Crowded MEL J lounge

[Pleb Status]

Except that won't solve the problem entirely.

So cutting out paid QP membership won't solve overcrowding (even in a single merged lounge). All it will do is remove a generous revenue stream from the lounges.

Without actual statistics, the number of QP members in the lounge at one time is unknown. But even if it is low as 20%, in a combined lounge, this would make a large difference at peak times.

As stated above, QF would need to make a decision between the millions required to expand the current lounges versus the loss in revenue from not selling QP memberships. I would say QP members have nothing to worry about at the moment because I believe QF need the revenue and will let service levels drop.

 

[dk4]

... I believe QF need the revenue and will let service levels drop.

It will certainly be interesting to compare any possible further reduction in QP service levels against the revamped Virgin Lounges, when they relaunch.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Wait, you mean to say removal of anytime access didn't fix overcrowding?? :shock:

 

[chrisb]

My solution is to revert to the system that almost every airline in the world uses (excluding North America and QF) which is status access only (for economy).

Why would QF cut off a source of revenue that is probably making them a profit?! I fly enough to make Silver, and have a corporate-QP membership, but even at the reduced rate I can guarentee you that QF is making a profit out of me. Why would they cut that off? Also, PAYING for QP is the ultimate source of loyalty. I'm actually paying for the priviledge of effectively trapping myself into flying QF.

Removing guest access to the J lounge would be an obvious one - If you have guests, go to the QP.

(This post was written from the MEL J lounge, where on a sunday it's reasonably well utilised - lots of kids in here too, I assume due to the school holidays. I can see why it'd be painful during the week)

PS. Is there some reason they have a table setup with 10 placemats with knife/fork/inflight style napkins on them? They've been there since I arrived at 12.30 and haven't really been used)

 

[drewbles]

Stage 1: Close the lower level walk way that connects the two airside piers, and force all those (few) who currently use it - up via the food court/shops and down the other side.

I actually do use this frequently, choosing to go down the escalators in the food courts and head to gates 1-10. It also seems to have plenty of traffic down there when I am walking it.

They also have Airport offices down there, and it's only really a few travelators and some walk space, not nearly enough room for lounges.

They opened the new meeting rooms near the Loccitane shop prior to gate 1, so they have a way of finding space when they need it!

 

[dk4]

I actually do use this frequently, choosing to go down the escalators in the food courts and head to gates 1-10.

I do this as well (it is quite speedy*), but it wouldn't be a huge detour to force me to go around the long way via the shopping mall. (And possibly in the rent-paying retailers' interest, for me to do so.)

 

[dfcatch]

Without actual statistics, the number of QP members in the lounge at one time is unknown. But even if it is low as 20%, in a combined lounge, this would make a large difference at peak times.

As stated above, QF would need to make a decision between the millions required to expand the current lounges versus the loss in revenue from not selling QP memberships. I would say QP members have nothing to worry about at the moment because I believe QF need the revenue and will let service levels drop.

Again - point taken, but by definition, QP members are not in that often.

And if they are in that often that they are utilizing facilities more than their membership contribution, then they are well on the way to earning status-based access.

I dare say that the $$$ generated by QP members (which can be used towards lounge upkeep/expansion), is of more value to us status-users, than the loss of seats due to them actually showing up.

Again - limiting the automatic guest entitlement would considerably reduce crowding across all lounges.
Without having to deny any group of their entitlements to access.

I think you would find that if you didn't have a paid QP scheme, then the lounge size/quality would be less than it is today.

 

[medhead]

Without actual statistics, the number of QP members in the lounge at one time is unknown. But even if it is low as 20%, in a combined lounge, this would make a large difference at peak times.

As stated above, QF would need to make a decision between the millions required to expand the current lounges versus the loss in revenue from not selling QP memberships. I would say QP members have nothing to worry about at the moment because I believe QF need the revenue and will let service levels drop.

