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

[medhead]

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.

I'm pretty sure kpc was not referring to you post.

But for what it's worth calling the platinum call centre doesn't really match my idea of confirming with management.


Sent from the Throne

 

[mickeyc747]

I'm pretty sure kpc was not referring to you post.

But for what it's worth calling the platinum call centre doesn't really match my idea of confirming with management.


Sent from the Throne

I also backed it up with a call to Senior Management

 

[medhead]

I also backed it up with a call to Senior Management

I can only ask, why? This is a wild Internet rumour. Also remember SYD is being refurbished in a month the information might only be relate to those works. I would encourage you to not ring, as it just places why too much importance on this information. And it is really not much of an issue.


Sent from the Throne

 

[MichaelD]

Apologies to all bickering parties, but to bring this thread back on topic.

I have just had a chat to one of the lounge angels in SYD and can confirm what the OP stated;

Anytime Access is finishing.

You will have access to the lounge Before and After Virgin flights that day.

I didn't go into specific details of exactly when, or which status level gets what, or partner airlines, or why it is being removed...but ATA as we know it is history. May it RIP. It was good while it lasted.

 

[mickeyc747]

I can only ask, why? This is a wild Internet rumour. Also remember SYD is being refurbished in a month the information might only be relate to those works. I would encourage you to not ring, as it just places why too much importance on this information. And it is really not much of an issue.


Sent from the Throne

Exactly to stop the rumor. But I will call who I like when I like. If they didn't want to take my call they could have let the message go to voice mail. I don't abuse the use of my contacts.

 

[Mal]

Note that Virgin Australia lounge | Virgin Australia still says:

Subject to space availability, Velocity Platinum and Gold Members do not require a boarding pass, and are welcome to enter the Virgin Australia lounge at any time.

I'll let others debate how much notice (if any) is required to change this - as well as wait for official confirmation of any change. Until then - it's just speculation, potentially based on works being done in the SYD lounge, or even one staff member's interpretation of something.

 

[ermen]

Does 'any' other FF Program offer ATA?

CX DM I think

 

[Greggsy]

I used ATA once in Perth to check out the extensions before getting on a QF flight.

I was there only a few minutes and took three mentos on my way out. I apologise for my actions

RIP ATA


Greg.

 

[markis10]

Melbourne lounge desk confirmed from Monday no ATA

 

[samh004]

Melbourne lounge desk confirmed from Monday no ATA

Interesting, they're certainly giving plenty of notice. I guess mass emailings should happen then, as I can't imagine rocking up only to be turned away is the right way to handle things.

This does leave me wondering if arrival access is still a benefit and what this means for the DJ AGM next Saturday.




 

[ChrisFlyer]

If this change is only for SYD while the renovations are taking place, I can completely understand their need to lower the numbers in the lounge due to available space, while minimising any inconvenience to premium pax that are actually flying that day. However, if this is network-wide and is indeed changing in mid-August, then I strongly feel that VA needs to start providing much more notice before making such changes. A few example from the past where minimal notice was provided:

* Restriction for Gold pax to only one checked bag, instead of a simple 32kg allowance that permitted multiple bags to be checked (~1 month notice)
* Cutting the SC earn rates for many Etihad fares in half (~1 month notice)
* Removal of the low points+pay redemption options (no notice)
* Removal of Priority Pass (~1 month notice, though extended for a couple of weeks due to complaints)

FWIW, as there is now more than one person that has been told of the removal of ATA, I'd be inclined to trust the lounge angels on that one, as they are ultimately the ones that are tasked with enforcing such rules. In the past, certain lounge angels have revealed to me planned changes 6-12 months ahead of any announcement from the company. This included the removal of Priority Pass, the removal of single-entry passes from sale, the changes to the paid lounge membership prices, new valet services at BNE, etc etc. I'm next flying VA on Wednesday out of MEL, so I'll see if there is any comment then.

Would be nice to have a response from VA officially, though I suspect we may have to wait until tomorrow for that (today being Saturday).

 

[medhead]

Exactly to stop the rumor. But I will call who I like when I like. If they didn't want to take my call they could have let the message go to voice mail. I don't abuse the use of my contacts.

I didn't say you can't call someone.



Sent from the Throne

 

[markis10]

Interesting, they're certainly giving plenty of notice. I guess mass emailings should happen then, as I can't imagine rocking up only to be turned away is the right way to handle things.

This does leave me wondering if arrival access is still a benefit and what this means for the DJ AGM next Saturday.




The DJ AGM access has been confirmed, no difference to QF AGM.

 

[samh004]

The DJ AJM access has been confirmed, no difference to QF AGM.

