Brisbane KrisFlyer Lounge

[moffat39]

Is anyone able to advise when the new Brisbane KrisFlyer lounge due to open? Due to fly out from Brisbane on SQ in J on 4 June 2016 and hoping that new lounge has opened or will be opened by then.

Have searched the net for an answer but all I can find is the announcement of a new lounge with completion by mid 2016. Brisbane Airport website has a press release from last year that handover was expected in January 2016.

Any news on the opening greatly appreciated.

 

[Rareified Air]

There doesn't appear to be any news release on the SIA website about a lounge upgrade?

The Perth lounge took approx 3 weeks to upgrade so could be about the same in BNE, hopefully it gets made larger......

 

[moffat39]

Rareified my understanding is that it will be a brand new lounge next to the new Air New Zealand lounge and the Plaza Premium lounge with access via an escalator so it is on a different level to the existing lounge. I understand that the Air New Zealand and Plaza Premium lounges opened in April 2016 but I can find nothing if the new KrisFlyer lounge has opened or when it will be opening.

Here is a link to details for the new lounges Brisbane Airport lounges Qantas Air New Zealand Singapore Airlines - Australian Business Traveller

If anyone has any information on the opening it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rareified Air]

I think some serious construction on other floors might be required before any of that is ready, but who knows!

The Qantas lounge needs expansion before Singapore I believe, many Sunday mornings you can't get a seat in there. But a Plaza lounge might mean the Airlines who do a deal with Qantas would have an alternative lounge provider to negotiate with.

 

[moffat39]

The lounge opens next Tuesday 24 May 2016! Will be able to enjoy it on our flight on 4 June.

First look: Singapore Airlines' new SilverKris lounge, Brisbane Airport - Australian Business Traveller

 

[moffat39]

Enjoyed the new Brisbane lounge on Saturday 4 June. Arrived at the lounge around 12.30 for our 2.30 departure so could have plenty of time to experience the new lounge and came way impressed. Have not used the Brisbane International Airport since 2014 and there have been many changes. Once you have cleared customs etc there is the walk through duty free like Melbourne instead of entering straight into the departure area. Probably a 2 minute walk through duty free shop and upon entering departure area turn right and there is a lift and escalators to the next level where there are three lounges.

Air New Zealand lounge is on the left and Plaza Premium on the right. SQ lounge entrance is down the corridor and you turn right. The lounge is at least twice the size of the old one and at 12.30 there were already at 6 people in the lounge. The photos on the ABT link above are accurate. There were 3 of us travelling together and we took a table at front of the lounge with good view of the departure area and gates. Two of us had the high back chairs which were very comfortable. Good selection of food which was replaced often.

On more important matters the wine selection included:

 

[moffat39]

Did not finish my review before I hit enter. Now using a Mac Book and still getting used to it.

The sparkling was a Arras NV which was very good, the white a Paul Mas Chardonnay and the red a Chateau Escart Recolte. Enjoyed the sparkling and the Chardonnay but not the red.

Lounge is about a 5 minute walk to the gate. Now that Brisbane has a great new lounge if only SQ could match the experience by changing the 330!

 

[I love to travel]

The problem with this lounge is that they consistently do not allow J class passengers in from other Star Alliance carriers. I often am on TG 474 and this one guy in particular refuses to let people in and makes them go to the ANZ lounge. IMHO food and drink is better in SQ lounge.

 

[travelislife]

The problem with this lounge is that they consistently do not allow J class passengers in from other Star Alliance carriers. I often am on TG 474 and this one guy in particular refuses to let people in and makes them go to the ANZ lounge. IMHO food and drink is better in SQ lounge.

What is their reasoning when you point out the star alliance rules?

 

[I love to travel]

What is their reasoning when you point out the star alliance rules?

They say its against SQ rules

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The problem with this lounge is that they consistently do not allow J class passengers in from other Star Alliance carriers. I often am on TG 474 and this one guy in particular refuses to let people in and makes them go to the ANZ lounge. IMHO food and drink is better in SQ lounge.

That is ridiculous and totally in contradiction to *A Partner Airlines Lounge Access Agreement. Have you mentioned to said 'staff member' that you intend to escalate this matter to authorities way above his pay scale? And more to the point why did you not email SAA Feedback immediately you received this response first time? [email protected]

 

[Rareified Air]

What is their reasoning when you point out the star alliance rules?

In fairness if they let everyone into the SQ lounge it would be seriously overcrowded, the NZ passengers would be in there very quickly.

 

[I love to travel]

That is ridiculous and totally in contradiction to *A Partner Airlines Lounge Access Agreement. Have you mentioned to said 'staff member' that you intend to escalate this matter to authorities way above his pay scale? And more to the point why did you not email SAA Feedback immediately you received this response first time?

I take the attitude that some lounge access is better than none. But I will use your link to give feedback

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Check in staff in PEK will direct ALL SQ F/J pax to BJS Lounge which is a dive - simply wander over to CA F or J and present your BP - one time girls on desk at CA F pointed to BJS but I simply said NO *A member and waltzed in - never questioned again.

 

[I love to travel]

That is ridiculous and totally in contradiction to *A Partner Airlines Lounge Access Agreement. Have you mentioned to said 'staff member' that you intend to escalate this matter to authorities way above his pay scale? And more to the point why did you not email SAA Feedback immediately you received this response first time?

Here was the response I got back

Thank you for your feedback regarding our Brisbane SilverKris Lounge.

We have been advised by our Brisbane team that currently, our SilverKris Lounge is only operates and accepts passengers travelling on SQ flights departing out of Brisbane. This is due to the operational and commercial constraints that our Brisbane team face operating the lounge at the airport.

Ms CCCC, while we understand that all other STAR carriers have made arrangements with other lounges in the Brisbane airport for their passengers, we note your preference to enjoy the facilities at our SilverKris Lounge for your travels, even when on other STAR carriers.

Please be assured that our Brisbane team is reviewing the feasibility of allowing passengers from other STAR carriers to enjoy our lounge with the relevant parties. Updates will be provided accordingly when there are developments on this review. We seek your understanding and patience in the meantime.

Lounge is only half full when I go in on SQ flights - this is annoying but what can we do?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Here was the response I got back

Thank you for your feedback regarding our Brisbane SilverKris Lounge.

We have been advised by our Brisbane team that currently, our SilverKris Lounge is only operates and accepts passengers travelling on SQ flights departing out of Brisbane. This is due to the operational and commercial constraints that our Brisbane team face operating the lounge at the airport.

Ms CCCC, while we understand that all other STAR carriers have made arrangements with other lounges in the Brisbane airport for their passengers, we note your preference to enjoy the facilities at our SilverKris Lounge for your travels, even when on other STAR carriers.

Please be assured that our Brisbane team is reviewing the feasibility of allowing passengers from other STAR carriers to enjoy our lounge with the relevant parties. Updates will be provided accordingly when there are developments on this review. We seek your understanding and patience in the meantime.

Lounge is only half full when I go in on SQ flights - this is annoying but what can we do?

Is this for real? That's incredibly poor form and a total violation of *A rules.

"Commercial constraints" can't mean "not wanting to pay for the F&B consumption of non-SQ pax". If they don't like it, leave the alliance.