So even if it is 20%, that's 1 in 5 people in the lounge might be paid QP. Now this has to be the QP not the J lounge. Out of the other 4 in 5, 2 of them could be guests of SG members. 40% is going to have double the difference on lounge crowding at peaks times. (or reducing 80% will make an even greater difference )

Personally, I would suggest that crowding can be reduced by returning to the lounge to only paid membership. There was certainly a much higher standard of food and beverage when the QP only had paid members. Crowding was not an issue, with only 20% (to pick a number) of the current crowd in the lounge. There was even luggage storage areas and such. So I say paid members and J flyers only and no separate J lounge. That'll help crowding in MEL and also help in most other lounges.

 

[Pleb Status]

Personally, I would suggest that crowding can be reduced by returning to the lounge to only paid membership. There was certainly a much higher standard of food and beverage when the QP only had paid members. Crowding was not an issue, with only 20% (to pick a number) of the current crowd in the lounge. There was even luggage storage areas and such. So I say paid members and J flyers only and no separate J lounge. That'll help crowding in MEL and also help in most other lounges.

AA has paid membership, even for EXP, and I do not think that you could say that the AC is any where near the standard offered by QF/BA/CX/SQ/EK etc. So eliminating status based membership (or a status based with co-pay ala AA) would provide no guaranteed increase in service and just more profit to QF.

As I stated in an earlier post, most of the worlds leading airlines operate a status only airline lounge system and they appear to operate profitably.

For my info, being an Ansett refugee, when was the QP paid only?

 

[BVT]

I do this as well (it is quite speedy*), but it wouldn't be a huge detour to force me to go around the long way via the shopping mall. (And possibly in the rent-paying retailers' interest, for me to do so.)

+1 here.

I started using this walkway when I had a gammy leg - better now - and this was much easier to negotiate, I found then through the food court. One of the reasons was because it is relatively quiet. I use it all the time now.

 

[BVT]

Why would QF cut off a source of revenue that is probably making them a profit?! I fly enough to make Silver, and have a corporate-QP membership, but even at the reduced rate I can guarentee you that QF is making a profit out of me. Why would they cut that off? Also, PAYING for QP is the ultimate source of loyalty. I'm actually paying for the priviledge of effectively trapping myself into flying QF.

Removing guest access to the J lounge would be an obvious one - If you have guests, go to the QP.

(This post was written from the MEL J lounge, where on a sunday it's reasonably well utilised - lots of kids in here too, I assume due to the school holidays. I can see why it'd be painful during the week)

PS. Is there some reason they have a table setup with 10 placemats with knife/fork/inflight style napkins on them? They've been there since I arrived at 12.30 and haven't really been used)

I actually like that table set up if you are having a meal. But it is rarely used.

 

[dfcatch]

AA has paid membership, even for EXP, and I do not think that you could say that the AC is any where near the standard offered by QF/BA/CX/SQ/EK etc. So eliminating status based membership (or a status based with co-pay ala AA) would provide no guaranteed increase in service and just more profit to QF.

As I stated in an earlier post, most of the worlds leading airlines operate a status only airline lounge system and they appear to operate profitably.

For my info, being an Ansett refugee, when was the QP paid only?

I can't remember when it was.
My memory is too hazy to remember whether the food and service offering was better back then.
No doubt everyone will have different views depending on your tastes

I was a Golden Wing refugee when I first paid for QP membership myself, but had been guested in before that.

I'm sure some of our more experienced AFFers can remember exactly when it was.

I was tongue firmly in cheek when I suggested having paid-only access. Just highlighting as to which group (status vs paid) occupied the most seats on any given day

 

[medhead]

AA has paid membership, even for EXP, and I do not think that you could say that the AC is any where near the standard offered by QF/BA/CX/SQ/EK etc. So eliminating status based membership (or a status based with co-pay ala AA) would provide no guaranteed increase in service and just more profit to QF.

As I stated in an earlier post, most of the worlds leading airlines operate a status only airline lounge system and they appear to operate profitably.

For my info, being an Ansett refugee, when was the QP paid only?

