Bangkok - Lounge change [Closing permanently]

[esseeeayeenn]

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.

Fair point. I don't travel to the US so I overlooked that benefit.

 

[moa999]

If you do a moderate amount of domestic travel, but not quite enough to get gold, think Qantas Club is just worth it (and tax deductible) - benefits mostly domestic, but some select international as well

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

If you do a moderate amount of domestic travel, but not quite enough to get gold, think Qantas Club is just worth it (and tax deductible) - benefits mostly domestic, but some select international as well

Only if you're a drinker!

 

[timster]

If you do a moderate amount of domestic travel, but not quite enough to get gold, think Qantas Club is just worth it (and tax deductible) - benefits mostly domestic, but some select international as well

Maybe they can convince new QP members of this - hence the 40,000 points offer I guess. But not those who remember how it used to be. Benefits when flying internationally are a fraction of what they were, and for far greater cost, even with corporate discount. And it shackles you to flying QF.

International benefits are mainly in the US (especially if you don't care for DXB), and much the same can be had there with an AC 30-day membership for US$99, including QP access locally.

Divide the cost of QP by your number of lounge visits to see what you're paying per visit.

And it's the end of an era in BKK (and DMK before). That lounge handled six 747s a day at one point IIRC.

 

[yohy?!]

an interesting move though not unsurprising, the refurbishment cost looming must have been quite substantial. last visit i took the lounge was filled with EK pax and in a very poor state of repair.

As long as the AUD falls low I would expect BKK to only increase in popularity which makes removing the "pull" of the lounge onto QF/JQ a little odd.

 

[JohnK]

I didn't realise the lounge was closing. Lounge was always full before QF24. Decision doesn't make sense.

 

[OATEK]

an interesting move though not unsurprising, the refurbishment cost looming must have been quite substantial. last visit i took the lounge was filled with EK pax and in a very poor state of repair.

As long as the AUD falls low I would expect BKK to only increase in popularity which makes removing the "pull" of the lounge onto QF/JQ a little odd.

Last time I was there, QF24 was 3 hrs delayed, and the lounge was a very welcome respite for the many QF pax able to gain entry.

 

[amaroo]

Made for a nice pitstop on a 3K run.

 

[woodborer]

I didn't realise the lounge was closing. Lounge was always full before QF24. Decision doesn't make sense.

I think you will find, in due course, Qantas will withdraw from Bangkok altogether, leaving just Jetstar.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I think you will find, in due course, Qantas will withdraw from Bangkok altogether, leaving just Jetstar.

I find that very unlikely

 

[OATEK]

I think you will find, in due course, Qantas will withdraw from Bangkok altogether, leaving just Jetstar.

I don't know how well QF does out of the OW codeshares with AY through Bangkok, but the arrangement could not continue with Jetstar. QF has a monopoly on this route with AY, while it competes with BA/CX on the other main routes via SIN and HKG to HEL. It would be a further kick in the paints to OW if they dropped BKK.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

According to lounge access rules on Qantas website QF club members will be given access to the Louis Tavern associated lounge prior to QF24.

Obviously still no help to those on JQ

 

[drron]

It finally dawned on me.This is being done as part of QF's new plan to expand services to Asia-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....nd-asia-services-rejig-72153.html#post1349257

Maybe they got the wrong "e"word and should have been enhance.:shock:

 

[JohnK]

I think you will find, in due course, Qantas will withdraw from Bangkok altogether, leaving just Jetstar.

Possibly although I thought QF23/QF24 was one of the busier Qantas routes.

 

[Archphoto]

Possibly although I thought QF23/QF24 was one of the busier Qantas routes.

I always found the lounge to be fairly busy whenever I flew QF24 (and there were probably some J* passengers there as well.) QF23/24 are usually near full - only time they've appeared empty (in the last few years) was at the end of the 747 run they added around NY. I usually choose a Y seat in old PE, and that cabin was fairly empty the last time I flew it.

Also regularly used the lounge whenever I had to fly to SIN for the day on J* (when QP membership was a good idea) - would like to know what value QP really is these days to anyone flying internationally; seems an awful lot of money without really getting value back.

How would AA passes work in with this? Are they to be treated the same as QP memberships? (e.g.: no lounge access for J*?) If they're truly rejigging their Asia routes, what is the thought behind the closing of lounges?

 

[Mattg]

How would AA passes work in with this? Are they to be treated the same as QP memberships? (e.g.: no lounge access for J*?) If they're truly rejigging their Asia routes, what is the thought behind the closing of lounges?

Correct. No Qantas Club access with an Admirals Club membership when flying Jetstar.

An Admirals Club pass will no longer get you into any lounge in BKK when flying QF either, as these are only valid in actual Qantas operated lounges.

 

[banger2]

This is a very unwelcome development for me.

Not forgetting 3k has 4-5 flights per day out of BKK, as well as the 3 JQi flights per week, and daily QFi...there is a bit of "Qantas Group" traffic.....I know I know Jetstar isn't Qantas....is part of Qantas....errr isn't part of Qantas.....

Being a mid range Gold FF, I no longer have access to a lounge travelling 3k or JQi....unless, it appears, I am travelling on a max bundle only (luckily I am on a max bundle in December)..where access is to Bangkok Sky Lounge (Air France).

Anyone used this Bangkok Sky Lounge?






**edit** Just made it more complicated....if travelling on a Bkk-MEL Business MAX fare via Singapore (ie 3k then JQi)...the lounge is different than just travelling on a 3k economy MAX fare...



On that fare its the Bangkok CIP Business Class Lounge.

 

[ronone69]

Whether one likes it or not, QF no longer has a commitment to Asia. Flights have been cut back, classes of travel, lounges, etc. Therefore, really these days you need access to multiple programs ie QF FF and SQ FF etc. This really is the only solution. SQ status is already based on what you spend with them. This will happen with QF soon enough

 

[moa999]

Closing a lounge where you have one flight a day is hardly that. Obviously QF has invested nothing in its other Asian lounges like SIN and HKG (oh wait)

Seats available to SIN have increased (once you exclude LHR connects) and you have 3K (QF wanted more in the region but got blocked by Sing govt) and then you have the growing MU partnership.

No Airline can do everything. I suspect many here have multiple FF memberships

 

[Archipelago]

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.

Looks like it has been updated, choosing Bangkok under lounge locations now only shows the CIP option

Link: Lounge Location | Thailand | Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport | International Business