Emirates (Qantas codeshare) flight SYD to AKL downgrade. What would you do?

[Deleted member]

there is a nicer EK lounge in BNE

We had the same problem but were able to transfer (with no extra money or points) to BNE/AKL in F as Emirates are still flying that route. OK there is no great experience with entry to a F lounge like there is in SYD (I think it is a mixed F/Business lounge at the internatonal airport in BNE)but if you want the first class flight experience on Emirates perhaps this is an option for you as it is for us? Best of luck

 

[2infinity]

I was booked AKL to SYD in Jan 2018 in business class (QF classic reward). Going on the A380 was going to be a special thing for my 8yo. QF have placed us on the new A330 flight as a replacement. I asked about reroute through BNE/MLB, but was informed that as I was booked with classic reward, it would be subject to award seat availability, which of course there is none. There are some seats 2 weeks later but this wouldn't suit even if they would change the dates to that extent. So I am really disappointed. I know it's not QF's fault and guess what they called me as well to make the changes.

Is the Emirates Business Lounge in AKL the same as the QF Lounge or different facility? That is, is the lounge a downgrade too?

 

[Ewing]

Is the Emirates Business Lounge in AKL the same as the QF Lounge or different facility? That is, is the lounge a downgrade too?

EK Lounge > QF "First" > QF Business

 

[Berlin]

This downgrade is an absolute bummer- I have flight to South America in Business with my better half in December and he has never flown on the A380 in anything but coach so we were really excited about this little leg on Emirates. We're now bumped onto a lame Qantas 737 which just sucks- I only found out about it earlier today

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

This downgrade is an absolute bummer- I have flight to South America in Business with my better half in December and he has never flown on the A380 in anything but coach so we were really excited about this little leg on Emirates. We're now bumped onto a lame Qantas 737 which just sucks- I only found out about it earlier today

While my blah here is of no consolation, you can still fly the 380 any Jun/July with the EK 380 that flies SYD - CHC on the 380, the flight in winter is great as you get to see Mt Cook/Aoraki in June/July assuming not a lot of cloud cover and depending of course of the direction the 380 flies over South Island to CHC.
Or fly MEL/BNE - AKL.
And with QF WP you would still have access to the F lounge in SYD and AKL.
Unless EK decide to stop the rest of all the 3 flights on the 380 of course.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Is the Emirates Business Lounge in AKL the same as the QF Lounge or different facility? That is, is the lounge a downgrade too?

The AKL EK F and J lounge are miles apart from the QF J and F lounge at AKL.
The AKL EK F and J lounge at the least gives you a view to the gate via opaque curtains, and you can see a bit of the outside. No comparison the AKL QF J lounge, which while having some light coming in, you can't see any views.
I will be visiting the AKL QF F lounge in Jul, flying EK AKL - MEL on the 380 (assuming EK don't do anymore changes). But to whats been mentioned on here, the AKL QF F lounge is "cupboard".
At AKL airport, they are all located past int security, up a set of escalators, and all are in different parts up there. Same level, but different doors.
Also different standards, no comparison, the AKL EK combo F and J lounge is much better than QF's offerings.

 

[2infinity]

The AKL EK F and J lounge are miles apart from the QF J and F lounge at AKL.
The AKL EK F and J lounge at the least gives you a view to the gate via opaque curtains, and you can see a bit of the outside. No comparison the AKL QF J lounge, which while having some light coming in, you can't see any views.
I will be visiting the AKL QF F lounge in Jul, flying EK AKL - MEL on the 380 (assuming EK don't do anymore changes). But to whats been mentioned on here, the AKL QF F lounge is "cupboard".
At AKL airport, they are all located past int security, up a set of escalators, and all are in different parts up there. Same level, but different doors.
Also different standards, no comparison, the AKL EK combo F and J lounge is much better than QF's offerings.

Thanks. You have confirmed my worst fears. Its a double blow and now I'm major bummed. sigh......

