Article: Amex Reopens Australian Airport Lounges

[kangarooflyer88]

Anyone flying internationally over the next few days who can check out the conversion to Centurion Lounges?

I'd say it's on part with other AmEx Centurion lounges in North America, albeit it is fairly small and the food is just okay. If I was you (and I'm not you by the way), I'd try the Emirates lounge which you can access if you hold Qantas Gold or above, are travelling on a Qantas flight to anywhere except North America.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Mattg]

Melbourne | American Express AU

Melbourne | American Express AU

www.americanexpress.com

I think Amex needs to update its website. The Melbourne lounge is in Terminal 2, not 1.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Melbourne | American Express AU

Melbourne | American Express AU

www.americanexpress.com

I think Amex needs to update its website. The Melbourne lounge is in Terminal 2, not 1.

Drats, I forgot to visit the Centurion lounge the last time I had a connection in MEL on QF domestic!

 

[knagelli]

Anyone flying internationally over the next few days who can check out the conversion to Centurion Lounges?

I will be trying the Amex Centurion Lodge day after tomorrow , happy to share the feedback after. ta

 

[Gold Member]

I will be trying the Amex Centurion Lodge day after tomorrow , happy to share the feedback after. ta

How did you find the refurbished lounge? I’m tossing up the Sydney AX lounge or paying for The House Lounge prior to a Virgin flight.

 

[Harthagan]

Had the dis/pleasure of checking out the Sydney Centurion lounge the other morning.

Firstly be mindful of the distance it is from some of the gates at the other end of the terminal. It's a good 10 minute walk from the TSA/security then it was even further to walk from the Centurion lounge to gate 37 which was where we had to get to for boarding. In the time it took us to walk from the lounge to the gate our flight status went from "gate open" to "final call" don't ask me how that's even possible but it's certainly not the lounges fault haha

The food was very basic breakfast offerings; scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns and baked beans was the hot offerings. In addition there were basic things like toast, fruit, yoghurt, cereals etc.

The bar also could be described as very basic. All the alcohol available was the very cheapest stuff, basic cheap spirits. For example Jim Beam white label haha. But what was worse than that was the staff at the bar and their attitude. I was met with mild shock when I tried to order an alcoholic drink for my partner and myself.

Then the "bartender" proceeded to pour half a shot into each glass, I asked why it was only half a shot each and she said something like it's a standard 30ml and I replied that the shot glass is 30ml but she only poured 15ml into each of our glasses. Then she said it's ok, just enjoy these ones first and then you can always come back again for another. Ok whatever lol. Then she fills up both the glasses with coke up to the top even though at half way I clearly told her that's enough.

I asked her at that point if she can remake the drinks and she flat out refuses and says I should have told her in advance that I wanted less coke.

So at this stage I'm pretty shocked at the service so far. But that's not the worst of it. 15 minutes later I go back to the bar when I see a male bartender there hopeful to have a better experience. Everything goes fine, he makes our drinks with a full shot in each and only half way up to the top with coke.

Perfect, but not so fast. As he's handing them to me, the bartender from before returns and says something to him about the fact it was my 2nd time there getting a drink.

I thought that was a bit weird so before leaving I asked her what that was about, and she tells me that I'll have to wait another hour to order another drink after this one. I just laughed it off and told her that ive never been told anything like that at any other lounge before. She then goes on about it being the airport rules and that they will get fined if they serve me another drink within an hour. I didn't have the energy to remind her that our first drinks were only half a standard drink each. Suffice to say we left after that without bothering trying to order another drink!

 

[Hvr]

I replied that the cough glass is 30ml

My bolding.

Sounds like it was an eponymous glass.

 

[Harthagan]

Haha good catch!

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Firstly be mindful of the distance it is from some of the gates at the other end of the terminal. It's a good 10 minute walk from the TSA/security then it was even further to walk from the Centurion lounge to gate 37 which was where we had to get to for boarding. In the time it took us to walk from the lounge to the gate our flight status went from "gate open" to "final call" don't ask me how that's even possible but it's certainly not the lounges fault haha

You can't really blame AmEx for that though. Lounges get whatever space is available in the international and I doubt AmEx would outcompete the duty free tenants who pay top dollar to get the prime real estate in the terminal. At the same time, the Centurion lounge isn't in a bad location either, particularly if you have a flight departing from that wing of the international terminal. Keep in mind, not all of us fly Qantas out of the international terminal (indeed Qantas doesn't fly to many destinations like Europe and much of North America, a story for another day).

The food was very basic breakfast offerings; scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns and baked beans was the hot offerings. In addition there were basic things like toast, fruit, yoghurt, cereals etc.

I will concede that the spread was very basic, even by AmEx standards (c.f., the Centurion lounge at LAX or SFO). My understanding is that these overseas lounges at SYD and MEL aren't operated by AmEx directly but by Plaza Premium (take that for what it's worth).

The bar also could be described as very basic. All the alcohol available was the very cheapest stuff, basic cheap spirits. For example Jim Beam white label haha. But what was worse than that was the staff at the bar and their attitude. I was met with mild shock when I tried to order an alcoholic drink for my partner and myself.

