Experience accessing SYD SQ lounge flying NZ

[Homer]

I was just reading this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/airport-lounges/tg-lounge-syd-59131.html. I'm flying NZ next weekend in J and I'm no fan of the SYD NZ lounge. I didn't much like the old SYD SQ lounge either...but I'm keen to see the new one.

I've read the *A Lounge Access Policy Lounge Access Policy - Star Alliance and I can see that SQ should let me into their J lounge. I'll take a printed copy of the policy but I was wondering whether anybody had any recent experience getting in with an NZ J boarding pass?

 

[markis10]

They have preferences but you are entitled to entry to either lounge.

 

[Coathanger]

I was admitted without issue using a TG F boarding pass to the F side of the new SKL in April.

It was previously an issue but the SKL staff seem to be a lot more accommodating these days. Still, doesn't hurt to print out a copy of the *A lounge access rules just in case.

 

[TomVexille]

Similar situation the other week in MEL. Flying NZ (in Y) with a *G card. Lady at the SQ lounge gently pointed out where the NZ lounge was but let me in as soon as I explained that I would still like to enter.

 

[Homer]

Just feeding back about my experience. The SQ gate-keepers told me that I could go into the lounge, but that as one of their flights had just departed they would be taking all the food and drinks away and throwing them out and that I would have to wait two hours for them to replace everything in preparation for the next flight. I don't know whether that's true or not (it could well be) but I didn't feel like pushing it any further with them so I just went to the NZ lounge...

 

[thousandsteps]

I got same story, they seem to be making it up. Flying Asiana business, approached the SQ lounge (as per Star alliance lounge policy). told us it's too early, they don't have the food ready. ha, ha. so nasty. yes, pointed us to the Air NZ lounge. Why do the SQ gatekeepers do that? To keep the numbers (and costs) down??

 

[smit0847]

I always go to the SQ Lounge when flying *A out of MEL or SYD. The lounge staff always says something like 'you know you can use the NZ lounge' to which I politely insist I would prefer the SQ lounge as its much better. They tell me they don't make non-SQ boarding announcements but I've never had a problem gaining access.

I think SQ staff think the SQ lounges should be for SQ pax so prefer other *A pax go elsewhere but they also know the rules.

 

[TomVexille]

I always go to the SQ Lounge when flying *A out of MEL or SYD. The lounge staff always says something like 'you know you can use the NZ lounge' to which I politely insist I would prefer the SQ lounge as its much better. They tell me they don't make non-SQ boarding announcements but I've never had a problem gaining access.

I think SQ staff think the SQ lounges should be for SQ pax so prefer other *A pax go elsewhere but they also know the rules.

That is exactly my experience.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I think SQ staff think the SQ lounges should be for SQ pax so prefer other *A pax go elsewhere but they also know the rules.

I have a good enough relationship with SQ staff in MEL that I will attempt to extract some definitive info re this matter on Monday - will post back re their attitude to other airline pax using lounge and also food whether offerings are cleared and re-stocked or not.

 

[kpc]

Just feeding back about my experience. The SQ gate-keepers told me that I could go into the lounge, but that as one of their flights had just departed they would be taking all the food and drinks away and throwing them out and that I would have to wait two hours for them to replace everything in preparation for the next flight. I don't know whether that's true or not (it could well be) but I didn't feel like pushing it any further with them so I just went to the NZ lounge...

I got same story, they seem to be making it up. Flying Asiana business, approached the SQ lounge (as per Star alliance lounge policy). told us it's too early, they don't have the food ready. ha, ha. so nasty. yes, pointed us to the Air NZ lounge. Why do the SQ gatekeepers do that? To keep the numbers (and costs) down??

I always go to the SQ Lounge when flying *A out of MEL or SYD. The lounge staff always says something like 'you know you can use the NZ lounge' to which I politely insist I would prefer the SQ lounge as its much better. They tell me they don't make non-SQ boarding announcements but I've never had a problem gaining access.

