Nov 5, 2015, 11:11 am
Last edit by: CPH-Flyer
READ BEFORE COMMENTING IF YOU ARE NEW,
Hamad International Airport (HIA) offers passengers a number of different lounges.
This thread, is specifically for the Al Safwa First Class Lounge. Information on the other Lounge options at HIA, can be found here.
Does Al Safwa have a web page?
Yes: http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...-al-safwa.page
Dining Menu
https://www.qatarairways.com/content...-dining-en.pdf
Where can I find Al Safwa Lounge?
The Lounge is located on Level 3 of the airport.
Can I use the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge?
Access is based on your underlying fare bucket. This means that upgraded tickets, maybe except upgrades with QPoints (see post 2735), are not granted access.
Access is thus restricted to Qatar Airways First Class, and OneWorld First Class passengers :
- either holding a First Class boarding pass* for their next flight
- or holding a First Class boarding pass from their previous flight.
Additionally, Privilege Club platinum club travelling on any business-class fare are welcomed into the lounge. This is a facility introduced recently and one that could just as easily disappear.
- Guests are not permitted.
* Operational Upgrades to First do not give access. Upgrades with Qpoints may do give acces (see post 2735 - Sept 2022)
Arrival access on mid and long haul? (eg. coming from LHR in F)
YES
Ex. CAI-DOH-HEL
Arrival access regional F? (eg. coming from CAI in F)
Yes.
Caveat, if your underlying J fare is P, then the no lounge access for business light kicks in. And there is no access.
Privilege Club Platinum members are currently allowed in the lounge when travelling on any QR business-class fare: that could change. Other Oneworld Emerald members are directed to the Platinum lounge(s) when travelling in any class, and the Al Mourjan lounge when travelling on relevant business-class fares. Yup, it gets complicated.
What does the lounge look like?
Reports on the Lounge, can be found here and here. Photographs of the lounge, can be found here.
Is there a Spa?
Yes, there is a full Spa, but you will have to pay for treatments. A full list of treatments available can be found here
What about the sleeping rooms?
Stargold in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28199729-post1177.html suggests that access to sleeping rooms is as follows:
'* No reservations allowed - always first-come first-served
* Only available if the remaining time until the flight departure is more than 4 hours
* Passengers are allowed maximum six hours' usage - for any further usage, a fee of QAR 450 is payable for a second block of six hours.
* No F&B of any kind except bottled water in the sleeping rooms.'
What changes can I expect during Ramadan?
Ramadan affects QR and you in many ways so please look at ramadan to see how you are affected.
Updated: 19/11/2023
Hamad International Airport (HIA) offers passengers a number of different lounges.
This thread, is specifically for the Al Safwa First Class Lounge. Information on the other Lounge options at HIA, can be found here.
Does Al Safwa have a web page?
Yes: http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...-al-safwa.page
Dining Menu
https://www.qatarairways.com/content...-dining-en.pdf
Where can I find Al Safwa Lounge?
The Lounge is located on Level 3 of the airport.
Can I use the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge?
Access is based on your underlying fare bucket. This means that upgraded tickets, maybe except upgrades with QPoints (see post 2735), are not granted access.
Access is thus restricted to Qatar Airways First Class, and OneWorld First Class passengers :
- either holding a First Class boarding pass* for their next flight
- or holding a First Class boarding pass from their previous flight.
Additionally, Privilege Club platinum club travelling on any business-class fare are welcomed into the lounge. This is a facility introduced recently and one that could just as easily disappear.
- Guests are not permitted.
* Operational Upgrades to First do not give access. Upgrades with Qpoints may do give acces (see post 2735 - Sept 2022)
Arrival access on mid and long haul? (eg. coming from LHR in F)
YES
Ex. CAI-DOH-HEL
Arrival access regional F? (eg. coming from CAI in F)
Yes.
Caveat, if your underlying J fare is P, then the no lounge access for business light kicks in. And there is no access.
Privilege Club Platinum members are currently allowed in the lounge when travelling on any QR business-class fare: that could change. Other Oneworld Emerald members are directed to the Platinum lounge(s) when travelling in any class, and the Al Mourjan lounge when travelling on relevant business-class fares. Yup, it gets complicated.
What does the lounge look like?
Reports on the Lounge, can be found here and here. Photographs of the lounge, can be found here.
