CX Lounge entry denied (SFO)

[Tonkatough]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I flew QF74 last Friday. At check-in, I enquired if I (as a SG) could access the CX lounge to which I received a somewhat robotic answer “unfortunately it is full” which seemed strange 3.5 hours before the flight.

On approaching the CX lounge, there were no questions asked on entry. So I had a very pleasant 3 hours in the CX lounge. It is a relatively large space and was definitely not full, which I assume the AF lounge was.

Perhaps I was one of the first 10, perhaps I was just lucky, but I never saw anyone refused entry. There certainly seems to be some inconsistency on this one - it pays to ask.

 

[DC3]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I flew QF74 last Friday. At check-in, I enquired if I (as a SG) could access the CX lounge to which I received a somewhat robotic answer “unfortunately it is full” which seemed strange 3.5 hours before the flight.

On approaching the CX lounge, there were no questions asked on entry. So I had a very pleasant 3 hours in the CX lounge .....

W̶a̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶w̶o̶ ̶d̶i̶f̶f̶e̶r̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶o̶c̶c̶a̶s̶i̶o̶n̶s̶,̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶f̶i̶r̶s̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶d̶e̶n̶i̶e̶d̶,̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶e̶c̶o̶n̶d̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶o̶w̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶?̶ ̶ ̶ ̶I̶'̶l̶l̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶S̶F̶O̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶a̶b̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶3̶ ̶m̶o̶n̶t̶h̶s̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶,̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶a̶m̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶e̶r̶e̶s̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶.̶ ̶

Edit: Oops. I get it now, having re-read your post. Check-in "No", then at the Lounge "Come in".

 

[anat0l]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I flew QF74 last Friday. At check-in, I enquired if I (as a SG) could access the CX lounge to which I received a somewhat robotic answer “unfortunately it is full” which seemed strange 3.5 hours before the flight.

On approaching the CX lounge, there were no questions asked on entry. So I had a very pleasant 3 hours in the CX lounge. It is a relatively large space and was definitely not full, which I assume the AF lounge was.

Perhaps I was one of the first 10, perhaps I was just lucky, but I never saw anyone refused entry. There certainly seems to be some inconsistency on this one - it pays to ask.

Did the lounge ever get full while you were in the lounge?

It probably helped that there was only one CX flight scheduled later on that day (viz. checked in on Friday, the flight leaves in the wee hours of Saturday). Had there been two, the response may have been different.

 

[Tonkatough]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

The lounge never got full. They opened up both sides of the lounge - the turn left section at reception and the turn right section at reception. Never did it get busy or noisy and it was always a direct walk up to all food / beverage areas and no wait for showers, right up until 10:45pm. Here's hoping you have the same good experience - will be interested to hear how you go.

 

[mviy]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

In the lounge now. It is basically empty.

 

[Ewing]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I was allowed to use the lounge before QF74 a few weeks ago on the condition that I not bring in a guest.

The lounge was basically empty with maybe 10 people max:



I initially sat near reception and they rejected every person after me with "sorry, we're full". I enquired and they basically had a list of high value QF customers who were allowed entry with a few spare slots for extras (I was an extra).

It was a nice lounge though with an excellent noodle bar. I'm certain the capacity constraint card is just an excuse for something else at play.

 

[mviy]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I had a shower as there were only cold snacks at the food bar. Hopefully they bring out the hot food soon as I will need to move across to the Air France lounge soon, I think.

 

[Lendav Orav]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I was there last week- partner and I both travelling in J on QF and both gold (at the time) got in no problems. It was very empty as others have reported. They never opened up the other side (despite a sign stating it was opening "momentarily"). Interestingly, there was no info re QF on the screen in the lounge. When I asked the woman at the desk, she said QF usually boards at 10.40 but they receive no info re boarding of QF. I quickly popped down to the AF lounge to ask for an update but they had locked the door even though there were still people in there! I took that as indication boarding had commenced, which it had. What a strange set up! We were going to try JL too- but it only opens at 10.30pm so obviously no time for that.

 

[eastwest101]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

View attachment 72896

I'm certain the capacity constraint card is just an excuse for something else at play.

Thats an interesing photo - were you flying Business Class on QF or did your status get you in? Considering that I have seen Fyertalk threads with BA and JL F and J class passengers denied access it could be that the issue is pretty complex with lack of staff training, lack of space on some nights which have a lot of CX departures plus the fact that CX weren't expecting QF to return to SFO and maybe QF unwilling/unable to come to a lounge access agreement with CX (or their contracted service provider?).

It seems the only "capacity constraints" at work here could be either the Qantas accountants or the ability to read and understand the OW lounge access policy....

Goes to show how an alliance lounge access policy is basically a worthless document to rely upon. But Ewing has provided some pretty damning evidence about capacity controls in one simple photo - i know it was a few weeks ago, but can you say which day that photo was taken Ewing?

 

[anat0l]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I was allowed to use the lounge before QF74 a few weeks ago on the condition that I not bring in a guest.

The lounge was basically empty with maybe 10 people max:

View attachment 72896

I initially sat near reception and they rejected every person after me with "sorry, we're full". I enquired and they basically had a list of high value QF customers who were allowed entry with a few spare slots for extras (I was an extra).

It was a nice lounge though with an excellent noodle bar. I'm certain the capacity constraint card is just an excuse for something else at play.

