Questions Regarding upcoming trip to Europe

8 replies

PLEASEupgrademe

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Nov 2017

Total posts 95

Hi all.


Apologies if this post should be posted elsewhere, I was looking for some information and couldn't find it.


Anyway.


I am flying to Berlin this coming Monday 24th Sept on QF35 DEP 11:55 to Singapore. After a 6 Hour wait In Singapore I'm on the QF1 to London, Dep 23:55.

I arrive in London at 0655 into Termnal 3.


Following this, I have a BA codeshare to Berlin (Tegel) DEP from Terminal 5 at 0845. (1hr 50 mins between flights)


I am flying PE, with extra legroom seats, which I asked for well in advance.


I have a rare skin disorder, similar to psoriasis but more severe that makes flying almost unbearable and requires me to have extra leg room due to the risk of lower leg infections and swelling.


I advised QF of this several months ago when the flight was booked. Thankfully I can see that I I have 24A on QF35, and 24K on QF1.


However, the return leg, on Fri Oct 19th that is (QF2 From LHR to SIN and QF36 from SIN to MEL) I can see that I have 26J on both legs.


A few weeks ago, I sent an email to QF special handling services, explaining my situation. NOTE: Whenever I have flown PE in the past I have always been given either 24A or 24K due to these requests, with only 1 exception.


After A week or so had passed and had not had a reply from special handling, I decided to ring them to follow it up. I was very polite but despite this the woman on the phone was unsmypathetic and almost rude.


However, I was browsing through the QF website the other day and an invitation to chat online with a QF representative appeared, so I had a conversation with him/her.


There was the usual "I'm pleased to tell you that On the way over you have the extra legroom seats, but unfortunately on QF2/36 those seats are taken. I made sure I was polite and kept reinforcing that I really needed an extra legroom seat. The QF rep said that he/she has noted down the request of an extra legroom seat if one becomes available. He/She interestingly suggested that I apply for a Points upgrade to Business (which I had already done many months ago. When He/She told me about the fact that I could get a points/reward upgrade to business I was sarcastic (but still polite) and told him that I know that the upgrade won't be happening as I am only a Bronze QFF + Silver Qantas Club member and understand how the upgrade system works. He/She then proceeded to tell me that they were highly confident that I would receive the upgrade, and said that "Yes that is how our upgrade system works, but I have seen many Bronze level QFFs get successfully upgraded." - I beg to differ and know that my chances are diddly squat.


So my first series of Question is:


1a. Although I suspect that it is Zero, what are the chances of getting switched to an extra legroom seat on my return leg (QF2/QF36) ie 24A/K (That flight isn't until Oct 19th)?


1b. What would have to happen for them to give me the extra legroom seat (ie from an operational point of view)?


1c. How likely is it that I would be upgraded to Business, considering QF have logged my request and know that my request is based upon the NEED for extra room as opposed to just really wanting it AND taking into consideration that the QF chat representative said that they were fairly confident of my Upgrade request? (I assume it is still Zero)


Continuing on.....


I remember reading throughout this year that Qantas Club members are routinely being denied entry into the Qantas Lounge in Singapore and being redirected to the SATS lounge and given 5000 QFF points as compensation.


Shortly after this, when I looked at my Itinerary in the Qantas App, after it shows the details of QF 35, there is an Icon that says "Relax in the SATS Lounge in Singapore."


However, about 4-6 weeks ago I noticed that every time I logged into the Qantas App to see if my seats have been changed, that Icon changed, and now says "Relax at the Qantas Singapore Lounge."


Note, during the online chat conversation discussed earlier in this post, I also asked if I could use the Qantas Singapore lounge, and told him about the whole overcrowding/SATS only for low status QFFs who are Qantas Club members. He said "absolutely you can use the Qantas Lounge in Singapore."


This bring me to my next set of Questions :


1. Despite that a long time ago it said "Relax in the SATS lounge" and now on my booking it says "Relax at the Qantas Singapore Lounge, will I actually be able to get into the QF lounge in Singapore?


2. My inbound flight arrives at 0645am in LHR at Terminal 3. But my codeshare BA flight leaves at 0845 from Terminal 5. Is there a lounge at Terminal 5 that I can use to freshen up before my flight to Berlin?


