Brisbane Lounge Changes

[juddles]

A couple of days ago I experienced that "Plaza Premium" or whatever it is called lounge. I am platinum. Was travelling BNE-AKL in J on QF.

I usually leave BNE early in the morning - and despite what most say about the old lounge being "a shoebox", I always loved it. At my usual hours going through there it offered me a quiet hideout from the masses, and absolutely wonderful staff who always took care of my (few) needs.

I am disappointed that a single lounge will replace both, but I certainly respect Qantas making the decision if that is what their numbers require.

As for the EK lounge, yes it is "nice", but for me was never better than the QF F lounge. (yes, everyone to their own). It is also a LONG way from everything as has been pointed out. I never enquired about access to it, and from this thread I now understand it is only for P1 and CL. But I would probably make the walk - that Premium Plaza lounge had very attentive Asian staff, but apart from that, it is actually no bigger than the old QF F lounge, and certainly lesser food / drink / privacy / etc etc.

 

[medhead]

I didn't mind the old BNE F lounge either.

Agree generally but why should the additional services be restricted to CL/P1? Surely for WP and above who could have had access to an F lounge?

The current merged lounges restrict the extras to those above Platinum

Don't disagree but can't see it happening. Too many OWEs. If an additional service is to be offered in a merged lounge it would only be to a select few I reckon. (I will drop back to WP before too long so this isn't a 'just for me' suggestion!).

Aside from the devaluation of platinum in those locations. Basically a drop in service standard for nothing plat. (which will disappear into Gold at some stage.

While not possessing any insider knowledge, I can't imagine why the new lounge wouldn't adopt the same benefits offered to top-tier/top-class members that SIN and HKG have.

In the current merged lounges, premium services are offered to top-tier/top-class, that's P1/CL and First class respectively. You're asking for far too much if you expect every OWE in the lounge to also get that premium treatment, as it diminishes the benefit for the real top-tier/top-class patrons.

So I'm sorry, but you're dreaming if you think WP status means you should get a separate (shoe-box) space with Champagne... in BNE!

I agree about what to expect. But it is a drop in service standard for platinum. Platinum does very much mean that you get first lounge - it's right there on the website. Ripping out the first lounge and then providing special benefits for some of those that used to be able to access that lounge, but not all, is pretty coughpy.

As for the EK lounge, yes it is "nice", but for me was never better than the QF F lounge. (yes, everyone to their own). It is also a LONG way from everything as has been pointed out. I never enquired about access to it, and from this thread I now understand it is only for P1 and CL. But I would probably make the walk - that Premium Plaza lounge had very attentive Asian staff, but apart from that, it is actually no bigger than the old QF F lounge, and certainly lesser food / drink / privacy / etc etc.

The EK lounge isn't P1/CL only. I managed to get in their before an AKL flight a couple of months back. https://www.qantas.com/fflyer/dyn/flying/tier-benefits#lounge-access

Advised mum to use the EK lounge this week, but she's in J on EK so should be fine based on cabin class.

 

[RooFlyer]

It's all been said already, but the old F-lounge space was a shoe box that overlooked a car park. I appreciate there were slightly nicer danishes in there, and Taittinger of course... but a complete refit with refreshed interiors and more space will easily beat the old F-shoe-box.

If the shoe fitted .. I wore it

A couple of days ago I experienced that "Plaza Premium" or whatever it is called lounge. I am platinum. Was travelling BNE-AKL in J on QF.

I usually leave BNE early in the morning - and despite what most say about the old lounge being "a shoebox", I always loved it. At my usual hours going through there it offered me a quiet hideout from the masses, and absolutely wonderful staff who always took care of my (few) needs.
<snip>.

I didn't mind the old BNE F lounge either.
<snip>

Count me as another one who didn't mind the old F lounge at BNE. I wasn't a regular user, but each time I was there it wasn't crowded (unlike some other lounges ..) and the food & bev was good.

 

[juddles]

If the shoe fitted .. I wore it ....

I felt it was MY shoe, and I miss it.

..The EK lounge isn't P1/CL only. I managed to get in their before an AKL flight a couple of months back....

True. I have been in there a few times flying to AKL (in J) as a WP. But it seems in this interim period it is out of limits for QF WP??

 

[JohnK]

Was surprised as a business class passenger to be told no lounge access at Brisbane International. Only exception was for Emerald.

Palmed off with a food and beverage voucher.

Pathetic.

What else do you expect? Their lounge is closed...

Access to another lounge? Not a lot to expect.

I am flying business in a couple of weeks on QF97 and luckily I am also Platinum. Why no access to Emirates lounge during the renovations? Another silly clause?

 

[samh004]

I'm certainly not saying that I didn't like the "shoe-box"! Other than the poor view, it was a lovely space to be in, but the lounge needed to be renovated/increased in size at some stage, and with no F flights departing BNE (at least on QF... and it is their lounge) it makes no financial sense for them to keep something that would only be used by Platinums/OWE... especially at the expense of a larger footprint for all.

I'll concede it is a downgrade from what it was previously, but in terms of sound financial decisions, this is the only direction to take.

As for that EK lounge, I don't know about now, but they denied me access when I flew on a QF flight from there as a P1 a while back. Left me with a bad taste in my mouth really. Oh, and the EK lounge makes a good case for a single lounge with a better offering... seeing as that is what it is! At this stage, there's nothing set in stone that says Qantas will not offer Champagne to all, it's just unlikely. But if we can learn anything from the EK lounge it's that one big space makes more sense than two smaller ones.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I'm certainly not saying that I didn't like the "shoe-box"! Other than the poor view, it was a lovely space to be in, but the lounge needed to be renovated/increased in size at some stage, and with no F flights departing BNE (at least on QF... and it is their lounge) it makes no financial sense for them to keep something that would only be used by Platinums/OWE... especially at the expense of a larger footprint for all.

