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

[Justinf]

Shame if true, but not surprising.
I have used ATA quite a few times. Some of them have been while waiting to fly QF, but most of them have been while a: waiting for a someone to pick me up from the airport after a VA flight b: waiting for the Gull Bus back to Geelong at MEL after a VA flight c: waiting for a friend who has flown after me on either VA or another carrier after I flew with VA.
Waiting in the Lounge for your onward transport is much more pleasant than waiting in the arrivals area.
I don't consider myself an abuser of ATA at all and I have achieved Gold the hard way, self funded (yeah, I know, violins and all that).

 

[samh004]

Well, not really - if you were flying that much then ATA is not really important, since flying is at least a key to getting lounge access (whether this is before a flight or after a flight, or just on the same day). You may consider flying less only if that meant you were actively chasing the status, if that is what you mean.

I enjoy flying, it's a nice relaxing hobby for me. And one of the things that helps with the relaxation part is knowing that at the end of a days flying I can pop into the lounge for a refreshment, or to use facilities that are cleaner than the rest of the terminal, before making my way home.

If that was no longer a benefit (and I know we're talking about DJ, not QF here), I'd probably do less flying on QantasLink and more in SkyTrans and others. Personally, I intend to do some of that flying anyway, but I know I won't have access when I do.




 

[Oneworldplus2]

Does 'any' other FF Program offer ATA?

 

[medhead]

Quite right!

Next to nothing would be fairer.

Even those poor unfortunates who have been offered the two rtn J flights, would have to shell out $2/SC. Less for the flexi invitees. I'm feeling so sorry for them. I only have to shell out circa $7/SC. I can't believe VA have been able to make this scheme so "fair". It must have taken them weeks of planning to do so. :evil:

I didn't say anything about fairness of the scheme. I get that you stomach is all knotted up over this but no need to twist my words. As you right point out people are not getting this for nothing.


Sent from the Throne

 

[MichaelD]

But to use Lounge facilities whilst traveling on a competitor's airline is nothing short of a rort. Those who are abusing this priviledge need to have a long hard look at their moral fibre

Not always so black and white.

I'll do 2400 SCs with DJ this status year, all in J where available, and occasionally hop into the DJ SYD lounge when I've got a small regional flight to catch (eg Rex or Aeropelican) even if I haven't flown DJ on that particular day.

Am I rorting DJ?

Having said that, I used to use the Premium Entry in SYD quite a bit even if not flying DJ, but have decided that's not such a good idea, even if I merely would walk through the DJ lounge to get to the QF lounge. I figured that might be bad for the long term survival of ATA.

(Semi-ironically, I'm typing this from the SYD DJ lounge, albeit after arriving in SYD on a DJ flight.)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

no need to twist my words.

I didn't twist your words, did I? I agreed with you. This time around most have to cough up at least some cash to keep comped status (with the exception of those who've mysteriously been given great wads of SCs for nothing). I perhaps shouldn't have gone OT with the "fairness" bit. That wasn't in response to your post, it was a reaction of those stomach knots of mine de-twisting merrily.

 

[Sojourner]

I have only used ATA while waiting for someone to arrive, or on arrival, maybe 4 times in the last 12 months so I would very much like for this to remain. However, recognising that there may be a small minority who abuse it, I think the idea of putting a cap on how many times you could use ATA each year is quite reasonable.

 

[SilverShadow]

Agree with a cap and maybe something dependant on status perhaps.

 

[pmdg7444]

Removing ATA would just be another blow to DJ convert gang. I believe the best approach would be:


Gold/Plat would have already accrued over 100 SCs : ATA for rest of membership year

Gold/Plat with 10 - 100: 1 ATA pass until they hit the 100 SC threshold in their year.

Gold/Plat with 0 SC who've been comped over: no ATA

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Agree with a cap and maybe something dependant on status perhaps.

It already depends on status, or is your thoughts that plats get to keep it, golds miss out? I sort of imagined the SM WPs were probably the biggest problem.

 

[medhead]

I didn't twist your words, did I? I agreed with you. This time around most have to cough up at least some cash to keep comped status (with the exception of those who've mysteriously been given great wads of SCs for nothing). I perhaps shouldn't have gone OT with the "fairness" bit. That wasn't in response to your post, it was a reaction of those stomach knots of mine de-twisting merrily.

I've probably overreacted to the fairness stuff. Sorry.

I think the improved financial performance suggests the initial give away is working on the whole, even if there are some users out there. I'd be more than happy to make ATA arrivals access, even if I believe ATA makes DJ more attractive than their competition.


Sent from the Throne

 

[anat0l]

Does 'any' other FF Program offer ATA?

In Australia, no. VA is alone in that one.

CX Diamonds can use any CX or KA operated J lounge as long as they are flying (i.e. any airline). I don't think it works for "arrivals access", but then again the only test case that would apply to is SIN.

