Anyone flown QR as QF WP yet?

[daturtle]

Looking at flying HKG-LHR ret middle of the year and QR have come in as cheapest for HKG-LHR. Anyone flown them before as a WP?

 

[cmon0005]

Looking at flying HKG-LHR ret middle of the year and QR have come in as cheapest for HKG-LHR. Anyone flown them before as a WP?

Haven't flown them, but just be aware their premium lounges in LHR and Doha are accessible only to Business class and First class passengers with no guests, despite having WP (OWE). This is a drawback with QR, other than priority checkin, and maybe priority boarding? I don't see much benefit of being a OWE and flying QR.

 

[samh004]

Haven't flown them, but just be aware their premium lounges in LHR and Doha are accessible only to Business class and First class passengers with no guests, despite having WP (OWE). This is a drawback with QR, other than priority checkin, and maybe priority boarding? I don't see much benefit of being a OWE and flying QR.

Sorry to go offtopic, but I'd like to query that. I know that the reason you can't get to the lounges in Doha are because it's a separate terminal for premium passengers (only), so lounge access or lack thereof for status holders makes sense... but what's the story in LHR as that's not a separate terminal?

I assume there is a "status" lounge available, rated much lower than the premium class lounge at both ports? Thus the "premium" lounge is essentially a CCR or TPC, so it's no different to BA and SIA wrt lounge offerings. And perhaps even CL domestically for QF.

 

[LuisT]

Sorry to go offtopic, but I'd like to query that. I know that the reason you can't get to the lounges in Doha are because it's a separate terminal for premium passengers (only), so lounge access or lack thereof for status holders makes sense... but what's the story in LHR as that's not a separate terminal?

I assume there is a "status" lounge available, rated much lower than the premium class lounge at both ports? Thus the "premium" lounge is essentially a CCR or TPC, so it's no different to BA and SIA wrt lounge offerings. And perhaps even CL domestically for QF.

Ausbt discuss it here:

Qatar defends lounge access limits on Qantas, oneworld frequent flyers - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Looks like the skyteam lounge is used...

 

[zainman]

I have flown them as WP in the past month. Twice in J and once in Y... What exactly do you want to know? Only reason I put my QFF number in the booking instead of my QR gold FF was because I needed the status credits...

 

[cmon0005]

I assume there is a "status" lounge available, rated much lower than the premium class lounge at both ports? Thus the "premium" lounge is essentially a CCR or TPC, so it's no different to BA and SIA wrt lounge offerings. And perhaps even CL domestically for QF.

I guess the argument is that the LHR QR lounge is also accessible by Business pax not just First pax, so why shouldn't a OWE be allowed in, as OW advertise access to First class lounges for OWE as a benefit over some of the other alliances. Yet QR must be ok with one of their Y OWE pax going to another airlines lounge in LHR and getting charged for it... eg. they could goto BA lounge, QR would still have to foot the bill.

 

[samh004]

Ausbt discuss it here:

Qatar defends lounge access limits on Qantas, oneworld frequent flyers - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Looks like the skyteam lounge is used...

Thanks for refreshing my memory.

It seems fair then, as their own premium members don't even get access to the space if they're not in F/J.

However perhaps some of the older-OW airlines should band together to offer each other's FFP'a access to premium lounge offerings and then pull said offerings from the pool available. Would send a clear statement.

Or perhaps OW should clarify what is acceptable and what isn't. Also with regard to AB.

Back on topic.

 

[BD1959]

Thanks for refreshing my memory.

It seems fair then, as their own premium members don't even get access to the space if they're not in F/J.

However perhaps some of the older-OW airlines should band together to offer each other's FFP'a access to premium lounge offerings and then pull said offerings from the pool available. Would send a clear statement.

Or perhaps OW should clarify what is acceptable and what isn't. Also with regard to AB.

Back on topic.

What would make sense, would be for all non-BA OW airlines at LHR to create a hub in T3 so that they can share the cost - and enjoy consistency - of Premium facilities.

Regards,

BD

 

[samh004]

What would make sense, would be for all non-BA OW airlines at LHR to create a hub in T3 so that they can share the cost - and enjoy consistency - of Premium facilities.

That could work too.

 

[daturtle]

Not terribly fussed on what lounge I use as long as I'm not slumming it in the terminal.

I'll let you know how they treat me in June then!

 

[QPProletarian]

It's a bit of a shaft. Pretty funny that it's the Skyteam lounge.

Is the soft product and seating any good?

 

[zainman]

Not terribly fussed on what lounge I use as long as I'm not slumming it in the terminal.

I'll let you know how they treat me in June then!

If you're flying Y then I think you will have access to the 'Oryx Lounge'. It is adequate but nothing extravagant. Nothing like the premium terminal!

I even pressed my luck trying to access the First lounge at the premium terminal when I was travelling J and they said 'no'.

 

[elbarto]

What would make sense, would be for all non-BA OW airlines at LHR to create a hub in T3 so that they can share the cost - and enjoy consistency - of Premium facilities.

Regards,

BD

Most of the oneworld airlines except for BA, MH and QR operate out of T3. Really it's only the newbies that haven't moved over yet.

 

[Isochronous]

This is a joke. QR shouldn't have been allowed to join oneworld if that's their policy. Guess I won't be using them in Y unless I'm departing a port like HKG where I can use a proper F lounge from another oneworld airline.

