Top tips for Qantas flyers visiting Melbourne’s domestic lounges
Here are our top tips for Qantas lounge lizards flying out of Melbourne.
By Chris C., December 13 2021
Whether you're hunting down a quiet place to work at what's otherwise a bustling airport or finding the fastest way to grab your coffee before zipping to the boarding gate, there's plenty to know ahead of your next domestic journey through Melbourne Airport.
Here are our top tips for Qantas lounge lizards flying out of Melbourne.
1. Make time for the Asian Spice Bar
Flying business class or have a Platinum-grade frequent flyer card in your travel wallet? You'll have access to the Business Lounge, where you'll find Neil Perry's Asian Spice Bar open for lunch and dinner.
The menu rotates between a selection of dishes with two offered at a time, such as this tasty chicken laksa – our favourite from the 'meat-eating' options...
... while the vegetarian wonton noodle soup also comes packed with flavour:
Read more: What's next for Qantas' business class, first class in-lounge dining?
2. Pressed for time? Order your coffee en route to the lounge
If your itinerary is a little more rushed, you can avoid standing in line for your coffee by placing your order through the Skip mobile app, for collection in either the Qantas Club or the Business Lounge.
If you're in a hurry, make your order just before going through security screening – by the time you get to the lounge, your coffee is usually ready – either to enjoy quickly in the lounge, or to take straight to the gate when boarding is imminent.
During peak periods, there can sometimes be a wait of about 10 minutes between making the order and the coffee being ready, although the app gives you a handy ETA before placing your order, and again once your order has been lodged:
3. Looking for somewhere quiet? Head to the far back of your chosen lounge
Even though Melbourne's Qantas Club and Business Lounge both offer dedicated working areas, being Australia's second-busiest airport, those spaces can still become busy: and with more travellers comes more noise, which isn't necessarily conducive to getting that work done.
If you're looking for somewhere quiet to better-concentrate or even just relax, head to the very far end of either the Qantas Club or the Business Lounge, where the seats are often empty, escaping all that noise:
Clearly, most travellers set up camp at the first suitable place they find, and with these both resembling long rectangles, walking to the far end of the space usually does the trick, except on the busiest of days.
4. Qantas Platinum members can use the lounges after their flight, too
Unlike Qantas Gold frequent flyers and Qantas Club members who both need an onward boarding pass for lounge access, Qantas Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers merely need a "same day" boarding pass, providing lounge access both before and after each domestic flight, wherever lounges are available.
Most travellers would simply use this perk for a quick coffee or snack after their flight, but it's of bigger benefit to those arriving from longer journeys like the overnight treks from Perth, given the early morning arrival time and the availability of showers before heading into the office or to their next meeting, if not returning straight home.
That privilege is also extended to business class passengers on that same overnight Perth-Melbourne flight (QF648), who can visit the lounge on arrival with a quick flash of their boarding pass, although other business class passengers don't receive the same benefit, unless holding Qantas Platinum status or above.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 May 2012
Total posts 178
Love the updated J lounge. I visit there a lot mainly for a quick bite in the early morning. However when I travel for leisure I do enjoy the updated lounge and the Spice Bar etc, makes Sydney Business look so outdated.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Absolutely agree. Was there yesterday mid morning when it was quiet and enjoyed breakfast and getting work done without having to look around for a seat. Spice Bar is awesome and enjoyed a Sunday lunch in there with my wife. Great spot and well done Qantas. Would be great to have something new in Sydney but do understand this will be a long wait with priorities for the l Sydney Int F and B lounges and the SIN F lounge.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1224
The new MEL Qantas Club is fairly dreadful. I understand the Business Lounge is now really special but the Qantas Club is dark, crowded and poorly designed. The furniture chosen is cheap tables & chairs you may buy for your kids' for their first apartment from Fantastic Furniture. There are insufficient toilets and the lack of natural light is reminiscent of the T2 International Business Lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2014
Total posts 2
I agree. The Qantas Club is dismal. You get a better aspect of the airport at the gate lounges.
02 Jun 2016
Total posts 7
ummm been there several times in Business Lounge really not sure what the fuss is about as the breakfast is really so so and when there yesterday found the sausages inedible !! and the coffee wasn't the best I've tasted...the Sydney's coffee is better!!
