Another grubby QANTAS lounge experience...

[justinbrett]

How often does that sort of thing happen?

I've never had a lounge staff member try to take food/drink away when I'm not done. When they have come past to clean up, they've always asked if I'm done before moving to take it.

A slight exaggeration - but never leave your drink on the table while you get food

 

[aikman]

I've been able to visit every non-regional domestic Qantas lounge at least once. The only one I walked into and straight back out of was Hobart. All the others were fine and none were grubby as far as I can recall. I'd rank Darwin at the top for Qantas Clubs. For J lounges I'd put Melbourne at the top.

 

[Himeno]

I've only been in the following QF lounges before:

International
LAX F
HKG
LHR
SIN J
SIN F
NRT (now closed)
MEL J
MEL F
SYD J (not since getting Platinum)
SYD F
BNE (only once)

Domestic
MEL J
CBR Club (old terminal)
CBR J
SYD J
BNE J (only once)
PER J (only once)

 

[stm1sydney]

The Qantas lemmings just keep going back for more. Sitting smugly amongst tables with piles of leftovers, spilt drinks, grubby floors. They are the elite!

It truly boggles the mind, when there are so many better options.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

The Qantas lemmings just keep going back for more. Sitting smugly amongst tables with piles of leftovers, spilt drinks, grubby floors. They are the elite!

So why wouldn’t management think that they don’t really need to do much?

None of this is more apparent than the QF lounge at HBA where queues form whilst everyone eagerly waits for the lounge to open one hour before departure. What awaits us this time? Could it be a broken toilet? Or maybe having to play musical chairs until I find a seat?

 

[RealtimeY]

I think a lot of frequent flyers don't know their full entitlements (like being able to visit other alliance lounges), and there are the throngs of occasional lounge visitors (e.g. complimentary lounge pass) who are easily impressed by the luxury of QP and QFi J lounges.

Interestingly, QF does seem to be monitoring and responding to the Google reviews of its lounges.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think a lot of frequent flyers don't know their full entitlements (like being able to visit other alliance lounges)

This bit always surprises me. The QF J lounge at Sydney is always chock-a-block with travellers, meanwhile the EK lounge tends to be deserted with just the occasional EK traveller in the lounge. This despite the fact many who qualify for the QF J lounge also qualify for using the EK lounge. For those who have been to both lounges, clearly the EK lounge is the better lounge in terms of catering, amenities and space. Yes it is a bit of a hike to get there but depending on when you are departing and which departure gate you have can make sense.

-RooFlyer88

 

[justinbrett]

This bit always surprises me. The QF J lounge at Sydney is always chock-a-block with travellers, meanwhile the EK lounge tends to be deserted with just the occasional EK traveller in the lounge. This despite the fact many who qualify for the QF J lounge also qualify for using the EK lounge. For those who have been to both lounges, clearly the EK lounge is the better lounge in terms of catering, amenities and space. Yes it is a bit of a hike to get there but depending on when you are departing and which departure gate you have can make sense.

-RooFlyer88

Many? No. Some? Yes.

Exludes:
QF pax to the Americas, South Africa & Japan
QF complimentary invites
Oneworld pax (EK deal is only with QF)
Other airlines using QF J as the contracted lounge

 

[RooFlyer]

The only one I walked into and straight back out of was Hobart.

I used to do that - now I mostly don't bother. I can tell the state of the lounge beforehand by the number of QF and JQ planes out on the apron. Any more than one and its no, thanks (except to get my digital BP replaced with a paper one).

 

[AIRwin]

Exludes:
QF pax to the Americas, South Africa & Japan
QF complimentary invites
Oneworld pax (EK deal is only with QF)
Other airlines using QF J as the contracted lounge

And flying at a time when EK lounge is not open?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

We used the Marhaba lounge on Saturday coming up to DPS in GA J. I was concerned about it, but once in I was really surprised. Food options were great, champagne was good, everything clean and tidy including the toilets. I’ll have no problems with using it again.

Youtube does say the Marhaba is a bit lower standard, but one good thing about it is that, its not as a cavern feel, its not as claustrophobic as the QFi MEL J lounge is.
The Marhaba stands on that corner, on it upper most level, so its a bit better, outside view wise.
Same as the MEL QFi F lounge.
Guess the reason is that the MEL QFi J lounge is surrounded by walkways, so they can't open it to full view, that is why they have those fake curtains.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

And flying at a time when EK lounge is not open?

