I’m travelling on QF8 from DFW to SYD departing 2150 in July. It’s a classic flight reward ticket.
I need to fly in from New York (LGA) to meet the flight. Is a 2hr45min layover enough? Should I be super cautious and allow 4.5 hours?
I am hoping AA will interline my bags as I’ll have 2 different points / revenue tickets, but on the worst case scenario that I have to re-check I’m keen to know if 2hrs45mins is enough.
I flew Orlando to Dallas with a 2 hour time and was fine but I had a through ticket. I think that will be an adequate amount of time. The lounge isn't great so I wouldn't be seeking more time there!
if your first flight will have a 30...60min Delay you will be screwed as your next flight is a separate ticket. Also OW does not forward luggage for separate tickets. You will most likely need to collect bags, check in, go through TSA and security - if I was you I’d play it safe - especially in the US. Better safe than sorry - worst case you’d need to kill 1.5h until QF check in opens
Technically speaking that is enough time, but as Johnny9 mentions all you need is a delay and you are stuffed. Nobody can forsee this, not even the airline if something on the aircraft went unserviceable last minute. I'd be taking the 4.5 hour option but I'm overly cautious when it comes to separate tickets with a connection.
Warning: AA will not interline the bags. This was a change of policy in Jan 2017. Sometimes you’ll get a AA Premium check-in clerk who will bend the rules for you but don’t rely on it.
That said, I connect from LGA to QF8 reasonably frequently but I stick with carry on only and I have managed the even shorter connection (45 min) and made it on to QF8. That probably only works when your in AA first class and get off the plane fast. Not recommending this as an option :-)
Tip: check in online for QF8 before you depart LGA and when you arrive at DFW go straight to the Qantas gate in terminal D and they will print your boarding pass for you.
I have done exactly this not too long ago. I would 100% recommend the longer layover, otherwise you are taking the risk of losing your QF ticket altogether. Esp if there is any delay in the original flight - knowing LGA this could be likely, even just 30 mins.
You WILL 100% need to collect your bags at DFW (as AA systems 'apparently cannot link bookings any longer'), and then get the airport shuttle between the two terminals, as the airtrain is only airside (which you cannot use unless you have carry on only). The terminal bus can take you 15-20mins between the terminals.
When i did it with 2hrs, with no delays and no issues, we were the last to check in and were running to make checkin. Delivery of bags at the AA terminal can also take 30mins.
I would recommend the 4.5hrs, unless you can change your ticket to include the LGA leg.
if your first flight will have a 30...60min Delay you will be screwed as your next flight is a separate ticket. Also OW does not forward luggage for separate tickets. You will most likely need to collect bags, check in, go through TSA and security - if I was you I’d play it safe - especially in the US. Better safe than sorry - worst case you’d need to kill 1.5h until QF check in opens
US airlines from places like Washington which are very busy can be late so better to take the earlier flight. You may also may have to lug the bag to terminal D from terminal B.
This is outstanding advice - thank you all very much. I’ll take the cautious approach & will book the longer connection.
As for lounge access at Terminal D - I’ve heard the QF 3rd party lounge is pretty average - is Admirals Club a better option? I’m QF Gold. I also have the standard QF AMEX so think I could also pay the $50 to get into the Centurion lounge. I’m keen to grab a shower before boarding (am in economy on the way home!)
Lounges in america are simple as it gets. Sometimes it is more crowded in the lounge than outside. If you want decent food and good space, pick a good bar/restaurant in DFW and there are plenty to choose from. AA lounges give you two free drink tickets for both gold and platinum (pretty sure), not so sure if this is worth it.
When Oneworld reduced the through check requirements, AA dropped down to the lower level. AA will still protect across tickets between oneworld partners, but they won't check through. There are exceptions to this, where it isn't possible to book both tickets together, the example they used is between award and revenue tickets, but there have been reports of them not doing so. They still can transfer across tickets, but in most cases, they won't (it isn't like BA who modified their check in interface to prevent it).
QF will depart from DFW D, whereas AA can arrive at any terminal at DFW. With checked baggage, you'll need to collect bags then use the ground side connections bus to get to terminal D.
"The Club at DFW", the lounge QF contracts, has a number of small rooms for each airline with contracts. You can also use the AA Admirals Club. They haven't opened the new Flagship lounge at DFW, so "Flagship Dining" (really a buffet room) is still available for non F pax, but I'm not sure if Sapphire can get access to that (they give an invite to the room at the front desk).
The Admirals Club has showers. They'll give you 1 or 2 "drink chits" which you can use at the bar to get a free "premium" drink (which you would other wise need to pay for). Some drinks are free, others need $$. There are basic snacks available, while you can pay for larger meals.
