Bangkok First Lounge

[Henk]

Hi

I'm on a JQ flight BKK-MEL on Sunday night.

As a QF WP and Star Class boarding pass what is my best option for deparure lounge in Bangkok?

Thanks

 

[djfuzz]

Qantas/BA First lounge would be the way to go - depending on when the flight leaves, as it is closed from about 5/5.30pm until 8pm I believe. Wrote about it in my recent TR, very good for a regional lounge.

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...rst-done4-trip-report-17907-6.html#post290337

Jetstar StarClass gives you access to Louis' Tavern I believe, but the regular QP across the hall from the F lounge should be open, and from what I've heard should be better than Louis'.

 

[JohnK]

Up to you!

The QF/BA first class lounge in BKK is small and can get very full if there are a couple of flights at the same time.

The QF/BA business class lounge across the corridor is much bigger and as I used both lounges a couple of weeks ago I did not notice any difference in the food on offer. More desktops in the business lounge as well.

 

[djfuzz]

Up to you!

The QF/BA first class lounge in BKK is small and can get very full if there are a couple of flights at the same time.

The QF/BA business class lounge across the corridor is much bigger and as I used both lounges a couple of weeks ago I did not notice any difference in the food on offer. More desktops in the business lounge as well.

JohnK - in that case, in your view what (if any) are the benefits of the so-called F lounge over its J counterpart?

I hadn't noticed hot food of the quality we had in the BKK F lounge at any other QF J lounge (including the home ones), nor the Moet - but may have just not been looking in the right places/times.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK - in that case, in your view what (if any) are the benefits of the so-called F lounge over its J counterpart?

It can be extremely quiet at off-peak times if you are after some privacy.

I hadn't noticed hot food of the quality we had in the BKK F lounge at any other QF J lounge (including the home ones), nor the Moet - but may have just not been looking in the right places/times.

I visited both lounges on January 2nd. I was first in the First Lounge and then they asked me to go across to the Business Lounge as they were closing at around 5:00-5:30pm. I did not notice any difference in the food on offer in the Business Lounge. Perhaps there maybe some sublte differences in food choice that I missed and to be honest I did not bother to look at all alcoholic beverages on offer in either lounge as all I was interested in was some beer and they both have Heineken and Singha in cans.

I have been in the QF/BA lounge when it is full and it is not easy at all to find a place to sit. Whilst First lounges may be a nice novelty provided for high tier frequent flyers and First and Business class customers but there is clearly a problem when that lounge cannot handle the amount of passengers entitled to use it at busy times. No point looking at a lounge when there is nobody in there.

Closer to my flight I also visited the CX First/Business Lounge and it was extremely crowded with nowhere near the food choices of either QF/BA lounge although I did grab a cup of noodles for use later.

 

[Renato]

I actually used the Qantas business lounge for the first time last week ,( Thanks to this forum learing a Qantas Platinum flyer can use when travelling other airlines ) I think the only diferences i can see between the First and business lounge is the first have fewer but larger screen computers , and the champagne ,where first have Moet , whilst Business have the Chandon , food is exactly the same , and IMO the business lounge is better than the first due to overall size when first is full.

If you don,t get a seat early in first lounge ,chances are you might end standing up,myself , next time i will just shoot across to business lounge

 

[JohnK]

JohnK - in that case, in your view what (if any) are the benefits of the so-called F lounge over its J counterpart?

Another thing I wanted to point out and forgot in my earlier post.

It would appear that a number people on this site jump in and mainly recommend First Class lounges everywhere round the world. In my limited experience (and I have visited many airports multiple times) just because something is labelled as a First Class Lounge does not make it better than the Busienss Class lounge. This includes SIN and BKK.

If champagne is the most important thing in your life then you may wish to have the Moet instead of the Chandon but to me that is much of a muchness and they all taste very much the same including the sparkiling. In Asia as long as I can get some sort of beer in the lounge whether this Tiger, Calrberg, Heineken, Singha, Tsing Tao is irrelevant. Most lounges have the basic spirits like scotch, vodka etc. To me comfort is more important and I do not want to be standing up in a small, overcrowded lounge just because it has been labelled as the First Class lounge. I am humble enough to spend my time in the Business Class lounge....

