Malaysia Golden Lounges at KLIA pay for access
May 4, 2019, 12:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Malaysia Golden Lounges at KLIA pay for access
Looks like an economy passenger as pay $50 for access. I'm worried by this as the lounge gets very busy already. IMO this devalues the lounge quite a bit, don't you think?
May 5, 2019, 2:29 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: 1A
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Link?
I recall last year sometime if you were in full 'Y' class there was an option to buy lounge access for RM 300 (?ish).
Most of the time, full Y is more expensive than busienss class.
I recall last year sometime if you were in full 'Y' class there was an option to buy lounge access for RM 300 (?ish).
Most of the time, full Y is more expensive than busienss class.
Last edited by d00t; May 5, 2019 at 3:01 am
May 5, 2019, 4:32 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/us/...ge-access.html
Economy Passengers can pay for access for some time already. Either MYR279 or MYR320 per access depending on one buying online or at the door.
I'm not sure how busy the Regional/Satellite J lounges are these days, though when I used them late last year in the morning and midday, there were sufficient space and it wasn't as busy as those sad Aspire/Escape lounges you see in the UK.
F lounge doesn't get very busy though in my recent experiences, except nearing the time of JL724's departure, which is often filled with JAL Global Club Top-tier Elites
Economy Passengers can pay for access for some time already. Either MYR279 or MYR320 per access depending on one buying online or at the door.
I'm not sure how busy the Regional/Satellite J lounges are these days, though when I used them late last year in the morning and midday, there were sufficient space and it wasn't as busy as those sad Aspire/Escape lounges you see in the UK.
F lounge doesn't get very busy though in my recent experiences, except nearing the time of JL724's departure, which is often filled with JAL Global Club Top-tier Elites
May 5, 2019, 6:57 am
#4
Join Date: May 2017
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I think a very small minority will bother to pay for this. Also, the MH lounges are already rather mediocre at best, so it doesn't matter that much I think.
May 5, 2019, 11:09 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The KUL city
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It won't be a big issue. RM 279/320 for the average Economy class pax (especially local Malaysians) is a lot of money. I'd imagine USD $50 for a market like SIN/HKG won't be a huge seller either.
I disagree that MH lounge is mediocre. I think it's great for the price of MH product. Miles ahead of BA's LHR lounges, AA's Flagship lounge, and TG's BKK Royal Orchid Lounge. It might not be as luxury as CX's lounges, but it's functional and the food is better than CX (and you never hear MH platinums complaining about overcrowding in their FCL) 
May 5, 2019, 12:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
I disagree that MH lounge is mediocre. I think it's great for the price of MH product. Miles ahead of BA's LHR lounges, AA's Flagship lounge, and TG's BKK Royal Orchid Lounge. It might not be as luxury as CX's lounges, but it's functional and the food is better than CX (and you never hear MH platinums complaining about overcrowding in their FCL)
But yeah, it's much much nicer than the BA lounges (especially the MH J lounge compared to Galleries First, though Concorde Room is rather quite special). If anything I see more JL elites than MH Plats in the F lounge
But in regards with CX, CX lounges are beautiful and very clean (particularly the showers), and I guess it's one to their own, but I prefer the food at the CX lounges, despite the degrading quality of CX lounges. I guess the horrid luminescent orange coloured drink MH claims to be orange juice just really puts me off.
May 5, 2019, 1:38 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The KUL city
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But in regards with CX, CX lounges are beautiful and very clean (particularly the showers), and I guess it's one to their own, but I prefer the food at the CX lounges, despite the degrading quality of CX lounges. I guess the horrid luminescent orange coloured drink MH claims to be orange juice just really puts me off.
May 5, 2019, 2:09 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,129
This is not new, they've had this option at least since Bellew's time as CEO: I recall seeing it roughly sometime 2016.
As already noted, most people don't pay ($60 per pax) for lounge access. KLIA is a reasonably nice airport so no need to go into a lounge. Plus, why would you when the Sama-Sama lounge is 1/3-1/2 that?
As already noted, most people don't pay ($60 per pax) for lounge access. KLIA is a reasonably nice airport so no need to go into a lounge. Plus, why would you when the Sama-Sama lounge is 1/3-1/2 that?
May 5, 2019, 5:46 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2018
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Unless you are very desperate for shower, which I usually do if I had to attend some event half a day before going airport straight, then a cup of coffee and snack in starbuck with free wifi and power outlet could cost less than RM30, like 10% of the lounge price. Even you can go to old town had a meal with free power outlet at very small fraction
May 5, 2019, 10:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 23
Unless you are very desperate for shower, which I usually do if I had to attend some event half a day before going airport straight, then a cup of coffee and snack in starbuck with free wifi and power outlet could cost less than RM30, like 10% of the lounge price. Even you can go to old town had a meal with free power outlet at very small fraction
On the other hand, RM300 for access to golden lounge is pure rip off. People travelling on econony most likely will not want to spend these sort of money on golden lounge. I'd rather spend it on a transit hotel that grant me a comfy bed to sleep if I have long transit hours.
May 6, 2019, 1:14 am
#11
Join Date: May 2017
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I try not have to have a shower in MH's lounge (that includes Business Suites/F lounge!) as they're simply disgusting. Ever seen the floor mats?
So yeah, I stick to the mediocre rating, which might even be generous.
So yeah, I stick to the mediocre rating, which might even be generous.
May 6, 2019, 2:08 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,129
The showers are OK, save for the floor mats (indeed disgusting). Still, I always carry flip flops for such situations...
May 6, 2019, 7:23 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
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The price point isn't to make money from selling lounge access.
It's to provide a feeling of security, safety and acceptance to biz/first/ow status pax.
If someone wants to pay 300 - great! Otherwise, it lets premium pax know there's a barrier to entry for lounge access. THAT - keeps the loyalty wheel spinning.
Sama Sama/Plaza premium etc are in the business of selling access. They are not in the business of being an airline, and therefore different motivations and economics.
It's to provide a feeling of security, safety and acceptance to biz/first/ow status pax.
If someone wants to pay 300 - great! Otherwise, it lets premium pax know there's a barrier to entry for lounge access. THAT - keeps the loyalty wheel spinning.
Sama Sama/Plaza premium etc are in the business of selling access. They are not in the business of being an airline, and therefore different motivations and economics.
May 6, 2019, 5:44 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,129
MH has slowly been going down the monetisation route, particularly as Müller & Bellew came onboard, but its not got it properly tweaked yet... which is fine by me.
(Btw, Plaza Premium is just too crowded with all the card holders getting free access, hence would not recommend if you actually want to spend for access... Sama-Sama is usually quiet and relaxing, so much so that I honestly am unsure if they even make any money.)