Inconsistent OWE treatment

[MEL_Traveller]

That’s not a Star Alliance “system” - that’s just for Lufthansa group airlines. You fly business through a SQ, TG or UA hub you will end up in a better lounge than a star gold flying economy. Which is exactly what QR do in DOH - they have separate lounges for F, J, OWE and OWS travellers, don’t they? (Haven’t been there but that’s what I remember reading).

Similar with SAS and EVA... star gold lounges better than business class. SQ, yes, dedicated J class, and lounges at outstations catered to business class standard, mostly. TG... well... the lounge on concourse D is notionally business class only, but apparently star golds - at least from some airlines - can get entry. Can’t answer if the D lounge is better than others as haven’t really explored the star gold offerings.

 

[mannej]

Only or domestic. International it’s the same same Qantas club, which primarily caters for eco pax.

But it is called the International “Business” Lounge is it not? I would have thought the more appropriate example are the 1 size fits all approach I.e HKG.

 

[Max Samuels]

Only or domestic. International it’s the same same Qantas club, which primarily caters for eco pax.

Yeah but the International Biz lounge is waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy better than the domestic Qantas Clubs.
I don't have any stats (and who would?), but whenever I am in any F lounge, a good chunk of those people I see are holding Y boarding passes (like me!), or I see them on my flight in Y. Of course, somewhere like DXB when you have 20 gates dedicated to a380 - sure there are going to be at least 14 x 20 legit F pax at any one time (280), but as we all know, that lounge is CRAYCRAY huge and looks like it could hold 1000 people.... I wonder what % of guests in that lounge are legit F? I would guess less than 25%....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But it is called the International “Business” Lounge is it not? I would have thought the more appropriate example are the 1 size fits all approach I.e HKG.

It’s called the international business class lounge... but look at the offering in the dungeon that is Melbourne airport. Doesn’t matter what you call it... it’s an economy lounge catered to economy standards.

I actually think the shared lounges are a step in the right direction of raising the bar to business class levels... but the lack of things like champagne indicates the level of catering (economy).

 

[esseeeayeenn]

It’s called the international business class lounge... but look at the offering in the dungeon that is Melbourne airport. Doesn’t matter what you call it... it’s an economy lounge catered to economy standards.

I actually think the shared lounges are a step in the right direction of raising the bar to business class levels... but the lack of things like champagne indicates the level of catering (economy).

Please don't call them a step in the right direction.
I am so glad QF has taken a step back by opening the F lounge in SIN.
There is champagne in the shared lounges - but it is reserved for P1s - leaving WPs out in the cold drinking acid rain.

 

[Ade]

those with status looking to score empty seats should proactively monitor the seat map prior to departure, and just before checkin closes, ask to be moved to an empty row. This can be done in the lounge.

A silly question - can the agents in the lounge move OWE to an empty after check in is closed for the flight ? Say if I try to move to an empty row just after boarding is announced?

 

[Ade]

Very sensible. But once you get to J, it's the best in the sky.

I hope so, QSuites is on my bucket list

 

[Ade]

.. I wonder what % of guests in that lounge are legit F? I would guess less than 25%....

So true ... most of the time I've seen (myself including) passengers holding Y passes in J or F lounges. I've only been guested into the QF F lounge twice by someone I knew and I notice that most of the pax are holding Y passes. Same story in SIN, HKG and CMB.

Especially in CMB when you walk to the lounge you could be approached by someone who requests to be guested into the lounge. I usually check with the lounge agent and tell them that this person is asking to be guested. I think they come across this quite often and in most cases allow the "guest" in

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I was thinking the HKG lounge is good, in terms of catering

A silly question - can the agents in the lounge move OWE to an empty after check in is closed for the flight ? Say if I try to move to an empty row just after boarding is announced?

They can move anyone. It’s not a benefit reserved for OWEs (or other status). Any passenger can ask to be moved.

Depending how close to departure, sometimes the lounge or gate will issue you a new boarding pass. Sometimes they can’t do this, but can block the seats and write the new seat number on your boarding pass. Other times they’ll just tell you 26ABC is free, just go in board and sit there (while your boarding pass may show 10A)

 

[esseeeayeenn]

So true ... most of the time I've seen (myself including) passengers holding Y passes in J or F lounges. I've only been guested into the QF F lounge twice by someone I knew and I notice that most of the pax are holding Y passes. Same story in SIN, HKG and CMB.