Did the lounge ever get full before you left it?

They may have played the "capacity constraint" card based on predicted load rather than current, i.e. they were expecting so-and-so many based on the aircraft, number of J / F seats and pax load statuses, then based it on that, the front desk were told that no more than x extras are allowed in.

Whether that potential load actually manifested itself as such and thus whether a real strain on the capacity of the lounge occurred is another thing. Another might be what customers complain to the airline what is regarded as "crowded". I've heard a rumour that some EK elites say that if the ratio of people to chairs in the EK DXB First Lounge isn't 1 : 4 or better, that's considered crowded.

 

[russ]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

What is the best lounge in SFO for QF WP flying QF J?

 

[Sdtravel]

What is the best lounge in SFO for QF WP flying QF J?

I believe CX is the preference however i have no experience
See the following for a good run down
http://www.ausbt.com.au/flying-qantas-from-san-francisco-here-s-your-airport-lounge-strategy

 

[Lendav Orav]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

CX is nothing to write home about but I popped my head into the AF lounge to check it out. It's a shoe box. So definitely CX over that.

 

[anat0l]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

What is the best lounge in SFO for QF WP flying QF J?

Arguably CX, if one can get into it (the point of this thread).

The WP advantage (i.e. ability to get into First Class facilities) has next to no impact at SFO.

 

[DC3]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

What is the best lounge in SFO for QF WP flying QF J?

The word is that the CX lounge is the best. That's what the fuss is about, i.e., not getting access.

Edit: I expect to be in SFO in late July, so will see what happens.

 

[ScottM]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Would be nice if QANTAS opened its own lounge at SFO.

I think Dallas/Fort Worth would need to be a priority ahead of SFO. The 3rd party lounge at DFW is pretty cough, the American Express Centurion Lounge beats it by a mile. In fact I noticed that the AMEX lounge give QANTAS boarding announcements (AFAIK they give no other announcements) and the gate is right across from the lounge.

As a side note I remember discussing lounge access at the BA lounge at Dulles (Washington). He said BA honoured the OneWorld access for everyone except AA. I was flying on an AA flight but was granted access due to being a QF WP. The guy said the problem was there were so many AA Executive Platinum members (think about that when you are trying to get OW Emerald via AA Challenge)

SFO used to have an AA lounge didn't it? (I'm thinking 10-15 years ago. I just don't book via SFO (perhaps this is why QF sell seats for almost half the price of DFW on sale)

Apologies if anyone feels I've hijacked the threat!

 

[ScottM]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Yes that is the excuse they are using but from what i have read here its a case of people being told they arent on the list rather than "we are full".
If its full just say that, there would be no need to mention a list. Unless its a case of "we are full except if you are on this list"

Don't forget that they can't go through and kick people out of the lounge when it starts to fill up. So whilst it may appear full when you look in the lounge they are thinking of how full it will get later. (Washington Dulles has this problem where they allow Priority Pass members in until 1630(?)ish. They then have to ask them to leave. The lounge manager copped a lot of heat for enforcing this rule.

 

[amaroo]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

QF should reciprocate for SYD and MEL.

 

[Lendav Orav]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I think there's an exception for AA and BA members on trans Atlantic. They can't use each other's lounges.

 

[anat0l]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I think Dallas/Fort Worth would need to be a priority ahead of SFO. The 3rd party lounge at DFW is pretty cough, the American Express Centurion Lounge beats it by a mile. In fact I noticed that the AMEX lounge give QANTAS boarding announcements (AFAIK they give no other announcements) and the gate is right across from the lounge.

That is unusual for the Amex lounge to announce those boarding announcements.

There's no real stand out lounges at DFW. Many may just retire to the AA lounge for the improved ambience, even if almost everything else consumable is for cash.

Here's the thing, though. QF only operates one flight a day to DFW, SFO and JFK. What hope is there for a lounge in either of those, and why should one be prioritised over the other? Moreover, for any of those airports, where is QF going to get the space without needing to kill someone?

As a side note I remember discussing lounge access at the BA lounge at Dulles (Washington). He said BA honoured the OneWorld access for everyone except AA. I was flying on an AA flight but was granted access due to being a QF WP. The guy said the problem was there were so many AA Executive Platinum members (think about that when you are trying to get OW Emerald via AA Challenge)

People have been saying across the BA network in the USA that those flying on AA were being knocked back for lounge access. I've heard various reports of either those flying on AA, to only AA elites, or even they are only allowing in BA elites. BA can be annoying like that. Long time ago at LHR, they were knocking back QF Platinums at the First Lounges in T5, or any oneworld elites in general.

I wonder how many AA EXPs there really are and why that should cause a major problem. This new alliance between AA and BA and others is new but the flying between those respective cities and thus having other members access each others lounges is not a new thing.

Finally, there are very limited challenges (mostly selective ones, not ones you can pay for) that allow one to run up for AA EXP. I don't think those would have had a big difference.

SFO used to have an AA lounge didn't it? (I'm thinking 10-15 years ago. I just don't book via SFO (perhaps this is why QF sell seats for almost half the price of DFW on sale)

According to the oneworld website, they still do, but it is located in Terminal 2 at SFO, not the International Terminal.

According to the same website, the description of the CX Lounge gives the capacity of the lounge at "over 100 seats".