QF
21 Jul 2016
Total posts 32
Very busy every time I'm there, usually late afternoons. Never had the black china nor such large portions. Altogether very rose tinted review.
PS. Where are the bar staff? Not self serve!
25 Aug 2017
Total posts 20
Totally agree with reeves35. I was there last Friday during the delay due to Sydney's shutdown. The chairs very uncomfortable and cheap, limited proper lounge seating. We thought it resembled a Coles' cafeteria. Atmosphere zilch.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Apr 2015
Total posts 2
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jun 2017
Total posts 39
The business lounge, while swish, feels like one long shed with chairs in it. The privacy of the old work space around the back or the reclining seats around to the right were a nice break. A bit of quiet zone space.. not good bla bla bla when busy I get it, but you hear every conversation now.. universal open plan doesn’t always work so well.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
05 Apr 2019
Total posts 2
It’s a zoo! Goodness I was so looking forward to this lounge opening but I’m generally only ever ther in peak time and it is even now way too busy, crowded and certainly still worse than Sydney, Perth & Brisbane....... and for those looking for quiet space forget it. The eating area is poorly serviced and unclean and I base this view on multiple visits. It really Is a disappointment after all the time and money Qantas spent on it.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
05 Apr 2019
Total posts 2
PS this comment is for the business class lounge - can’t comment on the Qantas Club lounge
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Dec 2013
Total posts 15
Am I the only one that has been very disappointed with the spice bar food? Seems it should be great with freshly prepared meals but from a taste perspective I’ve been disappointed each time.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2014
Total posts 19
Agree. Had that sweet and sour pork twice. First time the pork was tough and chewy, unenjoyable. 2nd time ok. The noodle soups are ok, but very slurpy and messy to eat at times.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
05 Apr 2019
Total posts 1
Qantas International lounge in Melbourne is awful. I recently had a stopover of 7 hours. The food was like a handout to homeless. Drinks were ok, but I am not so much into alcohol.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Jan 2018
Total posts 11
Spot on about the food in International business lounge, very uninspiring
23 Feb 2015
Total posts 260
I have to admit I do miss the old Melbourne business lounge and its nooks, and the lack of natural light for the Club is a miss, but some of the comments above are a bit extreme. Both are fit for purpose spaces that have advantages over the old lounges.
12 Oct 2018
Total posts 2
Crowded lounges......blame Double Status Promo’s ! Lots of folks hang out for for them , but bemoan crowded lounges and lack of upgrades for Silver & Gold because Platinums are a dime a dozen....just sayin
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2014
Total posts 132
i think both lounges are a step backwards from what they were previously. overall the business lounge is a bit 'meh' and the Qantas club feels like a hospital. Its absolutely disgusting and the rest of Melbourne airport is better...AND THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING!!! I feel Qantas really got these two lounges wrong...
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 147
Would love some of that spice bar food to travel along to the Qantas Melbourne Business International Lounge..
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Nov 2018
Total posts 118
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Sounds like you need to fly with another airline.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jun 2015
Total posts 38
Agree with you re: BNE Business Lounge. The food is terrible and the same all the time. Worst Mexican food I've tasted. When are they going to change the menus? The soups aren't bad, but the swill/stews they serve are gross.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Jun 2015
Total posts 70
I think it’s a great lounge. Not sure what people’s expectations are regarding both the business and Qantas club lounge. Spend some time in a few admirals clubs or China “vip” lounges and you realize how good these are for domestic.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 320
Agree with most, the Qantas Club in Melbourne to me feels like an IKEA store and is the noisiest lounge that I can remember
13 Apr 2018
Total posts 14
The worst thing about Qantas Club Melbourne is the food. Qantas must have a share in beans. Morning hot food = baked beans. Lunch = Bean soup. Dinner = Beans with rice.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2018
Total posts 7
The hyperbole in this thread is hilarious. There are certainly issues with the new Qantas Club in Melbourne but it's a darn sight better than the old one, and for a domestic lounge network the Qantas Club and Business Lounges are amongst the world's best. As for the comment about the food resembling something served to homeless people - I work with the homeless regularly and they'd be ecstatic with a meal not even a quarter as nice as the food served in the Qantas Club. What an offensive comment and quite clear you've never had anything to do with the homeless.
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