 

[zainman]

This is a joke. QR shouldn't have been allowed to join oneworld if that's their policy. Guess I won't be using them in Y unless I'm departing a port like HKG where I can use a proper F lounge from another oneworld airline.

I believe the arrangement is temporary until they open their new airport. At the moment it would be logistically difficult to get WP passengers from Y cabin onto the bus that goes to the premium terminal and/or check that they have the right 'coloured' boarding pass wallets.

I don't think this arrangement is unusual at all actually, from what I have read the Concorde room at LHR is also exclusive to BA first class passengers so how is this any different?

The Premium terminal at DOH can be quite busy at most times, doubt they would want to make the situation any worse by allowing more people to use it. The Oryx lounge at the Y terminal is nothing extravagant but better than nothing I guess...

 

[samh004]

I don't think this arrangement is unusual at all actually, from what I have read the Concorde room at LHR is also exclusive to BA first class passengers so how is this any different?

The CCR is based inside the Galleries First lounge, which itself is different to the Galleries Business lounge. Thus, as a OWS or J pax you can enter the Galleries Business lounge. As a OWE or F pax you can enter the Galleries First lounge. As an F pax you can then enter the CCR (you can also hold a card to get in).

In QR's case, OWS and OWE are grouped into one lounge that is both below the Business lounge in the premium terminal and the First lounge in aforementioned terminal. While it can be noted their own FFP members have the same restrictions on them... when they then fly with QF, or BA, or AA, they suddenly get to access proper J or F lounges. Though I suppose if anything, it just makes them see how stingy the airline program they're a member of is, and perhaps breeds discontent.

 

[elbarto]

The CCR is based inside the Galleries First lounge, which itself is different to the Galleries Business lounge. Thus, as a OWS or J pax you can enter the Galleries Business lounge. As a OWE or F pax you can enter the Galleries First lounge. As an F pax you can then enter the CCR (you can also hold a card to get in).

In QR's case, OWS and OWE are grouped into one lounge that is both below the Business lounge in the premium terminal and the First lounge in aforementioned terminal. While it can be noted their own FFP members have the same restrictions on them... when they then fly with QF, or BA, or AA, they suddenly get to access proper J or F lounges. Though I suppose if anything, it just makes them see how stingy the airline program they're a member of is, and perhaps breeds discontent.

I do wonder if things will change when they move to NDIA, but I doubt it.

 

[BD1959]

Most of the oneworld airlines except for BA, MH and QR operate out of T3. Really it's only the newbies that haven't moved over yet.

... and you can add UL to that list soon. Given the number of flights AA and CX operate - surely there's an economy-of-scale saving to be had on the FLounge alone for the not-so-frequent airlines (such as QF) and a OW FLounge would be a far better experience than the current offerings of, say, MH.

Regards,

BD

 

[rocketboy]

I flew Qatar for the first time from Munich to Melbourne and return last month. In business class their service is excellent and virtually consistent across all 4 flights. I was impressed with their attention to detail, the quality of food and wine and the willingness of the crew to offer drinks and snacks between mealtimes. I was not aware of any WP "special" treatment but I don't really expect anything extra in a premium cabin. On most flights the purser introduced themselves as well as the flight attendant and on the Dreamliner back to Munich from Doha I was offered a voucher to use the internet. Perhaps this was "special" but I am not sure. The J class cabin on the Dreamliner is impressive and very comfortable. The older flatbed seats and layout on the 77L is also very comfortable. Some of the lavatories on both aircraft are bigger than usual which is great for changing.
The bussing in Doha isn't ideal but I have to say it was all done smoothly. Some of the rides can be quite long. My transits were 2 hours in each direction and that seems to be an appropriate window to be bussed, screened and have a drink or shower in the lounge before returning to the next flight. The guy next to me on the flight to Melbourne arrived a little flustered as his one hour transit had been gobbled up completely by buses to the terminal just for security screening and then onto another bus for the next flight.
I was only allowed to use the business lounge in the Premium Terminal as per the policy. But that lounge is certainly very good with several different areas for dining and relaxing.
The delay in opening the new airport means Qatar entered Oneworld before the new facilities are ready, so in fairness I would wait to criticise their lounge access policy in Doha and the facilities available for OWE travelling in Y until the new lounges are ready and we see what's on offer. Latest reschedule of opening is April this year. I fly with them again at the end of April but I won't be holding my breath that the first stage of the airport is ready.
Finally, as has been previously discussed, the points earning on QR is lousy although the status earn is normal for business class. Interestingly my tickets were booked in "I" class but have appeared on my statement as "discount economy". Flights took between one and two weeks to credit automatically. I am quite happy to trade the low points earn for the competitive pricing (compared to QF/EK) and the fact they offer fast one stop service between Munich and Melbourne.

 

[newsonb]

I have also been flying Qatar in J out of Bangkok to Europe every year and will continue to do so as their service and their seats are great.

The premium terminal in Doha is also a great experience but its very busy at times and hard to get a seat.

The fact that I will now get SC's and checked through luggage is a bonus as I would be flying them anyway as they seem to be very competitive ex Asai to Europe (I always fly Qantas from SYD-BKK using ASA'a)