QF F lounge Closures in '06 (Sydney & Melbourne)

[IainF]

Hey NM,
Is it as good as/similar/smaller than the SYD lounge ?

Cheers
IainF

 

[NM]

Is it as good as/similar/smaller than the SYD lounge ?

I have not yet been to the new SYD lounge. And to be honest, I have not yet fully explored the MEL lounge. I was shown to a lounge chair overlooking the tarmac and migrated to the "restaurant" for dinner. The back to my lounge chair. I will have a look around soon and report back .

 

[NM]

Is it as good as/similar/smaller than the SYD lounge ?

I have not yet been to the new SYD lounge. And to be honest, I have not yet fully explored the MEL lounge. I was shown to a lounge chair overlooking the tarmac and migrated to the "restaurant" for dinner. The back to my lounge chair. I will have a look around soon and report back . But too busy enjoying my second glass of Noble One right now .

 

[IainF]

How long before you board ?
You may have to do some exploring for us as I think you are the first FF/FT in the MEL first lounge.

 

[NM]

How long before you board ?
You may have to do some exploring for us as I think you are the first FF/FT in the MEL first lounge.

Nahh. I think Kiwi Flyer was first. Anything in particular you are wanting to know?

 

[IainF]

Nah, just seeing if all the hype is true....

 

[jasonja3]

Nah, just seeing if all the hype is true....

Me thinks it rates pretty high in the SWP region, plus being new always adds to the interest.

 

[NM]

Nah, just seeing if all the hype is true....

Well, its not as big as the SYD FLounge is reported to be. But the tarmac views are superb and the service exceptional. The food was great. I was offered to ave my meal delivered my lounge seat or to go to the restaurant to eat (which I did). Beer, wine and soft drinks are available self-serve and other drinks are delivered by the wandering waiters.

There are 5 computers at one end of the lounge (turn left when entering). Don't be in a hurry to visit the toilets as the automatic doors are slow to open, which could prove a problem if you leave your rush too late.

Overall, I would rate it a very nice FLounge, and certainly an improvement over the old MEL FLounge. They just need to stock better scotch. I am afraid JW Black and Chivas Regal 12yo do not cut the mustard.

Beers include James Squire original ale, Coopers Pale Ale and Sparkling Ale, Crown and a few other non-descript offerings.

 

[simongr]

How does it compare to the wing/pier ? They dont have the ancillary services but they do have great other facilities..

 

[Optics]

Well, its not as big as the SYD FLounge is reported to be. But the tarmac views are superb and the service exceptional. The food was great. I was offered to ave my meal delivered my lounge seat or to go to the restaurant to eat (which I did). Beer, wine and soft drinks are available self-serve and other drinks are delivered by the wandering waiters.

There are 5 computers at one end of the lounge (turn left when entering). Don't be in a hurry to visit the toilets as the automatic doors are slow to open, which could prove a problem if you leave your rush too late.

Overall, I would rate it a very nice FLounge, and certainly an improvement over the old MEL FLounge. They just need to stock better scotch. I am afraid JW Black and Chivas Regal 12yo do not cut the mustard.

Beers include James Squire original ale, Coopers Pale Ale and Sparkling Ale, Crown and a few other non-descript offerings.

I agree the whisky offerings do not "cut the mustard" for a FLounge. So what is the wine/champagne list like? You mentioned Noble One in an earlier post, which seems to indicate a reasonable selection, but it is the red wine list that will be the clincher (for me anyway ).

Has anyone tried a massage yet, I would be interested to see if they are a worthwhile way to spend a half hour or so?

 

[NM]

I agree the whisky offerings do not "cut the mustard" for a FLounge.

Indeed strange since they now have Chivas Regal 18yo and the Glenlivet 18yo on-board in F.

So what is the wine/champagne list like? You mentioned Noble One in an earlier post, which seems to indicate a reasonable selection, but it is the red wine list that will be the clincher (for me anyway ).

