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

[mickeyc747]

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.

Give them some feedback on your suggestions I have told them perhaps as Platinums 4 X ATA a year the same as your comps but you must have flown the 8 required DJ sectors and I suggested 2 for Golds ensuring they have flown the 4 sectors. I got a reply advising that they would consider the matter, it cant hurt if people have other great suggestions.

 

[Ausbt]

Give them some feedback on your suggestions I have told them perhaps as Platinums 4 X ATA a year the same as your comps.

That's fine as long as they retain ATA for Golds/Plats holding a boarding pass for anytime that same day. If they replaced arrivals access with a quota scheme that would be truly awful.

 

[Jama]

If they replaced arrivals access with a quota scheme that would be truly awful.

Definitly Agree with that.

 

[Simo]

Gee OOL only got a lounge in May/June so I can not see that could have been the reason for removing ATA

 

[mickeyc747]

That's fine as long as they retain ATA for Golds/Plats holding a boarding pass for anytime that same day. If they replaced arrivals access with a quota scheme that would be truly awful.

I didnt suggest replacing the arrivals scheme it was to be a benifit on top of what is already there

 

[oz_mark]

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

I agree that it was always going to be removed. When (12 months, longer?) and how (Golds first, plat later?) were the only questions over it.

 

[Ausbt]

I didnt suggest replacing the arrivals scheme it was to be a benifit on top of what is already there

Yep I know, but I fear you have put an idea in their heads.

I've been to the OOL lounge a bit lately - it's one of the quietest lounges around. BTW the chutney there is awesome!

 

[mickeyc747]

Yep I know, but I fear you have put an idea in their heads.

I've been to the OOL lounge a bit lately - it's one of the quietest lounges around. BTW the chutney there is awesome!

The conversation was around what I used ATA for and it was not take away the current benifits. Will send you a PM.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

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

I used ATA I think twice in the one year so no. Once in Melbourne and once in the Gold Coast. Both just to check out the facilities and see if it was worth moving over. I've flown VA a few times too when it suited me but not much.

 

[mavrick9]

Originally Posted by 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.
---

I Agree. The status match was a pretty good low cost of acquisition per customer. Match the QFF status and give the prospective flyer a few coffees, a few chips, a LMHD, perhaps at a total of $100 over a few flights. Plus $10 to mail them out some plastic cards.

That would hopefully bring in at least $6000 of revenue per GOLD flyer in the next 12 months, if it worked.

It's not going to work on all the status match recipients. Probably only 5-20% of them would convert a major part to VA.. ???

The cost of acquiring a current QFF to fly DJ without the status match, ie via traditional marketing TV/News/Radio etc would be a lot higher than $100. And why would a Gold QFF even bother trying DJ without the gold benefits?


Could ATA Come back?

Yes it could. Once this new round of Semi-Comped Golds and Plats - (the ones who were status matched - but got a buy 2 Flexi's and your still Gold/Plat) - drop off in 12 months. Unless there is another Status Match, DJ could bring back ATA. As the only GOLD and PLAT on the books would be genuine flyers with revenue each of $6000 - $10,000 PA. Plus the few comped PLAT's that have dropped back to GOLD (prob a small few).

This is probably 12-18 months off.

I See PER as a problem for ATA if Mining flights, or Skywest are departing from the same terminal as the lounge is near departures. You could be on a Rio Tinto flight to Red Dirt Airport, and you can use your ATA to access the lounge.

MEL Lounge is close to REX departures, but a fair walk from the Q and Jetstar gates.. So I can't see a lot of abuse there.

OOL sounds like a different story.

 

[ajw373]

Funny reading this thread and then comparing to the thread when Qantas did the same last year. Seems the general consensus when Qantas abolished it was they were a pack of coughs and should show some loyalty to those who earned it, yet reading this thread the consensus is people were using it as pseudo Qantas lounge in some ports. Now whilst of course the major difference is a lot of those using the Virgin lounge are Qantas customers that have been comped (including myself), one would have though the underlying issue would be the same both ways, yet goes to show a clear double standard by those on this board.

