Dr. HFH

I bet that it wasn't an error. Not an uncommon way of marketing, I've seen it before. "Not only F pax as always, but now all premium cabin customers, both J and F, can visit AS!"


Geez, talk about glass half empty.
No, that's not what it says at all. Your choice of words, "nothing five-star", while technically accurate, does not convey what's really going on here. It looks like cynical understatement from you. What it more likely means, however, is that AS is the best lounge, not that the others are bad.


Really? AA has a similar arrangement with its Admirals Clubs, -- status does not get you in. If you're not a paid member, admission is based on destination, cabin, status on other OW airlines, etc. Equally, if not more, complicated.

msm2000uk

Upgrade Tickets & Redemptions

I reached out to QR to enquire about whether upgraded tickets would grant access.

The answer:
...For now, for technical reasons, it’s not yet opened to Platinum members on upgraded tickets, but the two guests can be on upgraded tickets. Full redemption tickets are good to go, though....

EDIT: Upgraded with miles means no Al Safwa. Upgraded with cash means Al Safwa

Evidently this will change, but for now the answer is clear.

Hope this helps.

M

lost_in_translation

Come again? I think perhaps you have misunderstood my intentions, my post was largely on finding the press statement funny / poorly prepared, how that is 'glass half empty' I'm not sure. For God's sake, whoever wrote it doesn't even understand how to use the word 'either' in the English language (hint, not followed by 'and'!)

I don't think it's a controversial view that QR's ground services are not five-star, there have been many references here to QR management understanding this is the case and, indeed, several references on this forum to QR management working to address it in the future. My point was it was funny to see QR's press team themselves publicly imply that customers in Al Mourjan were not previously "experienc(ing) five-star hospitality with Qatar Airways" outside of the aircraft.

I am aware that AA also doesn't allow access to its frequent flyers, hence the use of the word most to show that other examples exist in my statement which you seem to be ignoring.

I will leave it there as I don't seek to derail this thread further, but there's a lot more I could post here.

celtic_warrior

So on an upgraded ticket, we still have to use the first class lounge until further notice?

msm2000uk

For now, yes - but this will likely soon be resolved.

M

celtic_warrior

Thanks ,I appreciate the updates and the time you and others have spent addressing queries and concerns with QR.

vbh812

Qatar Airways' award-winning frequent flyer programme (FFP) Privilege Club, is delighted to announce that its platinum members can now access HIA's exclusive Al Safwa first class lounge while flying business class with up to two guest passes (bolding and underlining are mine) - I'm a little confused here. Are the guest passes the same as the lounge passes that credit to our account at renewal? Also, is 2 passes the cost for a member to access AS or cost per guest?

vbh812

Fingers crossed this is resolved by mid November.

Traveller999

In my opinion you can ignore the word "passes" and just "pass by" and enter Al Safwa ;-) if you are Platinum member travelling in Business class...
I am quite curious about the first feedback in this regard - let´s see when it will come.

fender5787

Sorry M, I’m still a bit confused, especially by what you mean by use miles to upgrade, no, but use cash to upgrade, you’re good. So as of now, if I, as a plat member, am on a Business ticket that’s been upgraded with miles or qcredits, I can’t use AS, but if I use cash to upgrade at check-in or its an award ticket, I can use AS? Or is that in reference guests, where guests who’s tickets have been upgraded with miles or qcredits aren’t allowed in but guests whose tickets have been upgraded with cash are? Sorry if I’m sounding like an idiot!

traveler_ron

msm2000uk thanks for any valuable information so far ... please go on keeping us up to date whenever you have a 'green light'

traveler_ron

I look forward to the El Safwa experience next Wednesday... flying in J to BKK ... became platinum in April

msm2000uk

If the Platinum cardholder upgrades a fare using cash, then they can access the Al Safwa
If the Platinum cardholder upgrades a fare using QCredits, then they cannot access the Al Safwa
If the Platinum cardholder upgrades a fare using cash, but their guests have upgrades using QCredits, the whole group can access the Al Safwa

The above is my understanding, but if there are specific questions, I can reach out to Jake at QR, who has been answering the queries posted here already - communication is something he's very good at, hence his desire to improve it for all passengers.

M

fender5787

Awesome, totally get it now! Thanks again for all your insights and explanations on this!

RSDoha

Absolutely no issues being admitted this evening. Staff all seemed well-aware of the new policy. And the lounge is hoppin’!