Champagne was a choice of Moet and something I have not heard of (not hard for me). And I didn't recognise anything on the red page of the wine list, but again that is not unusual for this Vino Philistine .

Has anyone tried a massage yet, I would be interested to see if they are a worthwhile way to spend a half hour or so?

Didn't see the spa at the MEL FLounge.

 

[Optics]

Indeed strange since they now have Chivas Regal 18yo and the Glenlivet 18yo on-board in F.

Champagne was a choice of Moet and something I have not heard of (not hard for me). And I didn't recognise anything on the red page of the wine list, but again that is not unusual for this Vino Philistine .

Didn't see the spa at the MEL FLounge.

Thanks. Hopefully, the fact a "Vino Philistine" cannot recognise the red wine listing is probably a good thing, indicating they have some of the more obscure and higher quality labels available (fingers crossed ).

I'll keep hoping someone finds the spa and tries a massage in the next couple of weeks before I have my first visit.

 

[Va Bene]

Visited the F lounge in Melb yesterday and it's definitely better than the old one, but looks much smaller and the layout simpler than the Syd F lounge shown in the Australian Way mag. Had breakfast in the restaurant which was tasty and has many choices although the service was a bit amateurish.
The flight departure board with the old clicker arrangement is a bit of a nuisance when it fires up and sounds like when I use to peg playing cards to the spokes on my bike when I was young.

The Spa 'technician' was doing the rounds offering the various treatments and handing out a booklet on what was being offered and I stupidly turned down the opportunity for a massage (what was I thinking?). I just read the spiel and it suggests some spa treatments are enjoyed without clothing!! Now trying to book another international flight!
Just note that it is open only from 9am to 5pm so no good for a late flight.

The two libraries are well stocked with quality books and overall I thought it had more going for it than the CX lounges in HK.

The receptionist said that the old F lounge was going to be used for Business class passengers.

 

[JohnK]

As mentioned in an earlier post I am contemplating an F lounge run on QF74/QF73.

Can a QF Platinum travelling domestic WHY on an international flight also have F lounge access and invite a guest (QF Gold) travelling on the same flight? Have you had any personal experience?

Appreciate any feedback.

 

[Shano]

As mentioned in an earlier post I am contemplating an F lounge run on QF74/QF73.

Can a QF Platinum travelling domestic WHY on an international flight also have F lounge access and invite a guest (QF Gold) travelling on the same flight? Have you had any personal experience?

Appreciate any feedback.

Never had any personal experience, but cannot see why you would be denied F lounge access on such a flight if a WP. Therefore, would also be allowed to invite one guest travelling on the same flight.

 

[serfty]

...Can a QF Platinum travelling domestic WHY on an international flight also have F lounge access and invite a guest (QF Gold) travelling on the same flight? Have you had any personal experience?

Yes & Yes

 

[d15.in.oz]

Yes & Yes

ditto

Guest doesn't even need QFF status to enter with WP. I did QF73 a few weeks ago, perfectly timed for when the new FL should have opened, but before it actually did. It was a very empty flight, and thankfully so was SYD T1 arrivals.

I also checked my bag, at the first check in counter at MEL T2, to see what colour card thing would be attached. And I only got a “priority - orange”, needless to say I was unimpressed! P.S. the bag was 3rd off, after an enormous wait in SYD.

 

[simongr]

If you did it as a domestic fligh tthen techncially I guess you were only entitled to Priority tags:

Per QF

Priority baggage - Yes plus First class baggage tags on international flights

Now it says flights not itineraries but I can see teh check in staff arguing their point...

 

[d15.in.oz]

If you did it as a domestic fligh tthen techncially I guess you were only entitled to Priority tags...

Same segment, QF400+, gets WP business class tags... I should have at least got purple?

 

[serfty]

In my general WP experience over the last few year, I have received tags that correspond to the highest class cabin on the flight; 2 class you get J tags, 3 class you get F tags.


More here:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...more-priority-baggage-9422-2.html?#post120380