Questions re WP lounge access at Singapore

[wafliron]

Hi all,

Three questions re access to the Qantas lounge at Singapore airport that I'm hoping someone can assist with. The traveller is WP.

1) Does a J* Asia booking allow access to this lounge? The info at Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum Benefits is a little ambiguous, leaving me a bit confused about whether this lounge is considered as "Qantast International lounge" or an "Associated Lounge". I'm thinking it's considered the former given it's "operated by Qantas / British Airways" and therefore access on a J* Asia booking is allowed, but would appreciate confirmation.

2) Assuming yes to #1, does anyone know how strictly they enforce the "that day" part of "To access Qantas International lounges, a Platinum Member's next onward flight that day must show a Qantas (QF), a Jetstar Airline (Jetstar (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K), Valuair (VF) or a oneworld® flight number on your ticket." given that Changi is an airport where it's not unusual to find travellers spending the night to connect with another flight?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm arriving into Changi in the late afternoon on a SIA flight, spending the night, and then departing on a J* Asia flight early the next morning - I want to know whether my J* Asia boarding pass for my flight early the next day will get me into the Qantas lounge on the afternoon/evening of the day I arrive (the day before my J* Asia flight)?

3) Assuming yes to #1 and #2, can a WP bring a guest into the Qantas loungue at Singapore, and if so, does the guest also need to meet the "travelling" criteria? I'm assuming yes (bring guest) and yes (must also be travelling), but again the WP "In the lounge" benefits page leaves me a bit confused.

Thanks - appreciate any info.

 

[serfty]

#1 is Yes

#2 is No

#3 is Yes, but must be travelling with the member, but should be moot due to #2 being no.

Here's all you need to know:

Access to The Qantas Club lounges

 

[djfuzz]

Hi all,

Three questions re access to the Qantas lounge at Singapore airport that I'm hoping someone can assist with. The traveller is WP.

1) Does a J* Asia booking allow access to this lounge? The info at Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum Benefits is a little ambiguous, leaving me a bit confused about whether this lounge is considered as "Qantast International lounge" or an "Associated Lounge". I'm thinking it's considered the former given it's "operated by Qantas / British Airways" and therefore access on a J* Asia booking is allowed, but would appreciate confirmation.

It's a Qantas Club - I can't recall where things landed with re 3K, but if it's allowed anywhere, it would be there.

2) Assuming yes to #1, does anyone know how strictly they enforce the "that day" part of "To access Qantas International lounges, a Platinum Member's next onward flight that day must show a Qantas (QF), a Jetstar Airline (Jetstar (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K), Valuair (VF) or a oneworld® flight number on your ticket." given that Changi is an airport where it's not unusual to find travellers spending the night to connect with another flight?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm arriving into Changi in the late afternoon on a SIA flight, spending the night, and then departing on a J* Asia flight early the next morning - I want to know whether my J* Asia boarding pass for my flight early the next day will get me into the Qantas lounge on the afternoon/evening of the day I arrive (the day before my J* Asia flight)?

I don't think the lounge is open overnight, so I think 'that day' would be pretty clear cut - certainly excludes arrivals access, despite our best efforts to reverse that. Better to try the Transit Hotel, which is reasonably priced.

3) Assuming yes to #1 and #2, can a WP bring a guest into the Qantas loungue at Singapore, and if so, does the guest also need to meet the "travelling" criteria? I'm assuming yes (bring guest) and yes (must also be travelling), but again the WP "In the lounge" benefits page leaves me a bit confused.

Thanks - appreciate any info.

Despite the incorrect assumption on #2: yes to the first part of your question (can also use the F lounge when it's open I would think, but I'm not sure if this is allowed on 3K given that is more a BA/QF lounge than vice versa - worth a try anyway); and yes to the second part of your question, the guest must be travelling (with you, so on the same flight).

[EDIT] Once again, foiled by serfty.

 

[Danger]

First Lounge access for WPs travelling on JQ, including 3K, but that lounge has more limited hours. I don't think it opens until 3/3.30pm.

 

[wafliron]

Thanks for the quick and concise answers guys, even if they're not the answers I'd hoped for (specifically re #2)!

Hmm, while we're on the topic of lounge access, has anyone ever booked a flight they never intended to board just to get lounge access (book it, print your BP, then cancel the booking)? Kinda like "buying" ATA for a day. Pretty cheeky I know, but it came into my thought process as having lounge access for the afternoon/evening I'm in Changi would be pretty damn convenient.

I had a quick look and there's a 3K SIN-Jakarta flight for $58 leaving at 8.10pm on the day I'm arriving into Changi... I doubt I'd actually try to do this due to the questionable morals, and the fact it would only buy me a couple of hours of access (I'm assuming they wouldn't let me in after the flight I "missed" has departed), but I'm still curious if anyone else has done this before.

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks for the quick and concise answers guys, even if they're not the answers I'd hoped for (specifically re #2)!

Hmm, while we're on the topic of lounge access, has anyone ever booked a flight they never intended to board just to get lounge access (book it, print your BP, then cancel the booking)? Kinda like "buying" ATA for a day. Pretty cheeky I know, but it came into my thought process as having lounge access for the afternoon/evening I'm in Changi would be pretty damn convenient.

