AKL EK lounge denial QF flight

[cmon0005]

Anyone else had access problems to the Auckland EK lounge whilst flying on a QF operated flight lately?

Myself and my wife (both qf plats) and baby tried to enter the EK lounge on sunday late afternoon, and were abruptly told that "it has been a busy day today" and "as qf passengers on a QF flight then we have the right to say no, but don't worry the qf lounge is just next to us".
I could see and hear around the corner by poking my head around that it was not full at that time so not sure why they denied us also not sure what being busy earlier in the day has to do with evening..

Anyway she probably did us a favour as the QF F Lounge was not crowded and had delicious lamb chops and other great food on offer, we really just wanted to check out the EK lounge for a short time.

 

[scwappy]

Anyone else had access problems to the Auckland EK lounge whilst flying on a QF operated flight lately?

Myself and my wife (both qf plats) and baby tried to enter the EK lounge on sunday late afternoon, and were abruptly told that "it has been a busy day today" and "as qf passengers on a QF flight then we have the right to say no, but don't worry the qf lounge is just next to us".
I could see and hear around the corner by poking my head around that it was not full at that time so not sure why they denied us also not sure what being busy earlier in the day has to do with evening..

Anyway she probably did us a favour as the QF F Lounge was not crowded and had delicious lamb chops and other great food on offer, we really just wanted to check out the EK lounge for a short time.

I have been successful using the AKL EK lounge when flying to BNE. I was flying in J at a time prior to the 380 rush though.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

What time? The lounge can get extremely crowded if the flights are heavily booked . They may have been expecting a large incoming crowd with 4 a380s departing... Soon to be 3 when syd is dropped

 

[cmon0005]

What time? The lounge can get extremely crowded if the flights are heavily booked . They may have been expecting a large incoming crowd with 4 a380s departing... Soon to be 3 when syd is dropped

5pm for a 06:50pm boarding time

 

[Pushka]

It does get very crowded and even if quiet at the time they would know they have to keep spots for future departures that evening. Many have been refused entry and having been in there being on EK flight it does get jammed.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It does get very crowded and even if quiet at the time they would know they have to keep spots for future departures that evening. Many have been refused entry and having been in there being on EK flight it does get jammed.

Yep, completely agree. It's a zoo in the early evening sometimes. Frequently seen/heard QF pax directed to the QF lounges.

 

[cmon0005]

Yep, completely agree. It's a zoo in the early evening sometimes. Frequently seen/heard QF pax directed to the QF lounges.

Glad it is not just me then

Although she was not rude as such, being abruptly spoken to was not nice.

 

[Pushka]

Glad it is not just me then

Although she was not rude as such, being abruptly spoken to was not nice.

Reckon they'd keep out their pesky Emirates passengers if it was up to her!

I guess they have the same request many nights and probably multiple times a night and it probably gets a little annoying for them.

 

[Mattg]

Reckon they'd keep out their pesky Emirates passengers if it was up to her!

I guess they have the same request many nights and probably multiple times a night and it probably gets a little annoying for them.

Why is this an annoying request? Qantas passengers are entitled to use the Emirates lounge in this instance. In fact, I did last time I flew QF out of Auckland. I asked at the door and was told "no problem".

The Emirates lounge in AKL is considerably nicer than the Qantas offering, so it's no wonder most people prefer it.

 

[cmon0005]

Reckon they'd keep out their pesky Emirates passengers if it was up to her!

I guess they have the same request many nights and probably multiple times a night and it probably gets a little annoying for them.

All I did was say "Hello how are you" and hand her the boarding passes, no verbal demand or request was made.

 

[blackcat20]

We got knocked back as two QF golds flying QF J...and the lounge was empty but they claimed it was full.

 

[cmon0005]

We got knocked back as two QF golda flying QF J...and the lounge was empty but they claimed it was full.

Sounds like AKL is the new SFO

 

[Pushka]

Why is this an annoying request? Qantas passengers are entitled to use the Emirates lounge in this instance. In fact, I did last time I flew QF out of Auckland. I asked at the door and was told "no problem".

The Emirates lounge in AKL is considerably nicer than the Qantas offering, so it's no wonder most people prefer it.

Of course it's an entirely correct request. But the lounge does get super busy. And I'd prefer it also but I don't like being rejected so I tend not to ask if flying on Qantas.

All I did was say "Hello how are you" and hand her the boarding passes, no verbal demand or request was made.

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply you'd done anything wrong. Just that if you are on the EK side they may not like having to keep saying no to people.

 

[Daver6]

We got knocked back as two QF golds flying QF J...and the lounge was empty but they claimed it was full.

What time of day?

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply you'd done anything wrong. Just that if you are on the EK side they may not like having to keep saying no to people.

Then possibly they're in the wrong line of work. Pretty basic part of one's job if you're a lounge angel/dragon.

I have a morning departure out of AKL next month. Is that considered a busy time for the EK lounge? I gather I want that over the QF J lounge if possible?

 

[Princess Fiona]

What time of day?



Then possibly they're in the wrong line of work. Pretty basic part of one's job if you're a lounge angel/dragon.

I have a morning departure out of AKL next month. Is that considered a busy time for the EK lounge? I gather I want that over the QF J lounge if possible?

You won't have a choice I'm afraid. The EK Lounge isn't open in the morning as there are no EK departures.

 

[Pushka]

What time of day?



Then possibly they're in the wrong line of work. Pretty basic part of one's job if you're a lounge angel/dragon.

I have a morning departure out of AKL next month. Is that considered a busy time for the EK lounge? I gather I want that over the QF J lounge if possible?

I try to look at things from another's perspective. And maybe it wasn't their choice to be there.

 

[cmon0005]

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply you'd done anything wrong. Just that if you are on the EK side they may not like having to keep saying no to people.

All good, the NZ lamb chops in qf f lounge made up for not getting into the EK lounge

 

[Interlude]

It's happened to me as WP booked on QF whY. After being referred a couple of times to the QF lounge, I asked "So are you refusing me entry to the EK lounge?" and the said "No, we are just advising you to use the QF lounge." She was so firm about it that I think she would even have stood in front of me to physically block me going any further, while still proclaiming that I was not being denied entry....

 

[serfty]

Yep, completely agree. It's a zoo in the early evening sometimes. Frequently seen/heard QF pax directed to the QF lounges.

That was certainly true and a regular occurrence going back about a year when they had three A380's departing within 90 minutes or so of each other.

This year the flights have been departing over a more staggered 210 minute span from 4pm with the additional direct flight to DXB after 9pm.

As a result the lounge has generally been been a lot less crowded and it's going to be even less so with the end of the SYD A380.

I suspect also it won't be opening until about 3pm (currently 1pm) since the SYD flight was the earliest departure at shortly after 4pm.

 

[ozmille]

I was sternly denied entry and pointed to the QF lounge as well a couple of weeks ago, first time since the QF/EK partnership and about 20 visits over the last couple of years