BNE QF J Lounge Redevelpopment (Int.and Dom.)

[kermatu]

Only thing they perhaps need to look at is expanding services to WP and not just P1 when visiting combined spaces.

Never received any special P1 recognition / service / seating in any lounge, including Singapore???

Didn't realise Brisbane has no F service. Consensus is clearly that revamped and combined lounge will be better. But I guess my main point is I like some separation / exclusivity for a quieter experience, irrespective of whether it is an F lounge or simply for status passengers. There's got to be some extra benefit to be flying business or being OWE or above. It would be nice if any future revamped / combined lounge could consider this. But I guess that uses up valuable space or requires extra staff to manage.

The Melbourne F lounge gives me the best experience - Sydney is awesome of course but it usually isn't quiet.

 

[boomy]

Never received any special P1 recognition / service / seating in any lounge, including Singapore???

I got the most special treatment ever in the QF HKG lounge last year. It included reserved table, reserved shower, offer to clean shoes, constant refilling of wine, staff working there came to introduce themselves and even the manager came over to have a chat. It was an overwhelming experience in the most positive way.

In complete contrast, when I returned a couple of months later (flying CX this time) both myself and +1 were completely ignored, so I also got to witness how different the treatment can be when P1 status is not mentioned on the BP.

 

[kermatu]

Not been to HKG lounge yet (and likely just to visit the Pier F lounge when there next month). But in SIN I have shown my P1 card on entry to lounge as well as BP, so airline (EK or QF in my case recently) shouldn't be a factor. Anyway, getting way off-topic!

 

[samh004]

Never received any special P1 recognition / service / seating in any lounge, including Singapore???

As boomy mentions, there are certain services offered for P1, such as reserving a shower and shoe shining. One could argue that even a champagne over a sparkling would be a nice and relatively inexpensive treat for WP's and above, instead of just P1's, not that they offer it. I can understand why they can't offer the shower services to WP though, as they are finite.

Didn't realise Brisbane has no F service. Consensus is clearly that revamped and combined lounge will be better. But I guess my main point is I like some separation / exclusivity for a quieter experience, irrespective of whether it is an F lounge or simply for status passengers.

When it gets busy the little F broom cupboard in BNE isn't a quiet space. Not sure if you've visited it, but it's far worse than the BNE J lounge that multiple members decry as being too small and crowded. About the only benefit is that they have Taittinger, but you get a view of the carpark instead of the terminal/apron, so it's not a flash view either.

There's got to be some extra benefit to be flying business or being OWE or above.

Flying Business entitles you to the Business lounge?

In a combined lounge, you'd be getting a little more than the average Business experience (supposedly) so you'd still be better off.

It would be nice if any future revamped / combined lounge could consider this. But I guess that uses up valuable space or requires extra staff to manage.

The Melbourne F lounge gives me the best experience - Sydney is awesome of course but it usually isn't quiet.

I think it comes down to a return on investment. If you have the services in F through the port then you're getting money back, but if you only have services in J and you have to cater to WP/OWE's then it's not going to look good in the books. Thankfully, QF has a good hub/spoke system and you can use a soon to be revamped (but already nice enough) QP/J lounge domestically, before a much nicer F lounge is SYD/MEL. As a bonus you get some more points/SC's

 

[kermatu]

Not sure if you've visited it...

No, as stated earlier, I never have! So not well-placed to comment. Majority view is this will be a good thing which is terrific - and kudos to QF for making a change.

 

[serfty]

With the merging of the Int F and J lounges, how will access to the Champagne be controlled for WP and above?
...

As per the SIN and HKG lounges ... there won't be any available (at least for mere WP/Emerald).

Now what time(s) does the EK lounge open?

I have used the lounge a couple of time in the least year and the catering has been quite reasonable. (Not really fussed about Decor as long as I can get a seat. [You can't eat a view])

(Of course it's good news should I ever have to rely upon my LTSG for access ...)

 

[boomy]

As per the SIN and HKG lounges ... there won't be any available (at least for mere WP/Emerald).

I had VC in the HKG lounge last year (it was offered and then brought to my table so no idea where it came from) but noticed it wasn't available this year when entered using only my OWE status.
Didn't give it much thought at that time but maybe they do offer better champagne to P1s.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I have been in the BNE broom cupboard it's not up to much. A renovated, combined lounge like SIN or HKG will be a big improvement IMO.

Too right. I only sit in the F broom cupboard because i'm pointed in that direction at reception. A SIN or HKG experience would be 1,000 times better I reckon. However combining the two doesn't create more space. The $64,000 question would however be 'how expanded will the expanded footprint be'.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Too right. I only sit in the F broom cupboard because i'm pointed in that direction at reception. A SIN or HKG experience would be 1,000 times better I reckon, but combining the two doesn't create more space. The $64,000 question would however be 'how expanded will the expanded footprint be'.

