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
Apr 8, 2018, 7:22 am
#1396
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 511
Apr 8, 2018, 11:42 am
#1398
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 511
Keep in mind, I was thrown out half naked in January, from an empty AS Lounge, because low-life me only had an upgraded ticket and the clearly stating QR website with AS access, was "just a mistake", besides the new rules going into effect in February....
I guess thats what they call "Qatari Hospitality - 5 star in the air, Motel6 service on the ground" ��
I guess thats what they call "Qatari Hospitality - 5 star in the air, Motel6 service on the ground" ��
Apr 9, 2018, 2:30 am
#1399
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,755
Apr 9, 2018, 4:26 am
#1400
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 511
Apr 9, 2018, 7:57 am
#1401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Keep in mind, I was thrown out half naked in January, from an empty AS Lounge, because low-life me only had an upgraded ticket and the clearly stating QR website with AS access, was "just a mistake", besides the new rules going into effect in February....
I guess thats what they call "Qatari Hospitality - 5 star in the air, Motel6 service on the ground" ��
I guess thats what they call "Qatari Hospitality - 5 star in the air, Motel6 service on the ground" ��
Seriously this is the depressingly usual manifestation of QR's version of customer service. Staff are terrified of getting things wrong, so correct things abruptly with little thought beyond the rule book.
Clearly a mistake of this nature made in the passenger's favour should be allowed to stand, while quietly explaining that a mistake has indeed been made.
Apr 9, 2018, 8:50 am
#1402
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: QR Gold, BAEC, Marriott Rewards Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,142
Apr 9, 2018, 10:34 am
#1403
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,755
Apr 9, 2018, 11:53 am
#1404
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 511
Ok, again than.... I upgraded a friend of mine and me with qmiles from business to first BKK>DOH. Mainly to show him AS.
2 weeks in advance, not at the airport. January.
Flew First, arrived DOH, got to the AS desk, was welcomed, BP checked, time checked, let in.
Went to the quiet room desk, ask for two sleeping rooms. Got them, walked in.... undressed.... almost.
*DING DONG* (thought my friend came to ask something)
opended door in underpants, outside stood the front office clerk who let us in AS in the first place.
explained to me TEARY EYED that he had made a mistake, because of our upgraded tickets we had NO access to AS. WE HAD TO LEAVE NOW!
I WAS PISSED, got dressed, went to the desk inside AS, ask what was wrong with them, showed them my MMB website which clearly stated AS access! (only did learn later that the well thought through policy about upgraded tickets came into effect later in February....)
They politely explained that it must be a website mistake, THERE WAS NOTHING in the Universe the could possibly do, Me and my friend had to leave, but they would kindly show me the "sleeping rooms" in AM (which turned out to be the loungers behind business, but they would kindly wake me after 2hours sleep as soon as some of the couches in the "real" quite room in AM where available....)
All this while the AS lounge was literally empty!
I do come from the hospitality business and never ever ever would these things happen in Hotels. If an employee makes a mistake (which in that case wasnot even one), never ever ever will the guest "suffer".
You could explain to the guest what happened and he shouldn't expect the presidential suite the next time, BUT YOU NEVER throw him out.
Until that day, I was 100% impressed with the 5star QR service, since than I know that in the air, their service is mostly above almost any other airline in business, on the ground its a whole other story. Sad actually.
2 weeks in advance, not at the airport. January.
Flew First, arrived DOH, got to the AS desk, was welcomed, BP checked, time checked, let in.
Went to the quiet room desk, ask for two sleeping rooms. Got them, walked in.... undressed.... almost.
*DING DONG* (thought my friend came to ask something)
opended door in underpants, outside stood the front office clerk who let us in AS in the first place.
explained to me TEARY EYED that he had made a mistake, because of our upgraded tickets we had NO access to AS. WE HAD TO LEAVE NOW!
I WAS PISSED, got dressed, went to the desk inside AS, ask what was wrong with them, showed them my MMB website which clearly stated AS access! (only did learn later that the well thought through policy about upgraded tickets came into effect later in February....)
