CX Lounge entry denied (SFO)

[Sdtravel]

"But there's a catch: the 11.25pm departure of Qantas flight QF74 sees an overlap with the influx of passengers for CX873 - and, on three days a week, the 1.20am wheels-up of CX893."

CX893 looks to be Wed, Fri, Sun
CX873 is daily.

I take it is not possible or no one has tried to just call QF and ask nicely to be put on the list to be allowed pax after the 10 in advance of their flight?

 

[MH_fan]

Thanks.

I just don't understand why there can't be a tier system for eligibility into the CX lounge at SFO!
Tier 1: Any CL flying in any class
Tier 2: Flying in J and being WP/P1
Tier 3: Flying in J and being SG
Tier 4: Flying in J and being PS
Tier 5: Flying in J and being NB
Tier 6: Flying in W and being WP/P1
etc.
CX can implement a reasonable capacity restriction beyond anything outside of Tier 1 and 2.

It's really not that hard a system to implement. This way, people paying J fares will feel like they are getting better value and the higher status passengers will feel like they are being rewarded for their loyalty.
It's not rocket science.

 

[Lendav Orav]

I flew Wednesday last week so I guess it was a day with two flights. I wasn't all that early (around 9pm) and I'm not aware that I was on any list, but partner and I were both in J and both SG (I've since returned to WP- yay!). So maybe there are criteria that determine who gets let in (like flying in J and having oneworld status). There were a few other QFers in the lounge though- heard the accents and then saw them boarding/on board.

 

[Sdtravel]

So i thought i would give it a go with calling QF in advance to see if it I can get on the list.
I have spoken to two people now who have both talked with their supervisors. All dont know of any "List" or restrictions that would prevent a SG from entering the lounge.
They have never heard anything about capacity issues or additional restrictions at SFO. They referred to the OW website and said SG's have access, just show your card.
Both pushed me to the KLM lounge.
One suggested to speak to Cathay about it and find out what they say. I asked what next after they come back and say there is a list, to which they just said its not mentioned on the OW website and the info we have on the QF website is only on the KLM lounge.

 

[Andyzx]

With reference to the OW site, all airlines / lounges are able to restrict access due to capacity. i assume that even if there is space at that time but they believe that there will be demand from their own members they will restrict.

• To be eligible, you must be departing on a flight that is both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline.
• Some lounges may get busy at peak times, and access to them may be restricted as a result.

 

[Sdtravel]

I am aware of how they use the capacity rules.
Its just interesting that despite so much talk here, on FT, AUSBT articles and others that QF call centre staff and escalation managers still dont know or play dumb.

 

[russ]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

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

I am happily ensconced in the CX SFO Lounge now. Not the greatest, but better than the AA Admirals Grub!

QF was trying to push me towards the AF lounge. Thanks to everyone in this thread for letting me know the CX lounge exists!

By the way, the Beef with Oyster Sauce is fantastic!

 

[DC3]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I am happily ensconced in the CX SFO Lounge now. Not the greatest, but better than the AA Admirals Grub!

QF was trying to push me towards the AF lounge. Thanks to everyone in this thread for letting me know the CX lounge exists!

By the way, the Beef with Oyster Sauce is fantastic!

Good news to hear that you were granted access.

Were there any issues, or pretty much straight in when you arrived at the CX Lounge? I'll be trying this in about a month's time.

 

[russ]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

No issues, straight in

 

[DC3]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Fortunately, I was allowed access to this lounge, this week, with a QF74 boarding pass for SFO-SYD. Very quiet night, with few passengers, so that would have helped. Friendly staff in the lounge (who mentioned that QF direct passengers to the AF lounge, but welcomed me in anyway ).





Excellent wanton noodle soup:

 

[DC3]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Excellent bathroom/shower area. Great rain-head shower:

 

[sostopher]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

I'm going to be on QF74 on August 6, a Friday. My status should hopefully by then be OWE, but obviously I won't have the card to prove it (just my SG one), but the boarding pass should show it. Should I just try my luck and turn up early and see if I can be one of the lucky ones to get in?

 

[mviy]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Yes, turn up early. I got in as SG (OWS) and didn't have my SG card. You don't have to be WP (OWE) to get in.

 

[DC3]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Yes, they only wanted to see the BP and my passport.

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Would 3 hours before QF74 be time enough, do people think, to access the CX lounge?

 

[defurax]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Would 3 hours before QF74 be time enough, do people think, to access the CX lounge?

"Defuraxette" managed to get into the CX lounge on a Friday 3 hours before QF74 departure and this even without a boarding pass! She was connecting from an AS flight and AS in PDX couldn't print her QF BP. So she just showed her QF WP card and a printout of her itinerary to the lounge dragon. She later collected her BP at the gate before boarding.

 

[keybo]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Another data point: last QF74 passenger allowed in at 9:05pm on Thursday. The lady at the front desk kept telling other QF pax that they were "too busy" and that they had 2 flights that night, which was a blatant lie as there was only 1 since CX893 doesn't operate on Thursdays. Remained quiet with much of the lounge empty up until QF74 started boarding, so there isn't really a capacity issue. No list that I could see.

Flew in from LAX, so checked out the AC in T2 for a couple of minutes, nothing special, but probably the busiest AC I've been in. Qantas check in opens earlier than the usual 3 hours, as I rocked up a little before 8 to change my seats. Visited the AF/KLM lounge for about 20mins, I think they recently refurbished the place? Furniture is brighter, nice baby blue chairs. Very loud TV though. Food was nothing special, they had little baguette bites and other sandwiches. Reached the CX lounge ~8:30pm, besides myself there were 3 other pax that I could see. Pretty much no food at the time except for little bowls of salads. After taking a shower they had everything out, mix of sandwiches, cheeseburger sliders, standard asian food court fare (rice, beef, chicken etc.), and the noodle bar of course. Good reading selection, first time I've seen Monocle in a lounge. Overall a nice visit if you can get in

 

[travs]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Another data point: last QF74 passenger allowed in at 9:05pm on Thursday. The lady at the front desk kept telling other QF pax that they were "too busy" and that they had 2 flights that night, which was a blatant lie as there was only 1 since CX893 doesn't operate on Thursdays. Remained quiet with much of the lounge empty up until QF74 started boarding, so there isn't really a capacity issue. No list that I could see.

I believe you're mistaken. CX893 operates on *Friday AM* at 1:20. So, the lounge dragon was right; they have 2 flights.

I have a SFO outbound coming up on JAL 1 and probably will want a shower. Ugh. I'd rather not deal with the AA lounge in T2 (which is nice, but I don't want to clear security twice.) This may be the first time in history I've ever said "man, wish I was flying out of LA."

 

[mviy]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

The hot food came out about 10pm the night I was there.

Once you are allowed in ask about the showers. They take your boarding pass and give you a key. You hand the key back when you are done (don't forget to lock the shower room first) and get your boarding pass back.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Re: No access to Cathay lounge in SF

Intending on trying to visit CX lounge last Thursday night, but was too busy eating tacos at a greasy Mexican place in the East Bay. But, I did find out that checkin closes at 1025p...I rocked up at 1015 and proceeded to checkin 90kgs / 4 bags w/o an issue. Easy to ride train from car rental drop off to international terminal w trolley, however, next time I'll allow a bit more time