It's true that it isn't always open, but for some strange reason whenever I fly QFi, I'm always there when the EK lounge is open! In addition, for those in such an unfortunate situation, hopefully they are travelling on a QF marketed, JQ operated flight. That way they can be sure that their lounge access is maximized!

 

[RichardMEL]

Must be a Q for the MEL QFi J/F lounge, as no alco in the QFd lounges till 12noon.

Since you used the word "lounges" I'm afraid I'll have to pull you up on this statement as not being entirely correct.

The CL *does* have alco available before 12noon (side note, be interested to know about the exemption - I suppose as a "private club"?).

When I was invited to use the MEL CL a few years ago I may have enjoyed a glass or two of sparkling with brekky as the sun rose prior to a domestic flight.

 

[TerenceM]

Many? No. Some? Yes.

Exludes:
QF pax to the Americas, South Africa & Japan
QF complimentary invites
Oneworld pax (EK deal is only with QF)
Other airlines using QF J as the contracted lounge

Out of curiosity, why aren't QF pax on American, South Afircan, and Japan flights eligible to the EK lounge?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Out of curiosity, why aren't QF pax on American, South Afircan, and Japan flights eligible to the EK lounge?

The agreement Qantas has with Emirates for lounge access says those regions aren't allowed. I suspect the main reason why is Emirates doesn't serve those locations from Australia (by that I mean Qantas doesn't want you to do something like book Emirates to the US when you can take Qantas nonstop there. Same thing for South Africa and Japan). Europe is understandable since Qantas does not offer non-stop service to Europe (yes I know someone will point out LHR and FCO but that isn't non-stop from SYD or MEL). Other parts of Asia and NZ make sense since most travellers would think of heading to the QF lounge first rather than the EK lounge. Also, EK operates non-stop services to NZ (i.e. SYD > CHC).

-RooFlyer88

 

[Cessna 180]

I think I have been to all the main domestic ones this years at least once (save Canberra).

Mel, Per and Bne most regularly, oh and EMD but that is a little different! BNE J seems to have limited food when ever I am there and can be quite full. Per is good but I usually grab a bight and then head upstairs to the old one if I have any length of wait. Much prefer the views and a bit better ambiance.

Mel is probably the best food, good views but the showers are getting in need of a bit of TLC.

ADL and DRW in my opinion are still a cut above, I like the red chairs at ADL and when I was there a month or so ago the offerings were pretty decent.

SYD?? Well that is just sad.... no atmosphere, not much to eat and filthy. I just do not know what is going on there. Having said that I have not been there for many months.

As for international? I went to SYD F end of Dec and was a little underwhelmed.

I did a domestic QF9 a couple of months back and was still very impressed. Definitely my favourite QF lounge. Much better service and overall feel compared to SYD in my very limited experience.

 

[serfty]

Out of curiosity, why aren't QF pax on American, South Afircan, and Japan flights eligible to the EK lounge?

The agreement is for Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East


There is conflicting information on Japan eligibility.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/network-and-partner-airlines/emirates.html

 

[justinbrett]

The agreement is for Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East


There is conflicting information on Japan eligibility.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/network-and-partner-airlines/emirates.html

I've just re-read the ACCC application and authorisation for the QF/EK alliance.

Interestingly, there's no geographic limits imposed by the ACCC. Technically, they can coordinate globally. The application even has a list of EK lounges that would be available to QF pax where it doesn't already have a lounge, and it includes SFO. It specifically mentions the main markets (Europe, Asia, Middle East) but requested authorisation globally. And it seems, they got it.

So any geographical restrictions have been self imposed - I'm guessing by QF -and could be lifted at any time if they wanted.

 

[jase05]

SYD Dom J lounge filthy again this morning at 0730.
It really is a disgraceful lounge

 

[Scarlett]

…Can I please just note, amongst the general trend of QF bashing of late, that at least part of the problem is the pigs at the trough behaviour of some of the lounge guests. I am at times amazed by the ability of a single person to spread food and used cutlery around themselves with such gay abandon.

If being pedantic I’d also note that a ‘lounge’ is an inanimate object. So is the real focus of this thread that QF should hire more staff, or amend their contract with the provider, to have more staff present?