J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR
Jan 14, 19, 11:44 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Seattle
Programs: AA Exec Plat; Hilton Gold, United 1K, Delta Platinum Medallion
Posts: 115
I asked that before I left the Al Sawfa lounge and they told me I could go straight to Al Sawfa next time if I was interested in purchasing access again.
Jan 15, 19, 7:36 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: BA Silver VS EI
Posts: 162
So here’s my experience! I went straight to the Al Safwa lounge entrance. The guy at the bottom
of escalator was having none of it and said he knew nothing about “walk ins” We went then to Al Mourjan reception and were told the same thing initially until a supervisor overheard me insisting on the new pay upgrade facility and said Yes we could pay and he would advise Al Safwa we were coming back over. This time we got straight up to the counter paid the 250 qar each and In we went. Used the showers in the spa area first which were brilliant. Then went to the bar. Like others have said the place was deserted, I could only see maybe 10 otter guests. Staff were very friendly & attentive and we had a lovely chat with our bar server. He made any cocktail we wanted despite the lack of any official cocktail menu. Just wish we had longer there, it was an amazing experience and anyone who gets the chance should definately try it out!!
of escalator was having none of it and said he knew nothing about “walk ins” We went then to Al Mourjan reception and were told the same thing initially until a supervisor overheard me insisting on the new pay upgrade facility and said Yes we could pay and he would advise Al Safwa we were coming back over. This time we got straight up to the counter paid the 250 qar each and In we went. Used the showers in the spa area first which were brilliant. Then went to the bar. Like others have said the place was deserted, I could only see maybe 10 otter guests. Staff were very friendly & attentive and we had a lovely chat with our bar server. He made any cocktail we wanted despite the lack of any official cocktail menu. Just wish we had longer there, it was an amazing experience and anyone who gets the chance should definately try it out!!
Jan 15, 19, 11:17 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Qatar Airways Gold, Singapore air Kris flyer,Emirates Silver, Etihad Gold
Posts: 359
So I just had a chance to try the paid access. I was on QR J traveling to Tunis. I had 8 hour layover ( intentionally chosen) from around mid night till 9 AM the next morning. After arriving from KWI went straight to Al Safwa lounge and asked for paid access. The staff on duty said she needs to call in her supervisor as he will bring the credit card reading machine so that I can pay. Less than 2 minutes he arrived and I paid the 250 QAR. Then got in, had a nice dinner, then straight to my sleeping room where I slept around 5 hours. Took a shower in the morning then breakfast. I found this option very very nice and its really worth every penny you pay especially when you have a long layover. I was the only passenger at the lounge. what a treat 
hope it stays though.
hope it stays though.
Jan 17, 19, 7:42 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Monaco
Programs: Amex Plat
Posts: 105
So I just had a chance to try the paid access. I was on QR J traveling to Tunis. I had 8 hour layover ( intentionally chosen) from around mid night till 9 AM the next morning. After arriving from KWI went straight to Al Safwa lounge and asked for paid access. The staff on duty said she needs to call in her supervisor as he will bring the credit card reading machine so that I can pay. Less than 2 minutes he arrived and I paid the 250 QAR. Then got in, had a nice dinner, then straight to my sleeping room where I slept around 5 hours. Took a shower in the morning then breakfast. I found this option very very nice and its really worth every penny you pay especially when you have a long layover. I was the only passenger at the lounge. what a treat hope it stays though.
hope it stays though.
Jan 19, 19, 3:59 pm
#35
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,056
So I just had a chance to try the paid access. I was on QR J traveling to Tunis. I had 8 hour layover ( intentionally chosen) from around mid night till 9 AM the next morning. After arriving from KWI went straight to Al Safwa lounge and asked for paid access. The staff on duty said she needs to call in her supervisor as he will bring the credit card reading machine so that I can pay. Less than 2 minutes he arrived and I paid the 250 QAR. Then got in, had a nice dinner, then straight to my sleeping room where I slept around 5 hours. Took a shower in the morning then breakfast. I found this option very very nice and its really worth every penny you pay especially when you have a long layover. I was the only passenger at the lounge. what a treat hope it stays though.
hope it stays though.
Jan 20, 19, 12:10 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT; QR PLT; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,602
Only you can decide if it's worth it for you, but I would say no. You didn't give any specifics; but remember that a scheduled three hour connection is more like two hours in the lounge.
Jan 20, 19, 2:17 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,010
Maybe just the terminology used, but if your ticket qualifies for paid access to Al Safwa, you would presumably otherwise be in Al Mourjan and not the business lounge, which is a different place altogether.
Jan 20, 19, 2:17 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: PAR
Programs: QR Plat, Accor Plat, WY Silver, IB Plata
Posts: 1,051
Jan 20, 19, 4:11 am
#40
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: BA Silver VS EI
Posts: 162
We managed 8 premium champagne & high end spirit drinks in an hour & half!! Definitely value for money spent! Plus food plus incredible surroundings & service. Might never get the chance again to experience it again.
Jan 20, 19, 1:15 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 18,519
For most of the time I was literally the only passenger in the lounge.
Jan 23, 19, 2:36 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Singapore & Globe trotting
Programs: QR Gold, SQ KFEG, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Diamond, GHA Titanium, Taj Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 386
So, just to be super clear, are you saying that on your return flight you managed to get paid access to Al Safwa (250 QAR) while on an J award ticket booked with JAL mileage bank miles? Did you directly go to Al Safwa to pay for access or first went to Al Mourjan? Thanks.
Jan 23, 19, 2:58 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 18,519
So, just to be super clear, are you saying that on your return flight you managed to get paid access to Al Safwa (250 QAR) while on an J award ticket booked with JAL mileage bank miles? Did you directly go to Al Safwa to pay for access or first went to Al Mourjan? Thanks.
I asked the lady scanning boarding passes at the bottom of the AM escalator. She said yes it is possible, just go talk to the Al Safwa front desk. AS front desk called their supervisor, she checked my boarding pass and said I was eligible. And charged my credit card. 250 QAR.