Have read about it, but I imagine you're walking down a very slippery slope there...

I had a quick look and there's a 3K SIN-Jakarta flight for $58 leaving at 8.10pm on the day I'm arriving into Changi... I doubt I'd actually try to do this due to the questionable morals, and the fact it would only buy me a couple of hours of access (I'm assuming they wouldn't let me in after the flight I "missed" has departed), but I'm still curious if anyone else has done this before.

Seriously, lounge entry at SIN is not worth that (let alone booking a flight you don't intend to take). You're talking about a place that is only marginally better than the rest of the terminal - it may be quiet, provide some limited nibbles and spirits and showers, but nothing that you couldn't obtain elsewhere.

If you wouldn't get a Priority Pass, consider the Ambassador Transit lounge - Ambassador Transit Hotel - which gives you five hours access for $30 and reasonable costs for other facilities.

 

[dajop]

Thanks for the quick and concise answers guys, even if they're not the answers I'd hoped for (specifically re #2)!

I had a quick look and there's a 3K SIN-Jakarta flight for $58 leaving at 8.10pm on the day I'm arriving into Changi... I doubt I'd actually try to do this due to the questionable morals, and the fact it would only buy me a couple of hours of access (I'm assuming they wouldn't let me in after the flight I "missed" has departed), but I'm still curious if anyone else has done this before.

Not going to question the morals or anything, but at Changi (assuming you can't recover the $58), this would be probably be a waste of time and money. 6 hours in the transit hotel costs $41 for shared bathroom or $68 if you want your own facilities. Also there are other lounges you can get access to, for a fee, and I'm pretty sure they will be less than $58 (although IIRC you have to pay for alcoholic beverages). There are also a few quiet corners of the airport where you relax fairly comfortably on good reclining seats (and perhaps more comfortably than the QF lounge) after you've had a bite to eat and a few drinks which shouldn't cost too much.

Not to mention a swimming pool, movie rooms,. numerous bars, etc.

 

[wafliron]

Have read about it, but I imagine you're walking down a very slippery slope there...

Agree... as I said in my OP, wasn't actually considering doing it, but was curious if anyone else has Just my mind going off on a tangent.

Seriously, lounge entry at SIN is not worth that (let alone booking a flight you don't intend to take). You're talking about a place that is only marginally better than the rest of the terminal - it may be quiet, provide some limited nibbles and spirits and showers, but nothing that you couldn't obtain elsewhere.

Out of interest, are you talking about the (quality of the) QP at SIN only, or also the F lounge?

I'm not looking forward to the long layover, but at least it's at Changi - would be much worse in almost any other airport.

If you wouldn't get a Priority Pass, consider the Ambassador Transit lounge - Ambassador Transit Hotel - which gives you five hours access for $30 and reasonable costs for other facilities.

Thanks for the tip - might check that out.

 

[markis10]

I have had issues getting into the QP when my next flight was CX at 1PM and it was 1AM! Would just use the transit hotel, not with the hassle IMHO.

 

[wafliron]

Not going to question the morals or anything, but at Changi (assuming you can't recover the $58), this would be probably be a waste of time and money. 6 hours in the transit hotel costs $41 for shared bathroom or $68 if you want your own facilities. Also there are other lounges you can get access to, for a fee, and I'm pretty sure they will be less than $58 (although IIRC you have to pay for alcoholic beverages). There are also a few quiet corners of the airport where you relax fairly comfortably on good reclining seats (and perhaps more comfortably than the QF lounge) after you've had a bite to eat and a few drinks which shouldn't cost too much.

Not to mention a swimming pool, movie rooms,. numerous bars, etc.

Aye, as I said in my other recent post I'm very glad the layover is in Changi. Have had some long layovers there before and had a relatively good time - the pool is a bit of fun, and the "quiet areas" I saw in T3 when I transitted throug Changi back in April looked quite nice. The foot/leg massagers they have scattered around at the moment are a nice touch too.

TBH I was just interested in lounge access this time (as per my OP, not my more recent "book a flight just to get lounge access" question) for the free food/drink and not having to battle crowds for a "quiet corner"... not a biggie if I can't get in, although I might check out one of the "for-fee" lounges.

Thanks.

 

[serfty]

...
Hmm, while we're on the topic of lounge access, has anyone ever booked a flight they never intended to board just to get lounge access (book it, print your BP, then cancel the booking)? ....

I believe so.

 

[djfuzz]

Agree... as I said in my OP, wasn't actually considering doing it, but was curious if anyone else has Just my mind going off on a tangent.

I won't lie - the thought has crossed my mind from time to time, but I wouldn't ever do it.

Out of interest, are you talking about the (quality of the) QP at SIN only, or also the F lounge?

Both are good lounges, but they're regional lounges so they're nothing too special, certainly not of the level of the flagship lounges (of any airline) - kinda like the DOM J lounges (without the island dining - though they do bring around sangas in the F lounge).

 

[dajop]

and not having to battle crowds for a "quiet corner"... not a biggie if I can't get in, although I might check out one of the "for-fee" lounges.

