Al Safwa access J -> F ticket

[RooFlyer]

I'm booked to fly ADL-DOH-CAI, CAI-DOH-MEL later this year, on a business fare (booked though a TA, who got me a price just less than the cheapest QR site J biz fare without seat selection, but with seat selection. - she has a corporate deal with QR at the moment) PLUS 1 domestic connection from HBA. @drron - another TA win. And they do the re-booking/clean up if flights get changed.

The DOH-CAI-DOH legs is in First (ie no J cabin) - the BP will say First.

Can anyone say if that will get me into the Al Safwa First lounge in DOH, on the way over (actual next flight First BP) and/or on the way back (inwards First, onward connection to Biz)?

@boomy made me do it!!

 

[Guvner]

Anecdotally it would seem Yes is the answer. I've read a few threads and flight reviews where they state access was granted on both outbound and inbound regional flights in First.

 

[boomy]

I'm booked to fly ADL-DOH-CAI, CAI-DOH-MEL later this year, on a business fare (booked though a TA, who got me a price just less than the cheapest QR site J biz fare without seat selection, but with seat selection. - she has a corporate deal with QR at the moment) PLUS 1 domestic connection from HBA.

The DOH-CAI-DOH legs is in First (ie no J cabin) - the BP will say First.

Can anyone say if that will get me into the Al Safwa First lounge in DOH, on the way over (actual next flight First BP) and/or on the way back (inwards First, onward connection to Biz)?

@boomy made me do it!!

Good job @RooFlyer

You will get definitely get access to Al Safwa on the outbound, probably on the return as well unless they changed the rules for connecting F-J. Best is to confirm with them once you get into the lounge on the way to CAI.

 

[Pushka]

I'm booked to fly ADL-DOH-CAI, CAI-DOH-MEL later this year, on a business fare (booked though a TA, who got me a price just less than the cheapest QR site J biz fare without seat selection, but with seat selection. - she has a corporate deal with QR at the moment) PLUS 1 domestic connection from HBA.

The DOH-CAI-DOH legs is in First (ie no J cabin) - the BP will say First.

Can anyone say if that will get me into the Al Safwa First lounge in DOH, on the way over (actual next flight First BP) and/or on the way back (inwards First, onward connection to Biz)?

<I see there is an old thread on this ... wondering the current situation>

@boomy made me do it!!

Isn't it the next flight that dictates the Lounge Access so given the out leg is F then it's AS. I don't think you'll get it on the other flight as that's J to Mel and think that the regional flight thing is the wrong way round. Why am I seeing this twice?

 

[serfty]

on the way back (inwards First, onward connection to Biz)?

oneworld has a connecting flight rule (<=5 Hours to/from > 5 hours) that often can allow First access before a Business class flight.

Unfortunately this rule does not help with First access in your case as it is the class of service of the longer of the connecting segments that determines which class of lounge.

 

[RooFlyer]

oneworld has a connecting flight rule (<=5 Hours to/from > 5 hours) that often can allow First access before a Business class flight.

Unfortunately this rule does not help with First access in your case as it is the class of service of the longer of the connecting segments that determines which class of lounge.

Thanks - that's consistant with the 'old' rule as far as I can tell. CAI-DOH only abt 3 hours, so a double strike no. I'm flying as a Burgundy QR flyer, so that won't help! May get to Silver by the end of the trip. Thank you Qantas status extensions

Gawd, its great to be fussing over lounge access again

 

[Pushka]

Gawd, its great to be fussing over lounge access again

Ain't that the truth. Oh. Maybe it will change when you leave but I don't think we will get QP access when we depart on Weds at 2020 as the last Qantas flight departs at 1920

 

[RooFlyer]

Ain't that the truth. Oh. Maybe it will change when you leave but I don't think we will get QP access when we depart on Weds at 2020 as the last Qantas flight departs at 1920

There, you see, I'm not "match fit". I didn't even check that when choosing an ADL departure. That said, via MEL both ways was about $300 more; I think I can forego ?F Lounge (as WP) for that (if F Lounge will be open!).

The pricing on this was a bit odd - I think due to the corporate pricing deal the TA had on hand.

Cheapest option out of using ADL or MEL was HBA-ADL-DOH-CAI-ADL-HBA. But to get QS on the return, I chose DOH-MEL-HBA but the price shot up. But, if I dropped MEL-HBA, it was only about $100 more than the original. I can get a points flight MEL-HBA, so that's what I did.

Try doing that on the web.

 

[Pushka]

There, you see, I'm not "match fit". I didn't even check that when choosing an ADL departure. That said, via MEL both ways was about $300 more; I think I can forego ?F Lounge (as WP) for that (if F Lounge will be open!).

The pricing on this was a bit odd - I think due to the corporate pricing deal the TA had on hand.