Especially in CMB when you walk to the lounge you could be approached by someone who requests to be guested into the lounge. I usually check with the lounge agent and tell them that this person is asking to be guested. I think they come across this quite often and in most cases allow the "guest" in

Off the top of my head I can't recall an occasion on which I have noticed someone else's boarding pass in the lounge much less been inquisitive enough to read it!

 

[clifford]

That’s not a Star Alliance “system” - that’s just for Lufthansa group airlines. You fly business through a SQ, TG or UA hub you will end up in a better lounge than a star gold flying economy. Which is exactly what QR do in DOH - they have separate lounges for F, J, OWE and OWS travellers, don’t they? (Haven’t been there but that’s what I remember reading).

TK also have different lounges for Y elites and F/J pax at their new IST hub (I was there last week). But TG? I'm not aware that there are different lounges at BKK for Y elites and J pax (although there is for F). I was also there last week and that's what I noticed. Might have missed something though...

 

[dajop]

But TG? I'm not aware that there are different lounges at BKK for Y elites and J pax (although there is for F). I was also there last week and that's what I noticed. Might have missed something though...

Haven’t used a TG lounge at BKK for years as I usually use the SQ lounge, or BR lounge. Last time I did there was a First lounge, and a business class only lounge along D gates and the ones at the C and E piers took star gold economy passengers. May have changed recently, not sure

 

[MEL_Traveller]

‘officially’ the lounge on concourse D at BKK is supposed to be business class only. But anecdotally this doesn’t always seem to be enforced, at least for star golds from some airlines. There is a new lounge, just opened (or about to be) which is going to be business class only as well.

 

[straitman]

Yeah, that's probably right, if your are OWE and flying whY. But I wouldn't know.

OT but a good place to ask.

In a few weeks we are travelling MEL-DOH-EDI on QR in J. The most appropriate lounge for us is...? (I'm QF LTG if that makes any difference.)

 

[moa999]

In a few weeks we are travelling MEL-DOH-EDI on QR in J. The most appropriate lounge for us is...?

The Al Mourjan lounge NOT the Business Class Lounge.
Big spacious double story lounge.
Sandwiches to the far left as you enter, or buffet and bar up the spiral staircase to the right.

Escalator to the lounge is near the big bear in the centre of the terminal and they will likely scan your BP at the base of the escalator.

ExecTrav Review here, though I think it's buffet only these days

Review: Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge – South, Doha Airport

Featuring two distinct restaurants, a reflection pond under a five-tier chandelier, and sprawling footprint the size of 10 Olympic pools, the Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan business lounge at Doha Hamad International is easily one of the world’s best. Comfortably seating some 800 guests, with a...

www.executivetraveller.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In a few weeks we are travelling MEL-DOH-EDI on QR in J. The most appropriate lounge for us is...? (I'm QF LTG if that makes any difference.)

Sadly... probably NOT the QR F lounge anymore. It appears they have hiking the price for J class pax willing to ‘upgrade’ to the ‘F’ lounge. Used to be as low as QAR250, but is now QAR600 (around AUD250). I doubt that is worth it.

 

[straitman]

Sadly... probably NOT the QR F lounge anymore. It appears they have hiking the price for J class pax willing to ‘upgrade’ to the ‘F’ lounge. Used to be as low as QAR250, but is now QAR600 (around AUD250). I doubt that is worth it.

I just looked and we have a total of 2:35 min (5:15 to 7:50 am) so it really doesn't matter much.

Thanks anyway.

 

[RooFlyer]

OT but a good place to ask.

In a few weeks we are travelling MEL-DOH-EDI on QR in J. The most appropriate lounge for us is...? (I'm QF LTG if that makes any difference.)

The Al Mourjan lounge

Yes. This lounge by class of service. They will scan your BP at the foot of the escalator.

To get a drink you'll have to go to one of the eating areas. For a shower, go to the FAR back left, beyond the left restaurant ( as you enter). The showers opposite the entrance usually have a wait. This will make sense when you get there.

Plan your time and route to your connection as soon as you enter the lounge, so as not to get too comfortable.

 

[Robert K]

a few airlines have seperate first class lounges for actual first class passengers, and 'first class' lounges for OWEs. SQ, BA comes to mind.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

a few airlines have seperate first class lounges for actual first class passengers, and 'first class' lounges for OWEs. SQ, BA comes to mind.

I think the only exception to ‘first class lounge = first class pax’ is oneworld? Star and Skyteam, pretty much don’t have bulk access to F lounges.