 

[djfuzz]

Another thing I wanted to point out and forgot in my earlier post.

It would appear that a number people on this site jump in and mainly recommend First Class lounges everywhere round the world. In my limited experience (and I have visited many airports multiple times) just because something is labelled as a First Class Lounge does not make it better than the Busienss Class lounge. This includes SIN and BKK.

If champagne is the most important thing in your life then you may wish to have the Moet instead of the Chandon but to me that is much of a muchness and they all taste very much the same including the sparkiling. In Asia as long as I can get some sort of beer in the lounge whether this Tiger, Calrberg, Heineken, Singha, Tsing Tao is irrelevant. Most lounges have the basic spirits like scotch, vodka etc. To me comfort is more important and I do not want to be standing up in a small, overcrowded lounge just because it has been labelled as the First Class lounge. I am humble enough to spend my time in the Business Class lounge....

Fair enough. Horses for courses.

Your point about comfort / space goes without saying of course. And I'd certainly not recommend the CX 'First and Business' lounge in BKK, very average.

 

[Bang4Buck]

It would appear that a number people on this site jump in and mainly recommend First Class lounges everywhere round the world. In my limited experience (and I have visited many airports multiple times) just because something is labelled as a First Class Lounge does not make it better than the Busienss Class lounge. This includes SIN and BKK.

I do not personally care much for lounges, however the difference between the TG J and F lounges in BKK is substantial, both in hard and soft capabilities.

 

[serfty]

I do not personally care much for lounges, however the difference between the TG J and F lounges in BKK is substantial, both in hard and soft capabilities.

Same issue in relation to the Qantas SYD/MEL international lounges.

For the OP, I believe the BKK J lounge stays open for the JQi flight to MEL when it operates while the First Class Lounge shuts on departure of the QF/BA SYD flights.

(Louis' tavern was used in the early stages after Suvarnabhumi first opened before the QF lounges were completed.)

 

[NM]

I do not personally care much for lounges, however the difference between the TG J and F lounges in BKK is substantial, both in hard and soft capabilities.

This applies to most airline's "home" lounges. Look at the difference in QF's SYD/MEL J and F lounges, CX's HKG J and F lounges, LH's FRA F Terminal and J lounges, LJ's NRT J and F lounges, MH's KUL J and F lounges etc.

 

[Henk]

Thank you all for your kind replies.

I've just arrived at BKK, (6.30PM) and indeed the QF/BA First Lounge is closed till 8.00 PM. My departure is @ 9.15PM so I might go to just have a look at it, but I'm OK with Chandon:mrgreen:.

Talking about QF First/Business lounges, there is indeed a significant difference between the two in Australia. Last week I had a priviledge to visit MEL First for ther first time.

Two things that mad eme feel uneasy on my first visit there:

1.the lady at the entrance counter scanned my BP 5 or 6 times, checked my WP card 2 times, my ticket, my passport and my BP again and eventually, with rather disappointing expression on her face let me in. What a welcome!!!

2. I was the only visitor there for more than an hour, (between 11.30am-12.30pm,) which made me feel a little lonely.

I hope, at my next visit I will feel more welcome there

Cheers

 

[Bang4Buck]

This applies to most airline's "home" lounges. Look at the difference in QF's SYD/MEL J and F lounges, CX's HKG J and F lounges, LH's FRA F Terminal and J lounges, LJ's NRT J and F lounges, MH's KUL J and F lounges etc.

Naturally, most home lounges are better than the satellite ones. Yet, I understand JohnK's point that often they can be much of a muchness. Substantial difference I'd argue IMHO is limited e.g. to BKK for spa or FRA due to transfer or HKG due to food. I wouldn't put SYD or NRT or KUL in the same category, but YMMV.