T2 is much quieter in the late evenings than T1 (or T3 for that matter) and easily accessible by airtrain, far less crowds! But take your points.

The other option is of course buying a fully refundable on the 3K red eye to Manila (if it is operating the night you are there) ... but even that will cost $50 SGD to refund!

 

[JohnK]

Hmm, while we're on the topic of lounge access, has anyone ever booked a flight they never intended to board just to get lounge access (book it, print your BP, then cancel the booking)?

Yes there is a thread on Flyertalk and mention of it on AFF somewhere. If you are going to do it though make sure the flight is fully refundable and you are not paying interest on the credit card funds.

I had a quick look and there's a 3K SIN-Jakarta flight for $58 leaving at 8.10pm on the day I'm arriving into Changi...I doubt I'd actually try to do this due to the questionable morals, and the fact it would only buy me a couple of hours of access (I'm assuming they wouldn't let me in after the flight I "missed" has departed), but I'm still curious if anyone else has done this before.

Morals should not have anything to do with it. If I felt I would get value out of it then I would do it without thinking twice about it.

By the way if you decide to go down this path the lounge staff are not going to remember which flight you are on but may go looking for you if the person has not boarded. Not sure who is going to check but if you can avoid this type of situation (make sure your FF number is not on the booking or boarding pass in any way where someone can put 2+2 together) then you may be able to stay in the lounge for a while as the PER and BNE flights leave ~9:00pm-10:00pm and then you have the FRA and LHR flights.

 

[wafliron]

I won't lie - the thought has crossed my mind from time to time, but I wouldn't ever do it.

Ah hah! At least I'm not the only one with an evil streak... ;-)

Both are good lounges, but they're regional lounges so they're nothing too special, certainly not of the level of the flagship lounges (of any airline) - kinda like the DOM J lounges (without the island dining - though they do bring around sangas in the F lounge).

Righto, thanks for the info. Looking forward to discovering this sort of stuff myself over the next few years - should be WP for the first time in a month or so.

T2 is much quieter in the late evenings than T1 (or T3 for that matter) and easily accessible by airtrain, far less crowds! But take your points.

Thanks for the tip. I spent ~9 hours at Changi, mostly in T2 (stretching into late evening), about 5 years ago and remember it being very busy, but I guess a lot has probably changed in that time. T3 was certainly quite busy when I spent a few hours there a month or two back - nice architecture though, T1 and T2 feel so claustrophobic by comparison.

The other option is of course buying a fully refundable on the 3K red eye to Manila (if it is operating the night you are there) ... but even that will cost $50 SGD to refund!

Interesting thought - I must admit I'd only considered "throw away" fares, not refundable ones... that opens up new possiblities

Yes there is a thread on Flyertalk and mention of it on AFF somewhere. If you are going to do it though make sure the flight is fully refundable and you are not paying interest on the credit card funds.

Thanks for the tip.

Morals should not have anything to do with it. If I felt I would get value out of it then I would do it without thinking twice about it.

Interesting to see another perspective on this.

I can see your point - it's a bit cheeky perhaps, but ultimately you're just using the system that's in place, not cheating it. Thinking about it further, personally I've decided that I don't think there's a real "moral" problem with doing this (as long as you let the airline know you're not going to board, so you don't hold up the flight / deny a seat to someone else), but just being practical I'm not sure it's worth the hassle. Maybe if the lounge was kick-cough, but for what sounds like a mediocre lounge in the middle of a very good airport, it seems like a lot of hassle.

 

[dajop]

Thanks for the tip. I spent ~9 hours at Changi, mostly in T2 (stretching into late evening), about 5 years ago and remember it being very busy, but I guess a lot has probably changed in that time.

Not a lot, just the opening of T3 .... all of SQ's European, North Asia & Australia flights were moved to T3 (and there are a lot of them), leaving mainly SQ regional flights in T2, plus a few other carriers long hauls (between 10pm & 3am only 11 flights, vs 21 in T1 & 27 in T3!)

 

[Jobu]

They do however scan your boarding pass when you enter the lounge...

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Why would morals have anything to do with trying to get access to a damn lounge?

As long as you are not causing harm or effect to anyone, any loophole should be looked at right?

Regardless, 6+hrs in the Transit hotel will be much better money spent...try to book it ASAP as it can be very popular.

PS. I prefer T2 for sleeping....always the most quiet in IME

 

[ajca]

Seriously, lounge entry at SIN is not worth that (let alone booking a flight you don't intend to take). You're talking about a place that is only marginally better than the rest of the terminal - it may be quiet, provide some limited nibbles and spirits and showers, but nothing that you couldn't obtain elsewhere.

Yeah, I am sitting in the QF Singapore F lounge right now while QF32 refuels. The lounge is nothing special.

I'm not even sure that it's worth the reasonably long walk from the gate, not to mention booking a flight just to come here...

 

[Voyages]

It opens at 6 or 6.30am in the morning... not sure till when, but reopens at 3pm.

First Lounge access for WPs travelling on JQ, including 3K, but that lounge has more limited hours. I don't think it opens until 3/3.30pm.