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

[anat0l]

Yep, got my Velocity News email today with the lounge entry policy update.

In other news, the Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbour; stop. Please send urgent support; stop.

 

[Mal]

Still hasn't arrived here.

And is retrospective notice OK?

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[drewbles]

Still hasn't arrived here.

And is retrospective notice OK?

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

Me either. I have now tried 2-3 times to notify DJ that I get *no* status emails from them these days. Not even monthly statements. I know it's them too, as my mail server receives the emails for my parents and brothers, and I see their emails in the past 24 hours logs.

DJ keep saying "oh but you are signed up you'll get email' even though I never do. The only thing I get is my itineraries. I'm a little sick of reporting this.

 

[Qld4101]

Seems I am in the same situation - I don't seem to get any emails apart from itineraries. Have never had anything else, I just presumed that they don't send anything else out, but did wonder when everyone was getting status bonus emails etc.........

 

[Ausbt]

I'm still happy to call them all lounge angels. Though I witnessed today the most disgusting display from a "gent" (term loosely used,) as he abused a lounge angel in SYD premium entry for denying him entry. He clearly stated at a bellowing volume that all in the entire lounge must have heard. " I've been coming in here for months without an issue when I'm on a Jetstar or other flight and suddenly now you say it is not permitted."
.

Did you feel like having a crack at him? People like this need to be taken down a peg - would have been enjoyable to help the lounge staff boot him out.

 

[Foreigner]

Just got a email from velocity:

"[TABLE="width: 510"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Lounge entry policy update
Effective 15 August 2012, Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum members will require same-day travel with Virgin Australia or one of its airline partners in order to access the Virgin Australia lounge before or after their flight. This will allow us to dedicate our lounges entirely to our travelling guests, ensuring they have the best experience possible prior to or after their flight. All other lounge entitlements and access policies still apply. "[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Yep, got mine just before 2:00 pm.

Policy is clear and appreciate that for me, Gold member, I have access before and after-same day flight.

 

[drewbles]

Seems I am in the same situation - I don't seem to get any emails apart from itineraries. Have never had anything else, I just presumed that they don't send anything else out, but did wonder when everyone was getting status bonus emails etc.........

Just to confirm, check https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/MyAccount/MyPreferences/index.html to see if you have everything there selected. I have a tick in every 'Communication Preferences' box, but it makes no difference, I get nothing (except v-mail).

*edit*
I just emailed them, again. Maybe they'll get their act together this time. It appears as though I've not had a monthly statement via email from them since December 2010!

 

[Qld4101]

Just to confirm, check https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/MyAccount/MyPreferences/index.html to see if you have everything there selected. I have a tick in every 'Communication Preferences' box, but it makes no difference, I get nothing (except v-mail).

Thanks - checked and everything was ticked - have reselected and confirmed so will see if that results in anything.....

 

[drewbles]

Thanks - checked and everything was ticked - have reselected and confirmed so will see if that results in anything.....

Keep us posted. I'll also advise when (or if) I hear back from them regarding the same problem (knowing how their email systems 'present' themselves from an SMTP level, it's surprising more people haven't complained about this).

 

[Jama]

Go into your settings and untick everything, save it and then renable and save. For good measure remove yourself, wait 24hrs and then reenable.

 

[777]

I witnessed today the most disgusting display from a "gent" (term loosely used,) as he abused a lounge angel in SYD premium entry for denying him entry. He clearly stated at a bellowing volume that all in the entire lounge must have heard. " I've been coming in here for months without an issue when I'm on a Jetstar or other flight and suddenly now you say it is not permitted." He then made several comments about this sort of mucking around is the reason he doesn't bother with Virgin.

I feel like scolding him with "THAT'S WHY YOU CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS! YOU DON'T TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM!"

[redacted]

 

[anat0l]

Spare a thought for our Flyertalk brethren - some have nigh just found out about these changes (Virgin Australia haven't been as "proactive" on Flyertalk compared to our being a bit spoiled here on AFF):

Ridiculous Virgin changes to Lounge entry rules - with zero advance notice. - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[medhead]

Not saying it didn't happen but the idiot who was denied access doesn't ring true. How did he get DJ status in the first place without flying DJ. Status match? So he had qantas status and presumably lounge access at some point. So why the hell was he using the DJ lounge and not the QP? Clearly the guy is a class A imbecile who clearly doesn't have the first clue about FF programs.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Ausbt]

Flyertalk

Heavens! What a horrible website ...there sure does appear to be some a-grade wankers posting over there.

