrs there.
I also saw Maria Sharapova here.
I also saw Maria Sharapova here.
Last edited by satellite779; Dec 12, 2024 at 1:34 am
Dec 14, 2024 | 12:55 pm
#1370
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 7,682
Winter menu is excellent. Had 2 X Salt & Pepper Squid because it was extra amazing today. Minute steak very good.
Lounge not crowded 11am to noon.
Really quite amazing to have a lounge of this caliber when flying AA domestic Y lol.
Lounge not crowded 11am to noon.
Really quite amazing to have a lounge of this caliber when flying AA domestic Y lol.
Dec 20, 2024 | 8:22 pm
#1371
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 792
Contrarian view; for a first class lounge, it's good for LAX standards, but by world standards, it's woefully lacking.
The misses:
YMMV! :-)
The misses:
- the lack of sleeping spaces. The seats are comfortable but if you're on a long layover they're not that good.
- The actual food. It's really not that spectacular. Sorry, but I said it! I get that OW*E who are on a domestic hop are accessing a great benefit to be in the lounge and may therefore elevate their perception of the food, and comparing it to a buffet in the AS or AA lounges, of course the food and experience is better, but objectively, the food is actually pretty basic. (e.g. The steak and fries. Nothing wrong with the steak, nothing wrong with the fries. But it's not first class dining. It's a piece of steak and some french fries. Nothing actually that ground breaking. The tuna is also, actually pretty bland and basic. The widely acclaimed squid. It's thick squid, I'll grant them that - but it's breaded and fried. I could hop you in a black uber to save the walk, get you from TBIT to a nice fried joint and have you enjoying much more premium and luxurious fried squid than many prior reviews have fawned over. It's good. Don't get me wrong. But as a "First Class" dining experience, it's not that good.
- The showers. Again - I'm comparing to other First Class lounge experiences; LAX QF F is not the pioneer here of anything incredible. Good, but that's about where you can leave it.
- No dedicated work spaces. The mix of people make it a pretty busy and noisy space for most of the times I've been there. Sometimes I like to have a quiet space to work in even if it's claustrophobically small. It's better than fending off interruptions from Aussie babies boisterously looking for a dingo.
- The service. Generally it's consistently very polite and high end.
- The proximity to other terminals and LAX now all airside connected. Not exactly a big check mark for QF as such, but it is actually not that bad to get to from the other terminals if you're a OW*E domestic loiterer.
- The dining experience. The fact you can sit and dine. Can't be argued with that you get table service that, as to my point #1 is on the whole very very good, and get a range of food. While I don't score the food as "first class", the actual 'experience' is memorable and certainly distinct to most lounges and, they do it here well. The kitchen view too makes for quite a nice overall atmosphere.
- The (manual) coffee. Aussie coffees are done well, and I'm not sure how the USA based staff (none of which strike me as ever having crossed an Aussie border) have mastered it but, however they have, they make good Aussie flat whites. Credit where credit is due.
YMMV! :-)
Dec 20, 2024 | 9:07 pm
#1372
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,808
Contrarian view; for a first class lounge, it's good for LAX standards, but by world standards, it's woefully lacking.
The misses:
YMMV! :-)
The misses:
- the lack of sleeping spaces. The seats are comfortable but if you're on a long layover they're not that good.
- The actual food. It's really not that spectacular. Sorry, but I said it! I get that OW*E who are on a domestic hop are accessing a great benefit to be in the lounge and may therefore elevate their perception of the food, and comparing it to a buffet in the AS or AA lounges, of course the food and experience is better, but objectively, the food is actually pretty basic. (e.g. The steak and fries. Nothing wrong with the steak, nothing wrong with the fries. But it's not first class dining. It's a piece of steak and some french fries. Nothing actually that ground breaking. The tuna is also, actually pretty bland and basic. The widely acclaimed squid. It's thick squid, I'll grant them that - but it's breaded and fried. I could hop you in a black uber to save the walk, get you from TBIT to a nice fried joint and have you enjoying much more premium and luxurious fried squid than many prior reviews have fawned over. It's good. Don't get me wrong. But as a "First Class" dining experience, it's not that good.
- The showers. Again - I'm comparing to other First Class lounge experiences; LAX QF F is not the pioneer here of anything incredible. Good, but that's about where you can leave it.
- No dedicated work spaces. The mix of people make it a pretty busy and noisy space for most of the times I've been there. Sometimes I like to have a quiet space to work in even if it's claustrophobically small. It's better than fending off interruptions from Aussie babies boisterously looking for a dingo.
- The service. Generally it's consistently very polite and high end.
- The proximity to other terminals and LAX now all airside connected. Not exactly a big check mark for QF as such, but it is actually not that bad to get to from the other terminals if you're a OW*E domestic loiterer.
- The dining experience. The fact you can sit and dine. Can't be argued with that you get table service that, as to my point #1 is on the whole very very good, and get a range of food. While I don't score the food as "first class", the actual 'experience' is memorable and certainly distinct to most lounges and, they do it here well. The kitchen view too makes for quite a nice overall atmosphere.
