Lounge Access changes pending that affect all?

[Daver6]

All drinks are now complimentary (including alcoholic house brands) and you can use vouchers for more expensive tipples such as Grey Goose.

You are free to ask for more than one voucher (not that necessary anymore with the free stuff). Internet cards are also available free of charge.

I thought we actually got quite a good deal! The DFW Lounge (D?) is actually very nice - I prefer it much more to the Melbourne one. And the AAngels at the door are absolutely fantastic when it comes to irregular operations.

Are you talking about flights on QF metal departing the US...or say a domestic AA flight? If it is the latter, then things have certainly improved in the last 12 months or so.

 

[nlagalle]

Virgin's international lounge access for paid members is almost non-existent (ie limited to Koru clubs in NZ, when travelling domestically or trans tasman). But the important point is that unlike QF, Virgin has not sold memberships on the back of promises which they cannot now deliver.

No but lounge access for status members is just as confusing (Etihad as an example). my point to the post was i don't see VA sitting back laughing.

And as for selling a product - firstly it still points to BA removing access - not QF's fault, and secondly they are offering refunds because of it.

 

[mattm199]

For me, the biggest concern in the apparent loss of the LHR Arrival lounge - the change to requiring an onward flight means that for all intents and purposes there is no arrival lounge, per se.
I can't see other changes in this area, so it's hard to see it as a mistake... I wonder if they nickel and dimed at what AA was charging for access?
It would be nice to hear from Red Roo again about now.....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Are you talking about flights on QF metal departing the US...or say a domestic AA flight? If it is the latter, then things have certainly improved in the last 12 months or so.

any AA lounge, even domestic departures.

 

[JohnK]

The first thing that jumps out at me is Platinum guest privilleges to domestic Business lounges has been halved. Now only one guest, not two. Second, there is not provision for arrivals access, as Red Roo explained was a compromise after the removal of anytime access. If this sticks, this is huge.

Standby for "enhancement".

Perhaps it is just work in progress and the information not actually correct but assuming this change was made you would be surprised?

I wouldn't be surprised at all and in fact I am expecting more changes. One of the issues is that obviously not enough Platinums complained about all the benefits lost in the past 3-4 years so Qantas can just about get away with anything....

 

[missafternoondelight]

Umm while we're at it, was it always only one guest for WPs going to Int J Lounges? That seems a bit stingy. Why not two guests, what's the difference?

 

[dfcatch]

Umm while we're at it, was it always only one guest for WPs going to Int J Lounges? That seems a bit stingy. Why not two guests, what's the difference?

Yes - the 2 guests was only for domestic lounges.

 

[fly by wire]

Re: Galleries access... NOT quite 'reinstated'?

Wow - BA has been completely erased from the site (except with reference to joint lounges and access for BA pax to QF lounges).

Seems pretty clear that QP get access to QF and AA lounges only, with everything else reverting to oneworld lounge rules.

I just got caught by this trying to access a BA in lounge in Amsterdam, very pissed off. No communication. Looks like I need to make the lounge access page my homepage and read it daily .

 

[fly by wire]

Re: Galleries access... NOT quite 'reinstated'?

and the explanation I got was that (not sure how much the girl on the front desk would really know) Qantas wouldn't agree to terms (read: wouldn't pay) of the new agreement that was up for renegotiation.

 

[Fruitcake]

not sure I quite follow... what they told my sister was that access is still available to Terraces and Executive Club. They are just not mentioned anymore (I'm assuming because there are so few of them left compared to the number of galleries lounges).

Sorry MEL_Traveller, my point was more in response to the suggestion that clearly stated rules would solve the problem - rather, they seem to have caused the problem. I agree with you that QF's current approach of not making any promises at all is the best way to avoid disappointment - but they obviously don't want to 'man up' and communicate this directly to members. I'm guessing they're trying to walk a fine line between not triggering a wave of QP refund requests whilst trying to keep a lid on the number of members getting turned away from lounges in Europe that they've had access to for years. There's probably a huge body of QP members out there who hold onto membership for that occasional European holiday and in QF's eyes if they can wrap up negotiations within a few months, the vast majority of those pax will be none the wiser about all this! Not saying that's the correct thing to do, but it seems to be the reality.

 

[serfty]

Are you talking about flights on QF metal departing the US...or say a domestic AA flight? If it is the latter, then things have certainly improved in the last 12 months or so.

It's been the case for at least 8 years that when in A/C's, one could simply go back go back and request more drink chits after using the ones you had.

The complimentary 'well' drinks are a limited selection and aren't necessarily that desirable.

On Sunday at the new SFO A/C at T2, the 'Bud' was free, 'Anchor Steam' took a voucher.

Posted on a wing and a prayer

 

[dfcatch]

It's been the case for at least 8 years that when in A/C's, one could simply go back go back and request more drink chits after using the ones you had.

The complimentary 'well' drinks are a limited selection and aren't necessarily that desirable.

On Sunday at the new SFO A/C at T2, the 'Bud' was free, 'Anchor Steam' took a voucher.

