First time in first

[paul d]

Hi all , would be grateful for some info on melbourne F lounge - flying QF9 in march dep at 17.05 . Looking forward to take max advantage of F lounge . How much time should i allow for a meal and a massage (should/can i book the spa time ?) and generally relaxing time in the F lounge before flying . Also how early can i check my luggage in . Any comments would be great guys !!

 

[JetLagged]

If the Melbourne F lounge is anywhere similar to Sydney's award winning one (and I assume it is at least in operational ways), then you should be expected a good time of it.

Typically when I fly to the UK in F I allow myself a couple of hours in Sydney: arrive a few hours ahead of leaving, with the bags picked up from the curb; have usually booked a long massage either the day before or in the morning; have a cooked-to-order meal with a few glasses of champagne etc; then a relaxing read while waiting to be told the plane is ready for boarding.

Make it an occasion - but be warned - it is only the start of a marvelolous time in the air. One of the very few benefits as a WP is the use the F lounge regardless of the section you are flying on QF metal - so, make the most of it.

Now, not being able to use the F lounge as a WP when not flying in F would be an "enhancement" that would have me frothing at the mouth!

 

[dfcatch]

Check in for F at MEL is curbside, just after the main International check-in but before you turn the corner to T3. Basically it's just before the second walkway to the carpark.

You can checkin curbside and then go straight to the F lounge which is reasonably (but discreetly) signposted.

As you are traveling F you can pre-book the spa treatment. If QF don't call you the day before, just call them and ask to speak to the lounge

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi all , would be grateful for some info on melbourne F lounge - flying QF9 in march dep at 17.05 . Looking forward to take max advantage of F lounge . How much time should i allow for a meal and a massage (should/can i book the spa time ?) and generally relaxing time in the F lounge before flying . Also how early can i check my luggage in . Any comments would be great guys !!

Paul,

Normally they call CL and F paid the day before and offer the massage slots to them. What they don't take you can organize and no harm in ringing the day before, otherwise get there early!!

I believe all services organized by Sofitel and they do a good job.

 

[MatF]

Hi Paul,

I was on QF9 in early December. Mrs MatF and I used the first class check-in suite and the lounge (we weren't flying First, but had access as a WP).

The check-in suite was closed when we arrived at the airport at around noon, but they opened it a bit after 1:00pm (we were waiting ), and so we had about 3hrs in the lounge. If you're flying first they will meet you at the curb - but I don't know if that means they'll meet you there any earlier.

Mrs MatF had a massage/etc (30mins) in the lounge which wasn't pre-booked (can only pre-book if flying in First, so you should be right!), and we both had a cooked-to-order meal, with plenty of sitting around and enjoying time

It's a great lounge. Here's a quick pic (Mrs MatF was horribly embarrassed, and wouldn't let me take many!). It was taken from about halfway down the lounge, looking towards to dining area. As you can see, not at all busy when we were there.

Enjoy!

Mat.

 

[tuapekastar]

Check in for F at MEL is curbside, just after the main International check-in but before you turn the corner to T3. Basically it's just before the second walkway to the carpark.

You can checkin curbside and then go straight to the F lounge which is reasonably (but discreetly) signposted.

As you are traveling F you can pre-book the spa treatment. If QF don't call you the day before, just call them and ask to speak to the lounge

OK I'm being picky (sorry I wouldn't normally, but just to avoid any confusion for the OP) but for whatever reason, the terminals at MEL go T3, T2, T1 as you drive around them, so F checkin is just prior to T1.

 

[BVT]

WP newbie question, where is the Flounge in MEL? I thought it was next to the J Lounge??

 

[dfcatch]

OK I'm being picky (sorry I wouldn't normally, but just to avoid any confusion for the OP) but for whatever reason, the terminals at MEL go T3, T2, T1 as you drive around them, so F checkin is just prior to T1.

Oops, my bad, sorry that's right... T3 is Virgin, then T2 International, then T1 Qantas, so used to QF being T3 in Sydney .

Oh and the F lounge is in the main gate departure area-up the escalator.

The J lounge is downstairs via the escalator near the duty free area.

 

[QF029]

It's two levels above the QF J lounge next to the Emirates lounge accessible by the escalators.

 

[MatF]

Yep, the escalator is near Gate 9 from memory? It's easy to find, I think the helpful people at the first check-in suite gave us a map

 

[BVT]

Thanks all for the directions. Can't wait for my first time!*. Nine sleeps to go.

(*in a Flounge!)

 

[Alanslegal]

We flew JetStar the other day, $52 SYD-MEL return And thoroughly enjoyed our visits to the SYD and MEL FLounge. We checked in very close to the T-3hours and had at least two hours in the lounge. No availability for a spa treatment at SYD but at MEL the girlfriend and I had a facial each

Thanks all for the directions. Can't wait for my first time!*. Nine sleeps to go.

(*in a Flounge!)

Enjoy!

 

[gumpy]

Now, not being able to use the F lounge as a WP when not flying in F would be an "enhancement" that would have me frothing at the mouth!

Don't give then any ideas !#@$!

 

[gumpy]

We flew JetStar the other day, $52 SYD-MEL return And thoroughly enjoyed our visits to the SYD and MEL FLounge. We checked in very close to the T-3hours and had at least two hours in the lounge. No availability for a spa treatment at SYD but at MEL the girlfriend and I had a facial each



Enjoy!

did you get any dirty looks or anything?

I want do this but am worried QF will get angry

 

[MatF]

We flew JetStar the other day, $52 SYD-MEL return And thoroughly enjoyed our visits to the SYD and MEL FLounge. We checked in very close to the T-3hours and had at least two hours in the lounge. No availability for a spa treatment at SYD but at MEL the girlfriend and I had a facial each

Interesting! JQi flights both ways I assume? Can you do that in a day?

 

[Alanslegal]

did you get any dirty looks or anything?

I want do this but am worried QF will get angry

Nope, all staff were pretty friendly and welcoming. And besides I wouldn't feel bad in any instance; both of us are WPs and we're just as entitled to the FLounge as anyone else in the lounge - those are the rules set by the program.

Interesting! JQi flights both ways I assume? Can you do that in a day?

Yes JQi both ways but it wasn't on the same day. We spent the weekend in MEL.

 

[drewbles]

did you get any dirty looks or anything?

I want do this but am worried QF will get angry

Access to the F Lounge for WP's on JQ flights is a published benefit. They have no problems letting you in, spa treatment where available, full restaurant meal and alcohol.

It's a benefit. No reason they should scorn you. Sit back and enjoy it (like 30 or so of us will in SYD on Saturday for the unofficial WP Anytime Access Wake )

 

[Maca44]

I have been lucky enough to fly F regularly to the USA/Canada, and can only relate what a WP buddy told me years ago "get there early, and go on all the rides". The Flounge and flying F is a really great experience, and hope you have both to enjoy.