 

[djfuzz]

Glad you enjoyed it Henk, and hope you perhaps got a look in at the F lounge (such as it is) before your flight boarded.

Naturally, most home lounges are better than the satellite ones. Yet, I understand JohnK's point that often they can be much of a muchness. Substantial difference I'd argue IMHO is limited e.g. to BKK for spa or FRA due to transfer or HKG due to food. I wouldn't put SYD or NRT or KUL in the same category, but YMMV.

Really? I checked out SYD's F and J lounges over the weekend, and I'd have to say the difference was massive - from the design and fitout, view, food and beverage selection and service, spa and general hospitality. Sure, if all you want is a beer, it may be much of a muchness (Why have a lounge at all, when a fridge/tap of free beer would suffice?) - but I'm sure the other elements of the lounge would also be appreciated quite a lot of people. YMMV indeed.

Unless you meant that they weren't in the same category because there actually was a substantial difference - couldn't work it out from what you said, but from my experience of KUL as well, I'd have agreed.

 

[Bang4Buck]

Glad you enjoyed it Henk, and hope you perhaps got a look in at the F lounge (such as it is) before your flight boarded.



Really? I checked out SYD's F and J lounges over the weekend, and I'd have to say the difference was massive - from the design and fitout, view, food and beverage selection and service, spa and general hospitality. Sure, if all you want is a beer, it may be much of a muchness (Why have a lounge at all, when a fridge/tap of free beer would suffice?) - but I'm sure the other elements of the lounge would also be appreciated quite a lot of people. YMMV indeed.

Unless you meant that they weren't in the same category because there actually was a substantial difference - couldn't work it out from what you said, but from my experience of KUL as well, I'd have agreed.

No, I meant I couldn't appreciate the substantial difference, apart from the rainfall wall or whatever you call it in SYD and the better view. Sure its a nicer place, but substantial? Not compared to FRA or BKK F lounges IMHO.

 

[djfuzz]

No, I meant I couldn't appreciate the substantial difference, apart from the rainfall wall or whatever you call it in SYD and the better view. Sure its a nicer place, but substantial? Not compared to FRA or BKK F lounges IMHO.

Would be interested to hear why the spa in BKK is so much better than the spa in SYD - sounds like I need to find an excuse to pay it a visit.

 

[Bang4Buck]

Would be interested to hear why the spa in BKK is so much better than the spa in SYD - sounds like I need to find an excuse to pay it a visit.

Hmmm, one hour massage treatment in BKK TG F lounge; I'm getting relaxed just thinking about it... Pure heaven before a flight. Wife also says the champagne tastes better after it, but hell what would I know.

 

[snoophound]

best first class lounge and service is the thai airways lounge
large ,cool ,tranquil,little taxi bikes take you to gate
all a very nice experience.


note
Worst qantas lounge in the world
Manila
disgusting havent spent a cent there in years
small ,dirty,seat loose in only toilet

wake up qantas

 

[NM]

Naturally, most home lounges are better than the satellite ones. Yet, I understand JohnK's point that often they can be much of a muchness. Substantial difference I'd argue IMHO is limited e.g. to BKK for spa or FRA due to transfer or HKG due to food. I wouldn't put SYD or NRT or KUL in the same category, but YMMV.

I found the whiskey bar at JL F Lounge at NRT is enough to make a significant difference in my view. And the buffet dining at MH F Lounge at KUL sets it significantly ahead of the J lounge next door. Its as good as The Haven at CX F Lounge at HKG as far as dining is concerned. And I find the waiter dining experience and food quality at QF F Lounge in SYD and MEL is a significant difference to the J lounges at the same airports. So you, it would seem MMV.

 

[JohnK]

note
Worst qantas lounge in the world
Manila
disgusting havent spent a cent there in years
small ,dirty,seat loose in only toilet

wake up qantas

Is there a Qantas Lounge in Manila? I thought there was only a CX lounge and that was not much of a lounge anyway. Oh and no toilet....