Posted on a wing and a prayer

I'm currently enjoying my Tanqueray with the additional chit I just requested

PS - I do like the new A/C here at T2

 

[MelUser]

A few observations:

(1) It really is time for Red Roo to explain what is going on here.

(2) I rang the QClub service centre anonymously and said I was thinking of joining and then asked about lounge access when flying economy class on BA. He said no access in continental Europe. He said patchy access in LHR - ie up to staff in lounge. He suggested that I fly business class or higher with BA to guarantee lounge access with them!

 

[awilcockson]

He suggested that I fly business class or higher with BA to guarantee lounge access with them!

LOL

This message is now long enough to post ...

 

[Flying mermaid]

For me, the biggest concern in the apparent loss of the LHR Arrival lounge - the change to requiring an onward flight means that for all intents and purposes there is no arrival lounge, per se.
I can't see other changes in this area, so it's hard to see it as a mistake... I wonder if they nickel and dimed at what AA was charging for access?
It would be nice to hear from Red Roo again about now.....

I went and checked the BA site and if I fly into T3 as a F or J passenger with them I have access to the arrivals lounge at T3 (no mention of one world emerald, although their gold people get access). So from my point of view if Qantas has taken this away for F and J passengers, unless you have an onward flight (which is totally ridiculous, but they haven't corrected it yet....), then it is simple - my business goes to BA in future! This year it doesn't matter, as we are flying F from JHB with BA, so have access to the T5 arrivals lounge. I had planned for Miss FM to use the T3 lounge, when she flies from SYD to join us, so we dont have to get up too early to meet her. I really like the arrivals lounge, as it means you can have a shower and change clothes, relax in the lounge until after the morning rush, then go into London, dump the luggage and go shopping. If you don't have the arrivals lounge to go to, you really need to book an extra night's accommodation, so you can get into the room/apartment straight away. I still think this is an error, but nothing surprises me anymore after the last 5 month's worth of clowning around.

 

[MelUser]

I have some relatives flying paid business class on QF into Terminal 3 next week. Their next flight is with BMI to a destination not serviced by QF, BA or any other oneworld airline.

Last month I advised them:

"Qantas First and Business customers travelling on Qantas are eligible to use the American Airlines arrivals lounge when arriving into Terminal 3."

It would appear that today my advice is wrong and instead they will denied access. I repeat: both travelling in paid business class on Qantas, one PNR, one of them is QF Plat and the other QF Gold.

What do others think - will they be allowed in?

Red Roo - are you there?

 

[eastwest101]

(2) I rang the QClub service centre anonymously and said I was thinking of joining and then asked about lounge access when flying economy class on BA. He said no access in continental Europe. He said patchy access in LHR - ie up to staff in lounge. He suggested that I fly business class or higher with BA to guarantee lounge access with them!

That is what I was going to do as well - simply call up Qantas Club sales and see what they are selling to people right now....

 

[JohnPhelan]

I have some relatives flying paid business class on QF into Terminal 3 next week. Their next flight is with BMI to a destination not serviced by QF, BA or any other oneworld airline.

Last month I advised them:

"Qantas First and Business customers travelling on Qantas are eligible to use the American Airlines arrivals lounge when arriving into Terminal 3."

It would appear that today my advice is wrong and instead they will denied access. I repeat: both travelling in paid business class on Qantas, one PNR, one of them is QF Plat and the other QF Gold.

What do others think - will they be allowed in?

Red Roo - are you there?

I am absolutely confident they will be allowed in. The website must be wrong. It is pointless having an arrivals lounge if there's a requirement for an ongoing flight; people continuing onwards can use the lounges airside. The whole reason the arrivals lounges are landside is because people have arrived at their final destination - i.e. they have arrived!

(Bear in mind BA uses this American Airlines T3 Arrivals Lounge for BA pax from SYD/MEL/BKK/SIN - and there's no way BA would axe this for its F and J pax).

It would be great if Red Roo could confirm this, and get the QF website fixed on this point.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I have some relatives flying paid business class on QF into Terminal 3 next week. Their next flight is with BMI to a destination not serviced by QF, BA or any other oneworld airline.

Last month I advised them:

"Qantas First and Business customers travelling on Qantas are eligible to use the American Airlines arrivals lounge when arriving into Terminal 3."

It would appear that today my advice is wrong and instead they will denied access. I repeat: both travelling in paid business class on Qantas, one PNR, one of them is QF Plat and the other QF Gold.

What do others think - will they be allowed in?

Red Roo - are you there?

I was in the AA arrivals lounge in T3 yesterday. Flying QF F. In front of me in the queue were two businessman one with WP on a QF J boarding pass and one without any FF number. Both admitted without fuss. The lounge had many Aussies in it. I wouldn't worry about the website changes as they are clearly wrong.

 

[travelislife]

He said patchy access in LHR - ie up to staff in lounge.

Haha, how can you sell a product like this. It is like me trying to sell a 2 slice toaster and the customer asking, "So I can't toast two bits of bread at the one time?" and me answering, "Yes, but the second bit of bread may be a little patchy, depends on how the the electronics are feeling"

Oh wait, that's exactly what my $10 K-mart toaster does, whoops, sometimes you get what you pay for.