3. Are there any arrival Lounges at TEGEL that I might be able to use to take a shower? I won't be able to check into my hotel room in Berlin until at least 3pm, and it would be amazing if I could have shower once I arrive. (My skin condition requires me to shower frequently and apply ointments and creams which makes me feel more mobile less pain and I don't look as bad.



If anyone could answer all or any of my questions I would be extremely appreciative.


Thank you all so much!

John Phelan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Oct 2011

Total posts 262

OK, in short -
* unlikely that you'll get the requested extra legroom seat for your return journey, seeing they are already allocated. You are actually asking QF to turf someone out of their pre-selected seat. Some QF ground staff may be willing to do this at check-in - you should ask.
* There is indeed a lounge at LHR T5 - several in fact. Most are operated by BA. However, if you are a QF Bronze FF and travelling in Y on BA, then you do not qualify for BA lounge access. There are also two Priority Pass lounges in T5, to which you can buy access. See the Heathrow website.
* There is a pay-for-entry lounge at TXL, but it appears to not have showers.
* Which lounge you can get entry to at SIN will depend on the number of pax there on the day. If the QF lounge is deemed to be too busy, they will redirect you to SATS.

PLEASEupgrademe

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Nov 2017

Total posts 95

OK, in short -
* unlikely that you'll get the requested extra legroom seat for your return journey, seeing they are already allocated. You are actually asking QF to turf someone out of their pre-selected seat. Some QF ground staff may be willing to do this at check-in - you should ask.
* There is indeed a lounge at LHR T5 - several in fact. Most are operated by BA. However, if you are a QF Bronze FF and travelling in Y on BA, then you do not qualify for BA lounge access. There are also two Priority Pass lounges in T5, to which you can buy access. See the Heathrow website.
* There is a pay-for-entry lounge at TXL, but it appears to not have showers.
* Which lounge you can get entry to at SIN will depend on the number of pax there on the day. If the QF lounge is deemed to be too busy, they will redirect you to SATS.

Thanks for your reply mate, One last Question.... If I don't make it into the QF Lounge in SIN and have am booted into the SATS lounge, will I get 5K QFF points compo?

GregXL

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 26 May 2014

Total posts 320

The your request is noted response is worth nothing. I don’t believe the release of one of the seats you desire, due to another passenger changing flights, would trigger a review of your allocation.


If the exit row seats in PE are taken, it is also likely that it is a high status FF, so another reason that QF would be reluctant to move them.

24 D, E & F may blocked for potential use of the bassinet and would become available closer to the flight time. While not as much leg room as an exit area, may still be better for you than further back. I would be asking how you could get allocated one of those.

Rav

Member since 18 Aug 2017

Total posts 23

Just used the Qantas lounge in Singapore and the Sats lounge as well and both were good or very good. No idea of the 5k points.

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

Whilst I am sorry to hear about your condition, if you have to have the leg room, fork out to fly business.


Other people may have gotten in early and arranged those seats, may have their own medical or other reasons and shouldn't need to move for you.

Just my (harsh) opinion.

Geoffair

Member since 04 May 2018

Total posts 42

Surviving the codeshare flight to Berlin may the most difficult, it could be 30" pitch, only 1hour though!

PLEASEupgrademe

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Nov 2017

Total posts 95

Update : 1950PM Singapore. QF 35 arrived early, no problem getting into the lounge, was pretty busy at first but is basically empty at the moment. Was flying PE, Business was half empty.


Although previous comment was harsh, I don't mind, such is life. I hate the way Qantas allocates seats. MEL - SIN route today, all 3 bulkhead seats were empty and 24J was Vacant. I don't know what all the fuss is about Re QF Lounge in Singapore, since beginning this post it has cleared out even more. The Business Lounge in Melb was busier

Rufus1

Member since 04 Dec 2013

Total posts 70

I don't know what all the fuss is about Re QF Lounge in Singapore...

Dare I suggest it comes under the general heading of "never come between a frequent flyer and their sense of entitlement"?


And I say that as an entitled frequent flyer.

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