Anytime Lounge Access Finishing? [Yes, from 15Aug12]

[Deleted member 29185]

No your right, it's not ATA, but anytime you fly with us or our partner's access which looks like the way they are moving. I think it's how it should be as well.

You were right originally IMO. Arrivals access isn't ATA but neither is it "just normal access". ATA and now arrivals access is a status reward in itself as lounge members (I believe even the $10k lifetime lounge members) get neither (unless that's been changed).

 

[DrAndyC]

Sad to see it go but really it is fair. That said I did use the VA lounge a bit when flying Rex....but my spending on VA increased as a result. Looks like I will need to rejoin the Rex lounge now.

 

[MichaelD]

That said I did use the VA lounge a bit when flying Rex....

It was suggested to me by one of the lounge angels that I spoke with that Rex could well be considered a partner airline, so access may still be there when flying Rex.

 

[MarkD]

It was suggested to me by one of the lounge angels that I spoke with that Rex could well be considered a partner airline, so access may still be there when flying Rex.

A Claytons partner huh..... Really, they either are a partner or they are not.
Quite funny how there has been no VA comment on here, I cant understand their logic on this, yes an airline lounge is for travelling, but seriously, if someone spends 20K+ with the airline, whats a $1 coffee every now and then??
Anyway, we all know this is just the start, Arrivals access will be wiped out next, thats pretty certain, then the premium entry will be scratched for Golds. I believe its what Qirgin call cool enhancements, because they are so much more vibrant and hip than Vantas.

@ Virgin Bart, think you are on your own with that comment

 

[MarkD]

Exactly one year huh!
Just found this old thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....in-australia-anytime-lounge-access-31693.html
Planned right from the start, that thread was started 22 July 2011, when was it released we are bludging freeloaders and no longer welcome, 22 July 2012. Coincidence, dont think so.

 

[mickeyc747]

It was suggested to me by one of the lounge angels that I spoke with that Rex could well be considered a partner airline, so access may still be there when flying Rex.

I posted that on Sunday its ok if you come in on a DJ flight and connect to REX, but if you are just flying Rex they wont let you in.

 

[Virgin Australia]

Hi AFFers and Velocity Frequent Flyer members, we’d like to clarify and clear the discussions on this topic.

As you are all aware, we have been welcoming Velocity Platinum and Gold Members to our lounges without the need of a boarding pass (subject to availability)

Effective Wednesday 15 August 2012, we will require Gold and Platinum Members to present a same-day boarding pass for Virgin Australia or one of our airline partners in order to access the Virgin Australia lounge. Why? This will allow us to dedicate our lounges entirely to our travelling guests, ensuring they have the best experience possible prior to and/or after their flight. We are still the only Australian airline to allow both Gold and Platinum members to access the lounge before or after their flight. All other lounge access entitlements still apply.

We are communicating this via our website (some of you have already seen this) and it will also be included in a newsletter to our Velocity Frequent Flyer members.

This is about improving the travel experience of our guests, so we trust you and your guests will still enjoy our lounges before and after your flight with us.

 

[Simo]

Hi AFFers and Velocity Frequent Flyer members, we’d like to clarify and clear the discussions on this topic.

As you are all aware, we have been welcoming Velocity Platinum and Gold Members to our lounges without the need of a boarding pass (subject to availability)

Effective Wednesday 15 August 2012, we will require Gold and Platinum Members to present a same-day boarding pass for Virgin Australia or one of our airline partners in order to access the Virgin Australia lounge. Why? This will allow us to dedicate our lounges entirely to our travelling guests, ensuring they have the best experience possible prior to and/or after their flight. We are still the only Australian airline to allow both Gold and Platinum members to access the lounge before or after their flight. All other lounge access entitlements still apply.

We are communicating this via our website (some of you have already seen this) and it will also be included in a newsletter to our Velocity Frequent Flyer members.

This is about improving the travel experience of our guests, so we trust you and your guests will still enjoy our lounges before and after your flight with us.

Can you please explain the reasoning behind the decision.

Has the ATA been abused by a minority.

 

[MichaelD]

same-day boarding pass for Virgin Australia or one of our airline partners

Does "one of our airline partners" include Rex?

 

[MichaelD]

This is about improving the travel experience of our guests

As a 2400 SC Frequent Flyer per annum with Virgin (who only tried Virgin again because of the Platinum status match) I can assure you that this is NOT improving my travel experience.

 

[spentan]

Re: [Virgin Australia] Anytime lounge access is now available

quite devo regarding this, it was great being able to drop friends off at the airport and then go into the lounge with them, give them a taste of the lounge life

If QF brought this back (for WP or WP1 only), it'd be insane, I'd actually try and get WP1 cos its an awesome feature

 

[mickeyc747]

As a 2400 SC Frequent Flyer per annum with Virgin (who only tried Virgin again because of the Platinum status match) I can assure you that this is NOT improving my travel experience.

I am at 3600 it doesnt improve my travel expereince, it says to me yes DJ for 800 SC after 25 Aug this year and perhaps Platinum with another carrier, that will improve my travel experience.

