Consolidated "Lounge Access in SYD" Thread [Merged]
#106
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
#107
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
It would be very nice if UA set up a customer service desk in the NZ lounge like QF has in the AC at LAX. Aside from the QF plaque on the door, that is the only differentiating factor in the two situations here... except that the NZ lounge has better food/drink offerings than the AC .
Last edited by HeadInTheClouds; Jan 20, 2008 at 1:30 am
#108
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
Also agreed. After all, QF does the exact same thing on the other end of this route at LAX. Hard to see how this action spins into a UA slam vs. QF when they're in the very same shoes. No one is saying that QF "isn't serious about the American market" by using AA for lounge services.
#109
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Hertz PC, QF Plat, Velocity Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,803
I disagree with this completely. Their partner's lounge is so good, the amount they'd need to invest to match that quality couldn't possibly be a correct business decision.
Having just been there, with the chance to try all 3 lounges (NZ, SQ Raffles, and UA IFL), this decision immediately vaults them from a distant 3rd to a clear 1st with very little downtime and likely minimal cost. This is the kind of intelligent decision people like to bash UA's management for not making.
Having just been there, with the chance to try all 3 lounges (NZ, SQ Raffles, and UA IFL), this decision immediately vaults them from a distant 3rd to a clear 1st with very little downtime and likely minimal cost. This is the kind of intelligent decision people like to bash UA's management for not making.
Putting people in the nicer NZ lounge would surely get some thinking about the NZ product and in turn some may end up flying NZ.
I am still sticking with its just another step before UA start to reduce flights to Australia.
With V Australia, QF A380's, Jetstar and also NZ expanding over the next 12-48 months the hardest airline hit will be UA
#110
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Hertz PC, QF Plat, Velocity Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,803
Also agreed. After all, QF does the exact same thing on the other end of this route at LAX. Hard to see how this action spins into a UA slam vs. QF when they're in the very same shoes. No one is saying that QF "isn't serious about the American market" by using AA for lounge services.
Also most importantly AA dont' fly to Australia where as NZ does fly to the US
#111
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
And UA will put money into the NZ lounge via fees. I just don't see the average customer being cognizant or concerned about upfront capital issues when it comes to lounge services. The AA LAX AC still ranks down with the worst of domestic lounges in food/drinks. You can't even get a coke there without feeling compelled to tip (which Australians just LOVE about the US anyway!). As I mentioned, the only differentiating factor between the two situations is the QF customer service rep at the LAX AC, which it would be very nice for UA to duplicate... that, and the lack of food/drinks for QF/AA of course .
k... this matters (most importantly) because?
k... this matters (most importantly) because?
#112
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Hertz PC, QF Plat, Velocity Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,803
Someone else said the UA/NZ lounge arrangement is pretty much the same as the QF/AA arrangement.
They are different set ups and structures.
As I said putting people into a competitors lounge, where that competitor flies pretty much the same route is an "interesting" concept. Yes I am aware they are both *A but still!
#113
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
Yes the NZ lounge is the best but NZ also flies to the USA, although via AKL for now.
Putting people in the nicer NZ lounge would surely get some thinking about the NZ product and in turn some may end up flying NZ.
I am still sticking with its just another step before UA start to reduce flights to Australia.
With V Australia, QF A380's, Jetstar and also NZ expanding over the next 12-48 months the hardest airline hit will be UA
Putting people in the nicer NZ lounge would surely get some thinking about the NZ product and in turn some may end up flying NZ.
I am still sticking with its just another step before UA start to reduce flights to Australia.
With V Australia, QF A380's, Jetstar and also NZ expanding over the next 12-48 months the hardest airline hit will be UA
So this is rather academic anyway...
#114
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Hertz PC, QF Plat, Velocity Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,803
#115
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
Very different putting a small amounts of $ a day into a lounge whereas QF put lots into a very nice lounge, but over say 5 years it may work out the same. Someone else said the UA/NZ lounge arrangement is pretty much the same as the QF/AA arrangement. They are different set ups and structures. As I said putting people into a competitors lounge, where that competitor flies pretty much the same route is an "interesting" concept. Yes I am aware they are both *A but still!
Last edited by HeadInTheClouds; Jan 20, 2008 at 3:22 am
#116
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Hertz PC, QF Plat, Velocity Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,803
I'll re-phrase, it's yet another sign that UA may pull out of Australia over the next 12-24 months
Didn't someone say the UA staff would be moved to the NZ lounge ?
But that doesnt' mean a desk or anything I guess
Didn't someone say the UA staff would be moved to the NZ lounge ?
But that doesnt' mean a desk or anything I guess
#117
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
I have just spoken with Annie in the SYD RCC, and she confirms that she will be moving to the Air NZ lounge 2/18. I believe this is a positive step, as UA needs an experienced representative in the lounge to handle bookings and irreg ops.
#118
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
I hope she is on an inside desk not the front desk.
#119
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL/LAX/JFK
Programs: UA 1K(0.7MM) Hilton Gold/La Quinta Gold
Posts: 897
So I'm guessing the Melbourne RCC will be closed as well?