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

[MarkD]

Still got a bit of a sour taste in my mouth from the reaction of the MEL Lounge Manager on Sunday afternoon, at least 50% of that group have significant DJ activity from a zero base on their records now which would have been more profitable than the cost of the Crownie that each devoured!

What happened at MEL lounge?


I'm too poor to own a signature

 

[markis10]

What happened at MEL lounge?


I'm too poor to own a signature

The Lounge Manager gave us the impression that he was doing us a big favor letting us in, even though he said the ATA stops on Monday. I could have understood had it been 24 hours later but 1630 on a Saturday is hardly peak hour, and while he did not know it, some of the group were getting their first look at the lounge which was one of the reasons why we went.

It was somewhat strange to have a DJ staffer with an attitude when we had given JQ & QF multiple chances during the day to pose similar examples, yet we could not have felt more welcome everywhere we went, including having one First lounge staffer suggest we stay and miss the flight so that we could enjoy more of the hospitality

 

[samh004]

I think the folks at Virgin finally found out what Qantas knew - ATA was not sustainable from a financial point of view

Without either of them releasing figures that show the true cost, I'd never believe that line.

I agree with a few others here now with the reasoning being it was a way to show off their lounges during the match period. However I'm not sure they realise how useful it has become to some high flying members who have since earned the status in their own right, and how that will affect them going forward.




 

[MarkD]

The Lounge Manager gave us the impression that he was doing us a big favor letting us in, even though he said the ATA stops on Monday. I could have understood had it been 24 hours later but 1630 on a Saturday is hardly peak hour, and while he did not know it, some of the group were getting their first look at the lounge which was one of the reasons why we went.

It was somewhat strange to have a DJ staffer with an attitude when we had given JQ & QF multiple chances during the day to pose similar examples, yet we could not have felt more welcome everywhere we went, including having one First lounge staffer suggest we stay and miss the flight so that we could enjoy more of the hospitality

That's a shame, nice first impression for those who were virgin lounge virgins. Oh well at least qf looked after you all and didn't make you feel like you shouldn't have used what you were entitled to. Amazing how one staffer can make a whole group feel awkward


I'm too poor to own a signature

 

[drewbles]

To me, the removal of ATA seems strange, but DJ are doing a lot of unusual things of late.

Why they would entice people to keep their matched status with a few flights is beyond me. Status is awarded to people who earn it. A matched status program is designed to make it easier for people to swap from one airline to another, rather than start from scratch. I know this worked for me. DJ matched me to Platinum, and I started flying them more. I was happy so continued to do so, and re-qualified for Platinum quite easily.

Had they not offered the match, I would have stayed with QF and they would not have seen a cent. I'm the perfect example of how a match is meant to work.

However, as stated, non-flying matched people may and have been exploiting this. Assuming these people with zero flights don't go and cough up the dough to retain status, they'll drop by the waist side over the next 90-120 days. Then, they will have no access, ATA or otherwise (unless they pay or have it as an entitlement with their fare).

It is beyond me why DJ would attempt to retain these exploiters, to get a few bucks in revenue from a few flights. I appreciate that DJ are going after market share but surely the quick-re-qual-for-an-originally-matched-member strategy is flawed. At the very best, they should be restricting ATA to WP's. I'm not quite sure why they allowed ATA for SG's anyway; QF never did.

Sorry for the rant, just DJ are doing things recently which are really confusing me....

 

[simongr]

I expect the reason for the easy qualifying for some (I have only four flights on DJ since the match and was not targetted) is that status is not a short term game - it really is a long game for some. Some people might have tried a few flights and not been blown away (like me) so didnt try to requal - this gives them another go to try again and make a commitment either way.

I am personally pushing for a major award trip so flicking flights to DJ wasnt a priority for me - also looking set to hit P1 means I want to make sure I hit that. Although if I was offered the comp for a couple of flights I might do that now that I know for sure I will hit P1.

I just can't believe anyone was abusing this - if it was the status matched people then they actually have status with QF so don't need the free kick...

 

[cityloop]

totally agree with you there MarkD

 

[mavrick9]

to achieve Gold (with ATA) you need to spend on DJ approx ballpark $6,000 - 8,000 pa (or less if you have double SC promo etc or special offer from DJ).

Once the status-matched Golds/Plats drop off, then the cost to DJ of ATA should drop dramatically.

It's a good feature, I've used it a couple of times, had a drink on each occasion, (costing them a couple of $).

But, it's probably a Accounting saving, ie, "lets cut ATA and save ourselves $200,000 pa".

 

[firefox]

i don't think saying all the status matched golds dropping off is a fair statement. Please correct me if i am wrong but. If they are platinum they will drop to GOLD for the next 12 months. Hence they would have still received ATA.

 

[drewbles]

i don't think saying all the status matched golds dropping off is a fair statement. Please correct me if i am wrong but. If they are platinum they will drop to GOLD for the next 12 months. Hence they would have still received ATA.

If that's true, then what I suggested with restricting ATA's to WP only would hold just fine.

Do DJ do soft landings? They are introducing a re-qualify requirement for number of segments, so it's entirely possible they'll do as QF can do; no flights on QF = drop back to NB.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

It's a good feature, I've used it a couple of times, had a drink on each occasion, (costing them a couple of $).
But, it's probably a Accounting saving, ie, "lets cut ATA and save ourselves $200,000 pa".

