New Brisbane Platinum Lounge and Valet

[JohnK]

And you're the guy arguing against investing in the lounges?

Only if you think that is going to bring in the customers....

 

[munitalP]

And you're the guy arguing against investing in the lounges?

Actually he seems to be the guy pointing out the obvious and having the strength to keep his argument up especially when whenever someone says anything against a VA product, a whole bunch of people albeit the same people quickly jump down others necks over their comments.

 

[medhead]

Actually he seems to be the guy pointing out the obvious and having the strength to keep his argument up especially when whenever someone says anything against a VA product, a whole bunch of people albeit the same people quickly jump down others necks over their comments.

At the same time he is guy who is always negative about VA. What is the reverse of a fanboi? Because where I sit both airlines are the same overall on balance of all the negatives and positives of each airline. They are different airlines I have no idea how one can judged better or worse than the other.

 

[777]

Actually he seems to be the guy pointing out the obvious and having the strength to keep his argument up especially when whenever someone says anything against a VA product, a whole bunch of people albeit the same people quickly jump down others necks over their comments.

I am not taking a fanboi point of view. I think i've given plenty of criticism of VA where it's deserved including instigating quite a few critical threads over the years.

But I am questioning the logic of this argument. Specifically, given that numerous threads are criticising the overcrowding, capacity and general functionality of the lounges at the moment (including Johnk's own comment further up this thread) that he is arguing against investing in expanding and improving the lounges. That seems to be contradictory to me and i'm pointing that out. Others may disagree, fair enough, but you don't have to have a "fanboi mentality" to think Virgin should be paying to attention to the load on their lounges - indeed a lot of the people who are most critical of VA are arguing the lounges are sub-par or getting that way.

I would like to see VA invest more in their lounges if demand on them is going to grow. I don't particularly care if they set up Platinum lounges or not (FFS this whole thread is based on an unsourced rumour so i'm hardly defending anything VA are even actually doing!) but i do care that the current lounges are likely to hit capacity in the very near future and in some cases they have already.

Oh, and do you actually agree with JohnK that VA can invest in the lounges OR the improving the inflight product but not both?

Only if you think that is going to bring in the customers....

I think that overcrowding the lounges risks losing customers as does failure of the lounges to grow with growing demand. If anything like the recent level of growth were to continue they will need to do something about expanding the lounge capacity in the near future. Do you disagree?

 

[JohnK]

I think that overcrowding the lounges risks losing customers as does failure of the lounges to grow with growing demand. If anything like the recent level of growth were to continue they will need to do something about expanding the lounge capacity in the near future. Do you disagree?

I really respect your opinion on VA but do you actually think that Platinum lounge their biggest hurdle at the monent? Maybe improve their current lounges but a Platinum lounge?

Personally I think they need to more onboard. But that is just me....

 

[drron]

Well i have had 4 flights on VA now as a status matched gold.The experience is better than QF.I am 4/4 getting 3C.3/4 having a shadow.4/4 getting priority boarding(and on QF as a OWS I dont get it).4/4 priority baggage working.In fact last night my priority tagged bag came out number 1 and at least 3-4 minutes before another bag made an appearance.
QF-only get row 4 if travelling with mrsdrron-and then because 2 of us no shadow.Cant remember the last time if ever priority baggage worked on QF.
As to lounges you are comparing apples and oranges.As an OWS I cant access the QF J lounge(nor could I if SG on QF).Slightly less food choice than QP-though on a Sunday afternoon the cold selection was as good as QP,had a soup and brought round the LMPP which are much better than the mac and cheese garbage that is served as the hot selection in QPs.
The new MKY lounge blows the regional QPs out of the water.Just cold selections but the ability to make a toasted sandwhich is fantastic.The wine selection was very good.i had a glass of a marlborough Sav Blanc then a glass of Josef Chromy Pinot Noir-an excellent wine for an airline lounge.
And I am not a VA fanboi.Have been quite critical of them in the past.Now if I was doing more domestic travel i would consider chasing status with them.However most of my travel is OS longhaul.The lack of an alliance means i will not consider VA.The burn rates still dont come near what i get with AA.

 

[777]

I really respect your opinion on VA but do you actually think that Platinum lounge their biggest hurdle at the monent? Maybe improve their current lounges but a Platinum lounge?

As i tried to explain above, a platinum lounge *could* kill two birds with one stone. The current lounges need expanding in several key ports or will do soon but the locations of the existing lounges don't necessarily lend themselves to that. A plat lounge/ business lounge provides a chance to expand and also improve the existing lounges by easing overcrowding pressures.

In this very thread you've compared the VA lounge quality with the Qantas J lounges but as a "one sized fits all" product the comparison is not really accurate. Assuming VA have to expand the lounges anyway in the near future (which based on my observations they do) then a J/ Platinum lounge may actually be the best way to do it.

