Qantas Auckland lounge

[Princess Fiona]

Lazy Auckland lounge manager stopped greeting and escorting P1.

Not my experience a couple of days ago.

 

[QfHrGr]

Lazy Auckland lounge manager stopped greeting and escorting P1.

In the staffs' defence, you only get escorted to the dining enclosure when it's your first visit so they can show you where things are. As a P1 the entrance to dining escort only happened on my 1st visit & is not expected nor really necessary.

 

[QfHrGr]

I saw it twice, once at breakfast a couple of weeks ago. A woman sat down with her breakfast buffet plate.
Then again this weekend, this time at lunch a bloke sat down when no staff were there, asked for card and then did the walk of shame.

I witnessed a successful incursion in May. The waitress saw 2 twentysomething boys plonk their bags at the corner uncleared table for 1 of them to go to the toilet. The other one sat down. The waitress went over to clear the table but didn't challenge them for a card. A little later a 2nd waitress seeing he didn't have a menu gave him one and took his drink order. That last corner table on the way to the toilet is your best bet for success but if too many try this toilet trick ???
Later that same waitress refused to sit 3 guys when only 1 had an invite (I didn't know there is a guest restriction). He chose to stay with his mates & all 3 left the lounge.

 

[QfHrGr]

Latest news I have for Auckland host service is that it will be no longer at the end of September. Another cost saving measure. The remaining hosts have found alternative employment so that is some good news. Life goes on.

 

[kermatu]

One told me the other morning she had employment but it was not what she wanted. So not great news. Meanwhile record profits roll in.

 

[Cessna 180]

Thankyou - I had some doubts as I saw some concerning posts a few pages ago plus my seat on QR is a business reward seat booked via VFF.

At the least though, I believe I should have access to the Strata lounge as a baseline.

I did not realise QR had an AKL leg from MEL.
So I just looked it up and there is good availability with VA points on a QR code. I did not realise this was still a thing.

I did this two year ago MEL-DOH, booked with VA points. Entered MEL F no prob. Rare as rocking horse poo now I think.

 

[Cessna 180]

Ordered from the spring menu
View attachment 520336
Salt and Pepper Squid
View attachment 520334
Chocolate Mousse
View attachment 520338
Kapiti Ice-cream
View attachment 520337

First they brought the Ice-cream -"later please"
Then came the Chocolate Mousse- "later please "
Squid then arrived
 
Interesting that a few folk tried to sneak through and sit down without their Invitation (walk of shame)
View attachment 520339

I asked at the bar about champagne? No. Then she saw my platinum invite and changed her mind.
On entering the dining area the card was swiftly removed from my hand. Also, dining from the platinum area is only to be delivered and consumed with in the special area.

All kind of a little bit extreme but also a bit of fun. Makes platinum actually feel important.

 

[MelbFlyer]

I did not realise QR had an AKL leg from MEL.
So I just looked it up and there is good availability with VA points on a QR code. I did not realise this was still a thing.

Neither did I, until I looked for flights and QR just happened to start their AKL-MEL tag service (replacing the AKL-ADL tag) not long before my intended date of travel.

I know it's only 3-4hrs but having a Q-suite beats what QF/NZ/VA has to offer on their narrowbodies anyday!

It's kind of cheap however that QR still want ~NZ$40 for seat selection though..

Either way, I'll be happy to be able to access the QF AKL lounge.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Ordered from the spring menu....

Glad the mussels are now deshelled. I had ordered it a few days ago and it was a hassle to eat with a knife and fork.

 

[Cessna 180]

Neither did I, until I looked for flights and QR just happened to start their AKL-MEL tag service (replacing the AKL-ADL tag) not long before my intended date of travel.

I know it's only 3-4hrs but having a Q-suite beats what QF/NZ/VA has to offer on their narrowbodies anyday!

It's kind of cheap however that QR still want ~NZ$40 for seat selection though..

Either way, I'll be happy to be able to access the QF AKL lounge.

Oh yes. I am now looking at another slippery weekend in January. GF wants another turn in the F lounge.
This option for the return is better and cheaper than QF rewards.

Anyway, is the 40$ seat selection after you have added your QF#? If so that is a bit rude for OWE.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Anyway, is the 40$ seat selection after you have added your QF#? If so that is a bit rude for OWE.

I'm only QFF Silver / OW Ruby so I don't have that privilege!

Either way, charging for seat selection in any business class is a bit cheap. I'd expect it for the cheapest economy fare, but not for business.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Glad the mussels are now deshelled. I had ordered it a few days ago and it was a hassle to eat with a knife and fork.

Still in their shells when I had them earlier in the week.

 

[kermatu]

Glad the mussels are now deshelled. I had ordered it a few days ago and it was a hassle to eat with a knife and fork.

Actually that was my pic. Having watched others in the past and it seeming awkward (plus never shying away from others doing work for me) I politely asked if the mussels could come without shells. This was very kindly granted. With bonus mussel by the looks of it.