Air New Zealand Air Points - Is MEL Intl Lounge not a * Gold lounge?

For the last couple of years, when flying SQ out of MEL, I usually use the NZ lounge as I am a NZ gold member (therefore * gold), and it is the better of the two * lounges (well three if you count UA), by far.

However this afternoon, I was challenged and told that the SQ lounge was upstairs. I responded that I had been coming here for 2 years and no-one had ever suggested that before, and that couldn't she let me in as an NZ Gold member? Then, the lounge dragon (and I have never used that term in relation to an NZ lounge staffer before) advised that they reserved the right not to admit me if I was not flying NZ. What the? In the end I was allowed in, though, but very odd, as in the past the NZ staff have been nothing but welcoming.

Does this mean that the MEL lounge is not a star alliance lounge?

Two pointers on the * alliance webpage (I was flying J):

Lounge Access for International Business Class: Customers who present an international Business Class boarding pass, regardless of the Star Alliance carrier they fly, have access to all members' designated business departure lounges. Guests are not permitted.

and:

Star Alliance Gold card holders and one guest, have access to any lounge around the world that is identified with a Star Alliance Gold lounge sign when departing on a Star Alliance flight, no matter which class of service they travel in.

The staralliance website (http://www.staralliance.com/airport_page.do?country=null&airport=null&airportCode=MEL&From=Melbourne+%5BMEL%5D%2C+Australia)certainly indicates it's a * gold lounge!

It is a *G lounge. However all lounges have the right to refuse entry, eg because of crowding (current or expected). This commonly occurs with NZ's LAX lounge - AC pax are usually denied entry and directed to the maple leaf lounge next door.

It is a *G lounge. However all lounges have the right to refuse entry, eg because of crowding (current or expected). This commonly occurs with NZ's LAX lounge - AC pax are usually denied entry and directed to the maple leaf lounge next door.

Yes, the lounge was really crowded - not! Probably a massive 20-30 people in there, most awaiting the TG flight (which NZ is the designated lounge for). Unless there are delays, or one gets to the airport really early, at MEL there is not a lot of overlap between SQ and NZ flights (although there is with TG, but TG pax don't seem too numerous). Oh well I guess I got in, but just a bit surprised, given that I am an NZ member and usually get a friendly warm welcome (in fact a couple of times sensed a bit of pride that I was using the NZ lounge in preference to SQ's) - but there you go.

When the MEL NZ lounge is operating for other flights (i.e. when NZ flights aren't departing) they seem to be really funny about letting people in.

I visited it recently while waiting for my SQ midnight departure, while the lounge was open for the TG flight. They were not exactly welcoming but were happy to let me use the lounge - although they kicked me out about less than 20 mins later when the TG flight started boarding.

The catering had also been substantially cut down from the usual NZ fare, which really surprised me.

I would write to NZ and ask them what the story is - include your experience - and see what the reply is. The lounge very clearly shows the big Star Alliance and Star Gold logos outside, even when operating for TG services late at night. If you were there for the afternoon departure, it's mindboggling they wouldn't let you in!

When the MEL NZ lounge is operating for other flights (i.e. when NZ flights aren't departing) they seem to be really funny about letting people in.

I visited it recently while waiting for my SQ midnight departure, while the lounge was open for the TG flight. They were not exactly welcoming but were happy to let me use the lounge - although they kicked me out about less than 20 mins later when the TG flight started boarding.

The catering had also been substantially cut down from the usual NZ fare, which really surprised me.

I would write to NZ and ask them what the story is - include your experience - and see what the reply is. The lounge very clearly shows the big Star Alliance and Star Gold logos outside, even when operating for TG services late at night. If you were there for the afternoon departure, it's mindboggling they wouldn't let you in!

Its problay cause TG isnt paying NZ engough therefore they are being asses about leting you in.

I might just write a letter and see what they say.

Oneworld/QF don't seem so strict,as a Qantas top tier I've never been turned away from a Qantas lounge in MEL when flying CX (even though there is a CX lounge there as well) - not that the sample size is that big - but I just can't imagine a Qantas Gold being told to go to the CX lounge when flying CX - they do look after "their own" members [at least in this regard]

What strikes me as the strangest part of this is that the OP is an NZ elite...even though the OP was flying SQ, I would think NZ would welcome one of their into their own lounge when they were qualified per Star Alliance rules

What strikes me as the strangest part of this is that the OP is an NZ elite...even though the OP was flying SQ, I would think NZ would welcome one of their into their own lounge when they were qualified per Star Alliance rules The NZ agent seemed genuinely confused why I would use the NZ lounge instead of the SQ lounge. She was nice about it, but obviously it wasn't something she was used to.

For the last couple of years, when flying SQ out of MEL, I usually use the NZ lounge as I am a NZ gold member (therefore * gold), and it is the better of the two * lounges (well three if you count UA), by far.

However this afternoon, I was challenged and told that the SQ lounge was upstairs. I responded that I had been coming here for 2 years and no-one had ever suggested that before, and that couldn't she let me in as an NZ Gold member? Then, the lounge dragon (and I have never used that term in relation to an NZ lounge staffer before) advised that they reserved the right not to admit me if I was not flying NZ. What the? In the end I was allowed in, though, but very odd, as in the past the NZ staff have been nothing but welcoming.

Does this mean that the MEL lounge is not a star alliance lounge?

Two pointers on the * alliance webpage (I was flying J):



and:



The staralliance website (http://www.staralliance.com/airport_page.do?country=null&airport=null&airportCode=MEL&From=Melbourne+%5BMEL%5D%2C+Australia)certainly indicates it's a * gold lounge!


I had the same situation at that lounge flying UA F. The gentleman was very rude. So much so that I ended up writing a letter to NZ. I received back a letter from both an NZ customer service manager and a letter from the NZ Manager for Australia - who invited me to use any Australia NZ lounge on an upcoming trip regardless of which carrier I was flying. Definitely write, as these types of things need to be addressed by management.

The NZ agent seemed genuinely confused why I would use the NZ lounge instead of the SQ lounge. She was nice about it, but obviously it wasn't something she was used to.

When i've been the NZ agent has had no problem with the concept I would prefer to use the NZ lounge rather than the UA one :)

Jeff

I am flying UA in F into Melbourne from LAX. I will be taking a later flight to Sydney that same day.

Will I have access to any kind of arrivals lounge in MEL?

If not, and I am flying to SYD via a * alliance carrier, is there a lounge I can use on the departure side that has a shower?

No arrivals lounges at LAX. However, the only *A airline flying MEL-SYD is UA and if you are on that flight then you have access to the *A departure lounges once you are back airside. You can't just go airside on arrival then pop into the city.

Just an update on this issue.

I never actually bothered writing, originally. Next time I went there, business as usual - no problems. In fact two weeks ago my partner, who has no status with star alliance, was warmly welcomed when presenting a SQ J boarding pass. No problems.

And then on Sunday, I struck the same person who I had my original problem with and I was advised would have been denied entry had she been at the door when I entered - but as she wasn't and I'd already sat down I was allowed to stay. 8 people were in the lounge!

So before I flew out I submitted a note online, and received a response this morning from the lounge performance manager, indicating that my interpretation was correct, and the matter would be addressed with the MEL lounge team to clarify the issue. Very happy to get such prompt feed back. Big ^^ to AirNZ in this instance.