F Lounge Enhancements

[amaroo]

In around 6 months you will be able to hop over to SIN for a re-freshed Flounging indulgence

It's got a fair way to go to be an F-Lounge. At present, it's barely up to J Lounge standards.

In 6 months the new SIN Flounge opens.....IIRC, the same model as SYD & MEL:!:

 

[anat0l]

In 6 months the new SIN Flounge opens.....IIRC, the same model as SYD & MEL:!:

IIRC, they just said Marc Newson designed lounge. Nothing about the same concept as SYD and MEL, though I must admit that would be nice (if but a very comprehensive thought process required - that F Lounge gets very crowded, no jokes; much worse than SYD).

 

[Princess Fiona]

I've been visiting the FLounge for a fair while. I've always found the service a bit hit and miss. The space is gorgeous, the food and wine list perfectly acceptable but the service at times falters.
Having said that I find this to be the case almost everywhere I go so perhaps my expectations are too high
(OT I waited 15 minutes for a Dry Martini at Rockpool last night but I digress)
It is supposed to be the flagship QF Lounge and should have consistently good service, as I've never actually complained before maybe QF don't know ? Maybe the feedback they are receiving doesn't reflect what we actually experience?

 

[tuapekastar]

Late to this party, but have always enjoyed MEL over SYD for the reasons given above (quieter, more refined).

Had the chance to do both in a day not long ago and had a typically pleasant and faultless breakfast in MEL, but at lunch in SYD my entree and main were delivered together, and the clanking and general noise coming from the kitchen area gave the place something of a Coles cafeteria feel. I acknowledge that SYD seems to get much busier, and this is not a complaint, just an observation. But I still prefer MEL.

 

[N860CR]

I've been quite disappointed with the service at the SYD F Lounge of late. Everything is great, however I've found the staff are the exception. Last time I was in the restaurant I got not one smile or pleasantry (which I can handle) however was never once offered a drink refill and sat through my meal on an empty glass. The staff did a great job of avoiding all eye contact so I couldn't even waive them down.

Experience away from the restaurant was the same. No service to be heard of and I actually stood at the centre counter until someone noticed me (just to get a glass of champagne!). I can understand why they don't leave the expensive drinks out for free pour, but they really have to ensure the service staff are actually serving.

 

[dfcatch]

1/ In fairness to munitalP I tend to agree that of late (2012 - 3 visits to date) I have noticed a "less than perfect" level of service compared to previously noticed levels of service (ie. comparing SYD F lounge to SYD F lounge). Nothing has been noteworthy enough to send feedback - but the corollary is that I've not had the desire to send positive feedback of late either (which I always used to do - usually highlighting individual employees).

2/ I do believe that the perceived service degradation is a result of new hires - as opposed to a systemic problem. Nothing serious as yet - but I have noticed it.

3/ As far as amenities go - my first visit to SYD F Lounge was in 2009 and I have never seen the moisturiser in the bathrooms - but then I always just ask at the spa. And if the shave cream is missing (1 occasion) - I just ask.

4/ zachary.august I agree with ewing - the moment they remove F lounge access as part of my "average 1500 SC/yr" benefits - then I'm gone - at least down to Gold - maybe lower until my QP runs out (at least 2016/17) and then I would reassess loyalty then.

5/ The SYD F lounge is ALWAYS crowded immediately before the US flights leave - always has been like that - it's not new. But it's never too crowded that I can't find a nice lounge area, a table for a meal, a waiter for my Tatt etc. It's not a "private" lounge - no matter how important a CL you are.

6/ To those always complaining about double-status-credit-offers - you're hypothesis is incorrect. You forget that even an otherwise 0 SC flyer who attains WP thanks to a double offer - still won't be in the F lounge unless flying QF - same goes for J lounge or similar. If they're not flying - then they're not using the benefits in your precious F or J or QP lounge - period.
I'm sorry that your "exclusivity" is threatened by those riff-raff types that have no place in the F lounge - but your theory is incorrect and you need to stop worrying about others and concentrate on yourself. If that fails - just have another glass of Taittinger Comtes 1999 and chill out!

(PS - I have never earned a single SC via a double offer thus far, and the upcoming flights I have are not needed to requalify).

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I think QF is just finding it too expensive to run the F lounge with the same amenities that it opened with. The wine is a bit cheaper, the amenity items are not in the showers anymore (personally I think QF meant for them to be used in the lounge, not taken for future use), etc. Been in the F lounge 1-2 times a month for three years now, and the level of amenity has degraded somewhat over that time.

