Consolidated "Lounge Access in SYD" Thread [Merged]
Jan 10, 2008, 8:17 am
#46
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Wasn't flying UA, but dropped into the RCC to check up on this. It was Annie's day off, but I asked one of the other UA staff members there. She said it was still rumour and that they weren't sure since there's been no official word yet. I enquired about Annie and apparently she's been supervising checkin and they predict she'll stay there doing that. No word on if there would be a UA presence in the NZ lounge, but I wouldn't count on it!
Jan 10, 2008, 8:26 am
#47
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NZ lounge will get pretty crowded at times.
TG have 3 flights a day all 777 or 747 and they use that one too, so a fair few pax.
I was on TG a couple weeks ago and they also call those flights.
There is a TG 747 at 4.45pm and that overlaps with UA pretty much.
http://www.thaiairways.com.au/thai_f...sp?city=sydney
TG have 3 flights a day all 777 or 747 and they use that one too, so a fair few pax.
I was on TG a couple weeks ago and they also call those flights.
There is a TG 747 at 4.45pm and that overlaps with UA pretty much.
http://www.thaiairways.com.au/thai_f...sp?city=sydney
Jan 10, 2008, 9:07 am
#48
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Three words: another service cutback.
Jan 10, 2008, 9:26 am
#49
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Believe it or not, I was passing through SYD today!
Wasn't flying UA, but dropped into the RCC to check up on this. It was Annie's day off, but I asked one of the other UA staff members there. She said it was still rumour and that they weren't sure since there's been no official word yet. I enquired about Annie and apparently she's been supervising checkin and they predict she'll stay there doing that. No word on if there would be a UA presence in the NZ lounge, but I wouldn't count on it!
Wasn't flying UA, but dropped into the RCC to check up on this. It was Annie's day off, but I asked one of the other UA staff members there. She said it was still rumour and that they weren't sure since there's been no official word yet. I enquired about Annie and apparently she's been supervising checkin and they predict she'll stay there doing that. No word on if there would be a UA presence in the NZ lounge, but I wouldn't count on it!
Jan 10, 2008, 9:37 am
#50
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I think a more important concern here is the RCC system in general. If SYD is closing, what's next? At LHR for instance, with the move to T1, will there even be a LHR RCC? It's one thing to be able to choose to not go to the RCC, and entirely another when you're forced to use another airline's lounge. As nice as some of the *A lounges are, I think it's irresponsible for UA to shove all of their passengers to those lounges, and moreso, unfair to the *A partners that will now be forced to accomodate these people. If I was a full-fare SQ C passenger and now force to share with all the *G Y-pax from UA, I'd be rather upset.
goodo
Jan 10, 2008, 9:49 am
#51
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I understand not wanting to be crowded in lounges, but if you were a SQ C passenger you'd be upset to share a lounge witha *G Y passenger? You gotta be kidding! What next, you gonna be upset to be sitting on the same plane as them? Maybe get your own jet and you wouldnt have to deal with all the ruffians in the back.
goodo
goodo
You've apparently never been in the SYD RCC.
It is *packed*. If you don't get there two hours before the flight to LAX or SFO, good luck finding a seat.
Now these pax will be going to another airline's lounge. It isn't fair to either airline's customers to crowd a lounge because one airline has decided to disinvest. I fully expected to use the SYD RCC next fall (even if the other lounges are reputed to be nicer ... I use my airline's lounge because I don't need hassles from matrons who don't understand the *G or loung membership reciprocity rules).
At the very least if UA is going to decrease the number of RCCs it ought to refund part of my membership fee.
And yeah, as someone who has paid for an RCC membership it is a bit annoying to see all the LH *Gs crowding the IAD RCCs. Of course, when in MUC, I don't think twice about using the LH lounge.
. The answer is to build more lounges, or reduce the number of *A pax who can use them.
Jan 10, 2008, 10:09 am
#52
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SYD's RCC was pretty decent. I liked the sandwiches.. they use the same ones you see in First/Business Class. She directed me to the "First International Lounge" but I found out later anybody could enter, but they did try to make it "special' for me though. The ruse quickly unravelled when more people started walking in. I didn't ask for it though, I was just happy to have a place to sit in.
