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

[Red Roo]

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.

While I hope this remains a one off experience for you, I would like to follow up internally. Please send me a private message with the details. Alternatively, you can use this form.

 

[jakob01]

A similar thing happened to me in Brisbane last weekend (just wanted to pop in for a coffee after an overnight flight from Perth.) Already tired and grumpy, the guy on the counter said "we don't normally do this, unless the lounge is not crowded." I reiterated that I was Platinum and I understood it was not available to other levels. People were coming by and it would have seemed I was the one causing a commotion. He eventually whispered "ok, you can go in this time" like I was doing something wrong and he was doing me a favour. I didn't have the energy to debate my point (or drag out my printed copy of the terms & conditions printout which clearly states this benefit) although I did recheck on my ipad once inside incase things had changed. I wanted to ask should I exepct this again? Was this a new policy they were trying to implement to phase out ''on-arrival access'? If the rules have changed, I accept that, but I was quite confident that was not the case. Once had a similar experience in Melbourne (though from a J**Star flight arrival) and was let in with some hesitation. It is probably my favourite Platinum perk that I often use. I can't image it is that infrequent that the staff haven't encountered it or were aware of the rules, unless they've been advised otherwise.

 

[Joshua]

I wouldn't be happy to experience this. I probably use arrivals access... well more than half the time, maybe most of the time. Whether it is waiting or meeting with people, having meals at more appropriate times/avoiding aircraft food or just taking life at my own pace because I can.

BNE you should just flash your card (I always get BP(s) from the J lounge desk).

 

[Red Roo]

A similar thing happened to me in Brisbane last weekend (just wanted to pop in for a coffee after an overnight flight from Perth.) Already tired and grumpy, the guy on the counter said "we don't normally do this, unless the lounge is not crowded." I reiterated that I was Platinum and I understood it was not available to other levels. People were coming by and it would have seemed I was the one causing a commotion. He eventually whispered "ok, you can go in this time" like I was doing something wrong and he was doing me a favour. I didn't have the energy to debate my point (or drag out my printed copy of the terms & conditions printout which clearly states this benefit) although I did recheck on my ipad once inside incase things had changed. I wanted to ask should I exepct this again? Was this a new policy they were trying to implement to phase out ''on-arrival access'? If the rules have changed, I accept that, but I was quite confident that was not the case. Once had a similar experience in Melbourne (though from a J**Star flight arrival) and was let it with some hesitation. It is probably my favourite Platinum perk that I often use. I can't image it is that infrequent that the staff haven't encountered it or were aware of the rules, unless they've been advised otherwise.

Sorry to hear of this experience as the access policy has not changed.

Other than for capacity reasons, you should not be denied arrivals access as a Platinum member. I would encourage you to address this with a lounge manager at the time, however on this occasion I've passed on your comments to the Brisbane Lounge manager for their reference.

 

[Limewood]

Be arriving Sydney on QF from Cairns on Friday a night with Mrs. Lime, depart next day for Hong Kong, staying at new Rydges outside Int. terminal one night does this mean as WP could go there Fri. night?.

 

[Hvr]

Be arriving Sydney on QF from Cairns on Friday a night with Mrs. Lime, depart next day for Hong Kong, staying at new Rydges outside Int. terminal one night does this mean as WP could go there Fri. night?.

Yes, as a WP you can enter the domestic J lounge on Friday night.

 

[markis10]

Be arriving Sydney on QF from Cairns on Friday a night with Mrs. Lime, depart next day for Hong Kong, staying at new Rydges outside Int. terminal one night does this mean as WP could go there Fri. night?.

Yes (if you referring to domestic facilities) although it may have capacity issues and will hardly be quiet!

 

[Limewood]

Pity its not the the 1st. lounge.

Yeah thinking Fri night in J lounge, busy and noisy, think it'll be a night in the Rydges pub bar.

 

[samh004]

I certainly hope they're not trying to phase out arrivals access for Platinum. I use this benefit frequently to freshen up before continuing my journey and while I'll always be loyal to Qantas, it certainly would make me re-think Platinum, halve (quarter or fifth this year) my flying and all that.

I've never encountered an issue in BNE though, so I hope I don't this Sunday. Usually all I get is, "we're about to close the J lounge, but you're more than welcome in the QP" - paraphrasing.

 

[crum]

Had a similar experience at the SYD Domestic J lounge on the 9th. I got off my in-coming flight from MEL at 8:30pm and because I had woken up at 3:30am that morning to get to the airport ready for my 6:30am departure out of SYD I thought that I would have a coffee before my 2 hour drive home. When I got to the desk I was walking past and was showing my WP card and was told by the gent there that I could go in as long as I had checked in; I smiled and continued on in. It did strike me as odd though as I haven't been questioned there at entrance before. By the way, the lounge was a ghost town.