 

[Princess Fiona]

The AKL EK F and J lounge are miles apart from the QF J and F lounge at AKL.
The AKL EK F and J lounge at the least gives you a view to the gate via opaque curtains, and you can see a bit of the outside. No comparison the AKL QF J lounge, which while having some light coming in, you can't see any views.
I will be visiting the AKL QF F lounge in Jul, flying EK AKL - MEL on the 380 (assuming EK don't do anymore changes). But to whats been mentioned on here, the AKL QF F lounge is "cupboard".
At AKL airport, they are all located past int security, up a set of escalators, and all are in different parts up there. Same level, but different doors.
Also different standards, no comparison, the AKL EK combo F and J lounge is much better than QF's offerings.

Thanks. You have confirmed my worst fears. Its a double blow and now I'm major bummed. sigh......

Just for the record I completely disagree with AP.
The lounges are all near each other at the top of an escalator.
Whilst the food and beverage options are better in the EK Lounge it becomes a zoo in the afternoon, often standing room only and the QF F and J lounges, especially F are way more peaceful.
Also the decor in the EK Lounge is the old school special caramel brown hideous leather chairs. Much nicer space in QF F.
I do not think your experience will be in any significant way diminished by using the QF Lounge.

EDIT: As a QF J pax you should theoretically have access to the EK Lounge at AKL anyway although as mentioned due to the capacity constraints I have seen them turn away QF passengers and tell them to go to the QF Lounges.

 

[DaveB]

Received phone call yesterday from QF advising of my daughter and partners AKL-SYD EK Xmas flight changes and accepted their offer of the QF330-200 departing 20 minutes later.
I must preface that I am definitely no lounge lizard. The EK combined lounge is nice though would definitely not bother getting to the airport any earlier than to provide a no stress comfortable buffer before the flight. Unless an overnight flight or latish morning flight with a breakfast meal, always prefer eating on the plane anyway.

 

[Berlin]

While my blah here is of no consolation, you can still fly the 380 any Jun/July with the EK 380 that flies SYD - CHC on the 380, the flight in winter is great as you get to see Mt Cook/Aoraki in June/July assuming not a lot of cloud cover and depending of course of the direction the 380 flies over South Island to CHC.

I was indeed thinking about that, especially as I still haven't been to CHC ever. Your description sounds very beautiful indeed so I will investigate burning a few miles maybe

 

[2infinity]

I've been doing some reading and I think you're right. As a business passenger I should have access to both QF & EK. Think I get into Auckland from Queenstown about 11:30, so will head to QF lounge first. Come 14:30 when EK opens, might move over there. Apparently heaps better food. Still disappointed about no A380 though.

 

[Berlin]

Think I get into Auckland from Queenstown about 11:30, so will head to QF lounge first. Come 14:30 when EK opens, might move over there. Apparently heaps better food. Still disappointed about no A380 though.

Oh- the QF lounge in Auckland is a disgrace though I understand that some here might disagree. Emirates is excellent for a Business lounge (not so as a First but QF is even worse in that respect when it comes to AKL)- their usual offering which is pretty much the same anywhere but Dubai, whether it's in Auckland or Munich or Los Angeles. Very decent food selection, awful decor (the typical Emirates thing in faux wood and brown hues) and good enough an atmosphere unless it gets crowded.

 

[Luke B]

I was indeed thinking about that, especially as I still haven't been to CHC ever. Your description sounds very beautiful indeed so I will investigate burning a few miles maybe

When I flew CHC-SYD in J on the EK A380 I found the lounge quite a disappointment in CHC, shared partner lounge with minimal food and service.

 

[Berlin]

When I flew CHC-SYD in J on the EK A380 I found the lounge quite a disappointment in CHC, shared partner lounge with minimal food and service.