They politely explained that it must be a website mistake, THERE WAS NOTHING in the Universe the could possibly do, Me and my friend had to leave, but they would kindly show me the "sleeping rooms" in AM (which turned out to be the loungers behind business, but they would kindly wake me after 2hours sleep as soon as some of the couches in the "real" quite room in AM where available....)
All this while the AS lounge was literally empty!
I do come from the hospitality business and never ever ever would these things happen in Hotels. If an employee makes a mistake (which in that case wasnot even one), never ever ever will the guest "suffer".
You could explain to the guest what happened and he shouldn't expect the presidential suite the next time, BUT YOU NEVER throw him out.
Until that day, I was 100% impressed with the 5star QR service, since than I know that in the air, their service is mostly above almost any other airline in business, on the ground its a whole other story. Sad actually.
Apr 13, 2018, 3:54 am
#1405
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
Yes, a similar thing happened to me, because of QR IRROPS.
I was ticketed in first to BEY, but missed my connection due to a very delayed incoming aircraft. I asked to be re-accommodated on another flight, and pending this was allowed into the AS and a sleep room. When the new flight was sorted out, 5 hours later, it was a J seat to ATH, so I was promptly thrown out and frog-marched to AM.
How does that engender customer satisfaction/loyalty?
I was ticketed in first to BEY, but missed my connection due to a very delayed incoming aircraft. I asked to be re-accommodated on another flight, and pending this was allowed into the AS and a sleep room. When the new flight was sorted out, 5 hours later, it was a J seat to ATH, so I was promptly thrown out and frog-marched to AM.
How does that engender customer satisfaction/loyalty?
Apr 13, 2018, 5:48 am
#1406
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Programs: QR Silver, BA Silver, FB Gold
Posts: 360
This aggressive insistence on maintaining Al-Safwa absolutely exclusively for "pure" -- for lack of a better word -- F passengers is a little bizarre (no to upgrades, no to most passengers incoming on F flights and transferring to J flights, etc.). Given the relative paucity of F cabins and service on QR's network, would I be correct in assuming that the majority of F passengers admitted to al-Safwa are passengers travelling out of DOH on flights to Middle Eastern destinations in J cabins (and paying J fares) which are marketed as F class? In other words, precisely the "riff-raff" they, under different circumstances, are at such pains to exclude. It's all a bit confusingly anomalous......
Apr 13, 2018, 6:10 am
#1407
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
After the quartet is out, I believe only AMM, BEY, MCT and KWI remain as 2-class F destinations.
The quartet must have accounted for at least 30 flights per day. It was already library-quiet before the blockade, so I can't even imagine now.
I agree, it's a weird obsession to keep seemingly everyone out. A waste of space too, when the remaining lounges are bursting at the seams.
The quartet must have accounted for at least 30 flights per day. It was already library-quiet before the blockade, so I can't even imagine now.
I agree, it's a weird obsession to keep seemingly everyone out. A waste of space too, when the remaining lounges are bursting at the seams.
Apr 13, 2018, 6:55 am
#1408
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Yes, a similar thing happened to me, because of QR IRROPS.
I was ticketed in first to BEY, but missed my connection due to a very delayed incoming aircraft. I asked to be re-accommodated on another flight, and pending this was allowed into the AS and a sleep room. When the new flight was sorted out, 5 hours later, it was a J seat to ATH, so I was promptly thrown out and frog-marched to AM.
How does that engender customer satisfaction/loyalty?
I was ticketed in first to BEY, but missed my connection due to a very delayed incoming aircraft. I asked to be re-accommodated on another flight, and pending this was allowed into the AS and a sleep room. When the new flight was sorted out, 5 hours later, it was a J seat to ATH, so I was promptly thrown out and frog-marched to AM.
How does that engender customer satisfaction/loyalty?
I myself have yet to experience any IIROPS (I’m sure my time will come ....!) but am in no doubt at all that the frequent reports of poor handling / recovery are 100% genuine.
The treatment described here by Grace B is truly ridiculous and I’d say QR should be ashamed. They do themselves no justice with this uncultured approach.
Apr 13, 2018, 2:47 pm
#1409
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Complicated. But have you seen those intra-Gulf F-class fares
?