- The (manual) coffee. Aussie coffees are done well, and I'm not sure how the USA based staff (none of which strike me as ever having crossed an Aussie border) have mastered it but, however they have, they make good Aussie flat whites. Credit where credit is due.
YMMV! :-)
Dec 20, 2024 | 11:11 pm
#1373
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SYD, GOT
Programs: BA GGL/GfL; SK EBG; QF LTG; Hilton LTD, A-Club Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,460
Thanks for the viewpoint, that matches what some more regulars have been saying - great for a domestic lounge, reasonable enough for a mediocre regional pub, and the alcohol selection is very poor in quality, uniqueness and variety. But many disagree. I also say the same for SYD, MEL, LAX and SIN (although SIN is the pick of the bunch, but the competition is higher). They are nice lounges but probably some of the poorer F lounges when laid side by side with the competition. Even the dining when compared with AA's Flagship dining is poorer.
I wish that QF would lift its game
I wish that QF would lift its game
Dec 21, 2024 | 5:33 am
#1374
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 7,682
Agreed with a lot of points above - it's all relative. As a domestic lounge, it's superb. If I was flying QF F back to Oz? Above points are very valid.
Despite the inexpensive wines at QF LAX F, some of them are rather good (to me). AA's FL in T4 has more expensive wines - many of which are 'meh'. Their spirits are better at AA FL, also.
I think if QF could add a $150+ champagne, a high-end whisky, and a couple of well-plated dishes, it may meet the F expectations that many of you have. All of that said, I love the steak & fries, squid, rocket salad, etc!
Despite the inexpensive wines at QF LAX F, some of them are rather good (to me). AA's FL in T4 has more expensive wines - many of which are 'meh'. Their spirits are better at AA FL, also.
I think if QF could add a $150+ champagne, a high-end whisky, and a couple of well-plated dishes, it may meet the F expectations that many of you have. All of that said, I love the steak & fries, squid, rocket salad, etc!
Dec 27, 2024 | 11:15 am
#1375
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 100K, Hyatt Globalist, and Marriott Titanium Member
Posts: 402
Transcon MIA Data Point
Flying Flagship First today to MIA, the Agent was nice but didnt let me in. She says supposedly AA told them not to accept Transcon flights anymore.
Dec 27, 2024 | 11:26 am
#1376
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS Titanium, BA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 467
They have something going on behind the scenes. Back in September when I was deciding whether to go for the BA Gold extension I asked them if they would let me in before or after (connecting) AA transcon F and they didnt say straight no, but said itll be a lot easier with BA Gold.
Dec 27, 2024 | 11:48 am
#1377
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS Titanium, BA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 467
Agreed with a lot of points above - it's all relative. As a domestic lounge, it's superb. If I was flying QF F back to Oz? Above points are very valid.
Despite the inexpensive wines at QF LAX F, some of them are rather good (to me). AA's FL in T4 has more expensive wines - many of which are 'meh'. Their spirits are better at AA FL, also.
I think if QF could add a $150+ champagne, a high-end whisky, and a couple of well-plated dishes, it may meet the F expectations that many of you have. All of that said, I love the steak & fries, squid, rocket salad, etc!
Despite the inexpensive wines at QF LAX F, some of them are rather good (to me). AA's FL in T4 has more expensive wines - many of which are 'meh'. Their spirits are better at AA FL, also.
I think if QF could add a $150+ champagne, a high-end whisky, and a couple of well-plated dishes, it may meet the F expectations that many of you have. All of that said, I love the steak & fries, squid, rocket salad, etc!
However, even top lounges out there are lacking in key measures, except maybe AF La Premiere or QR Al Safwa pre-Covid. Really, the QF F lounge LAX is pretty well rounded.
AA/BA Chelsea, BA Concorde, SQ Private Room, all have better drinks, but the space in those lounges is not much better or even worse. Food and service at QF F is honestly better than in Concorde and Chelsea. QF F might also have the best coffee out there of any F lounge.
I do love a good wine and Scotch and the Qantas lounge wont win any awards there, but the selection is respectable and Id disagree with the claim that the AA FL is better for the Champagne and spirits. Theres Taittinger on request, and the Mortlach 16 is quite nice. Admittedly I dont ever bother with any of their reds. Yes, some F lounges are much better here, but the F lounges of JL, NH, LH, CX, QR all have equivalent or worse drinks in their flagship F lounges.
Dec 27, 2024 | 11:54 am
#1378
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,808
Wonder when this new rule came into effect, seeing that in December my lounge agent first had that interpretation, turned me away, and then came running after me referencing a new memo saying AA Transcon F pax were specifically allowed to enter. So go figure. This feels a lot like the BA lounge dragon situation in MIA back a while ago (not sure of current practices) -- it's a crapshoot, depending on whom you encounter.
Dec 28, 2024 | 11:14 pm
#1379
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: DL Gold, AA Gold, EK Silver
Posts: 3,979
So Mad
Okay all well I just spent 35 min arguing to get in. And not once raised my voice or used a profane word. But the incompetence of these agents is so so so frustrating. 35 min of my life wasted and with such stress.