Good to know- I shall consider this in my planning if I end up going to CHC. Longer sleep in before departure will be in order, I think!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Oh- the QF lounge in Auckland is a disgrace though I understand that some here might disagree. Emirates is excellent for a Business lounge (not so as a First but QF is even worse in that respect when it comes to AKL)- their usual offering which is pretty much the same anywhere but Dubai, whether it's in Auckland or Munich or Los Angeles. Very decent food selection, awful decor (the typical Emirates thing in faux wood and brown hues) and good enough an atmosphere unless it gets crowded.

Emirates have actually refurbished quite a few of their lounges and got rid of the awful nursing home waiting room arm chairs. Not AKL sadly but MEL/ LHR/ GLA are ones I have visited that have the new and vastly improved decor.

 

[Princess Fiona]

When I flew CHC-SYD in J on the EK A380 I found the lounge quite a disappointment in CHC, shared partner lounge with minimal food and service.

Good to know- I shall consider this in my planning if I end up going to CHC. Longer sleep in before departure will be in order, I think!

The lounge used is the Manaia lounge. It's the same lounge QF and quite a few other airlines use. It isn't too bad for a third party lounge but nowhere near on a par with the food and drink selection at the EK Lounge in AKL.

 

[Berlin]

Emirates have actually refurbished quite a few of their lounges and got rid of the awful nursing home waiting room arm chairs. Not AKL sadly but MEL/ LHR/ GLA are ones I have visited that have the new and vastly improved decor.

Oh really, I haven't come across any of these lately. Might need to de-tour via MEL at some point soon to have a look

 

[RichardMEL]

My 2 cents on AKL lounges:

1. The EK lounge should be a little less of a zoo in that 4-6pm (depending on timezone/schedule) window with the AKL-SYD gone and just MEL and BNE departures (assuming the direct DXB still leaves a few hours later ~9pm IIRC).
2. QF J is poor agree QF "F" (left side through the door) is small and "OK" and is usually quiet enough*

My usual process in the past has been to use EK till around 4-4:30pm until it fills up a bit, then saunter over to QF "F" side (the desk staff are usually surprised a bit though I'm WP1 so they just point me left) and it's time for an ice cream (or two ) and maybe a sneaky party pie.

Now this may change with the QF 332 as you'd expect both sides to be much more full post July so keep that in mind.

I'd also note the times I've been there there's been a SYD QF departure and I think a JQ to OOL or someplace like that and have been families with young kids at times which can be a bit noisier for those that worry about such things. Generally though it's an oasis compared to EK.

Final comment going back to the OP wanting their F lounge experience... while I get that it seems reasonable to offer a one off Flounge pass or something.. the fact is that the OP took the J flight instead of a reroute (and I am not having a go at their reasons for sticking with J) but as far as QF is concerned they've picked an alternate flight and had a refund from the F difference etc so all they're entitled to now is J lounge. That may seem harsh, but it is also a choice the pax made. IMHO.

 

[kermatu]

Good points from RichardMEL and I do pretty much the same whenever flying ex-AKL in the afternoon. Except if flying QF I will generally only spend the first 90 minutes from opening in the EK lounge as it does get too crowded after that. While the food offerings have declined significantly from say 2 years ago (haven't seen crayfish, lobster or prawn salads for a while) it is still very good. Wine and spirits better, and bathrooms far better and well maintained.

QF's F lounge immediately post another flight departing is fine for a short, quiet break.

But neither is actually a First experience so I wouldn't get expectations up at all.

 

[serfty]

... the fact is that the OP took the J flight instead of a reroute (and I am not having a go at their reasons for sticking with J) but as far as QF is concerned they've picked an alternate flight and had a refund from the F difference etc so all they're entitled to now is J lounge. That may seem harsh, but it is also a choice the pax made. IMHO.

They did not really have a choice since they were on award bookings.

With the specific Qantas published policy, only revenue First PAX had the options to reroute via BNE/MEL at no cost irrespective of F fare bucket.

Those on awards need First award buckets to be available, which basically means "bad luck".

With the published policy, those on First awards can't even get a full refund - fly J or pay a penalty.