Oh, seriously... twice in a row...

[markis10]

I do believe the OP is referring to two different lounges BTW!

 

[777]

Hope you had a decent flight 777!

Turned out better than I thought.

Yes the MEL lounge was closed and at that time of night the vouchers were useless - turns out the lounge angel is a neighbor of mine - an unrelated fact we'd never discovered before. Tried to book a taster upgrade but the woman on the phone stuffed around with it for 15 mins before I finally gave up.

But in the end I got something better - I had all of row 3 to myself. So i got (a very average) lie flat bed to Darwin! I tried to pay for extra booze on my vouchers ($30'no expiration date) and they said not to worry about it so got my drinks free and I ended up sleeping like a log. Then, for the extra win the Crowne Plaza Darwin took pity on me as a platinum ambassador arriving at 6am and let me check in early for a very modest fee - less than I would have paid for the teaser upgrade.

Clutched victory from the jaws of defeat!

As an aside I do think closing the lounge for flights at stupid o'clock is pretty poor form - even if you have to do some work -and from the look of the work they were doing I'm sure they could have accommodated me in a couch and made a bottle of wine and some nibblies available.

 

[DJ 1D]

Glad to hear it wasn't as painful as it originally sounded!

 

[markis10]

Then, for the extra win the Crowne Plaza Darwin took pity on me as a platinum ambassador arriving at 6am and let me check in early for a very modest fee - less than I would have paid for the teaser upgrade..

Give my regards to Fiona, the GM, who is back from maternity leave this week and enjoy the CP, they run a tight ship!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Nice to hear it worked out better than expected 777. I was beginning to think you must make a habit of booting every black cat you happen across

 

[LiamR]

Nice to hear it worked out better than expected 777. I was beginning to think you must make a habit of booting every black cat you happen across

On another note... Remind me not to travel out of an airport on the same day as you.