What is the attraction of lounges?

[love_the_life]

Am in the QF MELd QP.
A lounge is a nice place to be a lounge lizard between SC or mileage runs.
Ability to charge devices.
Some good food.
Good seats.
Less people.
Grog after 12 noon.

You've been lying low Poochie - haven't seen you for ages here. Are you on the way back from another NZ trip or just jetting around Au?

 

[liamsal]

Shower and booze - I'm easily pleased

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the responses. My SG status is about to end and I am trying to decide if I should spend money to maintain lounge access. It's been a nice thing to have so far and am tempted to maintain it but I don't think think I value it enough to pay for it.

It all depends on the amount of flying you'll be doing, where, and how much disposable income you have.

For domestic Australian lounges it's very subjective as to whether it's good value... personally I'd need to be getting it down to about $10 per visit to make it value for money (what you might spend on a coffee and sarnie in the concourse).

If you travel involves international, Qantas club membership has additional benefits such as the priority check in, and lounges can be worthwhile for food and drink and somewhere to wait during delays.

 

[coyote25]

When it comes to domestic Lounge access I try not to use it as I'm on work and what minimum time away from home however much easier to change flights in the lounge and if I'm there more likely to eat in Lounge and skip Y plane meal (if there even is one).

International lounges I want to access showers before a big flight or in transit. Having just visited the QF SYD F Lounge I loved the food, the setting and the massage treatment. It was another world from what I was bought up with, luxury that I could appreciate especially having never traveled in INT F class and only rarely in PE or J.

 

[Archphoto]

Try going to a lounge then back to the terminal and see how jarring it feels, majority of lounges out there will always be a more relaxing environment than the bustling terminal.particularly important before a long haul economy flight.

Could not agree more!

Travelling non-stop is not all it's cracked up to be especially when you seem to spend more time in airport terminals than you do elsewhere.
Just having a quieter space to chill without screaming kids (and adults!), something nice to eat & drink and to chill before hopping on yet another flight crammed in Y, is an absolute Godsend!

When I've flown on another carrier that doesn't offer lounge access, I have paid for access - might seem absolutely nuts to some, but for me, that small piece of chillout space saves me from going nuts as I'm crammed into my sardine can on yet another long-haul flight. Naturally, YMMV.:mrgreen:

 

[Pushka]

When travelling solo being able to leave your bags safely on a chair is a significant benefit. Or not having to wait until the other half returns when travelling as a couple. Having a close-by helpful person at a desk to answer queries. Having a freshener up in the bathroom on long flights. Food and drink so you don't have to eat on the plane esp on a late night departure when you just want to sleep. Quiet space or the opportunity to get assistance if someone is creating a racket. Nothing sticky on seats. Etc.

 

[donovan301]

When travelling solo being able to leave your bags safely on a chair is a significant benefit. Or not having to wait until the other half returns when travelling as a couple. Having a close-by helpful person at a desk to answer queries. Having a freshener up in the bathroom on long flights. Food and drink so you don't have to eat on the plane esp on a late night departure when you just want to sleep. Quiet space or the opportunity to get assistance if someone is creating a racket. Nothing sticky on seats. Etc.

Meow , Pushka...

If this was applicable, then Merriam Webster would have answered in the exact same.

It's not what peoplle imagine, wonder, desire, expect....

It's what we want, require, need .....and deserve.

 

[bsb]

I think if you have to ask this question, you probably don't get the majority of people on this forum. But maybe you're the sane one.

 

[donovan301]

I think if you have to ask this question, you probably don't get the majority of people on this forum. But maybe you're the sane one.

Exellent point, and who know's possibly quite insightful. Either way

 

[Pushka]

Meow , Pushka...

If this was applicable, then Merriam Webster would have answered in the exact same.

It's not what peoplle imagine, wonder, desire, expect....

It's what we want, require, need .....and deserve.

I'm sorry but I don't get your point.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think if you have to ask this question, you probably don't get the majority of people on this forum. But maybe you're the sane one.

I think it's actually a fair question for domestic AU and US lounges, although the US lounges have the significant benefit of experienced agents during IRROPS.

 

[VPS]

99% of the time I travel alone and the ability to go to a clean toilet while not having to take everything with you is almost worth it alone.
I don't rate the food that highly in some of the domestic QP but if you do have a late flight and you're in a better lounge then it's nice to have something to eat so you can sleep on the plane.
I also like that if I have an early flight which I dislike I can at least have something in the lounge.

 

[donovan301]

I'm sorry but I don't get your point.

Sorry, Lappy battery died mid reply.

My point was that, if looking up the OP's query, it would have your "reply" to the Thread as the Defined and most eminent(and also imminet) Answer.

As in, You're Right n the money.

