SYD Business Lounge - ''this is not an arrivals lounge'

[leon_rex]

Hi there,

I flew into Sydney with 2 friends the other day. Platinum, Gold and Bronze respectively.

Bronze is a new friend made on the flight - guy from O/S. Gold is a regular travel pal. The CSM has been bringing glasses of Grant Burge into 4DEF, just because. Everyone is happy and would like to go up to the Business Lounge to have another drink before parting company. They go downstairs, I go upstairs. The following exchange ensues, verbatim:

Me: [Wearing usual happy face, not drunk or disorderly] Hey, I've just landed... [passes card] I've got two guests downstairs who are going to come up in a minute.
Guy: Could you say that again?
Me: [Repeats self, politely]
Guy: Don't you have your new card yet? [looks me up and down searchingly, taps away at computer and confirms previous flight]
Me: Nah, not yet, it hasn't arrived
Guy: You know this isn't really an arrivals lounge?
Me: How do you mean?
Guy: To use this lounge you should really have a boarding pass to travel somewhere
Me: Sorry? I'm trying to use my arrivals access. I often come in after a flight.
Guy: No. This is not an arrivals lounge, and it's ACTUALLY quite busy. I'll let you in but really you need to have an onward flight.

This exchange leaves me bewildered so I go in to the computer to check whether, in fact, I am allowed in.

Turns out Arrivals Access to the lounge is still a goer. Subject to space constraints or other concerns of the manager, of course, but there are none 5 minutes later when the Perth flight leaves. I am well dressed and polite.

I think this guy thought I was a freeloader and was trying to get rid of me. Not really his call to make, was it? It is worth noting that he appears to be new.

the answer is now obvious after reading other threads. QantasLink Lounge staff.

 

[boomy]

The guy was probably new and 'overdoing' his job. I used SYD J lounge on arrival many times for business meetings with local colleagues that don't even fly that day. Always flashed my P1 card and was never asked to show a boarding pass.
Which new card was the guy talking about? The white one? Don't they suppose to arrive only in September?

 

[reductionist]

I duck in to the SYD J lounge on arrival for 5-10 minutes almost every time I land there. For me, it's the best place to get changed & make sure I'm looking presentable for meetings. I'm up front with the desk staff about it too. Never had a problem.

I would be pretty unhappy if I got this response.

 

[sanchdog]

I had the same experience when I landed in Perth recently. I just wanted to use the bathroom and have a quick cup of coffee and I was told that it was a departures lounge and not an arrivals lounge. They did concede to finally let me in as long as I wasn't there for more than a few minutes.

 

[markis10]

I had the same experience when I landed in Perth recently. I just wanted to use the bathroom and have a quick cup of coffee and I was told that it was a departures lounge and not an arrivals lounge. They did concede to finally let me in as long as I wasn't there for more than a few minutes.

I hope formal feedback is passed onto Qantas, its not going to improve otherwise.

 

[Isochronous]

These ignorant staff need to be put in their place. They should know better. No excuses.

 

[JohnK]

No need to tell the you have arrived.

Just show them boarding pass with your flight today. The to/from airport is irrelevant.

 

[sanchdog]

That's what I did and they tried to bounce me. I had never heard of this before so I was taken a bit by surprise. Does anyone know how we can clarify this?

 

[JohnK]

That's what I did and they tried to bounce me. I had never heard of this before so I was taken a bit by surprise. Does anyone know how we can clarify this?

Try this link and print it out.

And here is the relevant part.

[h=3]Domestic Lounge access on arrival[/h]As a Platinum Frequent Flyer you can access Domestic Business Lounges or The Qantas Club upon arrival if you have travelled that day on any flight that shows a Qantas, a Jetstar Airline or a oneworld[SUP]®[/SUP] flight number on your ticket.^ You may also bring two guests, who do not need to be travelling.

 

[sanchdog]

Thanks JohnK

 

[11sjw]

I had the same experience when I landed in Perth recently. I just wanted to use the bathroom and have a quick cup of coffee and I was told that it was a departures lounge and not an arrivals lounge. They did concede to finally let me in as long as I wasn't there for more than a few minutes.

Never had this problem at PER. Have done it around 30 times over the last 18 months.

 

[leon_rex]

I also got the 'how long are you staying?' in Alice Springs a while back. That was after she wanted to know where I was going. The dragon was only mollified when the very pleasant lounge manager butted in and explained to her that it was allowed.

IMHO there's nothing to be coy about - it's allowed! They ARE arrivals lounges for Platinum and P1 travellers, with 2 guests.

That lovely lady in Sydney with the frizzy grey hair asked me once how long I was staying, but only to warn me that the bar would shortly be closing with the last departure.

 

[sanchdog]

What about for humble Gold Members, are they allowed to use it as an arrivals lounge

 

[ashleyn]

Seems worthwhile to have in your travel doco, a print out of the relevant rules, just in case.

 

[madrooster]

Seems worthwhile to have in your travel doco, a print out of the relevant rules, just in case.

I carry a laminated sheet with the QF baggage policies on one side and the lounge access rules on the other. Works a treat!

 

[JohnK]

What about for humble Gold Members, are they allowed to use it as an arrivals lounge

From the link I posted earlier if you click on Gold Benefits you will notice that Gold is only entitled to lounge access before a flight.

 

[sanchdog]

Thanks, I didn't see that explicitly but I suspected that that was the case

 

[JessicaTam]

It is disappointing when the lounge attendants have to be reminded of who is permitted access.

 

[Kangol]

Thanks, I didn't see that explicitly but I suspected that that was the case

SG (and QP) can now guest someone who does not need to be travelling, which is somewhat of an improvement (was so close to using the e word ).
Actually, access based on COS or QF/OW status does not require the guest to be travelling.
Looks like EK elites are the only ones where their guest needs to be travelling with them on the same flight.

Airport Lounges at Sydney Domestic Airport | Qantas

Oddly enough, international to/from connecting OW F pax can guest but OW J pax cannot - if based on COS only.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/air...qantas-club/global/en?loungeCategory=qcLounge

It is disappointing when the lounge attendants have to be reminded of who is permitted access.

It is disappointing when someone doesn't know how to do the easiest part of their job.

 

[Danger]

I carry a laminated sheet with the QF baggage policies on one side and the lounge access rules on the other. Works a treat!

Presumably you have invested in your home laminating machine in order to avoid excessive costs associated with have to re-laminate every few weeks when the policies change.