New Brisbane Platinum Lounge and Valet

[777]

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).

There'll be grumbles but i really don't think it will be that big an issue. Particularly where there are new terminals coming soon.

 

[oz_mark]

I have yet to have a flight in the last few months that didn't have a J or PE pax, although often it was me that was the pax, so I have never seen the rush for seats you describe, although I have seen attempts at self upgrades on a regular basis, which are quickly rebuffed. DJ should be upgrading status pax to prevent such ridiculous things at the gate, leaving some seats free for late bookings etc.

I had a flight from PER-MEL yesterday that had no PAX in business. Nobody upgraded themselves, but there was quite a flow of passengers through to the toilet up front.

 

[oz_mark]

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 would contend that that issue occurs on both sides of the fence.

 

[JohnK]

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 only ever purchase the cheapest airfares possible as it makes no sense for a self funded commuter who works 37.5 hours a week, 5 days a week to purchase flexible airfares.

 

[straitman]

I would contend that that issue occurs on both sides of the fence.

I strongly agree with oz_mark. We have some very one eyed members on both sides of the fence.

 

[IainF]

As both MrsF & I are now both VA Plats (not matched- BIS miles) can I suggest that once November rolls around this year, there will quite a few Status matched Plats and Golds, who not having done enough flying, will not maintain their status.
This will certainly free up some space in the lounges.
As far as a Plat lounge goes, I am not bothered. After nearly 10 years of solid flying, I am not worried about exactly which side of a lounge I am in... I am just happy to be in ANY lounge these days.

 

[markis10]

As both MrsF & I are now both VA Plats (not matched- BIS miles) can I suggest that once November rolls around this year, there will quite a few Status matched Plats and Golds, who not having done enough flying, will not maintain their status.
This will certainly free up some space in the lounges.
As far as a Plat lounge goes, I am not bothered. After nearly 10 years of solid flying, I am not worried about exactly which side of a lounge I am in... I am just happy to be in ANY lounge these days.

The Golds that were matched will free up the lounge if they fail to requal.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I suggest that once November rolls around this year, there will quite a few Status matched Plats and Golds, who not having done enough flying, will not maintain their status.

I agree there will be some silver and golds losing lounge privelege later this year, but there'll still be lots of plats just dropping to gold and retaining ATA but this is not really the issue (or maybe it is). I'm sure DJ are confident a lot of those SMed will now choose to fly DJ (even if not all the time) so lounge crowding theoretically may be an ongoing issue, but I guess it does make sense to take a wait-and-see approach, although I'm very sure DJ will be monitoring those flight stats of the SMed crowd closely to see if their incentive is working or not. They'll have a pretty good idea of how many have shifted their flying by now, which will grow clearer as each month passes.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The Golds that were matched will free up the lounge if they fail to requal.

and silver

 

[Tuddy]

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.

CNS is to come...? Did i miss an announcement somewhere along the way, or do you know something we don't?

 

[777]

CNS is to come...? Did i miss an announcement somewhere along the way, or do you know something we don't?

No announcement. There was an article about CNS airport a while back saying they were in discussions with VA about a lounge. Nothing from VA though.

 

[Tuddy]

Can we expect CNS to be the next Lounge announced? Or even expect a timeframe? Could we potentially see more routes out of CNS given its relatively scant network compared to both QF and JQ...?
In my mind, TSV would be more logical given the network Virgin has built up there with 6x daily to BNE, 1x to SYD and CNS and multiple weeklies to ROK and OOL (though sadly no longer to CBR, despite it being still shown in this months Voyeur), even moreso when considering the money in the government military contracts...just my two cents.

 

[markis10]

No announcement. There was an article about CNS airport a while back saying they were in discussions with VA about a lounge. Nothing from VA though.

Yep, a CNS lounge would be in my best self interest!

Business class air wars set to start

 

[Tuddy]

Yep, a CNS lounge would be in my best self interest!

Business class air wars set to start

Interesting article...and perhaps interesting times ahead for CNS (if only they could start again on that terminal. It really is a disgrace...)

 

[samh004]

As both MrsF & I are now both VA Plats (not matched- BIS miles) can I suggest that once November rolls around this year, there will quite a few Status matched Plats and Golds, who not having done enough flying, will not maintain their status.
This will certainly free up some space in the lounges.
As far as a Plat lounge goes, I am not bothered. After nearly 10 years of solid flying, I am not worried about exactly which side of a lounge I am in... I am just happy to be in ANY lounge these days.

I would second that comment, albeit, Plats will drop to Gold in most cases, but that should help a little too.

Come 2013 is when they should decide on expansions and new lounges for select members.

 

[munitalP]

I strongly agree with oz_mark. We have some very one eyed members on both sides of the fence.

I believe that most people wouldn't disagree with you on that comment Bill, myself included. As you are aware, I am nearly an equal VA and QF flyer. My personal dollar gets spent on VA at present and company dollar on QF. What bugs me, is someone makes a statement, and BANG!! a core bunch of people jump down their throats with "there's nothing wrong with <insert airline here>, <insert airline here> are the worst and so on.

I am sure this drives people away from this forum.

Personally, I give a flying rats cough as to what happens between SYD and MEL - as long as the flight I am on gets there reasonably on time and has some beer onboard. I think there are too many people who take a "too personal" approach to airlines - kind of like the BOGANS we all love to bag with their FORD and HOLDEN carry on. Seriously - where's the difference between the VIRGIN and QANTAS fans?

Yawn... I've had enough...

 

[straitman]

I think there are too many people who take a "too personal" approach to airlines - kind of like the BOGANS we all love to bag with their FORD and HOLDEN carry on. Seriously - where's the difference between the VIRGIN and QANTAS fans?

Excuse me :!:

My Chrysler is much better than either your Ford or Holden.

ps. .... this does not translate into Tiger is better than Qantas or Virgin.

 

[777]

Can i just suggest that some of the reason that responses seem defensive (on both sides) are often because a lot the criticism is Over The Top?

How often do we see a comment along the lines of "My priority bags came out 12th on VA today therefore it proves they are still a low cost carrier", "My QF flight was delayed 3 hours therefore Alan Joyce has destroyed a once great airline" "<insert inconvenient minor operational issue here> proves that <insert airline name here> are an absolute joke". These threads are full of people blowing up minor gripes into massively over the top arguments.

I think, as a general rule, well balanced critque is responded to in-kind but YMMV.

 

[oz_mark]

I believe that most people wouldn't disagree with you on that comment Bill, myself included. As you are aware, I am nearly an equal VA and QF flyer. My personal dollar gets spent on VA at present and company dollar on QF. What bugs me, is someone makes a statement, and BANG!! a core bunch of people jump down their throats with "there's nothing wrong with <insert airline here>, <insert airline here> are the worst and so on.

Actually the Qantas fanboi's quote of choice is something along the lines of 'only a choice of one cheese in the lounge is a sign of an LCC' :mrgreen:

 

[straitman]

Actually the Qantas fanboi's quote of choice is something along the lines of 'only a choice of one cheese in the lounge is a sign of an LCC' :mrgreen:

There were no NPPP in the BNE lounge on Saturday until the lounge manager went and borrowed some from the J lounge.