Consolidated "Lounge Access in SYD" Thread [Merged]
#76
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#77
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Yep have to agree, now this raises my point that with UA giving out so many upgrades profitbility on this route is questioned. The further cutback to the RCC lounge may be another sign that UA will pull out from this route in a few years ?
#79
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Not much point continuing to bank miles with UA if they will no longer be flying from my home town. Its hard enough as it is for me to keep status here.
BTW, I have heard that SYD LAX/SFO was an extremely profitable route for UA and not just for pax, but for freight! The planes are generally full to the brim, especially in Y. How often do you get that empty middle seat free in Y??
As I said before I thought the SYD RCC was good. It served its purpose for me, it was better than waiting at the gate. Yes it is smaller than LAX and (possibly) JFK but it had better food choices than both of those USA lounges IMHO. The only other lounge I have been in was QF SIN and that was out of this world in comparison ^:-::-::-::-::-:. Actually there really is no comparison at all.
#80
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Well the NZ lounge will require more staff as the closure of the RCC will mean another few hundred or so people through the lounge everyday!
#81
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Hmm well maybe its time I learnt about the NZ Airpoints upgrade system then .
Not much point continuing to bank miles with UA if they will no longer be flying from my home town. Its hard enough as it is for me to keep status here.
As I said before I thought the SYD RCC was good. It served its purpose for me, it was better than waiting at the gate. Yes it is smaller than LAX and (possibly) JFK but it had better food choices than both of those USA lounges IMHO. The only other lounge I have been in was QF SIN and that was out of this world in comparison ^:-::-::-::-::-:. Actually there really is no comparison at all.
Not much point continuing to bank miles with UA if they will no longer be flying from my home town. Its hard enough as it is for me to keep status here.
As I said before I thought the SYD RCC was good. It served its purpose for me, it was better than waiting at the gate. Yes it is smaller than LAX and (possibly) JFK but it had better food choices than both of those USA lounges IMHO. The only other lounge I have been in was QF SIN and that was out of this world in comparison ^:-::-::-::-::-:. Actually there really is no comparison at all.
Looking closely at the NZ program or the AC program.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
#82
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Unless you're going to be flying Paid C or F in QF/NZ, it's going to be very difficult getting status with them.
Also, Award flights and upgrade redemption levels are "high" (QF/NZ) comparable to UA. (Obviously not possible to make direct comparison given the variables, just generally speaking)
I think its very premature to think UA is pulling out of Australia. Airlines share and jointly operate lounges all over the place, not necessarily a sign of 'giving up'.
Personally I would prefer loosing a dedicated lounge rather than another experienced UA staff member with the ability to assist with the more complex queries and requests at the airport...
Also, Award flights and upgrade redemption levels are "high" (QF/NZ) comparable to UA. (Obviously not possible to make direct comparison given the variables, just generally speaking)
I think its very premature to think UA is pulling out of Australia. Airlines share and jointly operate lounges all over the place, not necessarily a sign of 'giving up'.
Personally I would prefer loosing a dedicated lounge rather than another experienced UA staff member with the ability to assist with the more complex queries and requests at the airport...
#83
Join Date: May 2006
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Unless you're going to be flying Paid C or F in QF/NZ, it's going to be very difficult getting status with them.
Also, Award flights and upgrade redemption levels are "high" (QF/NZ) comparable to UA. (Obviously not possible to make direct comparison given the variables, just generally speaking)
I think its very premature to think UA is pulling out of Australia. Airlines share and jointly operate lounges all over the place, not necessarily a sign of 'giving up'.
Personally I would prefer loosing a dedicated lounge rather than another experienced UA staff member with the ability to assist with the more complex queries and requests at the airport...
Also, Award flights and upgrade redemption levels are "high" (QF/NZ) comparable to UA. (Obviously not possible to make direct comparison given the variables, just generally speaking)
I think its very premature to think UA is pulling out of Australia. Airlines share and jointly operate lounges all over the place, not necessarily a sign of 'giving up'.
Personally I would prefer loosing a dedicated lounge rather than another experienced UA staff member with the ability to assist with the more complex queries and requests at the airport...
Just find it "interesting" that with 1000 people a day coming through SYD they choose to close the lounge. Maybe its a refurb as the announcment isn't offical! We can start that rumor Oh wait this isn't airl*****.net
#84
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While up to 1000 people might fly UA from SYD each day, only a small portion has access to the lounge. When you take into account those that arrive late or go to other lounges instead, you might be closer to the 100 per day.
#85
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Assuming that 3 flights are 100% full in First/Bus then that's 261 people per day.
Added to that some *G and RCC members so yes a few hundred per day!
Even so a big step to close a lounge
#86
Join Date: Jul 2007
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UA-SYD ah dont burst my illusion just yet . I have not looked into NZ FF program or ugs, but one of my FTer friends on this board does very nicely getting his ugs to clear on NZ . He raves about NZ.
Yes QF for ugs is impossible basically (my B.I.L is Plat on AA and he cant get near a C/J seat on the transpacs he flies to SYD - the award seating is always gone. I have no illusions re the ugs possibilities on QF .
#87
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Well,
I am back Stateside and interested to read your replies to this thread.
A couple of answers:
1. Yep, this is rumor only - offered to me voluntarily by a NZ lounge staffer. I too am looking for it to be substantiated by another FTer (esp one who gets the information from Annie) or by a UA announcement.
2. Is there WiFi in the NZ Lounge? Most definitely. For at least the last 4 months I would say.
Please keep us informed any of you who hear more about the truth of the info I received.
Lurker
I am back Stateside and interested to read your replies to this thread.
A couple of answers:
1. Yep, this is rumor only - offered to me voluntarily by a NZ lounge staffer. I too am looking for it to be substantiated by another FTer (esp one who gets the information from Annie) or by a UA announcement.
2. Is there WiFi in the NZ Lounge? Most definitely. For at least the last 4 months I would say.
Please keep us informed any of you who hear more about the truth of the info I received.
Lurker
#88
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1,000 people? If that's the guide, that means that any domestic station with, oh, 7 A320 flights should get an RCC too.
QF doesn't have a lounge in LAX or SFO, and they have more flights to LAX than UA has in SYD.
UA is just cutting something that's not so efficient. And after my recent experience with teh SYD club staff, good riddance.
The NZ arrangement will work just fine.
#89
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In SFO (which QF has less flights to/from than UA does for SYD) they use BA lounge (and JL lounge).
#90
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