I think SQ staff think the SQ lounges should be for SQ pax so prefer other *A pax go elsewhere but they also know the rules.

That is exactly my experience.

Last month, we went to the SQ F lounge in Syd, flying TG F....I had the star alliance rules ready, but they just smiled and confirmed that we wanted to use their lounge instead and reminded us that there won't be any flight announcements....yup, I mumbled, and she pointed out that there will not be any hot food:evil:. I replied that there was a SQ flight about an hour after ours so we were happy to wait!! Then we marched into the J lounge by mistake until we were told otherwise...whilst waiting for the hot food, we entertained ourselves (and got a bit of "revenge") by opening and drinking their Veuve...whole thing seems so petty to me! Anyway, we had the entire F lounge to ourselves for about an hour and half, and that was nice and peaceful....then the hot food came out and so did the SQ passengers:shock:

 

[boomy]

Last month, we went to the SQ F lounge in Syd, flying TG F....I had the star alliance rules ready, but they just smiled and confirmed that we wanted to use their lounge instead and reminded us that there won't be any flight announcements....yup, I mumbled, and she pointed out that there will not be any hot food:evil:. I replied that there was a SQ flight about an hour after ours so we were happy to wait!! Then we marched into the J lounge by mistake until we were told otherwise...whilst waiting for the hot food, we entertained ourselves (and got a bit of "revenge") by opening and drinking their Veuve...whole thing seems so petty to me! Anyway, we had the entire F lounge to ourselves for about an hour and half, and that was nice and peaceful....then the hot food came out and so did the SQ passengers:shock:

Was that on the morning flight? When I was there it took them a while to get out the food but was asked if would like the chef to prepare something while waiting. I was also alone there for a while and enjoyed great service.
Recently I entered a bit later and was offered an a la carte menu.
Never had a problem using SQ lounges when flying *A in J or F.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Currently ensconced in SQ F MEL - posed Q to SQ rep on reception re acceptance of *A members into SQ F and J lounge - and also opening / closing / food availability hours - here are my findings:

Firstly acceptance of *A premium pax - absolutely / totally / unequivocally WELCOME - into F or J - if not SQ would be in breach of *A agreement - staff said their necks would be on the chopping block if they did not adhere strictly to this agreement. My personal thoughts re this response? I think they were 100% sincere in this statement.

Food availability - clearly dictated by flight times - as general rule SQ Lounge open 3hrs pre departure - close once all pax dep for boarding*.

Now as to flight times - brief run down:

218 Dep 01:05 - Lounge Open 22:05
Hot & Cold Food available from 22:05
Close when empty of pax.

238 Dep 11:25 - Lounge Open 08:25
Hot & Cold Food available from 08:25
Close when empty of pax

228 Dep 16:40 - Lounge Open 13:40
Hot & Cold Food available from 13:40
Lounge does not close after all pax dep

208 Dep 19:20 - Lounge Stays open from prev flt 228
Hot & Cold Food available continuously
Close when all pax dep.

As for remaining food when Lounges close - well it is ALL turfed out - ALL thrown in bin at direction of SQ - NO VARIATIONS.

Now I know this is MEL and not SYD - but I would be staggered if there were significant variations to general policy and implementation.

Hope above info helps.

 

[Happy Trails]

I was refused entry to the SYD SKL yesterday, flying TG F.
SQ212 had just boarded and I first got the usual "ANZ lounge is that way" then told that the lounge was closed and that it was for SQ pax only.
I didn't bother pressing the point.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I was refused entry to the SYD SKL yesterday, flying TG F.

Did SQ have a flt dep within 3hrs of the time you tried to enter? If YES then for everbody's advantage you should follow this up with an official complaint.

 

[serfty]

Ironically, reports on FT today that half the SYD SQ lounge is having something done to it's business floors so non SQ PAX are being sent to NZ while SQ PAX, (F, J or *G) are being sent to the SQ First section.

Turned away from SQ SYD lounge (closed?) - FlyerTalk Forums