Is there a Spa?
Yes, there is a full Spa, but you will have to pay for treatments. A full list of treatments available can be found here
What about the sleeping rooms?
Stargold in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28199729-post1177.html suggests that access to sleeping rooms is as follows:
'* No reservations allowed - always first-come first-served
* Only available if the remaining time until the flight departure is more than 4 hours
* Passengers are allowed maximum six hours' usage - for any further usage, a fee of QAR 450 is payable for a second block of six hours.
* No F&B of any kind except bottled water in the sleeping rooms.'
What changes can I expect during Ramadan?
Ramadan affects QR and you in many ways so please look at ramadan to see how you are affected.
Updated: 19/11/2023
QR Al Safwa First Class Lounge
Feb 26, 2017, 8:33 am
#1081
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
All this means that on regional sectors of long-haul connecting tickets you will usually be in first, as the only premium-class cabin. So....buy a first-class ticket on QR from DOH-DXB and you will get in the Safwa lounge.
But the cost of stand-alone tickets is significant. Fly Cairo to Bangkok in J (as so many do!) and you'll get a relatively cheap peep into the world of Safwa just before the final sector of your return to Cairo.
Feb 26, 2017, 8:57 am
#1082
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I should explain that it was the light hearted telling of a tale where I near had a heart-attack when taking my seat on the Cairo flight. I realised at that moment my bag was still in the lounge. I'd drifted along walkways and on trains without my carry-on. It was at the furthest possible gate from Safwa, but the charming and efficient Maîtresse de Cabine sent a minion racing back there to retrieve my bag.
Embarrassing. I blame time changes, the sauna like environment in the Safwa showers, and double Eggs Benedict
So if the QR Masters really have nothing better to do than read the nonsense we write in these threads: Stand Down - Baggage Room Abuse is Overstated
Last edited by IAN-UK; Feb 26, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Feb 26, 2017, 10:06 am
#1083
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
I'd never seen that encouragement offered here ... but then I remember I reported leaving my bags in the long baggage room while I went to Cairo. It was to assure a poster that he'd not be challenged leaving his while he did a tour of Doha.
I should explain that it was the light hearted telling of a tale where I near had a heart-attack when taking my seat on the Cairo flight. I realised at that moment my bag was still in the lounge. I'd drifted along always and on trains without my carry-on. It was at the furthest possible gate from Safwa, but the charming and efficient Maîtresse de Cabine sent a minion racing back there to retrieve my bag.
Embarrassing. I blame time changes, the sauna like environment in the Safwa showers, and double Eggs Benedict
So if the QR Masters really have nothing better to do than read the nonsense we write in these threads: Stand Down - Baggage Room Abuse is Overstated
I'm fortunate in spending considerable time in Cairo. But for those positioning there specially for QR's fares, the additional flights, hotel accommodation and visas in Cairo, and now the small additional fee of $200 for the Doha airport hotel - those Cairo tickets are not looking so cheap
I should explain that it was the light hearted telling of a tale where I near had a heart-attack when taking my seat on the Cairo flight. I realised at that moment my bag was still in the lounge. I'd drifted along always and on trains without my carry-on. It was at the furthest possible gate from Safwa, but the charming and efficient Maîtresse de Cabine sent a minion racing back there to retrieve my bag.
Embarrassing. I blame time changes, the sauna like environment in the Safwa showers, and double Eggs Benedict
So if the QR Masters really have nothing better to do than read the nonsense we write in these threads: Stand Down - Baggage Room Abuse is Overstated
I'm fortunate in spending considerable time in Cairo. But for those positioning there specially for QR's fares, the additional flights, hotel accommodation and visas in Cairo, and now the small additional fee of $200 for the Doha airport hotel - those Cairo tickets are not looking so cheap
Feb 26, 2017, 1:40 pm
#1084
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
IAN-UK I think msm2000uk is refering to the practice that was advocated on this forum by some members of taking a sleep room and using is as a base for the entire duration of their stay and going off into Doha for the day (or even taking other flights). That is something very different to the use of the luggage facilities.
Feb 26, 2017, 1:40 pm
#1085
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Subcard
Posts: 435
IAN-UK I think msm2000uk is refering to the practice that was advocated on this forum by some members of taking a sleep room and using is as a base for the entire duration of their stay and going off into Doha for the day (or even taking other flights). That is something very different to the use of the luggage facilities.
