Bangkok - Lounge change [Closing permanently]

[nich_12]

Just received the following email from Qantas regarding Bangkok lounge access:

An update on lounge access in Bangkok
From this Sunday 15 November you can enjoy access to the CIP Lounge, in place of the Qantas Lounge, when you next travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Qantas.
This new access will take effect from Sunday when the Qantas Bangkok Lounge will cease operations.
Relax and unwind in the CIP Lounge
We’re pleased to offer the CIP Lounge on Concourse G as an alternate lounge option in Bangkok for eligible Qantas customers.*
Open 24 hours a day, the CIP Lounge offers you many of the same amenities seen in Qantas-operated lounges – freshen up for your flight in the shower rooms, catch up on emails in the Business Centre or unwind with a range of food and beverage options.
We’re here to help
Should you have questions or if there’s anything we can assist with, a number of Qantas team members will be available in the CIP Lounge to help throughout the transition.
We look forward to seeing you in the lounge soon.


Anyone have any experience with CIP lounge?

 

[OATEK]

Just received the following email from Qantas regarding Bangkok lounge access:

An update on lounge access in Bangkok
From this Sunday 15 November you can enjoy access to the CIP Lounge, in place of the Qantas Lounge, when you next travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Qantas.
This new access will take effect from Sunday when the Qantas Bangkok Lounge will cease operations.
Relax and unwind in the CIP Lounge
We’re pleased to offer the CIP Lounge on Concourse G as an alternate lounge option in Bangkok for eligible Qantas customers.*
Open 24 hours a day, the CIP Lounge offers you many of the same amenities seen in Qantas-operated lounges – freshen up for your flight in the shower rooms, catch up on emails in the Business Centre or unwind with a range of food and beverage options.
We’re here to help
Should you have questions or if there’s anything we can assist with, a number of Qantas team members will be available in the CIP Lounge to help throughout the transition.
We look forward to seeing you in the lounge soon.


Anyone have any experience with CIP lounge?

The Louis Tavern facilities looked a little tired, although I have only used the Day Rooms, not the Lounge. CIP almost next door so to speak to QF Lounge.

 

[moa999]

I expect for QF Gold/Plat on QF24 that heading across the road to the newly renovated CX lounge (opened June 2015) or the hike to EK is going to be a far superior experience


Recent Blog on the CIP Terminal G lounge
Thailand 2014: Louis' Tavern First Class CIP Lounge at Bangkok Airport (BKK) - Efficient Asian Man

Versus Cathay
Photos: Cathay Pacific's new Oneworld lounge at Bangkok Airport - Australian Business Traveller

Versus Emirates
MD Travel Blog – Review: The Emirates Lounge Bangkok

 

[Hvr]

I expect for QF Gold/Plat on QF24 that heading across the road to the newly renovated CX lounge (opened June 2015) or the hike to EK is going to be a far superior experience

Totally agree, just have your ticket with you. When I was there last week the front desk woman rang the Qantas lounge to confirm I actually had a Qantas ticket before allowing me entry. This was after presentation of my BP and WP card.

A little bizarre IMHO but relatively painless.

Can only imagine the CIP lounge prior to a J* departure.

 

[crum]

I expect for QF Gold/Plat on QF24 that heading across the road to the newly renovated CX lounge (opened June 2015) or the hike to EK is going to be a far superior experience

Exactly what I did last week. Started off in the CX lounge with the noodle bar, and then headed over to EK for an hour or so before boarding QF24. Can't say the QF lounge will be missed too much...

 

[Aussie_flyer]

It will be missed for those flying Jetstar

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I'm amused that they announce a lounge closure as a lounge "change".
I'm only surprised it wasn't announced as a lounge enhancement!

 

[JohnK]

Oh lounge is closing? Temporary closure?

Sorry but the Louis Tavern lounges are poor. It was probably the one in Concourse C but being looked at in a funny way from serving staff when ordering gin and tonic is not on. It's not coming out of her salary unless they have a scam going siphoning spirits off the premises.