The apparently empty space upstairs would be a good idea.

 

[samh004]

The apparently empty space upstairs would be a good idea.

I'm sure plans will be released eventually, but if the front desk was moved nearer the top of the escalators and all that outside hallway was then inside the lounge, with the kitchen perhaps moved and the space upstairs opened too... you'd have quite a bit more space

They can't really expand towards the carpark or the common user terminal so the only way really is up, unless there are office spaces being moved that are behind the lounge. That is the departures/check-in level after all and there's a lot of barricades up where work is going on...

http://www.bne.com.au/sites/all/files/help/map/BNEWayfindingMapsWEB_ITB_L4.pdf

The large orange section in the bottom right is essentially where the QF lounge is. So if the toilets and corridor behind it were relocated, the lounge could stretch back a little further.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Lots more space would be good, as would a lounge like SIN or HKG. However, just picking apart the media release again. It is rather, um, cautious in its promise

"Qantas’ existing First and Business Lounges in the International Terminal will be redesigned to create a single lounge experience, continuing the momentum of recent award winning lounge projects in Singapore and Hong Kong. The new lounge will increase the amount of space for customers to dine, work and relax."

'Continuing momentum' and an unspecified space increase (cf 30% in the Dom lounges) doesn't sound at all promising. Time will tell.

Cheers skip.

 

[Priscilla_A]

yes...they need to upgrade their shower room I was there last week, I hopped into the domestic J lounge for a transit to domestic flight after 8 hours international flight. The shower room was not maintained well..........

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I got the most special treatment ever in the QF HKG lounge last year. It included reserved table, reserved shower, offer to clean shoes, constant refilling of wine, staff working there came to introduce themselves and even the manager came over to have a chat. It was an overwhelming experience in the most positive way.

In complete contrast, when I returned a couple of months later (flying CX this time) both myself and +1 were completely ignored, so I also got to witness how different the treatment can be when P1 status is not mentioned on the BP.

What ff program were you crediting the CX flights to Boomy?

Now CX uses Amadeus' Altea checkin system if might be worth seeing if they can enter yiur QF P1 # as an FQTS entry for status then use your other ffn with the FQTV entry for accrual of points.

 

[Red Roo]

yes...they need to upgrade their shower room I was there last week, I hopped into the domestic J lounge for a transit to domestic flight after 8 hours international flight. The shower room was not maintained well..........

I've passed this feedback on. Thanks for raising it.

 

[N860CR]

Does CX use the BNE QF J lounge for the midnight departure? It's been years since I've used the lounge so it'll be interesting to have one last look in October

 

[PineappleSkip]

Does CX use the BNE QF J lounge for the midnight departure? It's been years since I've used the lounge so it'll be interesting to have one last look in October

Yes they do, and they'll give you an invite card at check in if eligible. WPs usually get to use the F broom closet, but sometimes it is closed that time of night.

It's looked the same for years too.

Cheers skip

 

[samh004]

I stumbled upon this PDF today. While it doesn't mention Qantas, but instead Air NZ, Plaza Premium, a spa and a third lounge for anyone... it does hint that the Air NZ lounge will finally be moving from it's old location, in which case perhaps Qantas will take the lower and upper level to expand in the international terminal?

I assume the location to be the right hand corner of the terminal (behind the EK desks).

 

[Mr_Orange]

I stumbled upon this PDF today. While it doesn't mention Qantas, but instead Air NZ, Plaza Premium, a spa and a third lounge for anyone... it does hint that the Air NZ lounge will finally be moving from it's old location, in which case perhaps Qantas will take the lower and upper level to expand in the international terminal?

I assume the location to be the right hand corner of the terminal (behind the EK desks).

All sounds interesting.....

 

[PineappleSkip]

Received this today in an email from Plaza Premium Lounges

Plaza Premium Lounge coming to Brisbane Airport Soon
Soon you can unwind in this new lounge and savour a selection of healthy yet tasty fare! With complimentary Wi-Fi connection and secluded lounge area to escape from the airport’s hustle and bustle, you can finally recharge, relax and enjoy before boarding your flight.

Here is a picture on Plaza Premium's website, which also featured in the email I guess this lounge will be to the right as you exit the duty free maze, rather than to the left near the QP. the PDF on BNE.com website is still there claiming all done in January. The Plaza Premium website reckons Q1. Anyone know or alternatively like to speculate how soon 'soon' is. Cheers skip

 

[samh004]

I've heard the new Air NZ space is open, so I would imagine Plaza Premium can't be far behind.

Qantas will use the old Air NZ lounge as a temporary lounge while they refurbish their existing space, before moving back into it towards the end of the year, but I'm not sure if it'll be multi-level or what will become of the old Air NZ/temp QP lounge.