Seanyj

Heading out from DUD on Sunday mid morning, celebrating our anniversary and was wondering if the bar would be open for a glass of bubbly at that time. I heard it was a temporary lounge and given it is regional not sure what time the bar opened!

Markhm

I think bars open at 8am from memory. Nothing good ever happens from drinking bubbles before brekkie😀

kiwicyclo

Just be careful if you are traveling with a guest . . . they have been turning away guests due to the maximum occupancy of 50 pax in the temporary lounge for fire egress reasons. They are reserving spaces for all current members / qualified booked on flights (whether you are using the lounge or not).

codyc1515

This is particularly disappointing given that the temporary lounge is approximately half the size of the old one.

NZbutterfly

I don't expect much from any temporary lounge so I'm never disappointed😀. But I know they're always building something better so I'm always hopeful! I'll put up with the downgrade in order to build something better for the future.

kiwicyclo

Turning away paid Koru members yesterday. Not even a guest. One of my staff traveling with me was denied entry due to only keeping space for Gold and Gold Elite. I am totally OK with the no guest situation but when I pay for a membership and he does not get to use it that is a bit on the nose.

cavemanzk

You would have though it should have been around the other way? e.g. the wouldn't they be contracted to accommodate an paid member? were as someone getting free entry from being Gold has nothing to stand on legally.

sbiddle

Does anybody know when the new lounge is due to open? I'd heard "November" a while back.

WLG Base

I'm flying to DUD next week. I'll see if I can find out.

Thai-Kiwi

Heck no! In a general sense within *A, why do tou think *G are allowed a guest whereas biz pax with no status have no guesting rights?

The 'cost' of gaining *G status is not 'free', but thousands of dollars of travel within the alliance.

brenrox

Did they at least give you a voucher for a cafe or something?

cavemanzk

But NZ's isn't selling Gold as an product, yet there selling Lounge Access via Koru. Which in DUD they are currently rejecting Koru Members from the Lounge.

For example the Koru Member has entered into an Contract with NZ when purchasing/renewing there membership to have Lounge Access. A Gold member has not entered into an contract as they have been gifted access.

NZ's T/C's don't seem to cover this case very well, and legally if you we're to take it up don't think NZ would win.

https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/koru-terms-conditions

kiwicyclo

Yes they did . . 2 x 6$ . . it is not the issue really.

Thai-Kiwi

I think you miss my point, Gold membership is not free and Gold members are not 'gifted' free access. It is a specific benefit of airline status gained through monetary spend.

In general terms, IMHO (NZ/*)Gold members rank above Koru members as far as NZ is concerned, which is consistent with the greater loyalty benefits Gold members enjoy over Koru.

If NZ has capacity limitations at a lounge, the T&C allow NZ to deny access to manage numbers. It follows that Koru members (low value customers - relative to G/GE) would be excluded first, before Gold and Gold Elite members (high value customers).

Should a Koru member feel unfairly treated, they have recourse to a number channels of complaint - but clause 17.1 appears to limit liability:

NZ_Flyer

Was there last week and heading back next week. Looked almost done. All the interior looks finished and signage out the front is all done so can’t be long now.