If you don't think the lounges need expanding then you're right that it may not be the best use of resources but if you do i'd think it's a shrewd move.

 

[777]

For those arguing that i'm an unreconstructed VA Fanboi, see this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../virgin-ffers-experience-on-qantas-36617.html

EDIT: Just realised my stocks with munitalP have plummeted this week. I've gone from "level headed" and "couldn't agree with you more" in my ability to look fairly at the strengths and weaknesses of VA and QF to a "fanboi mentality" with a "ridiculously stupid one sided, often hypocritical point of view" that's "beyond contempt."

Or maybe we just don't agree on this one?

 

[JohnK]

Well i have had 4 flights on VA now as a status matched gold.The experience is better than QF.I am 4/4 getting 3C.3/4 having a shadow.4/4 getting priority boarding(and on QF as a OWS I dont get it).4/4 priority baggage working.In fact last night my priority tagged bag came out number 1 and at least 3-4 minutes before another bag made an appearance.
QF-only get row 4 if travelling with mrsdrron-and then because 2 of us no shadow.Cant remember the last time if ever priority baggage worked on QF.

Fantastic that it is working for you.

I am VA Platinum and for me shadows/blocked seats are a rarity. Statistics are only usable as long as everyone gets consistent results.

In this very thread you've compared the VA lounge quality with the Qantas J lounges but as a "one sized fits all" product the comparison is not really accurate.

It may have sounded that way but I really do have to apoligise. Apart from T2 in SYD the VA lounges are a very poor substitute for what is a Qantas Lounge.

Not Qantas Business Lounge. Just a normal Qantas Lounge....

 

[straitman]

JohnK,

I think you need to start flying Tiger.

Neither Qantas or Virgin do the right thing by you :!:

 

[JohnK]

I think you need to start flying Tiger.

Neither Qantas or Virgin do the right thing by you :!:

By that you are suggesting that I am very demanding!

Tiger is not good for me as they no longer service SYD-BNE....

 

[medhead]

By that you are suggesting that I am very demanding!

Tiger is not good for me as they no longer service SYD-BNE....

Want, Want, Want!

 

[munitalP]

For those arguing that i'm an unreconstructed VA Fanboi, see this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../virgin-ffers-experience-on-qantas-36617.html

EDIT: Just realised my stocks with munitalP have plummeted this week. I've gone from "level headed" and "couldn't agree with you more" in my ability to look fairly at the strengths and weaknesses of VA and QF to a "fanboi mentality" with a "ridiculously stupid one sided, often hypocritical point of view" that's "beyond contempt."

Or maybe we just don't agree on this one?

Actually 777, my comment was made as a generalisation and not directed at you, I did feel that was quite obvious from my post as the only person anything was actually directed at was John K.

Whether I agree or disagree with his statement is irrelevant regarding a Platinum lounge. The point I made is quite clear I feel and does not need reiterating.

 

[Gremlin]

Fantastic that it is working for you.

I am VA Platinum and for me shadows/blocked seats are a rarity. Statistics are only usable as long as everyone gets consistent results.


It may have sounded that way but I really do have to apoligise. Apart from T2 in SYD the VA lounges are a very poor substitute for what is a Qantas Lounge.

Not Qantas Business Lounge. Just a normal Qantas Lounge....

What sort of fares do you typically book? As a VA Plat, I find I'm much more likely to end with a shadow when I'm on a flexi fare than a saver.

I think we're all entitled to have different opinions, but personally I find the SYD VA Lounge the least enjoyable. Having said that, I also agree it's the one closest to a QP.

 

[markis10]

What sort of fares do you typically book? As a VA Plat, I find I'm much more likely to end with a shadow when I'm on a flexi fare than a saver.

I think we're all entitled to have different opinions, but personally I find the SYD VA Lounge the least enjoyable. Having said that, I also agree it's the one closest to a QP.

I agree with the Sydney lounge being the worst, Mackay is the best and hopefully a good example of DJ leading the way on the regional front with OOL CNS and DRW to come, all of which could do with some competition.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

especially whenever someone says anything against a VA product, a whole bunch of people albeit the same people quickly jump down others necks over their comments.

The fanboi mentality of a number of posters who continue to belittle and attack any poster who makes a negative statement about VA is beyond contempt.

I actually see a difference in the "fanboi" postings over the past year (mine included).

Swing back 12 months and the euphoria was largely coming from those of us who regularly flew DJ previously as LCC pax. The changes were incredible and a real bonus (it seemed) for us loyal (albeit price driven) DJ subscribers.

Now return to the present. It would seem a lot of debate about DJ (good and bad) revolves not around the comparisons between DJ old and DJ new (as was the case 12 months ago), but between DJ full service carrier and QF full service carrier. Consequently, some of the original DJ fanbois are less jubilant while others are moreso, simply because they finally see a credible alternative to QF.

