Arrivals Access to DOM J Lounges and QPs - QF needs to update staff on policy!

[MatF]

I had a similar experience once at SYD T2, when I flew into SYD from BNE on QF, but was then flying SYD-WGA on Rex.

I wandered over to T2 and showed my BNE-SYD boarding pass as I entered the QP. The gatekeeper initially waved me through, but then in front of several other passengers made a big deal of calling me back to check that I was indeed eligible. I then found myself being grilled on what my next flight was (which is of course irrelevant). I was very tired ater a shocker of a week and probably a bit too directly said "I've just flown from Brisbane to Sydney on Qantas, I'm next flying from Sydney to Wagga on Rex. I'm a Platinum frequent flyer, which gives me arrivals access to the lounge".

She had another look at my boarding pass, said "oh, you're Platinum", and let me in. I'm not sure on what other basis she initally gave me access, as that was the only thing printed on my boarding pass that could have possibly made me eligible.

99% of the time I connect to a QantasLink flight, so it hasn't been an issue.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

On a slightly Off Topic note, does anybody else find Melbourne J Lounge staff to be the most arrogant lounge dragons out of all J Lounges? Or do they just hate me?

Um, what about asking JDevereux his opinion? :shock: :shock:

 

[Alanslegal]

Can someone freshen my memory on this simple query, can I use Arrivals Access if flying JQ?

 

[kpc]

Can someone freshen my memory on this simple query, can I use Arrivals Access if flying JQ?

Maybe you should just print this page off and show it to desk staff if challenged:
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum Benefits - Platinum

yes.........

 

[flyingfan]

On a slightly Off Topic note, does anybody else find Melbourne J Lounge staff to be the most arrogant lounge dragons out of all J Lounges? Or do they just hate me?

I had a less than ideal experience at the J lounge in MEL some time ago. Earlier I went to the Qantas Club desk and asked if I could move to an earlier flight - despite being on a red e-deal; I ask nicely and sometimes it's granted. The agent took my boarding pass, did some tapping on his computer and handed it back to me. As I was walking away and checking the new departure time and gate I discovered that he hadn't moved my flight at all, rather he'd upgraded me to J. :shock:

I decided not to get that fixed and instead tried to make the most of my upgrade, seeing this would have been my absolute first time in J. I headed to the J desk, held up my pass and the agent there refused me access, saying "The Qantas Club is out there" and motioning back out the door. I didn't know any better then and retreated but the agent must have only looked at the service information which at the time would have said "QC SILV..." and not the 'Business' bit printed in a couple of places :evil: Guess she was more used to people entering on the basis of being WP rather than actually flying J. At least when I got on the aircraft I was in 2A of a 1-2-2 configuration so that was a great introduction to J.

Of course I know better now and use the J lounge when appropriate, although being standing room only at times the QC is probably better at times. Haven't had other issues with staff since, they've been quite helpful.

 

[nlagalle]

On a slightly Off Topic note, does anybody else find Melbourne J Lounge staff to be the most arrogant lounge dragons out of all J Lounges? Or do they just hate me?

Must be you!

I'm generally there in the mornings only, and I've always found them very friendly. A couple of them I've gotten to know quite well so they are always saying hi.

 

[Simo]

I have done it.

I just walk past with my plat card so they can see it.

I have also done it when I am not flying that day either and never asked any details.

 

[Happy Trails]

I rarely use arrival access but I really needed it at PER last year when my flight was 4 hours late and I missed my connection to BKK. (Still awaiting a refund from TG but that’s another story)

I showed my card to dragon A on the right, scanned it, got the green light and was nodded in.
As I passed dragon B on the left she challenged me (can’t recall the exact wording) . I said that I was using arrival access. She responded that I could go in for a short time to “freshen up”. I asked her what she meant by that and she just repeated the “freshen up” line. I explained that I was entitled to arrival access without any caveats. She stated it was a “grey area” and made it plain she was doing me a favour.
When I returned a few minutes later with the printed T&Cs she muttered an apology and said she thought she saw a gold card.
I got the impression that she was the senior of the two as dragon A watched and said nothing during the encounter.
The lounge was not at all busy.
PER access has eased up since then though and now showing the card is usually enough.