 

[wob.geek]

Heavens! What a horrible website ...there sure does appear to be some a-grade wankers posting over there.

They probably say the same about AFF...

 

[amaroo]

Heavens! What a horrible website ...there sure does appear to be some a-grade wankers posting over there.

When next you have a few moments of doing nothing take a read at the Delta or any of the other sepo boards - great entertainment!

 

[birder]

I'm a platinum who was status matched, and I am extremely annoyed about this change for a few reasons. First, I just received notice today in an email - the notice was buried deep in the email. Since I do use ATA about every 2 months, when I pick up out-of-town business clients, I am very glad that I read through the whole email (I normally do not). I would have been seriously pissed off to show up at the lounge with a client and be denied entry. DJ, this is poor form on your part.

Second, I have read through about 30 pages of this thread and skipped ahead to post. Apparently some people who were status matched are being given offers to allow them to retain platinum by flying only 1-4 flights? I am very close to renewing my platinum through hard-earned flying, and I was planning to do so with one last international flight in September. (I fly only economy unfortunately so it takes a lot more flying to get to Platinum this way.) I'm not sure why I wasn't given any of these special offers, but apparently I'm not very valuable to DJ.

Third, why is everyone assuming that there had to be abuse to cause DJ to end ATA? Until/unless DJ explains why, I think it's premature to make that argument. It may be that the cost-cutters got the upper hand. Facts are malleable things; the same set of facts can be construed as "success" or "abuse." Other people have made this same argument; if it's ATA, how is it abuse?

So right now, I'm scratching my head over what to do. I do mostly international flying and DJ's lack of alliance causes me endless grief. When I fly in the US on Delta, as part of DJ-booked tickets, I still get charged ridiculous amounts for baggage. That wouldn't happen if I had status with an airline in an alliance.

I have also brought my daughter to the lounge twice (we live in Canberra). It's a magical experience for her: the planes, the feeling of being in a nice restaurant, the atmosphere. I don't drink coffee or rarely drink alcohol, so we certainly haven't cost DJ much money this way. This was a major perk for me, even though we rarely used it (and only on Sunday afternoons, when the lounge is dead).

So DJ has ticked me off in a number of ways: 1) providing no advance notice of the change 2) providing no real visible notice of the change (burying it in the middle of a monthly email doesn't count) 3) refusing to explain the change and 4) refusing to consider less dramatic changes, such as giving it to Platinum only or allowing it only on off-peak times.

What does this mean for me? I'm glad I haven't booked my final international flight, because I'm not sure if I'm going to stay with DJ. If they had seamless international alliances, this would annoy me but not break the final straw. However, given the headaches I put up because of my loyalty to DJ, I was going to stay with them because of ATA - and now I may not.

It's off to the Qantas website to figure out which program is best for me.

 

[smit0847]

Though I witnessed today the most disgusting display from a "gent" (term loosely used,) as he abused a lounge angel in SYD premium entry for denying him entry. He clearly stated at a bellowing volume that all in the entire lounge must have heard. " I've been coming in here for months without an issue when I'm on a Jetstar or other flight and suddenly now you say it is not permitted." He then made several comments about this sort of mucking around is the reason he doesn't bother with Virgin.

Did he think Virgin would care that someone who 'never bothers with VA' can no longer get something for nothing?

 

[Danger]

Heavens! What a horrible website ...there sure does appear to be some a-grade wankers posting over there.

I hate to go off topic but I find AFF so, so much more palatable than Flyertalk. Naturally, I don't wish to sound at all racist, nor do I suggest the manner covers the whole populus, but I find so many comments by many Americans (going by their location info) on Flyertalk as purely argumentative, often dummy spitting and sometimes downright offensive in tone.

AFF is so superior.

 

[moa999]

Successfully used Arrivals access in SYD today with no issues - showed card and boarding paper.
Politely turned away on the 15th when flying on another carrier.