For me, the reality is all these changes have definitely brought benefit, but have also brought the dreaded "QF enhancements". DJ have been pushing the prices higher on all fares (including the ones they lauded as remaining as LCC), they've "enhanced" the onboard Y menu which means we regular saver flyers have fewer choices and they've flung open their lounges to all and sundry which now sometimes means a jostle in "our" lounge. On the flip side, we have better F&B offerings in the lounges, new lounge destinations, premium boarding, upgraded aircraft (and nice new aircraft), row 3, status matches to ancilliary service providers and all the other trumpeted benefits that besits the DJ metamorphosis.

Consequently, we see some old fanbois expressing some disillusionment with the newer product (as it's better in some aspects, but worse in others) and some newer fanbois really happy with the fact they have an alternative.......I cannot see a problem with that .

PS-I'm referring to no one in particular and everyone in general!

 

[777]

For me, the reality is all these changes have definitely brought benefit, but have also brought the dreaded "QF enhancements". DJ have been pushing the prices higher on all fares (including the ones they lauded as remaining as LCC), they've "enhanced" the onboard Y menu which means we regular saver flyers have fewer choices and they've flung open their lounges to all and sundry which now sometimes means a jostle in "our" lounge. On the flip side, we have better F&B offerings in the lounges, new lounge destinations, premium boarding, upgraded aircraft (and nice new aircraft), row 3, status matches to ancilliary service providers and all the other trumpeted benefits that besits the DJ metamorphosis.

You missed the loss of IFE

I basically agree with you but i'm still at a loss for how my comments in this thread got diverted into a rant about Fanboi-ism or otherwise. All i was trying to do was demonstrate a plausible business case for investing in expanding the lounges and creating plat lounges. Taking the need to expand the lounges and converting it into an opportunity to create a premium lounge is really just turning a necessity into a luxury and the marginal cost is probably very low. I really cant see what i've said that smacks of fanboism.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

You missed the loss of IFE

Sorry, yes we used to have the option of L2A on just about all flights, now we have promises that whatever we choose to bring to entertain ourselves must be adequate.....and at no additional charge!

i'm still at a loss for how my comments in this thread got diverted into a rant about Fanboi-ism or otherwise. I really cant see what i've said that smacks of fanboism.

Neither can I. I believe the comments made, were more broadly based than just this thread and there does seem to be a small smattering of support for DJs "bigger vision" regardless the initial detrimental impact to us flyers, over the course of many threads by a number of people. I think that it's OK to see the "bigger" picture (provided the bigger picture isn't a mirage), but it's equally OK to bemoan the loss of benefits while the big picture sits in the liquidated Kodak shop awaiting development!

Your input 777, IMHO is well balanced, thought provoking and always worthy of a read, so I'm convinced the comments were not aimed at you in particular. In fact, I doubt they were aimed at anyone in particular.

 

[777]

I agree with the Sydney lounge being the worst

The Sydney lounge is a case in point for the "platinum lounge" or not discussion.

The Sydney lounge needs expanding and refurbishment. I'm often there in peak hours in the evening and you struggle to get a seat and the design is dated compared to their other lounges. While the lounge has great features (well, kerb side entry in particular) it needs some work and that work has been announced. It has also been announced that in order to expand the Sydney lounge (or in order to simply stage the refurbishment) VA will need to go upstairs to the level above.

So if this is the starting point does it or does it not make sense to make the upper floor (or part of the lower floor) a J lounge or platinum lounge? Once you've got the costs of fitting out a new lounge on a new floor, some degree of separate staffing, and some new costs for catering facilities etc what is the marginal cost of going for an "upmarket/ exclusive/ platinum/ business lounge" in the new space? It's likely quite small and the potential spin offs are actually reasonably high in terms of the ability to gain or retain high paying passengers.

I'm not as familiar with BNE but i'd think if they are looking at lounge expansion there and there is a need to expand into a new space some of the same arguments would apply. I can't see the maths making any sense in ADL, OOL, CNS, DRW or MKY but given they are likely building new lounges/ new terminals in MEL, PER and CBR anyway over the next few years the cost is relatively low as part of the build plan.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The Sydney lounge is a case in point for the "platinum lounge" or not discussion.

does it or does it not make sense to make the upper floor (or part of the lower floor) a J lounge or platinum lounge?

Only if the big picture includes J lounges at the other end. ie SYD, yes but another matched J lounge at PER would be needed. This entices further, the J pax on transcon. Then of course MEL would need one, then BNE and ADL and of course CBR will want one as well. I wonder how deep DJs pockets are. Some make a great deal of sense (SYD is the standout) but one in isolation will also be a sore point (especially between SYD and MEL pax).