 

[beardoc]

I said that I was using arrival access. She responded that I could go in for a short time to “freshen up”. I asked her what she meant by that and she just repeated the “freshen up” line. I explained that I was entitled to arrival access without any caveats. She stated it was a “grey area” and made it plain she was doing me a favour.

This is the bit that gets me - there's a tone sometimes that they really don't want to let you in, but they do it begrudgingly, and that you should be especially grateful.

I lodged feedback with QF via email this week and got a phone call from the manager of the SYD Business Lounge, mentioning that the staff had been reminded that access on the same day as a flight is acceptable for Platinum. I didn't have any problems coming in on Saturday morning, but we'll try it a few more times. I really dislike it when I have to insist that I have access - but I have come to rely on arrivals access when I land, because TMW doesn't have a lounge.

 

[spudseamus]

I apologise for what may seem a silly question --- if I buy a full J fare to Europe am I not allowed "to freshen up in the J lounge "

 

[Happy Trails]

I apologise for what may seem a silly question --- if I buy a full J fare to Europe am I not allowed "to freshen up in the J lounge "

Not on arrival, unless you have an onward booking:

Next onward flight that day must be on a Qantas or British Airways flight number.
One guest permitted if travelling on a Qantas operated and marketed flight [SUP]^[/SUP].
No guest permitted if travelling on British Airways.

 

[simongr]

I apologise for what may seem a silly question --- if I buy a full J fare to Europe am I not allowed "to freshen up in the J lounge "

Which J lounge? On arrival into Europe or on return to Oz? The J lounge at int'l is after security so you physically can not access the lounge without an onward flight.

I haven't been checked entering the lounge in as long as I am able to recall. I just flash the WP card and walk in - often gesticulating behind me that these riff raff are with me.

 

[harvyk]

So its more as case of YSKWIA (You Should Know Who I Am)

Actually I call it the orange safety vest syndrome... (Mainly because when I have worn orange safety vests in the past I was never questioned about my right to be anywhere)...
Look like your meant to be there (or doing what your doing) any no one will question it...

It's not until you actually ask for permission that you have to explain yourself...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Actually I call it the orange safety vest syndrome... (Mainly because when I have worn orange safety vests in the past I was never questioned about my right to be anywhere)...
Look like your meant to be there (or doing what your doing) any no one will question it...

It's not until you actually ask for permission that you have to explain yourself...

Why not put the theory to the test next time you want arrivals access then if it passes the lounge dragon test you'd probably be able to get in anywhere!

 

[djfuzz]

Despite my annoyance at the removal at anytime access (which actually doesn't really bother me as much these days, as VA has filled the void and earned a greater degree of loyalty from me as a consequence), I've found QF arrivals access to be pretty good at MEL, SYD and BNE, and the staff I've encountered have been completely on top of it. Never tried at CBR, again due to VA, and partly because of hearing reports of people being challenged about it a lot, which I can't really be bothered with when a perfectly adequate alternative exists (if it's even required in the first place).

The real problem with arrivals access is timing leaving the lounge to coincide with the baggage appearing on the carousel; have erred too often on the longer side and found my bag to be the only one left, while at other times baggage hasn't even arrived. But that's not really a complaint.

 

[Ewing]

Never tried at CBR, again due to VA, and partly because of hearing reports of people being challenged about it a lot, which I can't really be bothered with when a perfectly adequate alternative exists (if it's even required in the first place).

Never had a problem with arrivals access in CBR. Whilst the staff there seem quite strict in applying the rules (ie: the flash card and keep walking trick does not work most of the time - they like to verify that you're checked in), they're also familiar with the rest of the rules and therefore arrivals is never a problem (at least the staff I get, and there's only a couple of them).

