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

[JohnPhelan]

I'll certainly think twice before booking international flights with Qantas if there is a hint of industrial action in case they decide to have a lockout again too.

Surely the real reason you would think twice in that situation is because of the much more likely outcome - that your flight would be disrupted by the industrial action itself!

Remember the point of the lock out was to put an end to the industrial action - and it did exactly that.

 

[Flashback]

I really do not understand what VA are doing! OK - Status match, a good and necessary idea. But now throwing status to everyone, even those who haven't flown at all, and consequently disillusioning those who have demonstrated consistent loyalty - this is nuts!

And now removing ATA for everyone because the privilege was abused by the same people they want to offer an easy pathway to status again. Crazy!

Going after Plat 1 is gradually become more and more attractive...

You may need to open another AFF account with a new handle

 

[SilverShadow]

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.

Yep - forgot to mention to keep it based on status too

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I managed to get a status match to Gold and only took two virgin flights this year. That was the sum total of my flying though in my circumstances - so they got all my business!

Another good point here. Gold status was matched, two flights flown, which represents 100% of repete travel. I'd be curious as to whether any status incentives have been offered to you repete, as if I, as a non-matched gold, only flew two flights I'd be bumped to silver and no lounge or ATA as a result anyway. None of us can help if our flying requirements diminish or disappear, but status (and the benefits attached) are premised on the fact we do actually fly the required number of miles. This is why I'm so amazed at the recent wanton offering of FLYING based status credits without the level of flying required. It devalues what used to be a fairly elite group (the old DJ gold requirement of 50000 based on $ spend was reasonably difficult to obtain). Surely FF points is more the tool to attract people who don't do the air miles?

I don't mean to be rude and I sincerley apologise if I have read this wrong, but the Lounge isn't a creche where grandparents can drop their kids off a drink barista coffee. I know it's just a story you heard and that it's not you, but I reckon this is absolutely abuse of ATA.
Sorry once again if I have completely misread what you said.

Not rude, here's the original post http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ng-anytime-access-you-40026-2.html#post622035 . I did make a mistake, it wasn't a grandkid, but kids. Everyone can have an opinion, but this example I see as a positive way of introducing the idea of flying to kids. I know people who drive GC to Syd even though it's cheaper, quicker, easier and safer to fly. They just have this age-old block that says flying is expensive. Teach the kids young about flying and it's in the airlines best interest long term! Tobacco and alcohol companies have known this for ever!

I have earned gold through putting all my flying on DJ and paying for a some flexi fares instead of saver fares (so real additional revenue and margin for Virgin). A big benefit of gold status for me is ATA, as for the 2-4 times a year I drop my fiancee off at the airport it makes her feel a little special and as if she gets something (small, but something) in return for the time for the time I have spent working away from home

And another that shows the diversity in which ATA was used. As others have said, plenty of shades of grey with all of this. I've been thinking about it and have actually come to the conclusion that ATA perhaps should be left with plats only and perhaps arrivals access only for gold. That actually gives one more incentive for people to spend the additional money to convert that gold status to plat. A win for the platinums and a benefit for VA. Of course this is said without the figures that VA have, in how much the ATA is costing them directly.

 

[Simo]

In the past 12 month's or so I have found it handy.

I have used it twice.

Both times where meeting someone who had just got off a VA flight and had a meeting with them.

Both times they had just flown in on a VA flight.

It was better than sitting at a bar and also they had a power point for me to recharge my lap top.

 

[Justinf]

Not rude, here's the original post http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ng-anytime-access-you-40026-2.html#post622035 . I did make a mistake, it wasn't a grandkid, but kids. Everyone can have an opinion, but this example I see as a positive way of introducing the idea of flying to kids. I know people who drive GC to Syd even though it's cheaper, quicker, easier and safer to fly. They just have this age-old block that says flying is expensive. Teach the kids young about flying and it's in the airlines best interest long term! Tobacco and alcohol companies have known this for ever!

Thanks for the link. I appreciate it greatly.
I stillhaven't changed my opinion, but I take back my 'abuse of the ATA' comment. It is clear this person is not abusing the system as he has the good courtesy to ring first and then let the angels know if they want him out. Also, people with these types of good manners will also not let kids run around like banshees like I have seen in the Lounge on many occasions.
So while I still think Lounge access isn't for what he is intending it for, I absolutely retract my 'abuse' comment as it clear this person has impeccable manners and is not abusing the system.
Thanks again for the link.