I'll concede it is a downgrade from what it was previously, but in terms of sound financial decisions, this is the only direction to take.

Exactly. If it is a sound financial decision to only have a J lounge, then fine, but own it. Don't pretend it's a lounge merger.

As for that EK lounge, I don't know about now, but they denied me access when I flew on a QF flight from there as a P1 a while back. Left me with a bad taste in my mouth really. Oh, and the EK lounge makes a good case for a single lounge with a better offering... seeing as that is what it is! At this stage, there's nothing set in stone that says Qantas will not offer Champagne to all, it's just unlikely. But if we can learn anything from the EK lounge it's that one big space makes more sense than two smaller ones.

Qantas is falling behind in some areas and champagne is one of them. VA is serving champagne in J on domestic flights, including champagne on boarding.
Don't even start me on the non-alcoholic lolly water Qantas have been serving as "ruby cabernet" or something as a beverage on boarding in domestic J.

 

[samh004]

Exactly. If it is a sound financial decision to only have a J lounge, then fine, but own it. Don't pretend it's a lounge merger.

I don't believe they have marketed it as a merger per se. Yes, they're calling it a premium lounge, but their other two merged lounges I would say are a bit more premium compared to what was in the Business part before. They might not have everything that was in the former First part, but they have more than was in the Business part, and that is Premium, at least comparatively speaking.

Qantas is falling behind in some areas and champagne is one of them. VA is serving champagne in J on domestic flights, including champagne on boarding.
Don't even start me on the non-alcoholic lolly water Qantas have been serving as "ruby cabernet" or something as a beverage on boarding in domestic J.

At the risk of going offtopic, VA is struggling A LOT financially, while Qantas seems to be doing nicely at the moment. I'm not suggesting this is all to do with the fact VA serves Champagne and Qantas serves sparkling, but there's probably something in it. Would I like a glass of Champagne on boarding (domestically), and another in the air? Sure. However what I also want is a profitable airline that is able to continue investing in new technologies, routes, and making smaller steps instead of giant silly leaps in F&B.

I don't think VA is going to fail, it has too many stakeholders pulling the strings for their own benefit. But the race to the top that they seem to be running, is also a race to the bottom in terms of liquidity. I would rather my points were secure, my status safe. I value "Lifetime" even though I'm only a Silver.

Others seem to care more about Salon in the lounge and Krug in the air, but don't care that this might lead to their program being devalued in 5 years and the airline bankrupt in 10. But hey, at least it was a fun ride!

 

[Mr_Orange]

Access to another lounge? Not a lot to expect.

I am flying business in a couple of weeks on QF97 and luckily I am also Platinum. Why no access to Emirates lounge during the renovations? Another silly clause?

EK don't codeshare on BNE-HKG so no access. I tried once, when the QF lounge was overflowing. The walk to the EK lounge and back used up most fo the time so I just headed to the boarding gate.

I have seen a lot of positive posts here about the HKG QF lounge and I don't really rate it, the BBQ pork is nice, but it is a very small serve.

I'm not a fan of the new HKG lounge either. I actually preferred the old J dungeon. Last couple of visits involved the Wing F, but am sadly back to SG now so September's trip will not involve and F lounges.

 

[JohnK]

EK don't codeshare on BNE-HKG so no access. I tried once, when the QF lounge was overflowing. The walk to the EK lounge and back used up most fo the time so I just headed to the boarding gate.

That's what I am struggling to understand. I get access to EK lounges in HKG and BKK flying QF but no access to EK lounge in BNE flying QF to HKG. Makes no sense. I shouldn't have to know that EK codeshares on a particular QF flight or not for me to have access.

 

[BVT]

Is it too simple for QF to "lease" the EK Lounge during the renovations/refurbishment/nefarious transmogrification to a simpler fairer lounge?

 

[JohnK]

Obviously too simple.

Plaza premium fairly busy. Hash brown and scrambled egg. Had a gin soda and then asked for vodka and soda. The secod drink took ~10-15 minutes. Skolled the drink and went to gate as flight on final call.

 

[DavidFlynn]

It's certainly a legitimate question to ask, but in my experience many things which appear "simple" and "obvious" from the outside (and without any actual background/inside knowledge) usually are not so simple or straightforward, otherwise they'd have been enacted already.

 

[drross]

Lounge was very quiet when we got there 650am. Didn't need a 'voucher' to gain access. The bubbles were Tempus Two. Coffee was quite good

 

[NZflygirl]

I'm flying through BNE, luggage checked through soon and will step out due to long layover but given I'm not checking in on my return as will have BP, is it just showing your BP at plaza premium for access or do I need to pick up an invite or voucher from QF at counters before going through security?

 

[drross]

We just presented our BP and platinum cards and were welcomed in. I understand from 7-9 it gets very busy and that's when people are denied access

 

[BVT]

I assume it was all to do with the T&C that Emirates were $eeking to impo$e.

 

[NZflygirl]

We just presented our BP and platinum cards and were welcomed in. I understand from 7-9 it gets very busy and that's when people are denied access

Thanks, I fly ~ 7pm so hope to avoid the rush. Would be nice to try once although there is a bar I've been eyeing up at BNE so would go there if needed.

 

[JohnK]

I assume it was all to do with the T&C that Emirates were $eeking to impo$e.

Why? I can gain access to EK lounges flying QF around the world except for BNE? I need to check the website.

 

[drross]

Thanks, I fly ~ 7pm so hope to avoid the rush. Would be nice to try once although there is a bar I've been eyeing up at BNE so would go there if needed.

sorry 7-9AM