People stealing spoons is just, well, what do I say? Personally I know some people who've purloined QC cups, plates, glasses etc. Somewhere QF needs to be making enough profit out of people flying to pay for all of this, and there isn't much profit in Y fares, or JQ 35/36. And maybe not enough people flying in J/F.

 

[Economy_Gold]

I think QF is just finding it too expensive to run the F lounge with the same amenities that it opened with. The wine is a bit cheaper, the amenity items are not in the showers anymore (personally I think QF meant for them to be used in the lounge, not taken for future use), etc. Been in the F lounge 1-2 times a month for three years now, and the level of amenity has degraded somewhat over that time.

Without doubt, the SYD and MEL F lounges are amoung the best in the world.
HOWEVER, in the years I am using them I have also seen the savings (even in items such as less newspapers in SYD) and sometimes not enough staff to provide "First Class" service for the number of users, particularly before the flights to the US and to Asia/Europe.

In a lounge where, by its very nature, all guests have pretty limited time to stay, I expect a higher staff ratio than in a normal restaurant and very attentive service - unfortunatly, both is often lacking.

 

[david870mdg]

If you want to experience a poor flagship lounge try LHR CCR.

No thanks.
Will never be going there again if I can help it......

And, IMHO MEL F Lounge is a much more pleasant experience than SYD...

 

[JohnK]

If people are worried about overcrowding in F lounges then one sure fire way to fix that is to stop all these silly double SCs promotions and not increase the thresholds for entry.

I agree! I take the razor and shaving cream and toothbrush/toothpaste. When you're weekending to NZ with no checked bags, it's handy to be able to have these things. I feel no shame.

Now there is an idea. Why didn't I think of this before? I hoard everything else I can get my hands on.

 

[GDV 747-24/7]

I think we're all rather spoiled by the SYD and MEL Flounges. They're significantly better than BA's T3 Flounge and rank ahead of almost all other global Flounges. My only complaint is that it's almost impossible to obtain a spa appointment in SYD unless you're flying in F (which may well be the point...)

 

[drewbles]

And that matters how?

At the end of the day, it is still QF's responsibility to ensure that the lounges are being run accordingly.

Amenities are available upon request from the service desk. I fail to see how some razors not being in the bathrooms constitutes a service failure? There would surely be a lot of people 'just taking them because they're there'. I see no problem with saving cash by making them upon request only.

 

[simongr]

Amenities are available upon request from the service desk. I fail to see how some razors not being in the bathrooms constitutes a service failure? There would surely be a lot of people 'just taking them because they're there'. I see no problem with saving cash by making them upon request only.

I am in two minds on this. On the one hand the rational me thinks that if they don't fritter money by controlling wastage then that means more scope in the budget for better wines (Hill of Grace) or champagnes (some vintage would be nice). However the less rational me thinks that this is First class not business or god forbid whY - I shouldn't have to ask for things - it should just be there. The rational and less rational me are out the back playing rock/paper/scissors to see who is right...

 

[drewbles]

I am in two minds on this. On the one hand the rational me thinks that if they don't fritter money by controlling wastage then that means more scope in the budget for better wines (Hill of Grace) or champagnes (some vintage would be nice). However the less rational me thinks that this is First class not business or god forbid whY - I shouldn't have to ask for things - it should just be there. The rational and less rational me are out the back playing rock/paper/scissors to see who is right...

Remember, the lounge is always full of people on JQ35 and 36

 

[simongr]

I tend to avoid the smellier parts of the lounge

 

[amaroo]

No thanks.
Will never be going there again if I can help it......

I'm going to give it another go.....can't help myself!

Hopefully they have moved on from the Gulag like staff/experience we copped last time:shock:

 

[crum]

All kit was in the shower room when I used one in the SYD Flounge yesterday.

 

[munitalP]

All kit was in the shower room when I used one in the SYD Flounge yesterday.

I knew they read these threads

 

[Boris spatsky]

I have never had terrible service in either F lounge, and i have been over 25 times in 3 years.

I really love both lounges - to get a spa treatment without flying F, just get there 6 hours before your flight. Works for me everytime

I have also recommended Victor (young Asian waiter) for awards a number of times at the SYD lounge. He is fantastic, knows me by name, and goes out of his way to help. Fantastic.

 

[wingspan]

I thought you were all a bit OTT about items being stolen from lounges until earlier today, in transit in SYD, I was informed that an entire iMac terminal was stolen from the domestic QP. They've had to install new CCTV cameras.