 

[Ewing]

My office is very close to Sydney airport (walking distance to domestic). As a result of this I frequently (every couple of weeks) meet someone (clients, friends or family) at the airport.

I would usually push those people to fly (or in some cases book them on) Virgin so that I could have a coffee in the lounge while waiting for their flight. Most of those people have now started flying with Virgin more and more.

Now I'll just let them fly on whatever airline they like, which will probably revert to how it was before - Qantas.

Cost to Virgin of ATA for me: ~12 coffees a year and a couple of glasses of wine.
Direct loss to Virgin: ~$2,000/year in flights.
Indirect loss: future business of those I refer.

On a related note, while ATA isn't a huge benefit it's another benefit that's been lost. It's reassured me that the decision to drop to Velocity Gold and keep Qantas Platinum has been the right one.

 

[Undercover Brother]

VA, this is disappointing. Whichever accountant is responsible for this decision should have thought about consulting at least a small group of premium flyers first.

If ATA is being abused by certain individuals, revoke their access. Too many Gold's using it? Give it too Platinum only. Lounge crowding is (minor) issue at peak times, but apart from that, I cannot see why ATA is a problem.

The reason I made the switch from QF to VA is all of the little things (and flexibility) that you provided in your FF program over the opposition. When I drop my fiancée at the airport, it is fantastic to sit down and have a coffee with her waiting for her flight in comfort, peace and quiet and with friendly VA staff.

12 months ago you re-branded yourself, and a whole bunch of wonderful and useful features can to be in the new Velocity. Please don't turn into Qantas and start chipping away at all of your hard work. I will still be flying VA.

 

[medhead]

Careful guys. I remember expressing similar views when Qantas removed ATA. Some of the cough that got thrown at me was outta control.

BTW the right move is to maintain multiple status to cover your full travel needs, IMO


Sent from the Throne

 

[Princess Fiona]

BTW the right move is to maintain multiple status to cover your full travel needs, IMO


Sent from the Throne

My thoughts entirely

 

[cityloop]

Extremely disappointing how Virgin seems to be chipping away and eroding the shine that is flying with Virgin. I have placed all of our business and personal travel over to Virgin and affiliates as there were so many benefits offered by Virgin that other airlines did not provide. Now all I see lately is the gloss being taken off and the incentive to only fly Virgin becoming less and less. Additionally I have been a huge advocate in convincing many friends, family and business colleagues to fly Virgin and explained the reasons why, but now I feel like there is not much to talk about and I honestly have been talking less and less about Virgin.

I don't really use ATA all that much. I do like it however on the odd occasion where I may sit in the lounge to wait for business partners, family or friends flying in (on Virgin of course as I recommended it). So cost to Virgin for my use of ATA is minimal however the increase in revenue from me recommending people fly Virgin is much more. It also reaffirms my loyalty to Virgin as it is these small benefits that make me stay with Virgin. Keeping ATA maintains the good image and keeps people like me happy. If the Lounge is full then of course refuse ATA at that time, if particular members are abusing ATA then of course provide them with a warning, these are better ways of dealing with any 'problems' with ATA.

Virgin I ask you to listen carefully about the opinions expressed here. These small issues like ATA may seem like a small accounting win for the bean counters but you need to consider the brand loyalty factor and how much that may cost Virgin in terms of lost revenue and lost 'word of mouth' marketing that people like myself and others do on your behalf for free.

 

[mavrick9]

... These small issues like ATA may seem like a small accounting win for the bean counters but you need to consider the brand loyalty factor and how much that may cost Virgin in terms of lost revenue and lost 'word of mouth' marketing that people like myself and others do on your behalf for free.

I agree with you there.

On AUSBT : Virgin Australia axes unlimited 'anytime access' to airport lounges - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

There's a Poll at the bottom.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

On a related note, while ATA isn't a huge benefit it's another benefit that's been lost. It's reassured me that the decision to drop to Velocity Gold and keep Qantas Platinum has been the right one.

Given the massive negatively towards QF after they removed ATA, you would think someone would learn from this.
ATA is a perceived benefit that at least 95% of members would never use, yet it's the 95% that are vocal. What this says is ATA holds a lot more weight than one might otherwise think.

Agree with Undercover Brother, there are easier, more effective and less damaging ways to mitigate any abuse by members than removing it all together. Someone at VA was not doing their homework.

 

[Ewing]

Agree with Undercover Brother, there are easier, more effective and less damaging ways to mitigate any abuse by members than removing it all together. Someone's not doing their homework.

+1, and as they check each and every person into the lounge then surely it wouldn't be difficult to run some data analysis and identify those who are abusing the lounge.

Having said that, abuse is something that they've also never defined. I don't consider my occasional use abusive, but others might.

I will also freely admit that I have dropped in for some plane watching and a few glasses of wine after work on a Friday when the weather has been particularly nice - but that's only been a handful of times (~4 in the past year). Living in an inner-city suburb with some great small bars as close as 200m from my house means that there's many other places I'd rather spend my non-flying time