[MEL] Star Alliance lounge access with SQ J boarding pass

[jn82]

Hi all,

I am just wondering whether if there is any difficulty in accessing the Air NZ and United lounges in the Melbourne airport with a SQ J boarding pass around 2.30pm - 5p.m? I just want to have a look at the different lounges.

Have read reports in other forums about Star Alliance J and F boarding pass holders being denied entry into certain star alliance airline lounges overseas due to lounge opening hour reasons or that the staff simply do not know about such privillages.

Also, among the three Star Alliance lounges in Melbourne airport, seems the Air NZ one is regarded as the best one. Any opinions on the SQ or United ones in comparison?

Thanks. :mrgreen:

 

[Keith009]

The SQ lounge is ok, nothing to write home about but does its job.

NZ's lounge is better than both sides of the SQ lounge by far, even though it has no F section. There's heaps more room in NZ, and the vast food and drink selections are certainly better than either side of the SQ lounge's. There's also natural lighting in the NZ lounge, whereas SQ's obsession with windowless lounges extends to its MEL outpost.

Haven't been into UA.

I've been into the NZ lounge many times on whilst flying other *A carriers (TG, OS and SQ). Of these I believe OS and TG were actually contracted to use the lounge, whereas the SQ bp got me in via *A rules. I only had problems twice whilst holding an SQ bp, once because the NZ lounge wasn't open for the SQ238 departure as there weren't NZ/OS/TG flights around that time (1000ish); another time they tried to deny me entry on the basis of 'capacity restrictions' until I pointed out that there weren't any more than 3 people in the lounge at that time. You're also entitled a guest if *G.

 

[Keith009]

Some pics I have in my collection:

SKL C side (F side is almost identical, except they have Moet last time I was there):

 

[Keith009]

NZ:

 

[dajop]

Definitely NZ lounge is better, good food (esp. if NZ flight departing while there) and good NZ wines an much more space, as you will see from QF009's pictures.

I have been there many times flying SQ in J, though admittedly I am also NZ * Gold.

However last time I tried this, I was advised by the lounge dragon that I should go upstairs and use the SQ lounge, and I queried this - that I'd been allowed in before, and that it was a * gold lounge, and I was an NZ * gold. I was grudgingly let in with the comment "that it is important to let you know that we reserve the right to refuse you entry"

Anyway goodluck, and hope you get one of the better agents on the desk! If you have no luck ... appeal to their pride, at least initially I know they were very proud of their lounge in MEL (it was, IMHO the best lounge there until the new QF FCL opened).

 

[Keith009]

And this is why I'd always carry a copy of the lounge access rules with me.

 

[jn82]

Thanks for the tips and pics QF009. I saw the pics you posted of the SQ MEL lounge from SQTalk previously, but seems no one has taken any recent pictures! Saw some good pictures also somewhere else of the Air NZ lounge.

I hope to take some pictures when I make my flight in December, in addition to maybe gaining access to the UA and Air NZ lounges to take some pictures and walk around as well.

I will be on SQ228. Seems the UA lounge might not be open because UA currently only have a one flight scheduled (MEL-SYD-LAX) which is around noon daily. Air NZ have three flights from 6pm - 7pm, so I guess there is a better chance I get to visit that lounge.

Unfortunately I do not have *G, so will not be able to sign in a guest.

 

[Keith009]

The NZ lounge is defo open for the SQ228 departure.

AFAIK TG still uses the NZ lounge and they have a flight that departs at 1630 which is around the same time SQ228 is scheduled to leave.

 

[jn82]

If you have no luck ... appeal to their pride, at least initially I know they were very proud of their lounge in MEL (it was, IMHO the best lounge there until the new QF FCL opened).

Yup looks like I might have to do this. And maybe hit the lounge slightly earlier before it gets full with passengers from the three evening Air NZ flights.

 

[jn82]

And this is why I'd always carry a copy of the lounge access rules with me.

Is this just the one off the Star Alliance or SQ website?

 

[Keith009]

Is this just the one off the Star Alliance or SQ website?

*A's website.

 

[jn82]

*A's website.

Thanks dude.