A number of members have observed Qantas lounge staff attempting to “scam” customers into leaving a tip. These members were not impressed, and believe that such behaviour detracts greatly from the premium experience of the lounge.
The scam appears to be targeting customers using the showers in Qantas’ Los Angeles lounge. As recently as last week, a lounge attendant picked up a sum of money that had been left in the room while showing a customer to their shower. The attendant was then seen surreptitiously placing the cash into another room, ready to be taken in full sight of the next customer when they arrived. Our members suggest that the sole purpose of this practice is to subtlety pressure every customer into themselves leaving money. Even if the previous customer had left a tip, it would have been collected while the shower was being cleaned between customers.
Although tipping is relatively commonplace in the United States, a Qantas spokesperson has previously stated that it’s neither expected, nor encouraged in any Qantas lounge. It seems that some lounge attendants in the LAX lounge haven’t been informed of this.
It’s not the first time this practice has been reported. A number of members reported an identical scam back in May last year. Despite promises from Qantas to tackle the issue at the time, it seems to have returned.
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