Speculation: QF to axe MEL First lounge?

[straitman]

and sending all non-J JQ passengers to the business lounge.

There is an interesting option I hadn't though of before.

 

[oz_mark]

but I'd support banning Platinums flying JQ Y, and sending all non-J JQ passengers to the business lounge.

May need to send the boys around to sort out your thinking on this

 

[serfty]

... when QF opened the new HKG lounge it killed the CX ones....

That is very much one for the eye of the beholder.

I personally dislike the QF HKG lounge and will not use it when I have the option. The 'bunker' was better.

That was the even before CX did up the pair and wing.

 

[nlagalle]

That is very much one for the eye of the beholder.

I personally dislike the QF HKG lounge and will not use it when I have the option. The 'bunker' was better.

That was the even before CX did up the pair and wing.

Personal preference I guess but I hated the bunker (dungeon)..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Then the beef is with Qantas not providing services for J passengers. By giving invites to F lounge then you diminish the F experience. Two wrongs don't make a right.

That's the crux of the issue. Lack of suitable services for J class. Given there is no immediate plan to refurbish the J lounge in MEL, one interim solution was to give full fare J class access to the F lounge. That was countered by many saying the lounges are already full. My proposed situation to that was to redirect economy class pax with platinum status to the business lounge, if that would alleviate the crowding issue.

Restricting access to F and full fare J (by which I mean non-sale or award tickets) could perhaps increase the experience for F pax rather than diminishing it?

 

[nlagalle]

That's the crux of the issue. Lack of suitable services for J class. Given there is no immediate plan to refurbish the J lounge in MEL, one interim solution was to give full fare J class access to the F lounge. That was countered by many saying the lounges are already full. My proposed situation to that was to redirect economy class pax with platinum status to the business lounge, if that would alleviate the crowding issue.

Why are full fare J pax any different to the rest? What about award tickets?? can't you see how unworkable your plan is????

Restricting access to F and full fare J (by which I mean non-sale or award tickets) could perhaps increase the experience for F pax rather than diminishing it?

i don't see the lounges overflowing each day...

 

[straitman]

i don't see the lounges overflowing each day...

My thoughts exactly.

I don't see this as an issue.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Why are full fare J pax any different to the rest? What about award tickets?? can't you see how unworkable your plan is????

As an actual example... DFW in a few week's time, almost 9k return. The current J lounge offering probably doesn't reflect that price point. When the fare's on sale for $5K the fare is more of a bargain.

I don't see it as unworkable... a lounge invitation could be issued at check-in.

 

[Pushka]

Deserted a couple of weeks ago but no need to make it busier with a business invite.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

BA have J, F and concorde at SIN

BA operate a single lounge in Singapore. A mixed J/F space and a side room called the Concorde BAR for F pax and invitation only members.

 

[straitman]

As an actual example... DFW in a few week's time, almost 9k return. The current J lounge offering probably doesn't reflect that price point. When the fare's on sale for $5K the fare is more of a bargain.

I don't see it as unworkable... a lounge invitation could be issued at check-in.

I don't agree. That would just turn people off.

 

[nlagalle]

As an actual example... DFW in a few week's time, almost 9k return. The current J lounge offering probably doesn't reflect that price point. When the fare's on sale for $5K the fare is more of a bargain.

I don't see it as unworkable... a lounge invitation could be issued at check-in.

At the end of the day you are paying for the ticket and service on the plane. The lounge is an extra.

It's unworkable when people expect to get a pass and they don't know why because they don't understand fare buckets. You travel in J you get J lounge access - simples. Your analogy on fares paid doesn't hold water. Should someone get access to the J lounge because they paid for a full Y fare???

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I don't even know why there's a back and forth going on about this. The current arrangement works perfectly fine in my experience.

 

[nlagalle]

I don't even know why there's a back and forth going on about this. The current arrangement works perfectly fine in my experience.