Okay cool, and from reading up above I see MichaelD said arrivals access will still be permitted anyway, as my dad will be arriving earlier than the official start I wouldn't want to be waiting till 14:30 for access




 

[QF WP]

Yes, we just turned up for a final drink to our AFF Day and Robert, the acting Manager, said as markis10 has posted.

I will check with Annette in BNE when I return as I was to email her attendees. I spoke with her about it on Thursday and she didn't mention it.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Given that we are asked "Are you flying today?" when going into the lounge, it says the res system isnt' linked up to your status/card.

With that in mind, how are you able to accurately know how many people use ATA? You don't.
If ATA removal is for real - it sounds like something that was decided on many moons ago.

Personally, I was under the impression ATA would remain when choosing to fly VA (instead of QF) and I've used it a few times. Re qualified for Plat in ~15 flights.

 

[mickeyc747]

I just a had a call from management:

1. With an apology for not being told the correct story earlier.
2. ATA does cease Monday.
3. ATA was used by pax they were not flying DJ and a lot of them in BNE SYD and MEL had never flown DJ.

So I apologies for my earlier statements but I was quoting a relaible source who has apologised.

 

[eastwest101]

I just a had a call from management:

1. With an apology for not being told the correct story earlier.
2. ATA does cease Monday.
3. ATA was used by pax they were not flying DJ and a lot of them in BNE SYD and MEL had never flown DJ.

So I apologies for my earlier statements but I was quoting a relaible source who has apologised.

Thanks for the update - so as long as you are flying or have flown on DJ that day you will be able to access the lounge?

If your point 3 is correct and they are targeting pax not even flying DJ on that particular day - it will be interesting to see how much of an effect this has on some of the members here. It won't affect me much as I only use ATA about once a month upon arrival into a DJ port and waiting for a connecting Rex flight, all other times I use the lounge before a DJ flight. But I forsee some grumpy posts from other people whom may be affected...

 

[ChrisFlyer]

2. ATA does cease Monday.

Wow - thanks for the notice VA!!!!!! Every time that I consider switching back from QF, you always have some new change to push me away... This would also seem to be in breach of their own T&Cs regarding notice:

22. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND VELOCITY FREQUENT FLYER

22.1 Subject to this clause 22, we reserve the right to make changes to any aspect of Velocity Frequent Flyer and these Terms and Conditions.
22.2 The Terms and Conditions are those published on the Velocity Website.
22.3 We may make changes to these Terms and Conditions from time to time. These changes may affect any features of Velocity Frequent Flyer and these Terms and Conditions.
22.4 We will give you 30 days written notice of any material detrimental change to these Terms and Conditions and also post details on the Velocity Website. We may not give you any other notice of changes.

22.5 Members will be taken to have received the notice described in clause 22.4 by:
22.5.1 VRPL providing notice to the Member's address or email address; or
22.5.2 in any event, by posting details of the changes on the Velocity Website.

I would argue that the removal of a published benefit that differentiated the company from their closest domestic rival (as ATA is a domestic benefit) would be considered a 'material detrimental change'. So VA, kindly advise when you emailed or wrote to all Golds and Plats advising of the change, or when you posted the changes on your website. As far as I can see, your website still shows "Subject to space availability, Velocity Platinum and Gold Members do not require a boarding pass, and are welcome to enter the Virgin Australia lounge at any time."

As the management staff indicated that most of the ATA problems were from those that had never flown on VA before, well, what did you think was going to happen when you opened the doors on status matching, without setting any minimum number of flights or SCs before the ATA privilege kicked in??? Surely this could be rectified by restricting ATA to those that have flown x number of VA flights or accrued x number of status credits, rather than punishing all of your customers??

Yet again, another serious Velocity change with absolutely no notice. VA, you have now lost my trust. Nice job.

 

[tuapekastar]

The point is now moot as it seems done and dusted, but on one level, I'm not sure I can see how it is possible to abuse Anytime Access. It clearly says 'Anytime'. When on earth are you going to use 'Anytime' access other than when you are not departing on DJ/VA that day?

I do agree on a more pragmatic level that the opportunity for 'taking the piss' certainly exists, eg. regular travelling to the airport with friends solely to consume food and bev in the lounge with never any intention of flying. Technically something like that it is not an abuse, but it is OTT in my opinion.

ISTR reading that Qantas Clubs (or whatever they were called in the early years - pre-dates my involvement) originally allowed all members ATA, and people living near airports would join them and use them as their 'local' - never ever flying but regularly rounding up whatever guest allowances they had and that was their Friday or Saturday night out.