No Qantas lounge in Paris - they lied!

[medhead]

We are only getting one side of the story, its quite possible they were misguided by a QF staffer, but to be also told that a SG could go in with no guest ? How many SG's are flying around unclear about their lounge access or the rights to seat preselection??

Total agree, but as I said, I have no way to measure this factor. so I'm accepting the OP at face value. I also know that as a QP member I won't have the first clue about my lounge access at CDG.

The thing that does strike my however, is the earlier story about a passenger passing away of a QF code share flight on AF from CDG. Coincidence?

 

[mannej]

The thing that does strike my however, is the earlier story about a passenger passing away of a QF code share flight on AF from CDG. Coincidence?

OT, but did QF not come out and say that this passenger was booked under the AF flight number and not the QF flight number?

 

[simongr]

Or the traveller would have made alternative plans that didn't involve lounge access and hence not been stuck as experienced.

The thing with this is that after having been turned away the OP was then in exactly the same position as he would have been if he had known he wouldnt have lounge access.

Situation 1 - Knows there is no lounge access so has to find a bar/cafe at the airport

Situation 2 - Finds out at the airport that he has no lounge access so has to find a bar/cafe at the airport

Apart from the wrong info the outcome is the same surely?

 

[harvyk]

I am a Qantas Club member (although I won't bother renewing this now) and my card was no good at the Air France lounge.

All I ask is why should your card be able to be used at a club lounge which is not the one you joined?

With very limited exception, the QP card is only ever good at QF \ BA \ AA lounges (the exception I can think off is the JAL lounge at SFO). It makes that point quite clear in the T&C's.

So even if you had been flying with another OW airline (other than the three above mentioned) you wouldn't have had access to their lounge, even if it was on a QF codeshare.

The other problem I have with this thread (apart from a copy also going to crikey) is that your not asking anything, your simply having a whinge. However I'll attempt to answer the one question which you have kind of posed.

Why would you ever bother joining the Qantas club or being a Qantas frequent flier?

Because it gives you lounge access when at a port where QF has a lounge or access agreement, and your flying on a QF service. This service provide a comfortable area in which to wait for your flight which may include additional services such as food \ drinks \ internet \ computer access \ phone services \ showers and\or bathrooms and for frequent flyers (myself included) it oftan makes the frequent travelling just that bit nicer. (Hey ask a silly question etc all...)

 

[ejb]

The thing with this is that after having been turned away the OP was then in exactly the same position as he would have been if he had known he wouldnt have lounge access.

Situation 1 - Knows there is no lounge access so has to find a bar/cafe at the airport

Situation 2 - Finds out at the airport that he has no lounge access so has to find a bar/cafe at the airport

Apart from the wrong info the outcome is the same surely?

I agree Simon. Unless the OP made the booking from CDG on the basis of lounge access he has not lost anything, and making a flight booking on the back of lounge access (excluding FLounge runs SYD/MEL) is silly.

ejb

 

[Ric]

Slightly OT, I have observed many a times when going into The Pier or The Wing at HKIA, I have seen plenty of QP members at the reception trying to get in with their QP card, which, of course, were turned away.

Just goes to show that there are QP members who does not really know/does not read/or are totally ignorant the T & C of the QP.

I have actually guest in a few of these strangers.......only those that looks totally zoombie out after a long flight!

 

[medhead]

The thing with this is that after having been turned away the OP was then in exactly the same position as he would have been if he had known he wouldnt have lounge access.

Situation 1 - Knows there is no lounge access so has to find a bar/cafe at the airport

Situation 2 - Finds out at the airport that he has no lounge access so has to find a bar/cafe at the airport

Apart from the wrong info the outcome is the same surely?

The outcome is not the same.

Situation 1 knows there is no lounge access - doesn't go to the airport as early, has a meal in a cafe in paris before going to the airport, packs food and entertainment in carry on for the children.

Situation 2 Finds out at the airport - expected to access food and bev in the lounge, skips a meal in paris to get to airport early and not risk last minute hassles, gets airside, no lounge access, all food and bev outlets are closed, no food or snacks in carry on, hungry, tired and uncomfortable kids. (NB the OP says late sunday night, no food to be brought)

Yep sure in both situations there should be some level of preparedness when travelling with kids. But we all know that we pack different if we know there isn't lounge access

 

[serfty]

...
With very limited exception, the QP card is only ever good at QF \ BA \ AA lounges (the exception I can think off is the JAL lounge at SFO). It makes that point quite clear in the T&C's. ...

Anecdotal evidence indicates there are other exceptions, see post #13

 

[Sprucegoose]

Don't ever fly out of Paris to Hong Kong with Qantas.

They put you onto Air France with a code share arrangement, which would be fine except Qantas is too cheap to pay Air France to give you Air France lounge access.

I am a Qantas Club member (although I won't bother renewing this now) and my card was no good at the Air France lounge. My wife is a gold frequent flier. She could go in, but not take any guest at all. Not me, nor our two young grandchildren.

This would be bad enough except she had specifically queried Qantas on this point when she booked and was assured there would be lounge access for us all in Paris.

This is what really irks - they lied to us. The flight has a Qantas number - QF3976 - but no normal services for frequent fliers or club members.

