Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Qatar Airways | Privilege Club
Reload this Page >

J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR

J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR

Old Jan 7, 2019, 8:22 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: United 1K, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 118
J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR

I asked when I got to Al Mourjan in DOH if I was able to purchase access to Al Sawfa and they said yes for AED 350.00 (USD 95.00). I immediately left for the Al Sawfa lounge and the host at the escalator asked for boarding pass and I said I would like to pay, she let me up. When I got to desk they asked for ticket and then said it would be AED 250.00 (even better). I had a 6 hour layover and it was great. I was able to try the fantastic Krug Clos Du Mesnil 2003 which was the best champagne I have ever had. They also had Krug and La Grande Dame. Had a great meal and time in the lounge. I found out from the Duty Manager that they started offering this to passengers that were on a full fare business ticket (no upgraded ticket).
Droundtheworld is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2019, 8:31 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Monaco
Programs: Amex Plat
Posts: 105
Very nice that you have experienced THIS first hand without flying in F, I wonder would they allow to purchase entry with Biz Promo (R) not upgrade or it has to be proper bus.class still? In any case, did you tried the rooms/spa's or 6 hrs indulging in drinks and food went too fast? Was Al Sawfa almost empty still or there are more people in now with such purchase allowance?
Gobber is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2019, 9:40 pm
  #3  
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: PVD, BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,664
Originally Posted by chgodrew
I found out from the Duty Manager that they started offering this to passengers that were on a full fare business ticket (no upgraded ticket).
Full fare business class has a very specific meaning, and typically refers to the J fare bucket. Is this offer limited to J fare buckets only? Or any paid business class (non-upgrade) fare such as I, C, D, R fare buckets?
swingaling is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2019, 9:56 pm
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: United 1K, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 118
I was on one of the ARN-DOH-MEL-DOH-ARN sale fare deals (I believe R or I class). There were 6 of us in the lounge. I did get to try everything out. The staff seemed happy to just have someone in the lounge. The wines were very good as well, a number of US $400 + bottles of red wine one being Chateau Ducru-Beaucalilou Saint-Julien 2008.
Justin Case likes this.
Droundtheworld is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2019, 10:41 pm
  #5  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,658
Originally Posted by swingaling
Full fare business class has a very specific meaning, and typically refers to the J fare bucket. Is this offer limited to J fare buckets only? Or any paid business class (non-upgrade) fare such as I, C, D, R fare buckets?
This is a very important distinction, obviously. @goingplacestogether, can you shed some light on this, please?
watersign and Traveller999 like this.
Dr. HFH is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2019, 11:00 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NY
Programs: MARIOTT GOLD, QR GOLD,OW S. HH DIA, CHASE RESERVE
Posts: 143
how about folks traveling on Award tickets?
wickedkhalsa is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2019, 1:38 am
  #7  
Marriott Contributor BadgeAman Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,374
Hmmm interesting that they quoted in AED... do you happen to by any chance, mean QAR as opposed to AED of the blockading United Arab Emirates

