30 Years in CX - 26 as a Captain - and on my Repat flight to LHR (albeit FCL) the Crew at the Check in Desk scrawled "No Lounge" on my Boarding pass. Probably joined before he was born. Now I fly with BA on a Staff ticket. They treat us much better.
I'd rather buy myself a glass of bubbly than have one from Cathay. Just tastes better.