The Paris lounge staff told us they are constantly turning away Qantas passengers. They don't enjoy it but have no option due to Qantas' refusal to pay.

It is late on Sunday night - there is no food to be bought air side in CDG airport. Our grandchildren are falling asleep in cold chairs with nothing to eat - thanks Qantas.

Worse, they have put us at the very back of the Qantas flight out of Hong Kong. Row 73. Why would you ever bother joining the Qantas club or being a Qantas frequent flier? We have seen the error of our ways.

Dr Bruce,

Are you a one off wonder?

You have some critics and doubters here, will you answer their 'points'?

I have seen alot of one shot wonders on this site since joining in 2003.

SPRUCE

 

[harvyk]

Anecdotal evidence indicates there are other exceptions, see post #13

Yes, but that too is a case of YMMV, it's not written policy and I certainly couldn't find anything on the AS website to indicate that QP members would also be welcome in the Board Room.

 

[munitalP]

Dr Bruce,

Are you a one off wonder?

You have some critics and doubters here, will you answer their 'points'?

I have seen alot of one shot wonders on this site since joining in 2003.

SPRUCE

+1 here

Mr!

 

[reflector]

As someone who works in a call centre, i'm constantly amazed by how far customers will twist your words, and refuse to understand what is being explained in plain english. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he was told the correct info but either mis-heard, mis-understood, or maybe he's just has the IQ of a glass of water. He's old (has grandkids) unfamiliar with flying, and probably had to get one of his grandkids to program his VCR to stop it flashing 12:00.

"That's a bit harsh Reflector" I hear you cry... well maybe, but I don't see him coming back to defend himself
Or defend his absolute stupidity to not do any research of his own when flying into an unfamiliar airport.

I still feel this story may just be an invention of the "journalist" at crikey to give a flimsy pretext for his story.

If you are a real person, thanks for giving me a good laugh when i got home from work. Next time try to fail less.
kthnx

 

[simongr]

Or defend his absolute stupidity to not do any research of his own when flying into an unfamiliar airport.

Most normal people actually don't research their airports before travel - it is only us trying to maximise the benefit that actually do that.

In fact though in my office people don't need to research - they just seem to ask me...

 

[ejb]

Most normal people actually don't research their airports before travel - it is only us trying to maximise the benefit that actually do that.

In fact though in my office people don't need to research - they just seem to ask me...

Simon,

They may consider it research asking you

ejb

 

[harvyk]

Most normal people actually don't research their airports before travel - it is only us trying to maximise the benefit that actually do that.

And this is why quite a few normal people hate travelling. These days it take the whole of 5 minutes to jump onto an airports website and check out basic things such as the availability of shopping, food, transport, and yet the most basic thing you can do with your trip planning gets completely overlooked.

As for the OP, well I'm also in the group who thinks that the story is stretched just a little too much in the OP's favour for it to be accurate. Remember there are always three sides to a story. Your side, their side and the truth.

BTW reflector, that was a little harsh, but yes I have seen people twist what has been said by a company representative to suit their side of the argument. What has probably been said is that the SG would be able to use the club, as she was the one who called QF. There was probably never any mention of visitors, and the person calling on the QP behalf just assumed that a SG can take visitors with them (which is the norm for a QP). It was probably also assumed that because the SG was welcome the QP was welcome as well...

 

[straitman]

mis-understood, or maybe he's just has the IQ of a glass of water. He's old (has grandkids) unfamiliar with flying, and probably had to get one of his grandkids to program his VCR to stop it flashing 12:00.

"That's a bit harsh Reflector" I hear you cry.


kthnx

reflector,

There are a few here who have grandkids, are familiar with flying and can program a VCR (if anyone still has one of the antique things) :!:

To use your own words, you are being a bit harsh. :evil:

My grandkids think your post is silly, I am familiar with flying, from both the front and the back and I'll give you a VCR if you still have the need for one. Personally I use a PVR and a Tivo.

Now can we get back on topic :?:

 

[munitalP]

reflector,

There are a few here who have grandkids, are familiar with flying and can program a VCR (if anyone still has one of the antique things) :!:

To use your own words, you are being a bit harsh. :evil:

My grandkids think your post is silly, I am familiar with flying, from both the front and the back and I'll give you a VCR if you still have the need for one. Personally I use a PVR and a Tivo.

Now can we get back on topic :?:

LOL



hehehehe

VCR - whats that?


Mr!

 

[medhead]

I think reflector was refering to my in laws, they have trouble with the concept of pushing the record button.
And wonder why the phone doesn't work when they plug the phone lead into the LAN port on the computer instead of the modem port. "it fits ok" "yeah but see that gap on either side....."

 

[reflector]

reflector,

There are a few here who have grandkids, are familiar with flying and can program a VCR

I know this to be the truth... these same people are familiar with technology in general, and endeavour to make the most of their frequent flier status.

A marked contrast, i'm sure you'll agree to the OP, assuming he's even a real person, which i still have overwhelming doubts about.

My comments were not a slight on you, and my comments were aimed squarely at the OP/sockpuppet.

-much love, Generation Y

 

[harvyk]

-much love, Generation Y

Whoa there, don't speak for all of us thanks... You dug this hole...