Qantas First Lounge in Singapore

[Cognac]

Anyone had experienced being denied entry before?

This was reported in the BA FlyerTalk forum:

"It happens regularly, it all depends on the time. I’ve been refused entry 3 times as an Emerald First Class passenger, each time when on the BA15 LHR-SYD. On my return no problem gaining entry when on the BA16 SYD-LHR
. "

It definitely isn't big enough for the number of pax that want to use it. But I haven't been denied entry yet. It helps that I'm either transferring from or to Perth though, which is the first cab off the rank.

The service staff at SIN are pretty excellent. I've not had to wait to order anything, even when ordering something from the lounge area.

 

[Daver6]

Anyone had experienced being denied entry before?

This was reported in the BA FlyerTalk forum:

"It happens regularly, it all depends on the time. I’ve been refused entry 3 times as an Emerald First Class passenger, each time when on the BA15 LHR-SYD. On my return no problem gaining entry when on the BA16 SYD-LHR
. "

Capacity issues in the lounge? Makes sense if they're going to limit access to pax on non-QF flights.

 

[SYD]

Capacity issues in the lounge? Makes sense if they're going to limit access to pax on non-QF flights.

Although, I would expect a QF WP+ would have no problem when flying BA (or QR, AY etc).

That earlier period when flights depart to Oz can be manic (so BA15 could be out of luck - but head to QR if seated in F/J). The later period for flights to Europe are quieter (and when QF F lounge closes, head to QR J anyway…).

 

[serfty]

but head to QR if seated in F/J

Given BA15 is currently scheduled to depart 7:25pm with the QR lounge opening 6:00pm it may give 30 minutes for a splash and go.

(Have seen similar at BKK with QF J PAX on the 6pm SYD flight when the QR lounge opens 5:45pm)

 

[Himeno]

I didn't notice much issues with capacity when I was in the lounge in early Sep last year. It was a bit busy during the peak QF departures, but it wasn't as bad as I've seen the SIN J lounge get.

I also got there before the lounge opened and sat in the airport rest area nearby for 30ish minutes waiting for opening time (and watching someone knock on the door before it opened demanding they be allowed in). Entered the lounge minutes after it opened. Had some food, used the showers, then claimed a seat for a few hours before going back for more food before the SYD flight.

 

[Peasant]

Perhaps the lounge is a victim of its own success. It can only be a compliment that word has travelled far and wide to passengers of other airlines to the extent it’s commonly known as the go-to for anyone eligible.

Even when it is completely full I find it an oasis of calm, generous hospitality.

 

[SYD]

I also got there before the lounge opened and sat in the airport rest area nearby for 30ish minutes waiting for opening time (and watching someone knock on the door before it opened demanding they be allowed in). Entered the lounge minutes after it opened. Had some food, used the showers, then claimed a seat for a few hours before going back for more food before the SYD flight.

I did that on my first visit last year. Did the Jewel early checkin around 1pm‘ish and sauntered to the QF F lounge only to discover it was still closed! While I Googling opening times, a couple with child were peering through the frosted doors that eventually opened and I followed them in. They woofed down some food and fled. I assume they were probably on 3K to somewhere.

Fortunately, I was on QF72 (albeit delayed by 1 hr), so missed the full peak hour circus.

Perhaps the lounge is a victim of its own success. It can only be a compliment that word has travelled far and wide to passengers of other airlines to the extent it’s commonly known as the go-to for anyone eligible.

Even when it is completely full I find it an oasis of calm, generous hospitality.

Yet, all reports suggest the QR lounge is generally pretty quiet most nights. There must be a disproportionate number of OWEs in whY/Y+ (and I suppose J) all heading to QF F - as you say because they’re eligible. The shift to J only PAX in a J lounge has some compelling arguments. Similarly F lounges (but let’s not go there ).

 

[AIRwin]

QR lounge opening 6:00pm

It now opens earlier:

Qatar Airways Lounge in Singapore T1

I ended up visiting the QR lounge earlier this week shortly after it opened at 6pm. Short delay in my QF flight so I got to check out the QR lounge and was told that it opens at 17:30 for their 20:20 departure...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Himeno]

I did that on my first visit last year. Did the Jewel early checkin around 1pm‘ish and sauntered to the QF F lounge only to discover it was still closed! While I Googling opening times, a couple with child were peering through the frosted doors that eventually opened and I followed them in. They woofed down some food and fled. I assume they were probably on 3K to somewhere.

