Brisbane Lounge Changes

[TheInsider]

Looks like Qantas in Brisbane is updating their Domestic and International Lounges.

QANTAS BEGINS DEVELOPMENT ON THE NEW BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE EXPERIENCE - Qantas News Room

Qantas is set to redefine the travel experience from Brisbane Airport, with construction on the new multimillion dollar Qantas International Premium Lounge to begin in coming weeks. Following the same design and service philosophy as its award winning Hong Kong and Singapore Lounges, Qantas will redesign its Brisbane International First and Business Lounges to create a single International Premium Lounge, which will welcome its first customers in October.
The lounge design and interiors will take inspiration from the natural beauty of Queensland and offer an increase of more than 25 per cent more space for customers to relax, work and dine. Travellers will enjoy seasonal menus by Qantas Chef Neil Perry, a bar serving Rockpool-designed coughtails and all-day barista coffee by Vittoria will be introduced.
Qantas Head of Customer Product and Service Development Philip Capps said the multi-million dollar investment in the Brisbane Airport experience would deliver a new benchmark in premium travel from Queensland’s capital.
“The new Brisbane International Premium Lounge highlights our continued investment in the entire customer journey. The new lounges will offer an outstanding experience in premium design, service, and food and wine,” said Mr Capps.
“Brisbane and broader Queensland is one of our most important markets. We started direct daily services to Tokyo last year, increased seasonal services to New Zealand and have nearly finished our A330 aircraft upgrade at the Brisbane Maintenance Facility.”
The beginning of construction signals the start of a comprehensive redevelopment of the Brisbane Lounge experience, with the domestic terminal lounges also set for a complete redesign in coming months. Qantas will build a new lounge precinct with a new Business Lounge and refreshed Qantas Club, including a new Valet experience, with a staggered opening planned from early 2017.
Mr Capps said in designing the new lounge concepts, the airline conducted research in to what customers valued most in their lounge experience and food, wine and coffee were on top of that list.
“We know our customers enjoy great food and wine, but they are also very partial to a good coffee with over half a million cups served to our Qantas Club and Business Lounge customers every month. As such, the new International Premium Lounge will have an all-day barista service for the first time, while the new domestic precinct will continue its popular all-day barista service and introduce a communal coffee bar for caffeine connoisseurs.”
The International First and Business Lounges will be closed from 29 June and the new International Premium Lounge will open in October. During the refurbishment, eligible Qantas customers and their guests will be offered complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounge or vouchers to redeem at food outlets in the terminal.
Brisbane is an important hub providing daily connections between Qantas’ major domestic routes and services into regional areas as well as direct international services to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Los Angeles, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

 

[kevrosmith]

They're directing passengers to the Plaza Premium lounge while it's being re-built?!?! Of course, if you have access, I'm sure the EK Lounge would be much better than a Plaza Premium lounge for sure...? But why don't they just send all pax to the EK Lounge instead?

 

[Deleted member]

They're directing passengers to the Plaza Premium lounge while it's being re-built?!?! Of course, if you have access, I'm sure the EK Lounge would be much better than a Plaza Premium lounge for sure...? But why don't they just send all pax to the EK Lounge instead?

Because its miles away from any QF gates

 

[Deleted member]

I'm
thinking I may just fly to SYD and depart from there, the F Lounge is better anyway , and think of the extra SC's

 

[boomy]

I'm
thinking I may just fly to SYD and depart from there, the F Lounge is better anyway , and think of the extra SC's

That's what I'm usually doing. An extra hour is not such a major inconvenience and flights via SYD are often cheaper than flights departing direct from BNE.

 

[Deleted member]

I'm
thinking I may just fly to SYD and depart from there, the F Lounge is better anyway , and think of the extra SC's

apparently the Alternate lounge doesn't (yet) have a liquor licence either

 

[Happy Trails]

They're directing passengers to the Plaza Premium lounge while it's being re-built?!?! Of course, if you have access, I'm sure the EK Lounge would be much better than a Plaza Premium lounge for sure...? But why don't they just send all pax to the EK Lounge instead?

A P1 / CL perk according to AusBT.

Qantas Platinum One card-holders and Chairman's Lounge members also have the option of visiting the Emirates Lounge.

http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-new-brisbane-first-class-business-class-lounge-opens-october?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper

 

[kevrosmith]

A P1 / CL perk according to AusBT.

Qantas Platinum One card-holders and Chairman's Lounge members also have the option of visiting the Emirates Lounge.

http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-new-brisbane-first-class-business-class-lounge-opens-october?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper

Well, that's a given, seeing that Platinum and Platinum One members can already access the EK Lounge on an EK or QF flight anyway under the current Lounge access rules.