 

[kpc]

Now whilst of course the major difference is a lot of those using the Virgin lounge are Qantas customers that have been comped (including myself), one would have though the underlying issue would be the same both ways, yet goes to show a clear double standard by those on this board.

If you flew BIS to get to QF WP versus simply getting comped to DJ WP, your level of irritation / annoyance about the withdrawal of ATA will be quite different.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

If this is considered 'abuse' by some on here then what about all the 'abuse' of the international first lounge by QF when flying on potentially a $9 jetstar flight. They are losing money hand over fist by passengers doing this, but most on this board think its teriffic.

 

[ajw373]

If you flew BIS to get to QF WP versus simply getting comped to DJ WP, your level of irritation / annoyance about the withdrawal of ATA will be quite different.

One would hope those that got comped are not complaining (I'm not). But for those who earned it, it is not different what so ever to when Qantas scrapped theirs yet the 'anger' here is directed towards 'free loaders' rather than the company. Anyway it was just a casual observation glancing through the 30 pages of comments.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

for those who earned it, it is not different what so ever to when Qantas scrapped theirs yet the 'anger' here is directed towards 'free loaders'

It is very different. All QF ATA recipients earned their "right" by flying QF and accruing SCs. This time round, many VA ATA recipients were gifted status with an expectation (forlorn hope perhaps) that VA status would break the QF handcuffs, but for many it didn't and at least for some (who knows how many) they used VA ATA to the fullest without any kind of reciprical favours extended. Don't be so sure about no anger toward VA by the way........I for one have been very angry about this whole debacle which is costing me in hard cash and benefits and there's plenty of others who feel similar. The "freeloaders" aren't the target of my anger. They were just the somewhat misled bystanders (free ATA to all has rightly been quoted as something that can be perhaps overused, but not abused as it was an advertised benefit) .

 

[medhead]

Funny reading this thread and then comparing to the thread when Qantas did the same last year. Seems the general consensus when Qantas abolished it was they were a pack of coughs and should show some loyalty to those who earned it, yet reading this thread the consensus is people were using it as pseudo Qantas lounge in some ports. Now whilst of course the major difference is a lot of those using the Virgin lounge are Qantas customers that have been comped (including myself), one would have though the underlying issue would be the same both ways, yet goes to show a clear double standard by those on this board.

Again there is a very major difference in the circumstances. When qantas got rid of ATA loyalty was important and valuable. When the change in strategy by DJ loyalty is no longer as valuable or important, if one flies enough. That was the stupidity of Qantas' move their burnt loyalty and I for one have taken a big chunk of my business elsewhere. The same isn't going to happen with DJ.

But if it makes you feel better. Their (sic) a mob who were born when they're (sic) parents were out of wedlock.


Sent from the Throne

 

[tinkybelle]

wouldnt all the comped gold and plats be ending their year by now??
so anyone who actually earned it or at least maintained should be a bit pissed( like me)
though I have never actually been to the lounge when not travelling and certainly wouldnt want to go in after a flight.

 

[ajw373]

wouldnt all the comped gold and plats be ending their year by now??
so anyone who actually earned it or at least maintained should be a bit pissed( like me)
though I have never actually been to the lounge when not travelling and certainly wouldnt want to go in after a flight.

Yep that's why I was not really considering those comped in my comment above.

 

[Princess Fiona]

wouldnt all the comped gold and plats be ending their year by now??
so anyone who actually earned it or at least maintained should be a bit pissed( like me)
though I have never actually been to the lounge when not travelling and certainly wouldnt want to go in after a flight.

I was comped plat and have retained it. To be honest I couldn't care less about anytime access. I was one of the people jumping up and down about QF ATA finishing as I had used this benefit when flying into or out of T2 on Aeropelican. I've mellowed somewhat since then and am happy to have access before or after flights on either of QF/DJ.
I've avoided Aeropelican except flying into SYD to connect to QF since the QF removal of ATA.
I still haven't found a lounge as good as my own at home

 

[Aussie_flyer]

It is very different. All QF ATA recipients earned their "right" by flying QF and accruing SCs.

did they? I think plenty of them earnt it by flying AA instant upgrade fares all around North America and the Caribbean!!