BA Golds previously had ATA which they called "Open Doors"; no guest allowance, however. This has been removed for quite some time now (well after QF removed it). It was mainly 'abused' *cough* by BA Golds at LGW when flying EasyJet.

LH HON I think has ATA unless the rules have changed. (I think their ATA even extended to LH operated F Lounges, but not the FRA FCT where you strictly had to be flying Lufthansa Group).

Without checking all the other airlines and possibly considering invite-only tiers, that's all I can think of. Saying that, ATA is certainly an exception and no where near a staple benefit (like priority baggage, priority check-in etc.).

Oddly enough, Radisson (IIRC) had an "ATA" policy for its top tier elites to their equivalent of the Hilton Executive Lounges for a while. This has also gone the way of the dodo.

 

[MarkD]

Just because nobody else is doing it doesn't mean you have to cease doing it. I do agree with certain prior posts about restrictions, fine, but to drop a bonus such as this just to fall into line with others is ridiculous

I guess at this stage we should all relax until an official announcement is made rather than an anonymous Internet forum post, be a bit weak if they don't announce it and just deny access at the door though


Excuse me for daring to disagree with your opinion, even though, in my opinion, your opinion is totally wrong

 

[anat0l]

Just because nobody else is doing it doesn't mean you have to cease doing it. I do agree with certain prior posts about restrictions, fine, but to drop a bonus such as this just to fall into line with others is ridiculous

Agreed - I was just answering the question.

I guess at this stage we should all relax until an official announcement is made rather than an anonymous Internet forum post

Also agreed. No point griping and uncorking the vitriol if it won't happen.

Excuse me for daring to disagree with your opinion, even though, in my opinion, your opinion is totally wrong

Is that a signature? Just wondering...

 

[Mwenenzi]

Does 'any' other FF Program offer ATA?

In Australia, no. VA is alone in that one.

CX Diamonds can use any CX or KA operated J lounge as long as they are flying (i.e. any airline). I don't think it works for "arrivals access", but then again the only test case that would apply to is SIN.

BA Golds previously had ATA which they called "Open Doors"; no guest allowance, however. This has been removed for quite some time now (well after QF removed it). It was mainly 'abused' *cough* by BA Golds at LGW when flying EasyJet.

LH HON I think has ATA unless the rules have changed. (I think their ATA even extended to LH operated F Lounges, but not the FRA FCT where you strictly had to be flying Lufthansa Group).

Without checking all the other airlines and possibly considering invite-only tiers, that's all I can think of. Saying that, ATA is certainly an exception and no where near a staple benefit (like priority baggage, priority check-in etc.).

Oddly enough, Radisson (IIRC) had an "ATA" policy for its top tier elites to their equivalent of the Hilton Executive Lounges for a while. This has also gone the way of the dodo.

For many airlines in US of A (if not all) lounge access is by paid membership only, unless an international flight. Not a ff perk. Alaska may be a exception for domestic lounge access. Many from the USA are surprised we get domestic lounge access.

 

[LiamR]

I'll be carefully watching this thread.

When travelling for work, lounges have sort of become my office away from my office. So to loose arrivals access or even ATA would be a big blow to me. Those that know me would know I do more than enough flights to earn it.

 

[MarkD]

Is that a signature? Just wondering...

Is that a signature? Just wondering...

Indeed it is, goes back a month or so when a certain member would just disagree with me for the hell of it. If there was a black dot he/she would ague it was white Over it now cracked the shots took a break and unblocked them. Better change the signature



Excuse me for daring to disagree with your opinion, even though, in my opinion, your opinion is totally wrong

 

[kpc]

There are currently 10 users browsing this thread. (9 members and 1 guests)

• kpc,
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• Keith009,
• LiamR,
• mick,
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Maybe one of the AFFers above browsing this thread knows the real answer.... Can he share it with us?:mrgreen:

 

[Justinf]

Indeed it is, goes back a month or so when a certain member would just disagree with me for the hell of it. If there was a black dot he/she would ague it was white Over it now cracked the shots took a break and unblocked them. Better change the signature



Excuse me for daring to disagree with your opinion, even though, in my opinion, your opinion is totally wrong

The sig looks like it is part of your post. Maybe change the font or the colour? Just a suggestion.

 

[mickeyc747]

Maybe one of the AFFers above browsing this thread knows the real answer.... Can he share it with us?:mrgreen:

I amswered the question earlier see my quote.

Or is this going to the same as when I said a certian Senior Manager had departed and I was told I was wrong when I hate to gloat I was right.

I do reserach my answers and do ask the senior management team to ensure what I report is true. There are a couple of AFF's on here that I have met I have intorduced to the managers I know. So it isnt hot air coming out of my mouth.