Free Qantas lounge pass for 18-35yo travellers in QF Y (Book by 31/8/19, travel by 29/2/20)

[juddles]

Free lounge passes, Airbnb bookings, points only flights, not sure what type of business Qantas are trying to turn themselves into

A very successful one of late

 

[exceladdict]

It would have been so easy for them to send this as a targeted email and make no mention of demographics. (In fact, this is what I thought they did, only on here and OzB did I notice the age thing).
All (good) businesses target specific strategies to market segments. But there's no rule saying you have to let the rest of the market know a subgroup is getting a bonus offer.

 

[Limewood]

So we over 35 don't count thanks Qantas.

 

[sudoer]

I think Qantas is trying to give "millennials" (I really hate that word) a taste of their lounges in the hope they'll purchase a Qantas Club membership and/or go for gold status.

or better yet (for Qantas) consider booking a business fare on their next trip - the $25 avocado on toast crowd are great at spending beyond their means

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Mrs 340, being the good lawyer, has emailed QF to ask if it has an exemption to discrimination legislation to offer this.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Mrs 340, being the good lawyer, has emailed QF to ask if it has an exemption to discrimination legislation to offer this.

oooo! I can't wait to see the response from customer service on this one... something along the lines of 'please email us your booking reference so we can take a look at your booking'.

 

[Mattg]

So we over 35 don't count thanks Qantas.

Mrs 340, being the good lawyer, has emailed QF to ask if it has an exemption to discrimination legislation to offer this.

How is this discrimination? They're not taking anything away from people over 35 (and under 18's can't use the lounges on their own anyway).

I suppose it's also discrimination when cinemas offer a student discount?

If you already have lounge access anyway, I don't understand how people could be upset by a simple promotion like this.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

oooo! I can't wait to see the response from customer service on this one... something along the lines of 'please email us your booking reference so we can take a look at your booking'.

I believe she is expecting 'Did you know NP offers freshly inspired meals on on your next flight?' as a response.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

How is this discrimination? They're not taking anything away from people over 35 (and under 18's can't use the lounges on their own anyway).

I suppose it's also discrimination when cinemas offer a student discount?

What about if it was only offered to Christians?

 

[Mattg]

What about if it was only offered to Christians?

That is an unfair comparison IMHO.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

How is this discrimination? They're not taking anything away from people over 35 (and under 18's can't use the lounges on their own anyway).

I suppose it's also discrimination when cinemas offer a student discount?

If you already have lounge access anyway, I don't understand how people could be upset by a simple promotion like this.

According to: Age discrimination | Australian Human Rights Commission , positive age discrimination is ok provided it 'helps meet an identified need for people of a certain age group'. The example is a dicount for pensioners.

I do not think there is any possible 'identified need' to offer free business class lounges to 18-35 year olds?

Perhaps the discrimination is that everyone can buy an economy class airfare on Qantas, but only those 18-35 get the free bonus associated with that airfare. And unlike offering an outright student or seniors docount (that is, an 'identified need'), this is giving a 'bonus' based solely on age.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

That is an unfair comparison IMHO.

How?

 

[oz_mark]

Is it discrimination? Probably.

Is it unlawful? Given the Age discrimination Act allows provisions of benefits based on age (e.g discounts, scholarships, prizes, etc), maybe not.

 

[Mattg]

How?

Age-based discrimination is fairly common, such as SAS offering youth discount fares for people under 26. Or Eurail passes in 2nd class being unavailable to travellers over 25 (meaning they have to buy a more expensive first class pass). Or Air New Zealand offering a discount on Koru Club membership to people aged over 65.

Offering a benefit based purely on somebody's religion would obviously be blatant discrimination, but I don't think it's equivalent to what Qantas is doing here.

I'm not sure how so many people (who already have lounge access anyway) could be upset by a harmless little promo like this. Nothing has been taken away from you. There are many things to be annoyed at Qantas about, but IMHO this is not one of them.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Age-based discrimination is fairly common, such as SAS offering youth discount fares for people under 26. Or Eurail passes in 2nd class being unavailable to travellers over 25 (meaning they have to buy a more expensive first class pass).

Offering a benefit based purely on somebody's religion would obviously be blatant discrimination, but I don't think it's equivalent to what Qantas is doing here.

I'm not sure how so many people (who already have lounge access anyway) could be upset by a harmless little promo like this. Nothing has been taken away from you.

Having lounge access doesn't mean you are excluded from an opinion.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Age-based discrimination is fairly common, such as SAS offering youth discount fares for people under 26. Or Eurail passes in 2nd class being unavailable to travellers over 25 (meaning they have to buy a more expensive first class pass). Or Air New Zealand offering a discount on Koru Club membership to people aged over 65.

Offering a benefit based purely on somebody's religion would obviously be blatant discrimination, but I don't think it's equivalent to what Qantas is doing here.

I'm not sure how so many people (who already have lounge access anyway) could be upset by a harmless little promo like this. Nothing has been taken away from you. There are many things to be annoyed at Qantas about, but IMHO this is not one of them.

The law allows positive discrimination where there is an identified need. Students and pensioners are just two examples where there is an identified need to provide products at discounted prices because students and penioners earn less.

Is lounge access an 'identified need'?

re bolding: to the contrary, I think something has been taken away from me. I pay exactly the same price as another person. Full asking price. And am denied a bonus based purely on how old I am.

 

[levelnine]

LOL at all the boomers -- the luckiest generation in human history -- in this thread complaining about age discrimination.

The object of this promotion is crystal clear. It is to give young people a taste of a lounge in the hope that they will become aware of the benefits of flying Qantas on a regular basis and direct more of their spend towards Qantas as their income and flying increases.

I successfully registered for the promo, but don't need the lounge pass as I'm WP. Hope I can transfer it to a friend!

 

[Jamesaurus]

I would not take offence if there was say an aged 65+ only promotion.

If QF want to target a specific demographic and have done the numbers with potential new customers vs potential detractors, then its a good business decision.

 

[Vic]

What about if it was only offered to Christians?

lol
Given that discrimination is about treating people less favourably then it means nothing. both christains and over 35s would still get the standard qantas service. The fact that some people get something extra does not mean the over 35 is having something taken away.
Does over 35 year old, non christains platinums mean that young christians are discriminated against?

 

[Vic]

The law allows positive discrimination where there is an identified need. Students and pensioners are just two examples where there is an identified need to provide products at discounted prices because students and penioners earn less.

Is lounge access an 'identified need'?

re bolding: to the contrary, I think something has been taken away from me. I pay exactly the same price as another person. Full asking price. And am denied a bonus based purely on how old I am.

you pay exactly the same price for an airfare, just like they did. Your airfare NEVER included a lounge pass. nothing is being taken from you.

Qantas have identified a need to get young customers.