Current Qantas First Lounge Menu (SYD/MEL) and relevant topics

[DrJ]

Spring menu still in force so won't elaborate on today's eats, except to give credit where it's due, martinis are back in the house for the first time since covid (or at least since earlier this year when I was politely refused) albeit with lemon twists rather than my preferred olives, but they were happy to make it with Tanqueray rather than the house gin.

And yes, can attest that the oyster blade once again nailed it, AIRwin must have unfortunately visited on a bad day. Which sadly happens, the salmon benny is my absolute go to breakfast on am visits, but one time in MEL last year it was inexplicably sub par.

 

[jamesatfish]

Is there any precedent for pleb platinums accessing these items by asking nicely, in manner of getting the Piper Heidsieck in the BNE/ PER int lounges?

Considering I've been rejected asking for these items as a pleb platinum despite actually flying First I'd suggest the answer is no.

 

[Beano]

Considering I've been rejected asking for these items as a pleb platinum despite actually flying First I'd suggest the answer is no.

Perhaps the just didn't have them? Flying first class would have put you in the first class section at SYD INT F lounge.

 

[jamesatfish]

Perhaps the just didn't have them? Flying first class would have put you in the first class section at SYD INT F lounge.

I covered this a number of pages ago (it was from a trip in July) so I won't recap the full details, but essentially I was sitting in the lounge area opposite the escalators and felt like some lunch, so asked the attendant for both the regular and the specials menu. I was told that the specials menu was only for P1; I showed her my F boarding pass but that wasn't sufficient and she only let me order from the regular menu.

 

[Beano]

I covered this a number of pages ago (it was from a trip in July) so I won't recap the full details, but essentially I was sitting in the lounge area opposite the escalators and felt like some lunch, so asked the attendant for both the regular and the specials menu. I was told that the specials menu was only for P1; I showed her my F boarding pass but that wasn't sufficient and she only let me order from the regular menu.

Sorry, I must have missed that, but the attendant may have been mistaken. They keep changing and a new, very young, very inexperienced group started last Friday. They even forgot to giver me cutlery! Ant trying to get their heads around some of the drinks is complex. Glenmorangie is a challenge and getting them to remember "No-Ice" is beyond some of them!

 

[CMA222]

Sorry, I must have missed that, but the attendant may have been mistaken. They keep changing and a new, very young, very inexperienced group started last Friday. They even forgot to giver me cutlery! Ant trying to get their heads around some of the drinks is complex. Glenmorangie is a challenge and getting them to remember "No-Ice" is beyond some of them!

I thought the lounge staff were all Sofitel employees. It sounds like QF are now outsourcing the First lounge as a training ground for Sofitel. A bit like the IT department, and the overseas call centres generally. If it can be done more cheaply then QF will embrace it.

 

[SYD]

I thought the lounge staff were all Sofitel employees.

Yes, they are and have been for ages.

It sounds like QF are now outsourcing the First lounge as a training ground for Sofitel.

That’s really an issue for Sofitel. If you don’t get the level of service you expect at the Lounge make sure you provide feedback.

 

[Beano]

I thought the lounge staff were all Sofitel employees. It sounds like QF are now outsourcing the First lounge as a training ground for Sofitel. A bit like the IT department, and the overseas call centres generally. If it can be done more cheaply then QF will embrace it.

The new staff were being mentored by some of the other, also young, attendants.

 

[DrJ]

Glenmorangie is a challenge and getting them to remember "No-Ice" is beyond some of them!

True, though bartenders not knowing what a "neat" whisky is goes way beyond the Flounge
I always say "by itself, no ice" these days.

 

[anat0l]

True, though bartenders not knowing what a "neat" whisky is goes way beyond the Flounge
I always say "by itself, no ice" these days.

Guess I shouldn't ask for "Scotch on the rocks"... I just might get stoned....

 

[Beano]

True, though bartenders not knowing what a "neat" whisky is goes way beyond the Flounge
I always say "by itself, no ice" these days.

Absolutely true! It happens to me all the time. I have to be vigilant and very specific but even then ice appears sometimes. Wouldn't it be better to default to no ice because it can always be added, but not vice-versa.