I agree

//Flame suit on\\

I was thinking along the same lines.
Lets say that over the past year, ~30,000 people have used ATA, each consuming a beer/coffee @$1.50, whilst not flying that day (i.e., general ATA, dropping off a girlfriend/partner/grandma/guesting a friend in...etc...etc...etc...), Surely the costs add up. I'm thinking the 4 -> 3 Olive example here.

Running an airline is (IMO), one of the hardest jobs out there. Margins are very, very tight and times are changing with the invasion of LCC's biting into market share (local and globally), fuel pricing, staff costs et el...and Virgin also trying to shake off their LCC image and go upmarket.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

As a business, when you're not competing on value (ATA), you are competing on price.

Businesses that complete in this fashion almost always fail in the end.



Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[drewbles]

I agree

//Flame suit on\\

I was thinking along the same lines.
Lets say that over the past year, ~30,000 people have used ATA, each consuming a beer/coffee @$1.50, whilst not flying that day (i.e., general ATA, dropping off a girlfriend/partner/grandma/guesting a friend in...etc...etc...etc...), Surely the costs add up. I'm thinking the 4 -> 3 Olive example here.

Running an airline is (IMO), one of the hardest jobs out there. Margins are very, very tight and times are changing with the invasion of LCC's biting into market share (local and globally), fuel pricing, staff costs et el...and Virgin also trying to shake off their LCC image and go upmarket.

As they say, the best way to earn a small fortune..

Have a big fortune, and start an airline.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

As they say, the best way to earn a small fortune..

Have a big fortune, and start an airline.

Yes, l think it was a Richard Branson quote.
How do you become a millionaire in the Aviation Business? Staff off with Billions...

 

[pauly7]

Yes, 6 months for detrimental changes, and the notice was given, allowing time for one last and now somewhat legendary hurrah by AFF members!

Still got a bit of a sour taste in my mouth from the reaction of the MEL Lounge Manager on Sunday afternoon, at least 50% of that group have significant DJ activity from a zero base on their records now which would have been more profitable than the cost of the Crownie that each devoured!

To be fair markis10 I think the DJ lounge dragons in Melb are a special breed and the other cities seem to have much friendlier. In my experience at least.

 

[Carlous Moochous]

But, it's probably a Accounting saving, ie, "lets cut ATA and save ourselves $200,000 pa".

I'm not sure it actually will save them that much money in the end... I was status matched, but have retained that this year by doing the flying, and yes, I've used ATA a few times while waiting to pick someone up from the airport - generally at non peak times. Sure Canberra is hardly a major port, but on most times I've used ATA there guests have been out numbered by staff. I would imagine (and have no facts to support this) that more food is thrown out than eaten by ATA users..

Also regardless of who is in the lounge (guests travelling or ATA), the high cost overheads such as rent & staff are still there. Sure drinks do have a cost, but i'm sure they are getting a much better deal than us at Dan Murphy's and its not exactly high end booze on offer anyway. As for the food - well I haven't really seen that much food anyway - bread dips etc - not exactly big ticket items. Small things do add up I'm sure, but I'd say the brand loyalty it creates would offset that cost.

Would i leave an airline because they removed ATA - no, and realistically i don't think anyone would - the main reason we want the lounges is for when we are flying, and if you are flying enough you probably don't want to spend that much extra time at the airport lounge for the hell of it (ok expect people like us who talk about planes 24/7). But its a nice perk that helps build some loyalty to the brand. I think the number of people who go to the airport for lunch or dinner for no other purpose than to use the lounge would be low. The timing is also very odd - trying to lure a loyal customer base while removing services - seems very odd..

Anyway - end rant...

 

[leemin]

And after much discussion, at COB Monday, we've had no official word from DJ. That's not like them

 

[Carlous Moochous]

Hmm.. I'll be honest, i haven't read all posts so this may have been posted - but it seems like the rules on the Virgin Website have changed (or is it just me). Copied below - note doesn't mention anytime access:

[h=3]Members[/h]"If you are a Virgin Australia lounge member or Velocity Platinum or Gold Member, present your membership card, and your flight itinerary (or boarding pass) – for onward domestic travel with Virgin Australia on the day – for access to the Virgin Australia lounge.
Subject to space availability, Velocity Platinum and Gold Members can access the Virgin Australia lounge on arrival with an eligible day of travel Virgin Australia or Partner Airline boarding pass or itinerary.
For more information on additional benefits available to Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver Members please visit Velocity’s benefits-at-a-glance.
Virgin Australia international long haul Business Class guests and Velocity Platinum and Gold Members can access selected international airport lounge locations operated by airline partners when travelling internationally."

 

[markis10]

Perhaps there was selective leaks to determine the impact, I noticed some lurkers today browsing the threads....

 

[Mal]

Hmm.. I'll be honest, i haven't read all posts so this may have been posted - but it seems like the rules on the Virgin Website have changed (or is it just me). Copied below - note doesn't mention anytime access:

Yep, website updated:

Previously included:

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.

Now changed to:

Subject to space availability, Velocity Platinum and Gold Members can access the Virgin Australia lounge on arrival with an eligible day of travel Virgin Australia or Partner Airline boarding pass or itinerary.