The NZ lounge is the best *A one in SYD. Its pretty spacious, has great food and drink options. Showers and wifi. And its looks great.
I was in the EK one before SYD-AKL, that was an even better lounge!
Jan 10, 2008, 11:14 am
#53
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When I went there, I was not too familiar with the rules and now wish I checked out NZ's Koru.
I am aware the former First Class is now RCC, but the employees there attempt to differentiate the two, but basically anyone can enter. I have no plans to return to Australia for the next few years anyways, but thanks for the heads up.
I am aware the former First Class is now RCC, but the employees there attempt to differentiate the two, but basically anyone can enter. I have no plans to return to Australia for the next few years anyways, but thanks for the heads up.
Jan 10, 2008, 11:21 am
#54
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While the personnel at the RCC were nicer, I thought the place was pretty claustrophobic. When I went there last month, the FC room was packed and the AC turned up so high, I had to pull out my thickest jacket to stay warm.
OTOH, the Koru club was roomy, and it had INTERNET access for FREE!
SYD would be one of those cities where I could see a * Alliance lounge a la London (well AC/SK).
I hope that UA finds a new home for the staff, who I thought were sincere and very helpful.
OTOH, the Koru club was roomy, and it had INTERNET access for FREE!
SYD would be one of those cities where I could see a * Alliance lounge a la London (well AC/SK).
I hope that UA finds a new home for the staff, who I thought were sincere and very helpful.
When I went there, I was not too familiar with the rules and now wish I checked out NZ's Koru.
I am aware the former First Class is now RCC, but the employees there attempt to differentiate the two, but basically anyone can enter. I have no plans to return to Australia for the next few years anyways, but thanks for the heads up.
I am aware the former First Class is now RCC, but the employees there attempt to differentiate the two, but basically anyone can enter. I have no plans to return to Australia for the next few years anyways, but thanks for the heads up.
Jan 10, 2008, 11:39 am
#55
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Jan 10, 2008, 11:45 am
#56
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Jan 10, 2008, 1:36 pm
#59
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I understand not wanting to be crowded in lounges, but if you were a SQ C passenger you'd be upset to share a lounge witha *G Y passenger? You gotta be kidding! What next, you gonna be upset to be sitting on the same plane as them? Maybe get your own jet and you wouldnt have to deal with all the ruffians in the back.
goodo
goodo
You've apparently never been in the SYD RCC.
It is *packed*. If you don't get there two hours before the flight to LAX or SFO, good luck finding a seat.
Now these pax will be going to another airline's lounge. It isn't fair to either airline's customers to crowd a lounge because one airline has decided to disinvest. I fully expected to use the SYD RCC next fall (even if the other lounges are reputed to be nicer ... I use my airline's lounge because I don't need hassles from matrons who don't understand the *G or loung membership reciprocity rules).
At the very least if UA is going to decrease the number of RCCs it ought to refund part of my membership fee.
And yeah, as someone who has paid for an RCC membership it is a bit annoying to see all the LH *Gs crowding the IAD RCCs. Of course, when in MUC, I don't think twice about using the LH lounge.
. The answer is to build more lounges, or reduce the number of *A pax who can use them.
^^^
This is exactly the point I was trying to make. Imagine if US tomorrow said, "Oh, we're closing all of our lounges and our pax are going to use the RCC's instead?" I guarantee you that UA pax would be in an uproar.
I really think the reciprocal lounge agreement was never meant to circumvent investments that need to be made in them (although you have to give UA credit for finding a way!). Most likely *A set these rules up to help out other *A partners into airports where the partner only had one or two flights a day. With the kind of traffic that UA gets into SYD, it is inexcusable to push off its passengers onto another airline's lounge, imho.
Jan 10, 2008, 2:33 pm
#60
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I fully agree.
The RCC lounge in SYD is woeful, small, dark, and poor F&B as stated. The Air NZ lounge is far more inviting with a lot more space, a nice outlook and good food and driinks.
I'm surprised UA didn't close the SYD RCC ages ago and done us all a favour.