However, it appears that the A club will reopen soon (April 4 by current reports) and then they're closing the D club for remodeling. There are reports that they will open a temporary club in D while that remodeling happens, but it won't have showers, meals etc. By July they'll have the AA clubs in terminals A, B and C or the QF contract lounge at D21. The A380 gate at DFW is D15/16
I flew into DFW from Syd just before Xmas and chose the short layover option even though my next sector was international to Mexico and not ticketed with QF & was in fact an AA awards tix. So.... the QF flight was late but I mentioned it in flight and when I hit DFW there was a ticket awaiting on the later flight. However AA assured me there was enuf time to make the first flight and they were absolutely correct, I made the original flight with no breathing time despite the Xmas rush.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
AA to QF layover time in DFW - separate tickets - how long should I budget?
sara gul
sara gul
QF
Member since 10 Jan 2014
Total posts 6
I’m travelling on QF8 from DFW to SYD departing 2150 in July. It’s a classic flight reward ticket.
SteveCF
SteveCF
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Aug 2012
Total posts 67
I flew Orlando to Dallas with a 2 hour time and was fine but I had a through ticket. I think that will be an adequate amount of time. The lounge isn't great so I wouldn't be seeking more time there!
Johnny9
Johnny9
Member since 05 Aug 2017
Total posts 55
if your first flight will have a 30...60min Delay you will be screwed as your next flight is a separate ticket. Also OW does not forward luggage for separate tickets. You will most likely need to collect bags, check in, go through TSA and security - if I was you I’d play it safe - especially in the US. Better safe than sorry - worst case you’d need to kill 1.5h until QF check in opens
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
Technically speaking that is enough time, but as Johnny9 mentions all you need is a delay and you are stuffed. Nobody can forsee this, not even the airline if something on the aircraft went unserviceable last minute. I'd be taking the 4.5 hour option but I'm overly cautious when it comes to separate tickets with a connection.
BatteryBen
BatteryBen
Member since 08 Aug 2017
Total posts 46
Warning: AA will not interline the bags. This was a change of policy in Jan 2017. Sometimes you’ll get a AA Premium check-in clerk who will bend the rules for you but don’t rely on it.
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 132
I have done exactly this not too long ago. I would 100% recommend the longer layover, otherwise you are taking the risk of losing your QF ticket altogether. Esp if there is any delay in the original flight - knowing LGA this could be likely, even just 30 mins.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 737
US airlines from places like Washington which are very busy can be late so better to take the earlier flight. You may also may have to lug the bag to terminal D from terminal B.
sara gul
sara gul
QF
Member since 10 Jan 2014
Total posts 6
Dear All,
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 457
Lounges in america are simple as it gets. Sometimes it is more crowded in the lounge than outside. If you want decent food and good space, pick a good bar/restaurant in DFW and there are plenty to choose from. AA lounges give you two free drink tickets for both gold and platinum (pretty sure), not so sure if this is worth it.
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
When Oneworld reduced the through check requirements, AA dropped down to the lower level. AA will still protect across tickets between oneworld partners, but they won't check through. There are exceptions to this, where it isn't possible to book both tickets together, the example they used is between award and revenue tickets, but there have been reports of them not doing so. They still can transfer across tickets, but in most cases, they won't (it isn't like BA who modified their check in interface to prevent it).
QF will depart from DFW D, whereas AA can arrive at any terminal at DFW. With checked baggage, you'll need to collect bags then use the ground side connections bus to get to terminal D.
"The Club at DFW", the lounge QF contracts, has a number of small rooms for each airline with contracts. You can also use the AA Admirals Club. They haven't opened the new Flagship lounge at DFW, so "Flagship Dining" (really a buffet room) is still available for non F pax, but I'm not sure if Sapphire can get access to that (they give an invite to the room at the front desk).
The Admirals Club has showers. They'll give you 1 or 2 "drink chits" which you can use at the bar to get a free "premium" drink (which you would other wise need to pay for). Some drinks are free, others need $$.
There are basic snacks available, while you can pay for larger meals.
However, it appears that the A club will reopen soon (April 4 by current reports) and then they're closing the D club for remodeling. There are reports that they will open a temporary club in D while that remodeling happens, but it won't have showers, meals etc.
By July they'll have the AA clubs in terminals A, B and C or the QF contract lounge at D21. The A380 gate at DFW is D15/16
Janeblogs
Janeblogs
Member since 27 Nov 2016
Total posts 15
I flew into DFW from Syd just before Xmas and chose the short layover option even though my next sector was international to Mexico and not ticketed with QF & was in fact an AA awards tix. So.... the QF flight was late but I mentioned it in flight and when I hit DFW there was a ticket awaiting on the later flight. However AA assured me there was enuf time to make the first flight and they were absolutely correct, I made the original flight with no breathing time despite the Xmas rush.