 

[Pushka]

Sorry, Lappy battery died mid reply.

My point was that, if looking up the OP's query, it would have your "reply" to the Thread as the Defined and most eminent(and also imminet) Answer.

As in, You're Right n the money.

You are way too clever with your words for me

 

[donovan301]

You are way too clever with your words for me

Blushing much, Quite the compliment from such an Aff Icon !

(wish there was a Pushka/Cat emoticon available ;~}

 

[Pushka]

(wish there was a Pushka/Cat emoticon available ;~}

I can help with that. The real Pushka

She was a feisty little bundle. Clever you to recognize my name as a cat.
(Sorry - OT)

Back to the topic. If you have to travel a lot for work then the lounge makes the time away from home, in airports, just that bit better. Plus if you can do some work it might save having to do things when you do get home.

 

[donovan301]

I can help with that. The real Pushka
View attachment 99958
She was a feisty little bundle. Clever you to recognize my name as a cat.
(Sorry - OT)

Back to the topic. If you have to travel a lot for work then the lounge makes the time away from home, in airports, just that bit better. Plus if you can do some work it might save having to do things when you do get home.

The Lounge is the silence between the walls surrounded by the mayhem of the roadtrains rushing down both opposing lanes whilst you wait patiently to cross the 8 lane freeway to open the front gate to your Home.
Your Castle.
Your True Rest.

 

[ermen]

It's 34 degrees in Saigon, humidity at 95%.

You did some sight seeing (in a non-airconditioned museum),and stopped by a street side shop to enjoy a bowl of pho, before heading to the airport to catch your evening flight back.

You are perspiring, hot and sticky when you reach the airport. And you need to board an overnight flight.

You hop into the shower in the lounge (whilst smuggling in a can of Bier Saigon), and wonder how you could live without a lounge...

 

[Atleastonce]

I like the fact I can find a quiet corner and do some work. I do lots of domestic travel and doing some very confidential work and don't need prying eyes over my shoulder. I won't work on flights if I can help it. My clients confidentiality is very important to me and their details and data on a screen that can be seen by others is not good. So the quieter comfortable seats and ability to complete some work i see as my benefit. Once caught up on work I can also relax on the flight and unwind for an hour or so and recharge for the onslaught of emails when I land.

 

[juddles]

Honestly these days after flying as much as I do, I try to limit time spent in airports to the absolute bare minimum, I used to be like some lounge lizards on here but no more! No time and better places to be for me.

Having said that long haul stop overs - a quick shower and a nibble make long haul business travel just that little bit more bearable. Apart from stopovers though quite often I don't even go to the lounge anymore unless whoever I'm travelling with desperately feels the need to go!

The food is nice but honestly I go to amazing restaurants and would much rather be there than in an airport

Haven't read the whole thread, but I agree with pauly7. I am also in that jaded club where so much travel just makes it survival, not particularly enjoyable.

"Free" food is no attraction for me - I agree that there are often (not always) better non-lounge options. But each to their own... My travel is usually extended long-haul, so I am getting offered food onboard or in lounges every three or so hours - I now live in an almost never-ending state of non-hungriness.

As an example of my behaviours - my usual exit from Australia is BNE domestic to Sydney, then out. So in Brisbane I don't even bother with the lounge and buy Pho from that small vietnamese outlet in the food court (it is not great Vietnamese but when never hungry and living in eternal jetlag, that spicy soup hits a spot), then when I get to Sydney I pop into the Flounge for a glass of champas and Eggs Benny usually, but if the stopover is more than an hour, I drift over to the Business lounge where I can pour my own oversize bourbons.

I coulnd't give a rat's ar.e about appearances in relation to lounges. The chance for a more secure area (less chance of theft) and maybe some internet is the main reason I use them over the rest of the planet.

Do I understand people who actually pay etc to get into a lounge? Absolutely! If you are an infrequent traveller it is probably a lot more fun and makes a special trip feel even better.

I can still remember my first lounge entrance, and it felt good. Actually, sorry, I cannot remember, but I am sure it was fun!!

I do remember my first ever J class flight - it was BNE-CNS on a 747 - it was a staff travel job as my wife worked with QF back then

Last comment, as I move mainly in South America, I see things that makes me really get what the Op is saying. The smaller lounges here are cough with a capital C. I was in one a few days ago that offered coke from a big self-pour bottle, water the same, a single tray of the driest sandwiches with the thinnest ham I have ever seen (and I live in shiiteholes). Not a hint of liquor, and I dont recall they even had coffee. The internet worked intermittently for emails only. But people were queuing up to use priority pass and pay for friends also!!?? But the people all looked like rank amateur DYKWIA types....

Mind you I was in there too But that was ONLY because I really needed to connect to the net...