 

[MandM]

Thanks for the link. I appreciate it greatly.
I stillhaven't changed my opinion, but I take back my 'abuse of the ATA' comment. It is clear this person is not abusing the system as he has the good courtesy to ring first and then let the angels know if they want him out. Also, people with these types of good manners will also not let kids run around like banshees like I have seen in the Lounge on many occasions.
So while I still think Lounge access isn't for what he is intending it for, I absolutely retract my 'abuse' comment as it clear this person has impeccable manners and is not abusing the system.
Thanks again for the link.

I agree that this isn't abusing the ATA, but I doubt that when Virgin were doing the stats that this looked to be any different to those who entered without flying DJ that were in fact abusing the system. To the bean counters entering without flying is entering without flying, no matter how innocent the story that accompanys it.
For the record I'm yet to use ATA but did want to show/show off the MEL lounge to my parents on their arrival (off a DJ flight) in early August. A quick coffee before their 4 hour drive home was going to be it. Looks like I'll be able to do it, but it will be the last time (no showing off to the siblings!). Pity, but I understand. Keeping arrivals access would be a suitable soft landing IMO.

 

[pmdg7444]

May I make a crude comment- I hate to spoil the party but for some there will ALWAYS find a way to ATA.

What they do is book, cancel, refund.....book, cancel, refund.....book, cancel, refund

 

[Cynicor]

I didn't think that virgin fully flexible fares were truly fully flexible? At least, the economy fare I booked last year during the lockout turned out to have cancellation fees attached, which was a shock. QF paid but it made me trust VA a little less.

Have they improved on the flexibility of their offerings?

 

[kpc]

Virgin gave, and now is taking away....no skin of my back. I'm grateful for the comp Hilton Diamond benefit that I got when DJ comp me Plat on the basis of my QF Plat status....this was the best benefit for me. ATA to the lounge was an icing on the cake...With various DJ promos, I will requalify DJ plat again with 4 paid return flights costing me around $600:shock:. With family pooling, I will easily get my mother requalified DJ Gold, so she and my dad can get lounge access when they fly DJ...they will never pay for lounge access.

 

[SilverShadow]

I had a quick read of all the posts here and updates since I last looked yesterday and I guess it is understandable but still sad that they will get rid of this perk. I've done my Gold status earning the hard way, through small domestic flights between Sydney an Melbourne every week for at least 5-6 months this year. Whilst I am sick of the flying it would have been nice if they could at least offer us some passes we could use and not just get rid of ATA all together. Nothing better than waiting in the lounge for family or friends to arrive and I liked the idea someone had where if you had a legitimate excuse to be there - ie friends arriving on DJ then perhaps you could use it. But as is always the case with perks, there will be those who find a way to abuse it.

Anyway, it would be nice if there were some written down fair rights usage rules other than just the general, you can do it if the lounge is not full.

So for me this would have been:

1. Limited number of passes depending on status - obviously Plat get more but maybe 4 for Gold
2. OR only legitimate reasons, you are waiting for someone at the airport who is flying in on DJ (or not) rather than just a passer by
3. You have earned a certain number of status credits since getting past the Gold or Plat threshold - ie 100SC's = 1 pass
4. You can use / pay for the extra perk of ATA, ie even if you qual'd for Gold or Plat, to get ATA you would have to use a certain number of points - maybe 30k, or pay an extra amount $100-200


Sorry if these seem hair brained, it probably is a waste of my thoughts, but whilst I sit here trying to figure out how to do some company restructuring of my own I thought I'd dabble in a bit of procrastination!


Anyway, if anyone is around Melbourne, head outside, it's such a nice day and hasn't rained yet


P.S. Has anyone received a note in their inbox about this from Virgin? Maybe it's coming tomorrow.

 

[Verde]

Surely the real reason you would think twice in that situation is because of the much more likely outcome - that your flight would be disrupted by the industrial action itself!

Remember the point of the lock out was to put an end to the industrial action - and it did exactly that.

Industrial action isn't a major drama by itself. I've been on strike a few times so have a lot of sympathy for the dilemma of withdrawing your labour from a job you like and which will have a negative impact on others, but locking staff and customers out should be a very last resort. I've yet to see anything that suggests that the normal processes had been exhausted and there was nowhere else to go. Instead Qantas management escalated things to the detriment of customers. The whole thing seems to reflect badly on Qantas management (and I'd be surprised if the industrial action didn't reappear in a year or two, so it was postponed rather than resolved).