Maybe, but as I mentioned I was comparing to QF not AA. The standard used to be much higher in the QP, before J lounges, before tier credits, before status. I'm vaguely remembering a decent hot food selection at most times of the day, that has been eroded until now it is predominately finger foods/antipasto stuff. The QP was a nice pleasant retreat, until early 1999 when I started using MEL QP on a Friday night - absolute pig pen. Anyway, maybe I'm not being totally serious about paid QP membership only. But I think it is equally valid to say suggest paid only as to suggest status only.

I've said it before and I'll said it again now. Does anyone real think that Qantas should only be the same as any other airline? I thought they were a premium airline, the Qantas Customer Charter seems to say they aren't aiming to be the same as most airlines.

We are Australia's leading premium airline and we are dedicated to being the best.

When was it paid only? I'm not too sure, I joined in 1996.

 

[TonyHancock]

The QP was a nice pleasant retreat, until early 1999 when I started using MEL QP on a Friday night - absolute pig pen.

For me the turning point was September 2001 when all of the Ansett riff-raff p) were let in!

That was the point QF forgot about their loyal frequent flyers and have never remembered them since then.

 

[dfcatch]

For me the turning point was September 2001 when all of the Ansett riff-raff p) were let in!

That was the point QF forgot about their loyal frequent flyers and have never remembered them since then.

Sorry Tony

Although yes, with no more competition it was a downhill slide.

Ps. Although the one upside in moving from Ansett to QF..... My first post-Ansett flight in 2001 was my first and only pre-WP OpUp

 

[beardoc]

As I see it, the only real benefit of the Dom J lounge is the space. If there is no space, then you might as well sit in the QP.

I disagree - having spent years in the QP and only having gotten to WP, the DOM J lounges have a far superior food experience. I was able to treat my partner and friend to breakfast before we all flew SYD-CNS - for them, it was as good as going out for breakfast in a cafe, and much better than the paid food downstairs. This standard of food doesn't exist in the QP.

 

[Pleb Status]

For me the turning point was September 2001 when all of the Ansett riff-raff p) were let in!

That was the point QF forgot about their loyal frequent flyers and have never remembered them since then.

If I had it my way, you could have kept QF to yourself. Only ever flew QF once prior to the bankruptcy and that was one time too many. Just like I have only flown JQ once..........

On AN, we are coming to the anniversary of the Easter 767 groundings which could have been the beginning of the end for AN.

 

[dfcatch]

On AN, we are coming to the anniversary of the Easter 767 groundings which could have been the beginning of the end for AN.

I remember thinking not much of the 767 fleet grounding at the time......

I don't know why, but I remember thinking back to it just before September '01 and starting to realise that the grounding was a BIG deal.

Living in regional Victoria at the time I also remember that our available newspapers the following morning (12th) were the original prints with Ansett on the front page. (The 4am reprints didn't make it to us till the afternoon edition).


Back on topic though - besides Fri evenings in Mel where I understand the J lounge and QP are packed, and we know BNE has similar problems..... Does the SYD lounge (either QP or J lounge) suffer from the same overcrowding?? It's been busy - but never "overcrowded" anytime I've flown through there.....

 

[TonyHancock]

If I had it my way, you could have kept QF to yourself. Only ever flew QF once prior to the bankruptcy and that was one time too many. Just like I have only flown JQ once..........

Now that DJ is revamping its product and redeveloping its lounges could all of you Ansett types please fly with them? That should free up the QF J lounges.

 

[medhead]

Back on topic though - besides Fri evenings in Mel where I understand the J lounge and QP are packed, and we know BNE has similar problems..... Does the SYD lounge (either QP or J lounge) suffer from the same overcrowding?? It's been busy - but never "overcrowded" anytime I've flown through there.....

that agrees with my experience of all SYD domestic lounges, busy but not crowded. Never had a problem getting a seat. But only on Thursday nights or Friday afternoon.

The ADL lounge was packed once on a Friday afternoon. :shock: