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

[Stone]

I haven't had a chance to read the entire thread so I'm sorry if this has been asked already. Will you be able to use the Lounge Passes issued via silver status and the Velocity American Express card, or will this also be restricted to only when flying with Virgin?

 

[JRT]

I've personally experienced this (insert using my membership when partner is flying and I'm not) as a paid (Silver) lounge member, but know it's been same for Gold - so therefore assume Platinum.

 

[oz_mark]

It depends. I always check-in at the lounge so they swipe my card. I've seen many people walk in with BP's and they scan them.

They've always wanted my card, and not my boarding pass.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

They've always wanted my card, and not my boarding pass.

I've grown very accustomed to checking in at the lounge, so it's them giving me a BP, not the other way around! It's been so long since I printed a BP at home I honestly can't remember if they've asked for it or not.

 

[TonyHancock]

I've grown very accustomed to checking in at the lounge, so it's them giving me a BP, not the other way around! It's been so long since I printed a BP at home I honestly can't remember if they've asked for it or not.

Same for me.

I did use ATA back in November and I know they took my card and played on the PC. I assumed it was logged against my account. :?:

 

[serfty]

Most of the time they want me to hand over the card where they check/enter details, but some times it's a simple wave through.

 

[pshepvic]

The last 3 times in MEL I've been I've been in a queue in the morning and one of the Angels has walked up looked at my BP and sent me through. They definitely don't ask for the card each time and don't always register you, particularly when there is a queue of people and you are already checked in. I've also had the Sydney staff in the Premium Entry just look at the BP and not register, scan or do anything else in the computer.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[mavrick9]

Originally Posted by drewbles
DJ scan BP's Cards religiously. When you're scanned as not being a traveller, i'm sure the AFP may then have questions as to why you're falsifying a BP

And then revoke your status :shock:

... and the AFP start shooting the tyres out on your roll-aboard as you make a dash out of the lounge.

 

[SilverShadow]

used the ATA at Melbourne today to pick up a colleague... my 2nd and last time I'll ever get to use the perk... so sad that I'll have to wait elsewhere when picking up people ... haha think I'll just get 'em to catch the skybus from now... on a side note maybe this is a ploy by skybus to get more customers ... mmmm I love a good conspiracy!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

on a side note maybe this is a ploy by skybus to get more customers ... mmmm I love a good conspiracy!

My ethos is, if you haven't heard a good rumour by 10.00am........start one!

 

[mickeyc747]

Found out from a reliable source the 2 lounges with the most ATA abuse were OOL flew out of there Wednesday and PER flying out of there tomorrow. OOL it was Jetstar pax ie the comped Plats and Golds that were never going to fly and PER is FIFO

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Found out from a reliable source the 2 lounges with the most ATA abuse were OOL flew out of there Wednesday and PER flying out of there tomorrow. OOL it was Jetstar pax ie the comped Plats and Golds that were never going to fly and PER is FIFO

the word 'abuse' - seems ridiculous to me, it's a published benefit whether they like it or not. If they didn't want people to use it then they shouldn't offer it.

 

[Major]

I'm sure VA factored in any "abuse". I am now equally sure that ATA was nothing more than a 12 months marketing exercise.

 

[Qld4101]

Agree with you there dazz81 - it is a benefit so not sure why people are referring to abusing it. If they were concerned about overuse by some then they could quite easily have given a certain number and tracked it electronically as they do lounge pass etc......

 

[Jama]

the word 'abuse' - seems ridiculous to me, it's a published benefit whether they like it or not. If they didn't want people to use it then they shouldn't offer it.

I agree that someone never intending to fly VA and using ATA because they were status matched is abuse. Particularly when they brag about using the VA lounge when they don't even fly with them.

It is a no brainer that this was going to happen at OOL, ending ATA is a completely over the top reaction. Let's punish the genuine loyal members for what the freeloaders do.

The simple step would have been to only make ATA valid for those that show a certain level of sectors flown in their flight history.

 

[codash1099]

I'm sure VA factored in any "abuse". I am now equally sure that ATA was nothing more than a 12 months marketing exercise.

Used to be called "Indian giving" (with apologies to all those from the subcontinent and First Nations people in North America)

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I agree that someone never intending to fly VA and using ATA because they were status matched is abuse. Particularly when they brag about using the VA lounge when they don't even fly with them.

It is a no brainer that this was going to happen at OOL, ending ATA is a completely over the top reaction. Let's punish the genuine loyal members for what the freeloaders do.

The simple step would have been to only make ATA valid for those that show a certain level of sectors flown in their flight history.

It's still not abuse. Virgin offered the status match, they offered anytime access.

 

[mickeyc747]

the word 'abuse' - seems ridiculous to me, it's a published benefit whether they like it or not. If they didn't want people to use it then they shouldn't offer it.

Over using a stated benifit then. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[Jama]

It's still not abuse. Virgin offered the status match, they offered anytime access.

The status match was offered in good faith with the expectation that some business would result for VA. In return the recipient would enjoy all the benefits. The intention was not to simply provide free access to VA lounges to those who were not interested in giving VA a try. That's abuse.

I don't suppose your trying to justifying something you have been doing

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm sure VA factored in any "abuse". I am now equally sure that ATA was nothing more than a 12 months marketing exercise.

This is so true. There are so many ways VA could have minimised the "over use" issue without removing it altogether. It seems in hindsight, this is an absolute no-brainer.