Qantas Melbourne Airport Shambles

Platinum One travelling first class on Qantas to LAX. Literally could not find a seat at the Melbourne First lounge. Totally shambolic boarding process for a 2 hour late flight. No priority boarding, no direction or guidance on boarding from Qantas staff. Makes me wonder why I bother with Qantas.

Exactly, don't.

Unfortunately that's a risk with being WP1,

did you try approaching the front desk "Don't you know who I am?"

Unfortunately all too common these days. I had a similar experience on QF2 in London a couple of months ago. You fork out 16K for a ticket and can't get a seat in the lounge because Qantas is too busy handing them out to people who sign up for credit cards. The points program is now the tail that wags the dog - it's seriously starting to undermine the actual loyalty proposition offered by qantas.

Another brick in the wall of insults from Qantas to its customers. Why bother? QF isn't exactly the best First on offer and never will be - it won't even exist in 10 years when the a380's go.

Actually, all this proves is that Qantas needs to provide first class passengers (not platinum on economy tickets) a separated area or separate lounge exclusively for Qantas first class passengers only.

If it is for Qantas first class only, and excludes frequent flyers on business and economy tickets, Qantas will not have to accept OneWorld frequent flyers too.

The Qantas lounges are not just busy because they have a few flights due out, they are also busy because of partner and alliance frequent fliers.

However, this wish for a first class only lounge is unlikely to be fulfilled. I believe Qantas actually receives revenue from other airlines when other airlines' passengers use their lounge.

Why are they so busy? Why are they so popular? Well, have a look at the other one world offerings...

That said, I can't stand crowded lounges. I have walked out of lounges before. Perhaps next time, I will ask to see the lounge manager. I will show him her by 16 K ticket and ask why they do not appreciate my business.

My most recent experience from Heathrow terminal five is no better. British Airways boarding was an absolute dogs breakfast. They had priority boarding, but only one air bridge even though the aircraft and the air bridge we are both capable of three. On top of this they had the air bridge heated to 27 1/2°C in the middle of a hot summer.

Let's face it, Qantas needs some management who actually use their product as full fare passengers. They need to see its weaknesses in the soft product they offer.

I think australian lounges could have a pay for alcohol system for anyone who is not gold or platinum (or above). If you use your lounge pass due to credit cards etc, then pay for alcohol. This may take away the incentive to visit the lounge.

Free food (but then why would you want to eat at any of our lounges!) is not the most appealing option, is it?

I would rather have an amazing taco or wagyu burger or wonderful fish and chips for a fee, rather than the ham and cheese toasties, which should be kept for people accessing the lounge from credit cards!

Qantas 'first' is in all in Alan Joyces and Qantas PR spins minds. The fact he called the now already outdated new J "mini first" leaves no hope for Qantas and its idea of a First Class offering. If you want true first fly Singapore, Lufthansa, Emirates and Qatar to a lesser extent(hard product is average despite J class being industry leading). If you pay 16K for a QF ticket you have nobody to blame but yourself. Points upgrade maybe. It's a deluxe J class service at best.