If John or Bianca was here then I would have been let in but the 2 girls were cluelsss and the manager they called I think is just a supervisor and knew nothing
My itinerary:
LAX-DFW 1:30am arriving 6:45am
DFW-HND 1030am JL F
I on very purpose booked the 130am. Even took it over the 11:59pm to avoid the agents trying to say my flight to Dallas leaves the day before my flight to Tokyo (the 11:59pm also would allow access)
So they just kept showing me on their tablet the 6am rule. 40 x they said your flight must leave to Tokyo before 6am and since it leaves at 1030am we cant let you in.
I kept saying my flight lands tomorrow , it lands the next day, its a red eye arriving the next day the before 6am rule is if I took say the 4pm arriving @ 9pm to DFW then you are absolutely correct I dont get access unless the international flight leaves before 6am
Then they went at me with the well your flight to DFW doesnt qualify so it doesnt matter anyways since a Plat doesnt get into this lounge and your DFW flight doesnt get you in.
Of course my reply was so now are you saying to access this lounge you must be departing on the qualifying flight from LAX?
So mad and so sick of these absolute incompetent lounge agents. Its not fair they deny people who are entitled to use the lounge!
What a way to begin the trip !
If John or Bianca was here then I would have been let in but the 2 girls were cluelsss and the manager they called I think is just a supervisor and knew nothing
My itinerary:
LAX-DFW 1:30am arriving 6:45am
DFW-HND 1030am JL F
I on very purpose booked the 130am. Even took it over the 11:59pm to avoid the agents trying to say my flight to Dallas leaves the day before my flight to Tokyo (the 11:59pm also would allow access)
So they just kept showing me on their tablet the 6am rule. 40 x they said your flight must leave to Tokyo before 6am and since it leaves at 1030am we cant let you in.
I kept saying my flight lands tomorrow , it lands the next day, its a red eye arriving the next day the before 6am rule is if I took say the 4pm arriving @ 9pm to DFW then you are absolutely correct I dont get access unless the international flight leaves before 6am
Then they went at me with the well your flight to DFW doesnt qualify so it doesnt matter anyways since a Plat doesnt get into this lounge and your DFW flight doesnt get you in.
Of course my reply was so now are you saying to access this lounge you must be departing on the qualifying flight from LAX?
So mad and so sick of these absolute incompetent lounge agents. Its not fair they deny people who are entitled to use the lounge!
What a way to begin the trip !
Last edited by happiest_at_40000; Dec 29, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Dec 29, 2024 | 12:03 am
#1380
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS Titanium, BA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 467
Okay all well I just spent 35 min arguing to get in. And not once raised my voice or used a profane word. But the incompetence of these agents is so so so frustrating. 35 min of my life wasted and with such stress.
If John or Liz was here then I would have been let in but the 2 girls were cluelsss and the manager they called I think is just a supervisor and knew nothing
My itinerary:
LAX-DFW 1:30am arriving 6:45am
DFW-HND 1030am JL F
I on very purpose booked the 130am. Even took it over the 11:59pm to avoid the agents trying to say my flight to Dallas leaves the day before my flight to Tokyo (the 11:59pm also would allow access)
So they just kept showing me on their tablet the 6am rule. 40 x they said your flight must leave to Tokyo before 6am and since it leaves at 1030am we cant let you in.
I kept saying my flight lands tomorrow , it lands the next day, its a red eye arriving the next day the before 6am rule is if I took say the 4pm arriving @ 9pm to DFW then you are absolutely correct I dont get access unless the international flight leaves before 6am
Then they went at me with the well your flight to DFW doesnt qualify so it doesnt matter anyways since a Plat doesnt get into this lounge and your DFW flight doesnt get you in.
Of course my reply was so now are you saying to access this lounge you must be departing on the qualifying flight from LAX?
So mad and so sick of these absolute incompetent lounge agents. John and Bianca both know this itinerary gets me in !!
Its not fair they deny people who are entitled to use the lounge!
What a way to begin the trip !
If John or Liz was here then I would have been let in but the 2 girls were cluelsss and the manager they called I think is just a supervisor and knew nothing
My itinerary:
LAX-DFW 1:30am arriving 6:45am
DFW-HND 1030am JL F
I on very purpose booked the 130am. Even took it over the 11:59pm to avoid the agents trying to say my flight to Dallas leaves the day before my flight to Tokyo (the 11:59pm also would allow access)
So they just kept showing me on their tablet the 6am rule. 40 x they said your flight must leave to Tokyo before 6am and since it leaves at 1030am we cant let you in.
I kept saying my flight lands tomorrow , it lands the next day, its a red eye arriving the next day the before 6am rule is if I took say the 4pm arriving @ 9pm to DFW then you are absolutely correct I dont get access unless the international flight leaves before 6am
Then they went at me with the well your flight to DFW doesnt qualify so it doesnt matter anyways since a Plat doesnt get into this lounge and your DFW flight doesnt get you in.
Of course my reply was so now are you saying to access this lounge you must be departing on the qualifying flight from LAX?
So mad and so sick of these absolute incompetent lounge agents. John and Bianca both know this itinerary gets me in !!
Its not fair they deny people who are entitled to use the lounge!
What a way to begin the trip !