CX Lounge entry denied (SFO)

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kreuky

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Flying SFO-SYD tonight (17th March) - tried to enter CX lounge - was denied entry because according to the lounge dragon, QF blocked access to everyone except those on a list. I had a glance of the list and it had about three CL members and I think one P1. She informed me that during days where CX has two flights out of SFO they ask QF to provide them a list of people to allow. Was forced to go to the sad excuse of a lounge that is the AF lounge. Makes me want to fly outbound via LAX now.

FYI, the AF lounge was far more crowded than the CX lounge with barely usable Wifi. So WP/SG is pretty much useless out of SFO on the days that CX has two flights.
 
Sounds like a lame capacity control thing on the part of CX, or some sort of odd revenue move by QF. I can't remember how the payments between lounges works, but you should have been allowed in by the oneworld rules.

I don't see how QF can "block" access. CX operates the lounge, so they ultimately control who gets in or not. For QF to insist to another lounge that they not allow any members except some others to enter could only be explained if QF didn't want to pay CX for that (and somehow AF were prepared to charge less for it), but that sounds really, really odd.

I don't know how good the CX lounge is, but the oneworld lounge in LAX likely trumps most or all of what SFO can offer anyway. So it's a battle between the convenience of avoiding LAX versus the superior lounge at LAX.
 
My guess is that it's probably to do with penny pinching (since the CX flights are a few hours apart and the lounge was barely full) and only keeping CL and P1s happy because they know how pathetic the AF lounge is
 
kreuky said:
Flying SFO-SYD tonight (17th March) - tried to enter CX lounge - was denied entry because according to the lounge dragon, QF blocked access to everyone except those on a list. I had a glance of the list and it had about three CL members and I think one P1. She informed me that during days where CX has two flights out of SFO they ask QF to provide them a list of people to allow. Was forced to go to the sad excuse of a lounge that is the AF lounge. Makes me want to fly outbound via LAX now.

FYI, the AF lounge was far more crowded than the CX lounge with barely usable Wifi. So WP/SG is pretty much useless out of SFO on the days that CX has two flights.
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This is a blatant breach of the OW agreement that QF and CX are part of. AFAIK an airline cannot have a standing arrangement to invoke capacity controls on certain days.

I would be sending correspondence to each of them highlighting this.
Also send a PM to Red Roo for follow up.
 
It could be anything.

Remember QF pays for each customer of their flight that uses a partner lounge. Clearly the AF offering is far cheaper for them than CX, OR CX maybe jacks up the price for QF pax, or QF just doesn't want to pay for all those Golds/Plats etc to get in. I wonder if CL/P1 are told/aware they can or should use that lounge?

I agree it is a violation of the OW agreement, but of course the fine print gives plenty of reasons why they can get around it - as above "Capacity Controls" or whatever.

I agree I'd be miffed if I went up there and told no.
 
There have been multiple similar reports on FT of JL, BA and even CX pax being denied access at SFO, so I'm doubting it's QF inspired.
 
kreuky said:
Flying SFO-SYD tonight (17th March) - tried to enter CX lounge - was denied entry because according to the lounge dragon, QF blocked access to everyone except those on a list ....
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This has got my attention. I'll be flying SFO-SYD mid-year and am planning on visiting the CX lounge, due to the very ordinary reviews on the AF lounge.

Edit: In describing some reviews as indicating the AF lounge as being very ordinary, I am being diplomatic. ;)
 
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Happy Trails said:
There have been multiple similar reports on FT of JL, BA and even CX pax being denied access at SFO, so I'm doubting it's QF inspired.
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Why would CX reject pax flying their own carrier? Where would they go?
 
From the above links (and the oneworld website) it seems it's a CX lounge but only 4 hours before up to a CX departure.

And at other times it's a contract lounge.

Contract lounges are often a problem.
 
This is definitely something worth complaining about. QF/AA should collaborate and do a joint lounge.
 
Isochronous said:
This is definitely something worth complaining about. QF/AA should collaborate and do a joint lounge.
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QF would need to move to T2 then .... I assume it's not like the other side of SFO Intl Terminal (G gates) where you can move freely between UA terminal (3) and the G gates ... allowing star alliance gold pax to use SQ or BR lounges if they are open and not restricting entry (which they do apparently).
 
No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Has any else been refused access to the Cathay Lounge in SFO?

It seems that they refuse entry to Qantas passengers. I thought the point of One World was that you could use other One World lounges and there always seems to be lots of Cathay passenger in the Qantas lounges.....
 
Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Thanks for pointing me at that post. I'm in the AF lounge and as everyone on the other thread says its a pretty bad experience (worse than the AA domestic).
 
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Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

zildaz said:
Thanks for pointing me at that post. I'm in the AF lounge and as everyone on the other thread says its a pretty bad experience (worse than the AA domestic).
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I had the same experience last week, was rejected from the CX lounge. The AF lounge sucked. I found Qantas began the boarding for the 2330 flight extremely early (maybe 2230?). I chose to sit on the plane rather than in the AF lounge.
 
Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Zildaz....Had exactly the same situation last Thursday. I am QF Platinum, traveling on QF 74 in J and after seeing the deplorable state of the Air France lounge (why QF passengers would be directed to a Sky Team lounge instead of OW?) went in search of the Cathay Lounge. When I arrived I was told that they would no longer accept any more QF passengers as they had reached their guest limit (looked pretty empty to me) except for a list of named Chairman's Lounge pax. When I questioned this and stated the OWE benefits, I was told I would have to see the QANTAS duty manager to complain... I gave up at that point...probably should have held my ground...but it had been a long day etc...
 
Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I'm also a Platinum customer and complained but got nowhere! The AF lounge is now completely full so anyone coming in late is struggling to find a seat. It's a poor situation. Tempted to take homemade's suggestion and just go to the gate.
 
Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

If the AF lounge is that bad, why not just head to the CX lounge and have some sport with them. You're perfectly entitled to use the CX lounge.


Sounds like you need a letter to tell them your oneworld emerald... ;)
 
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