 

[Red Roo]

Had a similar experience at the SYD Domestic J lounge on the 9th. I got off my in-coming flight from MEL at 8:30pm and because I had woken up at 3:30am that morning to get to the airport ready for my 6:30am departure out of SYD I thought that I would have a coffee before my 2 hour drive home. When I got to the desk I was walking past and was showing my WP card and was told by the gent there that I could go in as long as I had checked in; I smiled and continued on in. It did strike me as odd though as I haven't been questioned there at entrance before. By the way, the lounge was a ghost town.

There's been no change to the access policy. I'll pass on your example to the SYD lounge manager for their reference.

 

[dfcatch]

Just to clarify - as some of the quoted wording here seems to have changed.....

I always understood that the wording of the policy was "same-day access", not explicitly "arrivals access".

Ie - you have access as long as you have a QF/JQ flight on the "same day".

 

[samh004]

Just to clarify - as some of the quoted wording here seems to have changed.....

I always understood that the wording of the policy was "same-day access", not explicitly "arrivals access".

Ie - you have access as long as you have a QF/JQ flight on the "same day".

But the heading is "Domestic Lounge access on arrival", which is how I've always used it.

I think same day access is a separate rule, such as flying down to SYD Y connecting to an international flight J would give you access, but wouldn't be arrivals

 

[moa999]

Had a similar experience at the SYD Domestic J lounge on the 9th. I got off my in-coming flight from MEL at 8:30pm and because I had woken up at 3:30am that morning to get to the airport ready for my 6:30am departure out of SYD I thought that I would have a coffee before my 2 hour drive home. When I got to the desk I was walking past and was showing my WP card and was told by the gent there that I could go in as long as I had checked in; I smiled and continued on in. It did strike me as odd though as I haven't been questioned there at entrance before. By the way, the lounge was a ghost town.

To some extent that is correct....
The lounge used to be "Anytime Access" - ie could be used anytime, even if not travelling.... That said with parking charges at Sydney Airport, it would probably be more expensive than the local pub.
Now it is On-Departure or Arrival, technically staff should be checking boarding passes as well as the card.

Thankfully that doesn't seem to happen that regularly.

 

[Danger]

Just to clarify - as some of the quoted wording here seems to have changed.....

I always understood that the wording of the policy was "same-day access", not explicitly "arrivals access".

Ie - you have access as long as you have a QF/JQ flight on the "same day".

If memory serves, when Qantas removed the Platinum anytime access, a right royal raucous was caused on AFF (I was one). A short time later (not entirely due to the AFF backlash, I know) Qantas gave some ground and allowed Platinums to access the lounge after their flight on the same day. (I agree that it's not actually arrivals access so much as it is after your flight on the same day.) I clearly remember Red Roo stating that although it wasn't actually the same day, passengers on the red-eye departures from Perth to the east could indeed use the lounges in BNE, SYD and MEL on arrival the next morning.

I viewed it as one of the genuine positives from Qantas towards WA passengers (along with booze from midday, every day (and often even earlier) on what were once known as Citiflyer flights).

 

[JohnK]

I find some of the experiences mentioned here strange.

In BNE they hardly give more than a passing glance at the boarding pass waving me through.

In SYD in either the Qantas Lounge or Business Lounge they quickly look at boarding pass and wave me through.

I do not believe they are checking to/from airport. I am definitely sure they are not checking date. Only checking to see the status printed on boarding pass.

Pity its not the the 1st. lounge.

Yeah thinking Fri night in J lounge, busy and noisy, think it'll be a night in the Rydges pub bar.

SYD busy on a Friday night? Nah. Friday afternoon maybe but not Friday night. What time are you arriving? I should be there around 5:30pm-6:00pm if my flight from BNE is on time.

 

[dfcatch]

But the heading is "Domestic Lounge access on arrival", which is how I've always used it.

I think same day access is a separate rule, such as flying down to SYD Y connecting to an international flight J would give you access, but wouldn't be arrivals

Nope - your second point is "connecting access for International First/Business".

The Platinum benefit of same-day access is "same day". You have to read the squiggly rule not the heading.

Just checked - it is in fact still "same-day" access.

The fact that most use it on "arrival" is coincidental.

RULE BELOW

"Must be travelling on any flight the same day that shows Qantas^, Emirates^, Jetstar Airlines+ or a oneworld flight number on your ticket.

Two guests allowed and do not need to be travelling."

 

[amaroo]

I find some of the experiences mentioned here strange.

In BNE they hardly give more than a passing glance at the boarding pass waving me through.

I've found BNE to more rigid in viewing the credentials.

SYD seems pretty easy to gain unauthorised access.

 

[boomy]

There is no need to show a boarding pass when entering the lounge.
It can only lead to confusion when dealing with new or inexperienced 'angels' as mentioned by the OP.

I always show ONLY my QFF card and never had any problems in MEL, SYD & BNE.

I will add that in ADL they do sometimes ask to see a boarding pass because the lounge is relatively close to VA terminal.

 

[smit0847]

I know this is a QF thread but the few times I've used arrivals access on VA the lounge staff have always seemed very confused (even the MEL staff who are guns).

Even when I explain what I'm doing they usually ask me if I want a boarding pass. I think the confidence stops them from asking any further questions.