Business Lounges closed 26 December 2012 to 6 January 2013

[kevrosmith]

The Baristas at BNE J Lounge were this morning telling me about the closure, though they seemed unsure if it was public knowledge for pax yet. They weren't too sure of the reason either, although their guess was reduced staff numbers during the quiet time. When I suggested a refurb, they didn't think it would be for that. It seems TheInsider knows more than the staff themselves... perhaps another demonstration of Qantas' Mushrooms-Kept-In-The-Dark approach to management?

The staff I was talking with wondered how the J and Premium pax would cope with the change, and weren't sure whether the additional food/drink options available in the J Lounge would be made available in the QP in the interim, though conjectured that if they did, it would make it difficult to then take it away again once and may cause a riot by usual QP'ers once they discover that the J Lounge has a (slightly) better offering! I doubt they would do this.

 

[markis10]

In the case of Brisbane it wont be a great loss, in fact a few of us WPs might discover what a lounge with space is like once again!

 

[Katie]

Unless, of course, M is already a bona fide Gold (or PG).... You may need to take her to the SYD T1 J Lounge then to give her a further "education"...

Yup, she's currently a Gold thanks to a couple of long-haul J trip last year, same as her Dad. I expect her to lose Gold with her new status year.
But of course, she can't go into a QP as a Gold without an adult accompanying her, or something like that.

At the moment, a part of me doesn't want her to discover some elements of the SYD T1 J lounge while we still have access to the F lounge. The J lounge has a kids area and the ice cream bar (which I've not seen). BUT I think I could win her over with the hot chips in the F lounge.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

P1 to use CL would be more appropriate....

 

[lovestotravel]

There is no chance that QF will be refurbishing anything during this closure!

It's to save costs on staff/food etc pure and simple

 

[Kendall Roy]

There is no chance that QF will be refurbishing anything during this closure!

It's to save costs on staff/food etc pure and simple

Perhaps they'll shuffle a few chairs around.. hey presto, it's a refurb!

I'd be interested to know of any other airlines shutting down part of their premium service over the xmas period.

With a fair bit of travel during this period, I can't help but feel at least a tad disappointed!

 

[Joshua]

The staff I was talking with wondered how the J and Premium pax would cope with the change

I really hope we're not that precious. Will be good to revisit the other sides.

There is no chance that QF will be refurbishing anything during this closure!

Maybe the door is going to be 'jammed' and they'll spending the week fixing it.

Actually it would be a good time to sit outside the MEL J lounge door and wait to see how many people thud into the glass door. Last year we were at that lounge on both Dec 31 and Jan 1 and were the only people in the lounge. Unless the QPs are overflowing, I don't see a problem with it. Would be nice if they sent an email to everyone affected with bookings but you can understand why they don't want to be yelling it out either.

 

[lovestotravel]

Perhaps they'll shuffle a few chairs around.. hey presto, it's a refurb!

I'd be interested to know of any other airlines shutting down part of their premium service over the xmas period.

With a fair bit of travel during this period, I can't help but feel at least a tad disappointed!

Well yes, maybe they will give the carpet a good steam clean etc but apart from that there is no chance they are going to get contractors/builders etc in over the xmas period!

Well Virgin don't have a J lounge............ so can't compare there

I am very glad I didn't book any travel during this time as I would have been very annoyed at QF for shutting down their premium lounges

Has QF shut the J lounges before over Xmas ? Since I have only been plat for a very short period of time, I really don't know!

 

[lovestotravel]

I really hope we're not that precious. Will be good to revisit the other sides.

Not if you like a decent breakfast, dinner or spirits

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Quite glad my domestic travel for the year ends on the 25th, then International on the 26th (hope they don't close the Flounge as I'm looking forward to blueberry pancakes for brunch...!)

 

[Austman]

Has QF shut the J lounges before over Xmas ? Since I have only been plat for a very short period of time, I really don't know!

I know. I travel at this time every year. And the answer is no, they have not closed them before.

 

[lovestotravel]

I know. I travel at this time every year. And the answer is no, they have not closed them before.

So as was mentioned above somewhere, they have followed Hilton's lead and ENHANCED the Qantas experience

Must be reason 92 - Closing the premium lounge over Xmas

 

[atreides]

It's not the closure that annoys me so much, it's the weak excuse that smells of lies.

 

[Mal]

Maybe its a trial run for weekend closures.
(Ducks)

 

[nlagalle]

Maybe its a trial run for weekend closures.
(Ducks)

The J lounge can be just as busy on the weekend, be a lot of pissed off people if they did do that..

 

[serfty]

Poorly worded announcement. Doesn't say what J pax should do. Also doesn't say it's dom lounges only, which you'd have to assume is the case.

There's been a rewording on the agents site: (Latest Qantas News)

Latest Qantas News [TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR="class: hlight"]
[TD="width: 85%"]Qantas Business Club Lounge Update - revised 18DEC12 at 08:00am[/TD]
[TD="width: 15%, align: right"] 17 December 2012[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"] From 26 December 2012 to 6 January 2013, Qantas’ Business Lounges at domestic airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra will be closed for routine maintenance. During this time, all Platinum One, Platinum, Gold Frequent Flyers, customers flying Business and eligible oneworld members are invited to use the Qantas Club.

The Chairman’s Lounges remain fully operational during this time providing a premium service to our valued customers.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Hvr]

And Qantas has still got the mistake there that Gold Frequent Flyers can use the business lounge. Fair dinkum unbelievable that the work experience kid who updates the internet site hasn't been told the actual admission requirements.

Maybe Red Roo should advise them?

 

[kevrosmith]

The Chairman’s Lounges remain fully operational during this time providing a premium service to our valued customers.

As opposed to "our non-valued customers"...???

 

[Ansett]

I am currently sitting in the J lounge in Sydney and have been advised that the J lounges are being painted and decorated during this period. It is also the same response that was given in Melbourne J lounge earlier this morning. So it seems they are all saying the same thing.

Time will tell but not impressed as have several flights during the first part of January. Grrrrrrrr

 

[ajw373]

And Qantas has still got the mistake there that Gold Frequent Flyers can use the business lounge. Fair dinkum unbelievable that the work experience kid who updates the internet site hasn't been told the actual admission requirements.

Maybe Red Roo should advise them?

Nowhere does it say gold can use the business class lounge, it quite clearly says gold can use the Qantas club which is 100% right. Think too many are reading the words, drawing their own conclusion and getting the knickers in a knot over nothing.