 

[BVT]

Pretty much, it's like an RBT or the Explosive Trace Detection test, you can kind of tell who's going to get pulled up.

On a slightly Off Topic note, does anybody else find Melbourne J Lounge staff to be the most arrogant lounge dragons out of all J Lounges? Or do they just hate me?

It must be you!

OTH, I do think the LD's on the front desk at the top of the escalators in MM are the rudest EVER. Including BA and AA! Never had a problem in the innner snactum (aka JLounge).

 

[tuapekastar]

Despite my annoyance at the removal at anytime access (which actually doesn't really bother me as much these days, as VA has filled the void and earned a greater degree of loyalty from me as a consequence), I've found QF arrivals access to be pretty good at MEL, SYD and BNE, and the staff I've encountered have been completely on top of it. Never tried at CBR, again due to VA, and partly because of hearing reports of people being challenged about it a lot, which I can't really be bothered with when a perfectly adequate alternative exists (if it's even required in the first place).

The real problem with arrivals access is timing leaving the lounge to coincide with the baggage appearing on the carousel; have erred too often on the longer side and found my bag to be the only one left, while at other times baggage hasn't even arrived. But that's not really a complaint.

I saw a middle aged couple flash the card and keep walking at CBR only to be called back. They wished to 'wait for his mother' (arriving on a flight) in the lounge. It was a weekend, and fairly empty and they were allowed in "because it was not busy". Not sure it was worth it as they managed about half a drink each and left.

It must be you!

OTH, I do think the LD's on the front desk at the top of the escalators in MM are the rudest EVER. Including BA and AA! Never had a problem in the innner snactum (aka JLounge).

Does this indicate your main purpose to visit the J lounge is to eat?

This is the bit that gets me - there's a tone sometimes that they really don't want to let you in, but they do it begrudgingly, and that you should be especially grateful.

I lodged feedback with QF via email this week and got a phone call from the manager of the SYD Business Lounge, mentioning that the staff had been reminded that access on the same day as a flight is acceptable for Platinum. I didn't have any problems coming in on Saturday morning, but we'll try it a few more times. I really dislike it when I have to insist that I have access - but I have come to rely on arrivals access when I land, because TMW doesn't have a lounge.

Maybe some of this attitude is down to having had to 'unlearn' anytime access for WPs, only to have to change position again and re-learn something that falls in between departure access and anytime access 5 minutes later when WPs were granted arrivals access after the stink in a certain other thread. I agree it is annoying when people (sometimes in a patronising tone) say they'll allow you as a favour to do something you're entitled to anyway.

I'm not in favour of the just 'flash the card and keep walking approach' to arrivals access if one also has a physical BP (I know some people do not use them). The pax (presumably) knows the rules re arrivals access but by only flashing a card they also know that there is no way the lounge guardian could be expected to know that you have flown in from somewhere which means, if they do the job they should be doing, they then have to stop you and ask for the BP, which neither party probably wants to happen.

Much easier and more respectful to just show them the card and the BP (or even only the BP, as it should have WP printed on it).

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I'm not in favour of the just 'flash the card and keep walking approach' to arrivals access if one also has a physical BP (I know some people do not use them). The pax (presumably) knows the rules re arrivals access but by only flashing a card they also know that there is no way the lounge guardian could be expected to know that you have flown in from somewhere which means, if they do the job they should be doing, they then have to stop you and ask for the BP, which neither party probably wants to happen.

Much easier and more respectful to just show them the card and the BP (or even only the BP, as it should have WP printed on it).

I think there's a small percentage of pax who actually enjoy the confrontation, in that they may well be WP and flying that day but when challenged, give the LD an earful about being asked to verify their right to use the lounge.

 

[medhead]

What really annoys me about the ADL QP is having to wait in line while they stuff around with people if using my card for boarding. Whereas people with a BP just flash it and walk in. Had it this week with 2 people being waved past by the same person who took my card and scanned it. Great reward for saving qantas money on printing.


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