Having to go to a bartender to grab booze is an AmEx policy, apparently as this is also the case in the domestic US lounges as well. Whether it is top or bottom shelf liquor I'll leave that up to you. What I will say is the Centurion lounge at SYD makes a great appetizer before heading to the Emirates lounge (remember you can access that lounges flying QF/EK if you are QF Gold and not travelling to the Americas) which tends to have limited hours to put it mildly.

My bolding.

Sounds like it was an eponymous glass.

As someone with Crohn's disease, I can assure you that it's always a hope that our bowel movements can fit into such a glass at times!

 

[Harthagan]

You can't really blame AmEx for that though. Lounges get whatever space is available in the international and I doubt AmEx would outcompete the duty free tenants who pay top dollar to get the prime real estate in the terminal.

Yup which is why I specifically said that's not the lounge's fault. Just to be mindful it is at one end of the terminal and you may be boarding on a gate at the other end like we were. In any case it is a decent walk even from the middle of the terminal where the security/TSA is so it's important to note that there is another long walk involved if you are boarding on the far end of the opposite side of the terminal.

Notwithstanding that, a Virgin flight status going from "gate open" to "final call" in the space of under 15 minutes for an international flight is hardly any one else's fault but their own!

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Notwithstanding that, a Virgin flight status going from "gate open" to "final call" in the space of 15 minutes for an international flight is hardly any one else's fault but their own!

Generally I interpret Final Call as now boarding here in AU since those statuses are meaningless. I've been in long boarding queues where the flight has been stating Final Call for over 10 minutes already

 

[Eglider]

Amex Reopens Australian Airport Lounges is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

Amex Reopens Australian Airport Lounges

Many Australian American Express credit cards come with two annual complimentary Amex lounge passes for use in Sydney or Melbourne.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

We have a Qantas AMEX Ultimate Card, and my understanding is that we should receive 2 free lounge passes a year, but I cannot see them anywhere on site. Any thoughts about the best way to claim them, or should we just show our booking at the Lounge?

 

[Harthagan]

We have a Qantas AMEX Ultimate Card, and my understanding is that we should receive 2 free lounge passes a year, but I cannot see them anywhere on site. Any thoughts about the best way to claim them, or should we just show our booking at the Lounge?

You can just show your amex card at the entrance, they can swipe the card and verify if you have access.

 

[lovestotravel]

Went into the MEL lounge on earlier this week and couldn't believe how bad it was.

I walked in for a look last month, and walked out again within 5 minutes

Not sure why they even bother with this lounge the F&B and drinks offering is a joke

 

[Harthagan]

I walked in for a look last month, and walked out again within 5 minutes

Not sure why they even bother with this lounge the F&B and drinks offering is a joke

Unfortunately I have to concur. The bigger joke is that Virgin hasn't got any international lounge arrangements in place, unless you are traveling with a partner airline.

 

[lovestotravel]

Unfortunately I have to concur. The bigger joke is that Virgin hasn't got any international lounge arrangements in place, unless you are traveling with a partner airline.

Indeed, flying VA J next month to Fiji and have to use the Melbourne Marhaba Lounge through priority pass and then the FJ lounge in Nadi through Priority Pass again

 

[MooTime]

Indeed, flying VA J next month to Fiji and have to use the Melbourne Marhaba Lounge through priority pass and then the FJ lounge in Nadi through Priority Pass again

Could they restrict a deal of lounge access to J pax & WP?

I don't know, that'll lessen the cost n reward their 'high flyers'.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Passed by the AMEX Lounge in MEL this afternoon, had a quick glass of water and promptly transplanted myself to the SQ J lounge. While the latter is a bit busier, the former is just a ghastly place, IMO. They seem to have tap beer but it's Great Northern and Carlton Draught, so I think the bottled Tiger is the better option. Staff friendly and all but it's just a really cold environment, IMO.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Passed by the AMEX Lounge in MEL this afternoon, had a quick glass of water and promptly transplanted myself to the SQ J lounge. While the latter is a bit busier, the former is just a ghastly place, IMO. They seem to have tap beer but it's Great Northern and Carlton Draught, so I think the bottled Tiger is the better option. Staff friendly and all but it's just a really cold environment, IMO.

To each their own. If you want a deserted lounge with acceptable food, Centurion is fine. Having been to the SQ lounge at LHR and outstations like SIN, I'm inclined to agree with you though that catering is a cut above what you would find at Centurion, at least on this side of the hemisphere. I should also point out (if you aren't already aware) that AmEx Platinum has a host of lounges available to cardholders of which Centurion is a small part. There is of course Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges at MEL namely the Etihad (House), Marhaba lounge and Plaza Premium lounge. In particular I found the Marhaba lounge to be quite good with decent views of the apron. One thing I will point out is that whilst Priority Pass lounges are free as an AmEx Platinum cardholder you need to call up AmEx to enroll in the program and receive your membership materials, as you will be presenting the Priority Pass card to access said lounges.

-RooFlyer88

 

[wsthong]

Which is a better choice of food for an early morning
7.20 am flight, Marhaba lounge or the AMEX?