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

[lovestotravel]

Make it a Platinum only benefit, which after the end of October 2012 most will be *real* Plats who actually contribute to the bottom line.

Gold members will understand. Platinum members will understand they actually ARE valued. Virgin won't be seen as the airline that took away one of the best benefits going.

I'd love to know why the common sense approach outlined above wouldn't work for Virgin.. it ticks all the boxes.

I agree, but even recently Virgin is helping those who have not traveled enough to retain gold and platinum by taking 1 or 2 flights when they are well short of re-qualification.

While this "enhancement" annoys me, since I have access to both QF and VA lounges it doesn't really affect me. It's just another "enhancement" though which I'll add to the list which seems to keep growing

 

[Bolthead]

Re: OOL. I don't want to say "I told you so" but somewhere around here is a thread where i predicted the end of ATA before the OOL lounge was even completed. I figured if it was going to be abused anywhere it would be there.

I remember that thread as well... I think it was calculated that you could have a meal for 4 people for $5 parking (or there abouts)

 

[djfuzz]

Long post drafted, but deleted. I figure ultimately there's not much else to say other than back to BFoD. :/

 

[JohnK]

Surprised they didn't just add a clause about ATA not being allowed when flying a competitor, so some of the more regional airlines are fine, but for QF/JQ, if you're found to be flying them then they can revoke your membership. Then again, why am I still thinking of ways it could be saved?

Correct. Once it is gone it is highly unlikely to return.

But it would not be easy to police if you were flying a competitor.

Me: (Hand over Platinum card)
Virgin Lounge Front Desk: Boarding pass please!
Me: I am not flying today
Virgin Lounge Front Desk: Are you sure you are not flying QF and JQ today?
Me: Positive
Virgin Lounge Front Desk: OK. Welcome.
Me: Thank you. (While walking sneakily checks QF boarding pass to confirm seat 23J and all is good)

Seriously apart from OOL (where there is no QF) why would I want to use the VA Lounge if I am flying QF? It is inferior and not convenient.

Anytime access was nice the few times I used it when not flying but getting to the airport is not that easy.

 

[lovestotravel]

Seriously apart from OOL (where there is no QF) why would I want to use the VA Lounge if I am flying QF? It is inferior and not convenient.

Anytime access was nice the few times I used it when not flying but getting to the airport is not that easy.

Exactly right!

As others have said OOL is likely the issue

 

[777]

As others have said OOL is likely the issue

I don't think's it the only one though. More likely the straw that broke the camel's back. It's not just VA v QF (and JQ). Bare in mind the number of terminals where Virgin is located near Tiger as well. There have also been reports on this forum and others of some using it as their local when they live or work near the airport.

FWIW i have used ATA once - when flying JQ on an evening flight to NTL (no Virgin service available) and i got to the airport early. I have used arrivals access and also access when flying on a partner (eg. When flying internationally in MEL but wanting to use the dom lounge to say goodbye to my family) on a few more occasions and as i understand the new rules that will be allowed.

I don't care too much about the loss of ATA as i rarely used it and never abused it. One minor tweak i'd love to see if it is going though is the ability for plats to use the lounge when farewelling someone else though - say, when your parents, spouse, kids, or grandparents are traveling on a VA flight and you are not. As i read the rules that's not allowed now and i would think it would be the one genuine use i'd like to see added. They can always use "at our discretion" or "subject to capacity" if they are concerned about abuse.

 

[Leumas]

I wonder if the new level will have ATA. Taking it away from Platinums will certainly create a differentiator for this new level...

 

[greenfish]

At best DJ's canning of ATA implies that QF were right to cancel their ATA. At worst, it suggests that DJ were only ever using ATA as a bait and switch for disgruntled QF platinums...

I'd have been satisfied if rather than being halted completely, ATA was modified to allow lounge access when accompanying a departing non-status DJ pax (easy to verify) and perhaps also while waiting for an arriving non-status DJ pax (harder to verify).

 

[wob.geek]

I don't care too much about the loss of ATA as i rarely used it and never abused it. One minor tweak i'd love to see if it is going though is the ability for plats to use the lounge when farewelling someone else though - say, when your parents, spouse, kids, or grandparents are traveling on a VA flight and you are not. As i read the rules that's not allowed now and i would think it would be the one genuine use i'd like to see added. They can always use "at our discretion" or "subject to capacity" if they are concerned about abuse.

I agree. The only time I've used ATA was to say goodbye to my son (who was flying VA anyway).

Still a bit miffed!! There's another couple of weeks to go before it's gone forever - Party in the PER lounge anyone??!?

 

[MichaelD]

Party in the PER lounge anyone??!?

I think that was a large part of the problem :shock:.

 

[leemin]

I'd have been satisfied if rather than being halted completely, ATA was modified to allow lounge access when accompanying a departing non-status DJ pax (easy to verify) and perhaps also while waiting for an arriving non-status DJ pax (harder to verify).

My position exactly. Especially the former

 

[lovestotravel]

I think that was a large part of the problem :shock:.

Let's celebrate the ending of ATA then and see if we can run the bar dry.........

 

[anat0l]

Let's celebrate the ending of ATA then and see if we can run the bar dry.........

Shouldn't be too hard - no spirits in the lounge That said, they'll probably slap RSA on you before you can dry up the beer supply. </facetious>

 

[medhead]

This is what it looks like when QF restock the SYD J lounge. Chance of drinking a lounge dry = none.

View attachment 8686


Sent from the Throne

 

[drewbles]

This is what it looks like when QF restock the SYD J lounge. Chance of drinking a lounge dry = none.

View attachment 8686


Sent from the Throne

Challenge Accepted!

 

[simongr]

Challenge Accepted!

Dude - you have to have the meme as well!

 

[anat0l]

Challenge Accepted!

Dry Lounge Challenge Do?

The content of this post is to be taken, at best, facetiously, and the author does not condone the irresponsible consumption of alcohol. Thank you for your attention.

 

[drewbles]

Dude - you have to have the meme as well!

Of course, i'd use the original:

 

[amaroo]

Of course, i'd use the original:
View attachment 8688

Is that Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick) in that classic - Starship Troopers?

 

[drewbles]

Is that Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick) in that classic - Starship Troopers?

No, it's Doogie Howser in How I Met Your Mother (That show is Legen wait for it....)