Slightly confused by Johannesburg lounges

[Mr_Gimlet]

I'm travelling to Maputo shortly, flying business, but on the way back I have a few hours at Johannesburg waiting for QF64. I'm slightly confused by the lounge offerings. My WP will get me into BA Galleries First but according to the Qantas lounges site it doesn't open until 1530.

I understand that SAA isn't part of OW, but the Qantas page implies I can get into the SAA business lounge ("All eligible customers departing on QF64 and QF304 will be invited to use the lounge"? Am I reading this right?

So should my plan be to hang out in SAA business and then move to BA First when it opens at 1530?

 

[arraitch]

I have no first hand experience of JNB lounges to offer, but The Qantas Club lounge locations in Africa (per below) indicates that you may have more than one choice when it comes to a first class lounge. Also note earlier opening times than that which you quote, albeit in contrast to those on the OW site!

	SAA Baobab Lounge (Business Class)* Upper level of departure lounge at Northern end of the terminal. Available for QF64 and QF 304. Menzies Shongololo Lounge (Business and First Class)* Adjacent to gate A7. Available for QF64 and QF304 SAA Cycad Lounge (First Class)* Upper level of departure lounge at Northern end of the terminal. Available for QF64 and QF 304 to all eligible customers. British Airways Galleries Lounge (oneworld First and Business Class)* Upper level of departure lounge at Northern end of the terminal. Available for QF64 only.	0630 to 2130 daily 0730 to 2200 daily 0630 to 2130 daily 0630 to 2130 daily

 

[casanovawa]

I'm only a NB QP, but when i flew into JNB earlier this year and i think i was flying out to Cape Town later that night, so domestic, i went through the domestic security side of the terminal and i don't think i was able to get into the BA lounge but was able to get into the SAA lounge (even though they are *A) which i thought was quite a nice lounge with a big bar and a good selection of food.. Obviously a first or business one might be better..

When i flew out a few days later on QF 64 i went through security at the international end of the terminal and couldn't get into the BA lounge either but got shunted down to this other lounge for QF 64 passengers, fairly average forget its name but didn't seem to be an actual airline lounge... Quite a bit of noodles and small packets of sushi etc... I almost contemplated going back out and into the domestic part and trying to re-enter the SAA lounge... If your elegible for business and first lounges your experience might be better but as a QP member flying in Y i could get into at least one SAA lounge maybe as they are a partner of Qantas??

 

[Danger]

The last time I flew QF64 was, I think, Easter 2010. At check-in I was given a written invitation to the Shongolo Lounge. However, I also got access to the SA J lounge and, of course, the BA lounge. The oneworld website lists the BA lounges as opening at 4pm.

 

[Flying Fox]

Ah yes the problem with lounge entry in JNB.

Watch the Menzies Shongololo Lounge, their staff are shocking at determining what is OK and what isn't. I was refused entry on a J ticket even as QF Gold. Had a verbal with the guy and he wouldn't let me in. Eventually the Mrs & I got into the SA J lounge.

Back in AUS, QF confirmed that I should have been granted entry!

Hope that you have good luck with lounge entry!

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I meant to reply to this. I actually didn't have any problems on this trip because QF upgraded me to F. I went up to the SAA F lounge which was great, nice decor and very friendly staff. I migrated tot he BA/QF lounge and it was terrible. I suspect I would use the SAA J lounge in the future over even QF/BA First.

 

[moa999]

On the Shongolo lounge I suspect you should have been given a lounge entry card on checkin.
Without this quite normal for third party lounges to deny you entry (they don't get paid without the card)