MEL Dom. lounges refurb Completed October 2018

[JohnK]

I have never seen pig organ soup ingredients sitting in a sun all day personally, but I am sure it has happened somewhere. Mind you remember the ‘Big Ben Pies’ scare from ages back, where some folks got really sick?

If we're talking about street food in Asia or even stall food it can be literally sitting out in the open all day.

 

[Scott K]

If we're talking about street food in Asia or even stall food it can be literally sitting out in the open all day.

That just adds flavour!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I guess some would take a heap leaving the plate bare. At least slop looks like it is an offering.

At least it is when it has some of the meat left

 

[kermatu]

At least it is when it has some of the meat left

I would normally say that's rare but the "Korean beef" I had there a couple of weeks ago actually had plenty of meat. Maybe I got a bit lucky.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I would normally say that's rare but the "Korean beef" I had there a couple of weeks ago actually had plenty of meat. Maybe I got a bit lucky.

Generally hit and miss I've found. Actually the best nosh I had in MEL J was ~2013 when I did a quick ADL-MEL_ADL run in one afternoon: comfort food penne Bolognese and cheese afterwards (when the quince paste used to be out on the cheeseboard). All washed down with some lovely Pinot.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Shocking to know, for me, that what was the MELd QP is now the MELd J lounge.
NOT fair.
Just saw the Stefan Drury youtube video, not worth paying QP anymore.
MELd QP now all down, down, down.
Might as well use a points upgrade or points + pay and go to the J lounge than pay $5xx odd for the "poorer" MELd QP.

 

[Pushka]

Shocking to know, for me, that what was the MELd QP is now the MELd J lounge.
NOT fair.
Just saw the Stefan Drury youtube video, not worth paying QP anymore.
MELd QP now all down, down, down.
Might as well use a points upgrade or points + pay and go to the J lounge than pay $5xx odd for the "poorer" MELd QP.

People don’t pay just to get access to the J club but because they travel so much for work that they get status credits.

 

[amaroo]

People don’t pay just to get access to the J club but because they travel so much for work that they get status credits.

or .... holidays

 

[Pushka]

or .... holidays

Yeah. Trust you to pop that one in there.

Ok, amending. People don’t pay money to get into the J lounge but it’s a side effect of their travel plans, whether for work or pleasure.

 

[purplegez]

My first experience of the refurbed Q Club Lounge this weekend. My opinion?
Appalling. It feels like a large cafeteria not a lounge. Seat covers are stained already. Definitely feels like a downgrade to me

 

[GoldCanyon340]

The communal circular seating in the new MEL J is now seemingly everywhere. I guess it's en vogue.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

(a) points upgrade request, (b) using points (though a lot don't like the 2nd)..., or (c) those flying Y but have status to go into the MEL J lounge, I guess would now be the only ways to get into the "upper echelons" in QFd MEL then.
Those low bench sitting chairs with no backs facing the runway in the QFd MEL QP were always a plus point for me, something to look forward to.
Can't see the point of paying QP renewal at Aud$5xx a year if this is how QF treats QP members these days.

 

[Scott K]

I was in the Sydney Qantas Club lounge a few weeks ago, and to be frank the Melbourne one has a lot more visual appeal. Not to mention seemingly the food as well is better.
But by gosh am I over these modern muted colours in the new Melb club. Not everywhere needs to look like an Apple Store.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Finally made it into the lounge

Nothing flash I guess I was expecting more.

Glad to have a view

 

[JohnK]

That just adds flavour!

Just flavour would be acceptable. I've been sick a few times and it's not fun.

 

[Scott K]

Just flavour would be acceptable. I've been sick a few times and it's not fun.

From the soup? That’s not great to hear.

 

[JohnK]

From the soup? That’s not great to hear.

Not from soup but from rice and other meat products.

My wife loves som tum and got quiet sick and eventually dehydrated when she was 3 months pregnant. That was a very expensive hospital visit for 6 hours or so in Bangkok Samitivej hospital. She still gets sick from som tum occassionally and all I can say is "som nam na!".

 

[RichardMEL]

(a) points upgrade request, (b) using points (though a lot don't like the 2nd)..., or (c) those flying Y but have status to go into the MEL J lounge, I guess would now be the only ways to get into the "upper echelons" in QFd MEL then.
Those low bench sitting chairs with no backs facing the runway in the QFd MEL QP were always a plus point for me, something to look forward to.
Can't see the point of paying QP renewal at Aud$5xx a year if this is how QF treats QP members these days.

Hilarious.

Not EVERYONE cares about a view of the apron/runways (though I do absolutely agree the lack of natural light is an issue).

What would matter for those that PAY for QC membershiip (which I imagine is mostly corporates and very few individuals) is to get a seat and probably a drink. While the new MEL QC is far from ideal there's more capacity than there was in the old tired setup which is the main thing.

And sorry, given the space they had to work with, seems to me that giving the "better" (debateable by many ) lounge the "view" is the fair thing to do.

I also find it amusing you're using the "QP" slang, as in QANTAS Pub for the QC ... the bar is still there and available (and as far as I know serve the same James Squires cider as in J) yet you're complaining about how "QF treats QP members" - they've upgraded the lounge (needed for years) in the best way they can with the space available and provided more capacity. It may not suit your personal tastes or requirements, but there's probably a few QC members who find it a vast improvement on the previous setup.

(and yes, I have gone in there and looked around even though I have access to J).

 

[JessicaTam]

Interesting sign at the downstairs entry to the lounge “precinct “.

 

[Lynda2475]

Was glad when visiting QC last Friday evening to see that they have indeed opened up about 50% more seating than was available during the reno period and now have 3 separate blocks of toilets, as 3 stalls was never going to cut it.

But they appeared to have culled the barista downstairs at the entry, so no more option for a quick coffee and snack without actually heading into the lounge.