thanks for the report though!
stewardo and ung1 like this.
clubeurope is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2019, 3:15 am
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 463
Originally Posted by chgodrew
I asked when I got to Al Mourjan in DOH if I was able to purchase access to Al Sawfa and they said yes for AED 350.00 (USD 95.00). I immediately left for the Al Sawfa lounge and the host at the escalator asked for boarding pass and I said I would like to pay, she let me up. When I got to desk they asked for ticket and then said it would be AED 250.00 (even better). I had a 6 hour layover and it was great. I was able to try the fantastic Krug Clos Du Mesnil 2003 which was the best champagne I have ever had. They also had Krug and La Grande Dame. Had a great meal and time in the lounge. I found out from the Duty Manager that they started offering this to passengers that were on a full fare business ticket (no upgraded ticket).
I am in J R-Class Ticket to BKK next week. I think i will try this out. I have onyl a 4 hour layover but i think this is enough to finish this Krug Clos Du Mesnil Bottle if still available ;-)
Crisu69 is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2019, 3:53 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: QR Platinum, Star Alliance Gold (LH Sen)
Posts: 764
Originally Posted by Crisu69
I am in J R-Class Ticket to BKK next week. I think i will try this out. I have onyl a 4 hour layover but i think this is enough to finish this Krug Clos Du Mesnil Bottle if still available ;-)
I will try it on Saturday around midnight, arriving in Business "I" from BKK. As I just will have approx 2h, I maybe just ask about the possibility to pay for entrance to Al Safwa, but nevertheless Ill report back about the result. Lets see ;-)
Traveller999 is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2019, 5:04 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,164
Sounds both good and bad - on the plus side it will be nice to be able to pay for Al Safwa access on routes where F isn't offered, on the negative side it's going to completely change the ambiance in the lounge and is going to kill my desire to pay for F on the BKK and CDG routes, so hopefully QR have considered the impact of that. Everyone on a long haul J ticket rather than those with specific status levels is a lot of (potentially just too many) customers. Pricing also sounds a bit too cheap given what's on offer in Al Safwa, so my fear is this will be the first step in QR gradually reducing the quality of the wine list as they've already done on board.
Traveller999 likes this.
lost_in_translation is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2019, 8:10 am
  #11  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: QR Platinum, Star Alliance Gold (LH Sen)
Posts: 764
Originally Posted by lost_in_translation
Sounds both good and bad - on the plus side it will be nice to be able to pay for Al Safwa access on routes where F isn't offered, on the negative side it's going to completely change the ambiance in the lounge and is going to kill my desire to pay for F on the BKK and CDG routes, so hopefully QR have considered the impact of that. Everyone on a long haul J ticket rather than those with specific status levels is a lot of (potentially just too many) customers. Pricing also sounds a bit too cheap given what's on offer in Al Safwa, so my fear is this will be the first step in QR gradually reducing the quality of the wine list as they've already done on board.
I see your concerns, but I doubt that (paid access) would be the reason for cutting back on the wine list, as QR did it on board already, as you mention it. If QR would not had restricted the access to Al Safwa for upgrades, maybe we would not have this thread at all.
I personally would appreciate if QR skips the paid access to Al Safwa, but grants access for Platinum Members if travelling in paid buissness or upgraded first. Because THAT are the most loyal customers!
Appearently QR doesnt honor Platinums anymore, but "hope dies at last" ;-)
Abyssin likes this.
Traveller999 is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2019, 8:48 am
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: PVD, BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,664
Originally Posted by chgodrew
I was on one of the ARN-DOH-MEL-DOH-ARN sale fare deals (I believe R or I class). There were 6 of us in the lounge. I did get to try everything out. The staff seemed happy to just have someone in the lounge. The wines were very good as well, a number of US $400 + bottles of red wine one being Chateau Ducru-Beaucalilou Saint-Julien 2008.
Ah, ok. So that would be a discounted (or promo) business class fare.
watersign likes this.
swingaling is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2019, 10:00 am
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: United 1K, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 118
Originally Posted by clubeurope
Hmmm interesting that they quoted in AED... do you happen to by any chance, mean QAR as opposed to AED of the blockading United Arab Emirates

thanks for the report though!
Yes, you are absolutely correct. It was QAR, sorry for the mistake. Thanks for pointing it out.
ATCOlad and clubeurope like this.
Droundtheworld is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 11:21 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: BA Silver VS EI
Posts: 162
Have a 3 hour stopover late next Monday night! Looking forward to any update RE cost & possible restrictions prior to then!
ATCOlad is offline  
Old Jan 10, 2019, 12:26 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Spain, France, Sweden
Programs: Not stuck with an Alliance anymore, Star gold, OW Saph
Posts: 129
Surprised with this thread.....seems most of you guys prefer to pay to enter a lounge just to drink than buying a very good champagne or wine and have it at home .....this is just weird for me
:D!, roy2016, davidj1 and 2 others like this.
Abyssin is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.