But to get marginally back on topic, Anytime access was one advantage Virgin had over Qantas. On my more negative days I'd say the days of Qantas resembling its current form may be limited (eg. bought out by private equity, the international and domestic sections split so that all international flights go the way of the NZ ones, perhaps abandoning A380s for smaller planes they can fill at more of a premium).

Virgin is at least presenting itself as smart and sustainable. I think getting rid of anytime access is smart in a business sense and has virtually no impact on customers (and the most severely affected are those who misused the system and thus will probably be profitable to be rid of).

That said, the various suggestions of having a few vouchers available for anytime access use isn't a bad one. I think it would be neat to get a lounge entry pass for every hundred SC the same as silvers etc get - then it would be available for when you want to take extra guests in above you normal amount (eg. several workmates going to a conference) or for anytime access. A solution that ensures there is little scope for abuse but also gives the bulk of the benefits of anytime access to those who are legitimate.

 

[samh004]

May I make a crude comment- I hate to spoil the party but for some there will ALWAYS find a way to ATA.

What they do is book, cancel, refund.....book, cancel, refund.....book, cancel, refund

I thought this was a method to get into the SYD F lounge, with a refundable F ticket

But I’m not sure the purpose of ATA if you have to go to that much trouble.

 

[anat0l]

May I make a crude comment- I hate to spoil the party but for some there will ALWAYS find a way to ATA.

What they do is book, cancel, refund.....book, cancel, refund.....book, cancel, refund

Possible, if not a bit troublesome. (After all, some need to actually have the financial agility to continue to do that).

Make a habit of that and I think the airline will be onto you pretty quickly.

 

[kalboy]

Don't you have to "check-in" before you can access the lounge. Hence how can you cancel after check-in. Is that even possible ?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Don't you have to "check-in" before you can access the lounge. Hence how can you cancel after check-in. Is that even possible ?

Plenty have suggested you can access the lounge to check-in.

I personally can't see how as every lounge I've been to requires a swipe to access.

 

[sail0r]

I too am disappointed to see ATA diminished. Even of the SM SG's and WP's were abusing it, surely there couldn't have been that much, considering that many of these must be the QFF's that DJ really want to convert. Agree wholeheartedly with previous, ATA credited to your account every 100SC's (or so). (or every 5th flight whichever comes first)

I think the bean counters are missing something here. When QF SG/WP's use the DJ lounges, this gives DJ anouther chance to impress them, and many will appreciate the access, as they have chosen it, as their status means that they could be using the QP (assuming they are flying QF that day). I really can't see that they would make a trip to the airport just to abuse the ATA, they would be too busy for that.

I ATA very infrequently, just a couple lately while topping up on QF metal to get SG next month, that way I have something to take to DJ when I try to convince them to 'gift' me back the points that SQ are hoarding, so I can get WP with DJ (flying revenue Int'l J for a couple of months) before I go WP with QF. (to those that say that this is the kind of abuse that diminishing the ATA is trying to stop, if they had got my points right DJ would have got my last 10 QF flights, their choice) If DJ can make it easy for the SM's, I'm sure they can show me some love too.

The parking at BNE is so expensive, that there is no way anyone is going to just pop in to have a drink on a Friday. Similarly, not economical to go in early with a Guest that you are taking to the airport anyway, as you cannot drink fast enough (let alone and still be sober enough to drive) to be able to offset the parking charges (even for an hour). I have always asked if they had enough room for me, as I respect that it is a privilege. (I earned all my SC's not through SM)

 

[Major]

Plenty have suggested you can access the lounge to check-in.

I personally can't see how as every lounge I've been to requires a swipe to access.

I'm with you....normally there is one or more Lounge persons to control entry

 

[medhead]

Anyone remember the free lounge passes that are supposed to be granted every 100 SC? Could this be related? Are they finally going to implement the lounges passes that could be used for ATA?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Also I don't believe the comment "passengers are using VA lounges when flying QF".
In most airports this would be a massive PITA for the passenger, and considering most were status matched - they'd have QF access anyhow.

I'm sure those living/working near airports could take advantage - but why not build in a fair use ATA t&c instead of culling it all together?