Chairman's Lounge access?

[MrJetset]

Seriously if that's the worst of their problems they're leading a charmed life.

Indeed, there was another pax on the flight, a lovely, polite, well-bred older women who had been op-uped and was extremely grateful, and ensured that she thanked all the FAs and the CSM.

 

[ric_melb]

Mmm these two unhappy CL passengers paid for a Y seat, and applied for upgrades to J, which didn't come through. However they did get upgraded to Y+, whether on points or complimentary we are not sure . Could it be that J was full of passengers who had paid for J seats? And if so they should be happy they didn't remain in Y!

 

[NYCguy]

I know we all wish we were CL but to add some perspective, a few years ago I was on QF11 and booked in whY, with a requested upgrade to whY+ as WP, which was successful. Seated next to me in the middle of the row was a woman, her husband in the row in front, also in the middle of the row. Turned out he was CL, as were many execs in his company, due to a large contract with QF. They had booked Y, put in an upgrade request to J for both of them and were denied.

Of course, the upgrade lottery works better for 1 pax than it does 2, however the fact that they were both denied surprised me a little. I would have expected that were first in the queue under the old criteria (before fare and membership length factored). They may have comped the upgrade to Y+, I'm not sure, however they weren't happy at all.

Oh, God, how ghastly!

That's the danger of getting your own way all the time - your sense of entitlement balloons out of control.


They should have been grateful that they were upgraded to 3rd class, and didn't have to sit in steerage for the whole flight.

 

[ozimax]

Back in my days as a commercial sales exec for TN (Australian Airlines for the youngsters here, which incidentally under the leadership of James Strong was our best ever airline), CL was only for top corporation heads (eg BHP, CSB and similar), chief justices and ministers of the crown. I'm not sure of the criteria nowadays.

Having said that, BHP was an Ansett account. TN offered them the unheard of discount of 8% domestic and 8% international for their direct business, all before deregulation. I'm getting off the track here.

The times that I went into CL (on business of course), I found the staff/clients to be of exceptional character, unlike some Flightdeck/QC members. As has been stated, the people in CL are by invitation only.

 

[Simsy85]

When I travel, it's normally with one or two CL members, veery unusual that I'm not..

I can say, it's not that special.. The food is a little better than J lounge, the drinks are about the same (except you pour your own) but seating wise and lounge wise its pretty much the same as a normal lounge...

You do however have a lot of small little offices that are for your use, and you leave your BP at the desk, and they bring it to you when boarding. The real benefits is with things like baggage allownece and upgrades. If they can't upgrade you, they basically grovel for an apology (like they did on a SYD - DRW flight, even though didn't phase us in the slightest, we just asked the Q.

Btw, its not all MP's - just Ministers, chief justices etc...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The real benefits is with things like baggage allownece and upgrades. If they can't upgrade you, they basically grovel for an apology (like they did on a SYD - DRW flight, even though didn't phase us in the slightest, we just asked the Q.

Btw, its not all MP's - just Ministers, chief justices etc...

Was the upgrade using yours or their points or do you mean an op-up type situation ie foc upgrade?

 

[Febs]

Seriously if that's the worst of their problems they're leading a charmed life.

http://firstworldprobs.com/

 

[dgoody2]

In terms of eligibility for Government it is generally defined as SES level 3 and above. So not necessarily Ministers. Although I have seen some SES 2s as members, but they were in significant purchasing positions.

I also understand that while it is by invitation, it is also a paid membership, similar to that of the QP, unless the member has WP status.

My be wrong, but that is what I have gotten from some friends who are members, or frequently accompany members.

 

[dgoody2]

Forgot to add, the fee is approximately $1,000p.a. so actually more than most can obtain the QP for.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I also understand that while it is by invitation, it is also a paid membership, similar to that of the QP, unless the member has WP status.

My be wrong, but that is what I have gotten from some friends who are members, or frequently accompany members.

Forgot to add, the fee is approximately $1,000p.a. so actually more than most can obtain the QP for.

Sorry, l'm a little bit confused on these statements. Are you suggesting that CL's have to pay $1k p.a. unless they are WP? I thought that CL status was by invitation only and came with WP status?

 

[MrJetset]

Forgot to add, the fee is approximately $1,000p.a. so actually more than most can obtain the QP for.

Do we think this fee applies to everyone? I find it hard to believe a celeb like Nicole Kidman, for example, would be asked to pay a fee. Perhaps it only applies when it is available to corporate customers?

Ministers certainly do not pay. From Travel - Ministerial Handbook - Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Airline Club Memberships

Ministers and their partners are provided with complimentary memberships to the Qantas Chairman's Lounge.

 

[dgoody2]

Sorry, l'm a little bit confused on these statements. Are you suggesting that CL's have to pay $1k p.a. unless they are WP? I thought that CL status was by invitation only and came with WP status?

Hi Onewolrdplus2,

Yes, my understanding is CL is by invitation and that the fee is charged except those holding prior WP status. From my understanding the invitation is made regardless of prior FF status (eg it may be made to an NB member).

Please note that my knowledge relates to Government (non ministerial staff)/Corporate, so may differ for Ministers or celebrities.

Dave