Review: The Emirates Lounge, Brisbane - Airlines | flights | hotels | travel tech | style | apps - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Conrad_S]

We are going to Narita on the 29th. I guess that will make me an early adopter of the interim system

 

[BD1959]

During the refurbishment, eligible Qantas customers and their guests will be offered complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounge or vouchers to redeem at food outlets in the terminal.

Does anyone else read this as a Qantas' choosing at time of check-in?

Regards,

BD

 

[kevrosmith]

Does anyone else read this as a Qantas' choosing at time of check-in?

Regards,

BD

From the AusBT story, I took it to mean if the Plaza Premium lounge is deemed to full, you'll be given vouchers for the Food outlets.

 

[BD1959]

From the AusBT story, I took it to mean if the Plaza Premium lounge is deemed to full, you'll be given vouchers for the Food outlets.

But using the SFO CX Lounge as an example, would QF "hold back places" for elites (COS and others) and start issuing the vouchers at their discretion?

Regards,

BD

 

[Milefest]

From the AusBT story, I took it to mean if the Plaza Premium lounge is deemed to full, you'll be given vouchers for the Food outlets.

I wonder how much? Meal and a drink or two could easily surpass $30-40pp

 

[Mule]

apparently the Alternate lounge doesn't (yet) have a liquor licence either

OH NO! Hope this changes before mid-July.

We're flying EK to Europe out of BNE as someone else "thought" we'd get access to the QP. Not a biggie as we have Amex Platinum that gets us access to the Premium Plaza Lounge. Won't be happy sitting there waiting for departure at the start of a holiday sipping on OJ.

From posting in this thread it seems like the impressions of this lounge aren't all that good even though the pics in the AUSBT article look OK. Any feedback would be appreciated.

(Need 10 posts so can't link the article sorry)

 

[blackcat20]

Well, that's a given, seeing that Platinum and Platinum One members can already access the EK Lounge on an EK or QF flight anyway under the current Lounge access rules.

Review: The Emirates Lounge, Brisbane - Airlines | flights | hotels | travel tech | style | apps - Australian Business Traveller

As can QF Gold....

 

[DavidFlynn]

Does anyone else read this as a Qantas' choosing at time of check-in?

Top-tier frequent flyers (golds and up) will be steered towards the PP lounge, as will QC members outside peak travel times, but during peak periods when the PP lounge is nearing capacity (and allowing of course for PP's own walk-ins) then it'll be the QC folk who are given f&b vouchers for use in the terminal.

Of course, the more frequent flyers head to the EK lounge then the more room there'll be at the PP lounge for QCs – but on the whole, we'll have to wait until July onwards to see how this shakes out in practice.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

OH NO! Hope this changes before mid-July.

We're flying EK to Europe out of BNE as someone else "thought" we'd get access to the QP. Not a biggie as we have Amex Platinum that gets us access to the Premium Plaza Lounge. Won't be happy sitting there waiting for departure at the start of a holiday sipping on OJ.

From posting in this thread it seems like the impressions of this lounge aren't all that good even though the pics in the AUSBT article look OK. Any feedback would be appreciated.

(Need 10 posts so can't link the article sorry)

Aside from the QF first class lounges - I don't know why you'd choose QF lounges ahead of EK given the option.
Also unless things have changed since my visit - your Amex Plat won't get you Plaza Premium lounge access. I was at the BNE PP lounge last month and they were not accepting priority pass...

The PP lounge is similar size to the current/old bne intl qf lounge, except with higher ceilings and better food.

 

[mitch24]

But the EK lounge doesn't have very good opening hours. For example, departing on QF61 at 1045 I believe the EK lounge won't be any help.

 

[Mule]

Aside from the QF first class lounges - I don't know why you'd choose QF lounges ahead of EK given the option.
Also unless things have changed since my visit - your Amex Plat won't get you Plaza Premium lounge access. I was at the BNE PP lounge last month and they were not accepting priority pass...

The PP lounge is similar size to the current/old bne intl qf lounge, except with higher ceilings and better food.

Thanks ttr,

BNE was the only issue as far as Lounge access goes. That's why I asked. EK lounges are covered offshore with BNE-DXB the only Y leg.

We have verbal and written advice from Amex that we will have access to Plaza Premium. Will have to see how we go when the time comes. We have persuasive ammunition if there are problems.

I would imagine that the liquor licensing status, if it still exists, would be sorted before Qantas send people there.

 

[Danger]

Is this the first time Qantas has used the word "Premium" as part of a lounge title? The Singapore lounge is simply the Qantas Singapore Lounge, the same with the HK lounge. But this one is apparently going to be called the Qantas International Premium Lounge.

Perhaps this is the way of the future for Qantas international lounges in Australia (and possibly overseas).