I was in SIN for a week off for a short trip. I had booked it in when Qantas still wanted people to make a booking to extend their membership another year with the Covid support.
When I checked out of the hotel, I didn't want to deal with bags so just headed for the airport. I went to the Jewel early check in that I'd found out about on the airport maps, which wasn't open when I got there. When I found out that they weren't opening the counters and everyone had to use the auto service kiosks, I went up to the premium check in area behind the normal check in counters in the terminal that I'd used on prior trips, only to find it was closed and appeared gutted, so went back to the Jewel to use the damn self serve kiosks and their coughpy flimsy paper boarding passes.

I already knew about the lounge opening time before I left the hotel.

 

[serfty]

It now opens earlier:

Qatar Airways Lounge in Singapore T1

I ended up visiting the QR lounge earlier this week shortly after it opened at 6pm. Short delay in my QF flight so I got to check out the QR lounge and was told that it opens at 17:30 for their 20:20 departure...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Noting that would double the available time for BA15 J/F PAX.

I'll review Friday ... and ... Sunday ...

 

[jpp42]

The shift to J only PAX in a J lounge has some compelling arguments. Similarly F lounges (but let’s not go there ).

Well, they need to provide something for elites, this is why SQ opened their StarAlliance lounge (also used by VA status pax), and I believe QR has something similar in Doha. Not sure Singapore really has the volume to justify this for QF however.

 

[SYD]

Well, they need to provide something for elites,

Didn’t Delta recently throw their elites in whY (even on international) out into the loungeless wilderness?

this is why SQ opened their StarAlliance lounge (also used by VA status pax), and I believe QR has something similar in Doha. Not sure Singapore really has the volume to justify this for QF however.

SQ has had that model for as long as I can remember. Class of travel generally trumps status for lounge access.

The current range of QR status lounges in DOH look and sound reasonable. The Precovid incarnations were dire by all accounts.

 

[kpro]

Not sure Singapore really has the volume to justify this for QF however.

BA does this in SIN with their Concorde Bar for F pax only.

However, I probably wouldn't want to encourage QF to separate premium and status customers. Runs the risk of QF extending locations and de-valuing the benefits of status. Although I do have to agree the Qatar Premium Lounge experience makes for a pretty strong argument.

 

[Cognac]

BA does this in SIN with their Concorde Bar for F pax only.

However, I probably wouldn't want to encourage QF to separate premium and status customers. Runs the risk of QF extending locations and de-valuing the benefits of status. Although I do have to agree the Qatar Premium Lounge experience makes for a pretty strong argument.

Do we think Qantas could/would produce a similar product for J pax compared to the QR Premium Lounge experience?

 

[mviy]

A new CEO is going to want to bring in some fresh ideas to put their own stamp on the airline. Maybe not immediately, but when they have settled in.

Though as it is an ASX listed company the CEO would need to be convinced that spending the additional money to do new things would create additional value for shareholders.

A separate J lounge for J passengers may not stack up.

 

[kpro]

Do we think Qantas could/would produce a similar product for J pax compared to the QR Premium Lounge experience?

Theoretically at outstations QF could do this by repurposing F lounges as 'Premium' lounges for revenue J and F pax only. The result would be pretty similar to the QR experience. I'm not even sure that this would change the number of eligible people much, it would just be a slightly different set of people.
However, they'd end up with happier J pax and a less then happy FF community, IE there'd be an uproar with the status pax.

And no I do not actually think QF should do this, even as a predominantly J class flyer.

 

[serfty]

Tried something different.

Sichuan Spiced chicken thigh ...

A bit too salty for me. Not really spicy either.

 

[AIRwin]

Tried something different.

Sichuan Spiced chicken thigh ...

A bit too salty for me. Not really spicy either.

View attachment 333136

Try it with rice?

 

[serfty]

Try it with rice?

Why? Can't see rice improving it ...

It was only a teaser, I was later heading to the QR lounge.

 

[kpc]

Visited yesterday for 1st time....booked a 715pm MH flight to KL to get access. Spent about 2.5 hrs here with +1...we both loved the lounge and the staff were absolutely outstanding ...best service received compared to the F lounges in Syd., Mel and Lax. Must book more MH flights ex Sin.