 

[teamhamsandwich]

I would just head to the cx lounge anyway. No great loss.

Does this mean someone else is expanding or taking that lounge space? I think the new cx lounge took over the old ba space?

 

[moa999]

It will be missed for those flying Jetstar

Very good point.

Albeit its only the 3/weekly JQ30 BKK-MEL for which the lounge stayed open later,
which made it really only accessible for 3/wkly 3K services of their approx 5/daily (unless you had a long layover)

 

[bsb]

Louis Lounges are pretty 'average' with this one being even more so than others. That said, something is better than nothing, but now I've given up my Priortiy Pass (cut up the Platinum Amex that gave me access) I might regret that when on non OW flights. I do like the new CX lounge and when I flew last time back on QF, it was empty.

 

[Isochronous]

Not much point having a QF lounge with only 1 flight a day. CX and EK are both good options.

 

[Timba-Jet]

First reaction was slight disappointment, but after more thought, probably a smart move by QF. BKK is unlikely to be a priority in the future. With EK and CX lounges offering high quality alternatives, no big loss for OW elites. QP members will be worse off it seems.

Had a similar difficulties with the EK lounge dragon in Apr this year. Travelling on QF24, was keen to escape the hectic QF lounge and check out the newly renovated EK offering. Was met with a surprise look when I handed over my QF BP and directed to the nearby QF lounge. Politely explained my preference to use the EK lounge. Was then asked for the E-Ticket number. After minutes trying to go through my phone, to find an electronic copy, dragon finally used her brain and managed to look it up in her system.

The lounge was empty, dragon knew I was entitled to access the lounge, and I presented BP and QFF card as proof. I should been allowed in immediately, and whatever admin EK needed to do to charge QF, shouldn't have been put on the customer.

 

[drron]

Another kick in the teeth for QP members.The benefits are slowly disappearing.
Not a worry for us.Off to the CX lounge.Way better.The food was excellent.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I refer to another thread about QP members not being allowed access to the QP in Hong Kong when connecting from a QF to a CX flight on the same booking made through QF.
Taking these things together it sems the only value in QP membership is access to domestic lounges.

 

[Happy Trails]

The email, helpfully, provides a link: "*For more detail on the Bangkok CIP lounge and eligibility please see qantas.com,"

Needless to say, there's no word of the impending closure, or any mention of the alternate (sic) CIP lounge.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

I suspect I know the answer, but just to confirm, if travelling on QF24 but on the AY codeshare, access won't be possible to the Emirates lounge, even if a QF SG or WP? It'll be this CIP job or CX only....

 

[moa999]

I suspect I know the answer, but just to confirm, if travelling on QF24 but on the AY codeshare, access won't be possible to the Emirates lounge, even if a QF SG or WP? It'll be this CIP job or CX only....

Officially think that's correct.

Unofficially with a QF boarding pass (often not denoting a codeshare) and QF card YMMV

 

[Archphoto]

Was just offered 40k QFF points to resign up to QP; with this news I'll pass thanks - $825 to only have access to the SIN lounge (no access in HKG as they throw you onto an EK flight from BKK); why bother??

In BKK I could pay around $30 to access the CIP lounge (one time visit), and as JohnK said, it's pretty poor - what exactly is QP membership *really* offering International fliers these days??? Admittedly PriorityPass is looking to be a better spend on $$$ vs. Access (I'll need to do further research).

With this latest "enhancement" QF is really pushing their "loyalty" envelope (to almost bursting!). It's starting to feel like that one-way street is getting longer - all the loyalty is coming from their passengers with little in return from QF. I guess that's what you get when an airport becomes a termination point for the airline, rather than a transit point.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I refer to another thread about QP members not being allowed access to the QP in Hong Kong when connecting from a QF to a CX flight on the same booking made through QF.
Taking these things together it sems the only value in QP membership is access to domestic lounges.

You still get good access to AA lounges in the USA - however whether they are worth having or not is another question. I bought life memberships for the two oldest kids and they have had reasonable value out of them. However if I was making the same decision now, I wouldn't waste my money.