Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[kpc]

Just received an email from QF re a Qantas "enhancement":shock::evil:

Changes to Qantas Lounge access

From 1 February 2011, Platinum members must be travelling on a Qantas, Jetstar or oneworld® flight to access any Qantas Domestic or International lounges

http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/privilegesPlatinum#even-more-benefitshttp://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/privilegesPlatinum#in-the-lounge

 

[Aikicoops]

re: Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

Yes that is what it looks like.

That is one "change" I am not happy with at all.

I use this to guest in clients and family when I am not flying.

NOT HAPPY about this change.


Coops

 

[Simsy85]

re: Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

Doesn't sound like much of an enhancment....

 

[cwliew]

re: Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

It is an absolute crock. What a joke.
As soon as some other airline comes up with better domestic flights in australia (Unlikely) then I'm leaving.

It makes me certain about going with another airline for international flights though. I will no longer be supporting qantas when I don't have to.

What a joke - its not like platinum members are going to the lounges to have a good time on their weekends!
They are platinum for a reason!

With all the "benefit upgrade" that they are doing to the platinum membership, I think its almost better NOT to be platinum now so you don't feel like your loyalty has gone amiss...

 

[burrco]

re: Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

Like how the email ends with "There's even more to come" - almost sounds like a threat!

 

[gilby08]

re: Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

Is there a weblink to the email at all?

 

[awilcockson]

re: Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

This is cough.

I've been fighting my companies move away from Qantas and towards alternative carriers, but moves like this make me question my loyalty.

It was bloody hard work getting to Platinum, being able to use the lounge on the odd occasion when cost pressure means I am booked on a Virgin flight was a major benefit for me.

Is there any precedent for Qantas reversing decisions like this if there is a major backlash?

And who should I write the letter to?

 

[YQY]

Is there a weblink to the email at all?

<link removed showing personal details>

 

[Austman]

The anytime access was the most useful benefit for me. I often used the domestic lounges as arrival lounges or a place to wait if meeting arriving pasengers. Bad, bad news!

 

[serfty]

Use this link:

Frequent Flyer

The other links show personal details

 

[antycbr]

You might want to remove your links ASAP as it's revealing your mailing address, account number and points balance.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Where is the dislike button.

Disappointing but oh well such is life.

I wonder if the rule is then relaxed that you have to be traveling that day so at least you can access the lounge after your flight.

Kind of puts a dent in our FT AGM 19 Feb 2011.

 

[Aikicoops]

Re: Platinum "anytime" lounge excess ceases from 1 February 2011

This is cough.

I've been fighting my companies move away from Qantas and towards alternative carriers, but moves like this make me question my loyalty.

It was bloody hard work getting to Platinum, being able to use the lounge on the odd occasion when cost pressure means I am booked on a Virgin flight was a major benefit for me.

Is there any precedent for Qantas reversing decisions like this if there is a major backlash?

And who should I write the letter to?

Yep I will be in that.

I currently don't use QF for INT flights any more as they are to expensive and the service isn't that good anyway.

CX is now my main INT carrier. One I am very happy with.

Reaching Platinum happens easily for me with the amount of flying I do both DOM and INT. Not to mention I always fly J class so being a QFF is not a big deal any more.

Coops

 

[MelUser]

Interesting how this will work in practice.

EG: In Melbourne - there is a check point before entering lounge area - often I just show my Plat card.

Then I walk into Bus lounge, stop at that check point, show my Plat card and ask them to check me in.

IE - As I pass through the Qantas Club lounge, I don't hold a boarding pass or any "proof" that I am actually travelling.

Perhaps they would force me to use the check in machine at top of escalator so that by the time I approach first check point I have a boarding pass which shows that I am travelling?

 

[serfty]

Well, maybe my two PC pass entries with my Amex may come in handy ...

 

[Australian]

Platinum "anytime" lounge excess ceases from 1 February 2011

It makes me certain about going with another airline for international flights though. I will no longer be supporting qantas when I don't have to.

What a joke - its not like platinum members are going to the lounges to have a good time on their weekends!
They are platinum for a reason!

It was bloody hard work getting to Platinum, being able to use the lounge on the odd occasion when cost pressure means I am booked on a Virgin flight was a major benefit for me.

Honestly, with the baggage cut backs, too, n all tier access to awards, u're probably just better off scoring "eas(ier)" silver each yr (or LTS), and signing up to priority pass to get a full suite of lounge access practically anytime/anywhere... Including the DJ lounges, which are awesome... U could use them reardless, and still have priority ckeck-in, award availability, etc with silver... Or perhaps an argument even for GOld, if u were still on OW regularly... But there's NO signifiant incentive to hit twice that anymore for platinum

I think its almost better NOT to be platinum now so you don't feel like your loyalty has gone amiss...

Loyalty is supposed to work both ways... Walk if you don't like it

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Got the email too.
Having just made WP, l have also started to use the Domestic lounges as an arrivals lounge, which is very handy. I don't think that me having an espresso or an apple will send QF broke. Anyways, l just copied and pasted from the e-mail below.

Changes to Qantas Lounge access From 1 February 2011, Platinum members must be travelling on a Qantas, Jetstar or oneworld® flight to access any Qantas Domestic or International lounges5.

New Platinum benefits Continue to fly, and choose more privileges

Reach 2,100 Status credits² in one membership year and, until 3 May 2011, we'll reward you with complimentary Gold membership for your partner.

*This has now expanded to allow you to nominate any family member or friend for Gold status.

*Or, wait to reach 2,400 Status credits in one membership year and, from 1 October 2010, choose from:

complimentary Gold membership for your partner, family member or friend or

three complimentary Qantas Valet Parking or Qantas Chauffeured Transfer invitations³ or

a bonus of 50,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

Seems like the WP "benefits" are slowly getting taken away. Oh well, life must go on...

 

[hollydavid69]

That officially sucks for wp's :evil:.

 

[ric_melb]

Slightly off topic, but with the new changes, Qantas Club members will not have priority check in at Domestic airports. For people like myself, without further status, this will be a definite minus. :shock:

 

[simongr]

Re: Platinum "anytime" lounge excess ceases from 1 February 2011

But there's NO significant incentive to hit twice that anymore for platinum

Loyalty is supposed to work both ways... Walk if you don't like it

I rate F lounge access to be a SIGNIFICANT benefit. Also 100% status bonus on BA/AA/QF flights, access to better seating on other carriers as well (BA especially), better pre-allocated seats domestically.

Overall QF are eroding benefits I don't use. I have never used any time lounge access and I would only have used it internationally if they had kept the F lounge access.

I actually think is not such a bad change. It might relieve some pressure in the lounges - but not much.