I do agree that it's not acceptable but don't recall people encouringing it.
I only remember reading about people storing bags during nested flights.
Feb 26, 2017, 7:55 pm
#1087
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Yes, F on foreign carriers is quite nice. I got off a CX HKG-JFK in F and left a large box of china I had bought in the closet by my seat. Didn't realize it until I was at bag claim. Just as I turned around to see if there was a CX staffer around, some poor young lad came running with my box, sweating profusely. He had been told what I look like and came right up to me, apologizing for taking so long!
Feb 27, 2017, 3:27 am
#1090
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,947
Yes, sorry I worded it poorly. If I used BA miles to book a QR flight from DOH-DXB it will cost 18k avios. This is the F rate even though the layout of the plane only has J and Y seats. I'm assuming because I'm flying on QR regionally, it is charging me the miles price for F instead of J because of the fact that I will be allowed access to Safwa? Thanks for the reply.
If you were booking a revenue ticket, you would earn the F Avios and Tier Points because it is an F fare bracket.
Access to the Al Safwa Lounge is neither here nor there in the matter of booking an F fare departing from DOH.
M
Feb 27, 2017, 7:25 pm
#1091
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,754
Yes, sorry I worded it poorly. If I used BA miles to book a QR flight from DOH-DXB it will cost 18k avios. This is the F rate even though the layout of the plane only has J and Y seats. I'm assuming because I'm flying on QR regionally, it is charging me the miles price for F instead of J because of the fact that I will be allowed access to Safwa? Thanks for the reply.
On the other hand, AA while ticketed it in F but recognized it just a 2 class flight like a domestic "F" on AA's 2 class flights, hence only charged J miles. At least that was the practice last year. No idea how it is now.
Mar 7, 2017, 12:40 am
#1092
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 532
Just to update,
Passed through the Al Safwa lounge this week with an 8hr 05 night layover between flights from the UK and Jeddah [long story how we ended up with that gap]. The lounge is as remarkably striking as others have said.
No problems getting one of the superb Nap rooms for 6 hours, minor snag that I had to share with my colleague who, it turns out, had a cold and thus snored somewhat but that's not really in Qatar's control. Combined with the (admittedly pay to use) gym and swimming pool in Doha terminal it's a huge selling point for routing via Doha whenever possible.
Passed through the Al Safwa lounge this week with an 8hr 05 night layover between flights from the UK and Jeddah [long story how we ended up with that gap]. The lounge is as remarkably striking as others have said.
No problems getting one of the superb Nap rooms for 6 hours, minor snag that I had to share with my colleague who, it turns out, had a cold and thus snored somewhat but that's not really in Qatar's control. Combined with the (admittedly pay to use) gym and swimming pool in Doha terminal it's a huge selling point for routing via Doha whenever possible.
Mar 7, 2017, 12:46 am
#1093
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,661
Just to update,
Passed through the Al Safwa lounge this week with an 8hr 05 night layover between flights from the UK and Jeddah [long story how we ended up with that gap]. The lounge is as remarkably striking as others have said.
No problems getting one of the superb Nap rooms for 6 hours, minor snag that I had to share with my colleague who, it turns out, had a cold and thus snored somewhat but that's not really in Qatar's control. Combined with the (admittedly pay to use) gym and swimming pool in Doha terminal it's a huge selling point for routing via Doha whenever possible.
Passed through the Al Safwa lounge this week with an 8hr 05 night layover between flights from the UK and Jeddah [long story how we ended up with that gap]. The lounge is as remarkably striking as others have said.
No problems getting one of the superb Nap rooms for 6 hours, minor snag that I had to share with my colleague who, it turns out, had a cold and thus snored somewhat but that's not really in Qatar's control. Combined with the (admittedly pay to use) gym and swimming pool in Doha terminal it's a huge selling point for routing via Doha whenever possible.
Well, as you can see QR is consistently inconsistent.
Mar 7, 2017, 5:31 am
#1095
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: WAW, TXL
Programs: LH SEN, AF/KL Platinum, QR Gold (OW Sapphire), A-Club Platinum, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 37
Can not agree more. I was in Al-Safwa waiting for my QR 1303 flight bound to CAI and found both food and service way below expectaions (maybe it's the matter of the time, morning offerings usually are not very interesting)