Article: Qantas Auckland Lounge Upgrade: The End of an Era

[Mattg]

What’s the secret code? I was told I had to be on EK metal to get into their lounge (QF gold)

You can get in as QF Gold if you're on a Qantas flight to Australia and the EK lounge is open.

There's no secret code, other than to be polite, I guess?

 

[serfty]

What’s the secret code? I was told I had to be on EK metal to get into their lounge (QF gold)

Who told you that, and when? Whomever it was, they were incorrect.

 

[gaz0303]

Who told you that, and when? Whomever it was, they were incorrect.

EK desk angel at SYD. I was flying to WLG - a codeshare route. Boarding gate was close, so thought I’d attempt a quick pit stop. Person in front of me also turned away.

 

[Mattg]

EK desk angel at SYD. I was flying to WLG - a codeshare route. Boarding gate was close, so thought I’d attempt a quick pit stop. Person in front of me also turned away.

I have used the SYD EK lounge in the past when flying to AKL on Qantas. They had a list of eligible people and my name was on there. That was before covid, though.

 

[smckay]

I have used the SYD EK lounge in the past when flying to AKL on Qantas. They had a list of eligible people and my name was on there. That was before covid, though.

So now the question is.... How do you get on the eligibility list?

 

[Mattg]

So now the question is.... How do you get on the eligibility list?

Having QF Gold/Platinum status and travelling on a QF flight (excluding to the Americas) used to be sufficient.

 

[The-Aviator]

Glad I found this thread! The QF AKL lounge sounds almost as underwhelming as the QF HBA lounge I think I'll try my luck at the EK lounge before QF148 next week (QF Gold in J so hopefully meet the criteria!)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'll be flying out AKL in mid-January in QF J as a Gold as an AmEx Platinum cardholder so look forward to the lounge hopping there. So far as I can tell I'll have access to the EK and QF lounges along with the Strata lounge. Will be interesting to see which one is best?

Having QF Gold/Platinum status and travelling on a QF flight (excluding to the Americas) used to be sufficient.

PointsHack has a lovely article that covers the ins and outs of EK lounge access whilst travelling on QF.

Glad I found this thread! The QF AKL lounge sounds almost as underwhelming as the QF HBA lounge

There are many proud Tasmanians who take exception to comparing their beloved QF lounge to that poor excuse for a lounge across the ditch!

-RooFlyer88

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Strata does stamp your BP though, something to keep in mind, maybe its a way for them to know if someone has done a winkie.
Meaning already made one visit, and then go in a second time, or if someone provided the BP to someone else to use, for what ever reason.
I flew once in PremY on AirNZ, no lounge access on this anymore, it was a 777.
So I decided to pay I think it was $77 there and then, and they asked for my BP, AirNZ one at that, and stamped it!
So, no BP stapping, and they also wanted to see passport too.
Maybe go to the Strata lounge last, so that your BP if they still stamp it, won't block entry to QF J/F circus, and the EK lounge.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Maybe go to the Strata lounge last, so that your BP if they still stamp it, won't block entry to QF J/F circus, and the EK lounge.

Do they still provide popcorn and crackerjack at the QF circus @ AKL or has Uncle Alan removed that due to renovations?

-RooFlyer88

 

[jakeseven7]

What’s the secret code? I was told I had to be on EK metal to get into their lounge (QF gold)

It’s the same code people use to access the Virgin HBA lounge

 

[jase05]

Any recent updates on the AKL situation?
Have a QR flight in Feb and according to the QR website the QF J lounge is temporarily closed. I’m guessing everyone is being pushed into the F lounge so it will be a tight squeeze

 

[Beano]

Any recent updates on the AKL situation?
Have a QR flight in Feb and according to the QR website the QF J lounge is temporarily closed. I’m guessing everyone is being pushed into the F lounge so it will be a tight squeeze

Do you have a link? The re-modelling has been on the cards for a while. Has it started?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Do you have a link? The re-modelling has been on the cards for a while. Has it started?

Here's a link I found that states as much:

Meanwhile, QF states the their lounges at AKL are still open

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Am passing AKL airport tomorrow.
No, no access as am flying AirNZ.
They have been doing major works to their arrivals area, they have moved the wooden carving near arrivals, and no more audible recording of the lady saying the Maori greeting.
Baggage claim is modern and brighter, I didn't get x-rayed either, neither did my bag.
Will take a peek at the QFi AKL lounge though and report back.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Am passing AKL airport tomorrow.
Will take a peek.

I will pray that this UNESCO World Heritage site remains intact!

 

[Berlin]

Do you have a link? The re-modelling has been on the cards for a while. Has it started?

Has it finally started? Last time I’ve been (mid November), there had not been a sign of anything yet.

I doubt they’d only keep the F nook open, it can’t handle all passengers even while J is open. My best guess would be that the info on QR is just plain wrong, wouldn’t be a first

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I only passed incoming on Thu night.
As we all know incoming and outgoing are kept separate at AKL int airport.
I guess over time, when they get to the new runway stage, the QFi AKL lounge we have grown to love and hate might be gone.
Was too dark to see AKL dom terminal at night when my Supershuttle passed through.
Happy New Year to be, AKL time anyways.

 

[Rangalad]

Do you have a link? The re-modelling has been on the cards for a while. Has it started?

Has it finally started? Last time I’ve been (mid November), there had not been a sign of anything yet.

I doubt they’d only keep the F nook open, it can’t handle all passengers even while J is open. My best guess would be that the info on QR is just plain wrong, wouldn’t be a first

Made my possibly last visit to the F nook late October.
Told off for smuggling food from the J Lounge into the nook.
Travelling QR so I didn't bother trying to access the EK Lounge.
A very warm welcome when I visited the Strata Lounge.
Boarding Pass stamped.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I doubt they’d only keep the F nook open, it can’t handle all passengers even while J is open. My best guess would be that the info on QR is just plain wrong, wouldn’t be a first

Completely agree here too. If anything they would close the whole lot down and either dump passengers to the NZ lounge or the EK lounge depending on timings and lounge arrangements. It would be nice to visit this lounge one last time so that I can have a frame of reference between the old and new lounge.

I guess over time, when they get to the new runway stage, the QFi AKL lounge we have grown to love and hate might be gone.

Do they allow flowers, wreaths and candles through INTL security at AKL? I may have to hold a vigil outside the lounge in remembrance of the only QF lounge outside Australia that gives HBA a run for its money!