Cheapest option out of using ADL or MEL was HBA-ADL-DOH-CAI-ADL-HBA. But to get QS on the return, I chose DOH-MEL-HBA but the price shot up. But, if I dropped MEL-HBA, it was about $100 more than the original. I can get a points flight MEL-HBA, so that's what I did.

Try doing that on the web.

This is Adelaide remember and it's the same QP for all, no F Lpunge and worse, it's pre immigration so I'd swap out QP for AS anyday. I think we may have to buy our own drinks at the Coopers pub with all the great unwashed . But your trip is months away and flights will improve. MrP is in denial that likely we won't get access. I only caught up because of a post on FT.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, past immigration so delay entry as long as you can. Except for a duty free which doesn't count. There's just a small snack shop selling soft drinks and trashy snacks.

 

[clifford]

Try doing that on the web.

It would be interesting, but I'd give it a go. Amazing what you can find on the web.

 

[RooFlyer]

It would be interesting, but I'd give it a go. Amazing what you can find on the web.

Fair enough, but even if you could, how do you value your time and also the security (as in no hassles with third party sites) of your booking?

This took me an e-mail asking for quotes to my (long time) TA, just giving dates, destination and specifying QR with QSuites. They came back with the various options; I made a phone call to discuss - sorted, and booked, including my preferred seating on each sector. Plus, as I mentioned, if there are disruptions or cancellations, the TA sorts them out.

It used to be better, but payment is due in a week, so I have that time to mull over complications etc before I pay. Will anything on the web allow that?

I've used this TA for about 15 years; simple and hassle free - they know all my preferences and have all my club memberships on file. Often they have sorted a connection problem while I'm in-flight; e-mail with new ticket on arrival; 24 hour actual person service. Wouldn't leave home (Oz) without it!

 

[Princess Fiona]

oneworld has a connecting flight rule (<=5 Hours to/from > 5 hours) that often can allow First access before a Business class flight.

Unfortunately this rule does not help with First access in your case as it is the class of service of the longer of the connecting segments that determines which class of lounge.

AS is also outside OW rules for lounge access.
QR operates it much like BA do the CCR.

 

[clifford]

Fair enough, but even if you could, how do you value your time and also the security (as in no hassles with third party sites) of your booking?

Each to their own.

My time is fairly unlimited (being retired and self sufficient) and I have over 30 years experience of doing this kind of thing.

I have a bit of relevant experience being UA 2MM, BA Gold (not to mention QF Gold and VA Plat), etc, etc, and quite enjoy the cut and thrust of the process.

My biggest challenge was several years back when that volcano in Iceland erupted and I had to use whatever ability I had to get a reasonable result out of it. The fact that my Air Asia X flight from OOL was delayed by 8 hours didn't help, which threw my whole itinerary out the window, but I managed to recover it on the fly (so to speak) and end up with an enjoyable couple of weeks in Rome (I was supposed to be going to London, but what the heck).

I haven't used a travel agent since the 1980's, when he was sent to jail (or somewhere similar).

 

[RooFlyer]

the just for the last bit - like you say, each to their own for the rest.

 

[VPS]

There was talk of a new lounge past immigration in Adelaide but not sure what is happening with that. I know when I flew F on Emirates out of Adelaide I could use the QP but honestly it was so grubby by the end of the day and the food was woeful

 

[Pushka]

There was talk of a new lounge past immigration in Adelaide but not sure what is happening with that. I know when I flew F on Emirates out of Adelaide I could use the QP but honestly it was so grubby by the end of the day and the food was woeful

But at least it is somewhere to sit in the quiet given the requirement to check in early with internationals.

 

[RooFlyer]

There was talk of a new lounge past immigration in Adelaide but not sure what is happening with that. I know when I flew F on Emirates out of Adelaide I could use the QP but honestly it was so grubby by the end of the day and the food was woeful

Yes - I recall that was being talked about the last time I flew QR out of ADL -?4 years ago? We can only hope!

 

[boomy]

Looks like good news for you @RooFlyer

“Note that Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge access isn’t just granted before the first class segment, but also prior to any connecting business class segment. Pre-pandemic there were more restrictions when connecting from first class to business class, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.”

Buying Access To Qatar Airways' Al Safwa First Lounge

Here's everything you need to know about accessing Qatar Airways' incredible Al Safwa First Lounge, including how to buy access.

onemileatatime.com

 

[RooFlyer]

Looks like good news for you @RooFlyer

“Note that Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge access isn’t just granted before the first class segment, but also prior to any connecting business class segment. Pre-pandemic there were more restrictions when connecting from first class to business class, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.”

Buying Access To Qatar Airways' Al Safwa First Lounge

Here's everything you need to know about accessing Qatar Airways' incredible Al Safwa First Lounge, including how to buy access.

onemileatatime.com

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