I agree.. it seems though that someone isn't a WP but wants the benefits even when not traveling in the right cabin

 

[MEL_Traveller]

At the end of the day you are paying for the ticket and service on the plane. The lounge is an extra.

It's unworkable when people expect to get a pass and they don't know why because they don't understand fare buckets. You travel in J you get J lounge access - simples. Your analogy on fares paid doesn't hold water. Should someone get access to the J lounge because they paid for a full Y fare???

Your overall contract includes lounge access as it's something you have paid for as part of your fare.

People understand differential pricing. They are presented with a whole range of prices when they book and the inclusions at each price level can be easily outlined, as it is done on many airlines.

Japan airlines provides lounge access for full fare Y pax: https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/service/lounge/member/class.html

 

[nlagalle]

Your overall contract includes lounge access as it's something you have paid for as part of your fare.

People understand differential pricing. They are presented with a whole range of prices when they book and the inclusions at each price level can be easily outlined, as it is done on many airlines.

Japan airlines provides lounge access for full Y fare pax.

Correct and you get lounge access with it.. there is a lounge there for J pax...

 

[JessicaTam]

That's the crux of the issue. Lack of suitable services for J class. Given there is no immediate plan to refurbish the J lounge in MEL, one interim solution was to give full fare J class access to the F lounge. That was countered by many saying the lounges are already full. My proposed situation to that was to redirect economy class pax with platinum status to the business lounge, if that would alleviate the crowding issue.

Restricting access to F and full fare J (by which I mean non-sale or award tickets) could perhaps increase the experience for F pax rather than diminishing it?

That we are aware of...

 

[mviy]

I think the big issue is that QF Is removing the option (for now) for passengers to purchase F to fly on QF metal from MEL International. So you want that one off experience of experiencing F to LHR on QF. You won't be able to do that from late March next year. I'd much rather fly QF F from MEL to LHR than on a QF ticket for EK F.

At least as a WP (for now) I have access to the QF F Lounge, but it would be nice to still have the option on QF metal to fly QF F from MEL to LHR rather than needing a domestic connection. It wouldn't be so bad if the connection at SYD was better. They should have a train to International like major international airports overseas do or better yet put the terminals close enough so the it's walking distance.

With the F service removed to LHR I think that will reduce the usage of the lounge.

 

[JessicaTam]

I think the big issue is that QF Is removing the option (for now) for passengers to purchase F to fly on QF metal from MEL International. So you want that one off experience of experiencing F to LHR on QF. You won't be able to do that from late March next year. I'd much rather fly QF F from MEL to LHR than on a QF ticket for EK F.

At least as a WP (for now) I have access to the QF F Lounge, but it would be nice to still have the option on QF metal to fly QF F from MEL to LHR rather than needing a domestic connection. It wouldn't be so bad if the connection at SYD was better. They should have a train to International like major international airports overseas do or better yet put the terminals close enough so the it's walking distance.

With the F service removed to LHR I think that will reduce the usage of the lounge.

They do have a train! You just have to pay.

 

[RichardMEL]

I think the big issue is that QF Is removing the option (for now) for passengers to purchase F to fly on QF metal from MEL International. So you want that one off experience of experiencing F to LHR on QF. You won't be able to do that from late March next year. I'd much rather fly QF F from MEL to LHR than on a QF ticket for EK F.

Many would feel the EK F product, specially in the 380, is superior to QF F.

You've mentioned QF F, so this is not about ability to upgrade on QF metal, which is a totally separate issue..

so, apart from a desire to fly our flag carrier, why not fly EK F on a codeshare if the price is comparable to a connection via SYD?

It's not like you're going to an inferior product and EK are rolling out new F from later this year on new deliveries, so it could be an even better hard product in the future (though I understand current 380's won't be retrofitted).

I would have no problem taking EK F to LHR(or europe) given the F&B is comparable, the EK F shower and bar down the back.

but sure that's just me.

What does QF F experience give you that EK F does not that makes it more appealing, when considering paid F MEL-DXB-LHR?

I'm curious.