No Anytime access for Platinum members to 1st lounge or new J lounges from 0408

[serfty]

Changes to Platinum Lounge Access

For access to all international First Lounges & the New Domestic Business Class Lounges unless flying Qantas/oneworld/Jetstar.

Anytime Access to International J lounges and Domestic QP's still OK.

Making your lounge experience more enjoyable


As a Platinum Frequent Flyer, it is natural to expect unique levels of service, comfort and luxury when you travel with Qantas. That's why we have recently made a number of significant investments to improve your travel experience including the new Qantas First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne - lounges like no others in the world.

From mid 2008 we will also be opening Business Lounges across our domestic network for the exclusive use of Business Class travellers and Platinum members. Business Lounges are currently scheduled for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

To make certain that we meet your expectations, we would like you to know that from 1 April 2008, when flying internationally you need to be flying on the day with Qantas, Jetstar, British Airways or any of the other oneworld® member airlines to enjoy any of the Qantas First Lounges located worldwide. And when flying domestically within Australia you will need to be flying that day with Qantas or Jetstar to access the new Business Lounges.

If you are not travelling internationally with Qantas or the airlines listed, you are still more than welcome to visit the Qantas Business Lounge before your departure. Domestically, if you are not flying Qantas or Jetstar you are still welcome in The Qantas Club.

We hope you have the opportunity to enjoy our new lounges when you next travel. In the meantime, please be our guest and tour the new First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne at

 

[oz_mark]

Got the following in an email

As a Platinum Frequent Flyer, it is natural to expect unique levels of service, comfort and luxury when you travel with Qantas. That's why we have recently made a number of significant investments to improve your travel experience including the new Qantas First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne - lounges like no others in the world.

From mid 2008 we will also be opening Business Lounges across our domestic network for the exclusive use of Business Class travellers and Platinum members. Business Lounges are currently scheduled for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

To make certain that we meet your expectations, we would like you to know that from 1 April 2008, when flying internationally you need to be flying on the day with Qantas, Jetstar, British Airways or any of the other oneworld® member airlines to enjoy any of the Qantas First Lounges located worldwide. And when flying domestically within Australia you will need to be flying that day with Qantas or Jetstar to access the new Business Lounges.

If you are not travelling internationally with Qantas or the airlines listed, you are still more than welcome to visit the Qantas Business Lounge before your departure. Domestically, if you are not flying Qantas or Jetstar you are still welcome in The Qantas Club.

 

[oz_mark]

Re: WP Anytime access revoked from 1st April 2008

Only for First class lounges, you are still allowed in the others.

 

[Shano]

Changes to Platinum Lounge Access

Just received an email from QF regarding changes to lounge access policies for WP's.

Looks like anytime access to First Lounges (and the new domestic J lounges) will be phased out.

Anytime access will be limited to domestic QP's and int'l J lounges.

Changes come into effect from 1st April 2008.

....From mid 2008 we will also be opening Business Lounges across our domestic network for the exclusive use of Business Class travellers and Platinum members. Business Lounges are currently scheduled for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

To make certain that we meet your expectations, we would like you to know that from 1 April 2008, when flying internationally you need to be flying on the day with Qantas, Jetstar, British Airways or any of the other oneworld® member airlines to enjoy any of the Qantas First Lounges located worldwide. And when flying domestically within Australia you will need to be flying that day with Qantas or Jetstar to access the new Business Lounges.

If you are not travelling internationally with Qantas or the airlines listed, you are still more than welcome to visit the Qantas Business Lounge before your departure. Domestically, if you are not flying Qantas or Jetstar you are still welcome in The Qantas Club.

 

[jasonja3]

Re: WP Anytime access revoked from 1st April 2008

Just got the email also, kind of figured something like this was on the cards, but hoping it would not happen.

The main thing I guess is that WP still get access to a lounge, albeit the J lounge when not travelling OW.

 

[adrian]

Re: WP Anytime access revoked from 1st April 2008

Not surprised at these changes - I have always felt that it was a little to good to be true, to be using the First lounge when flying Aerolines Argentinas or Austrian Airlines.

However, I hope that they don't restict access to non-QF Emeralds (like AA Exec Plats) also, when flying one-world airlines.

 

[Shano]

Re: WP Anytime access revoked from 1st April 2008

But does still includes FLounge access if flying Jetstar......... so you can pig out and booze up before boarding your flight!

 

[Dave Noble]

Re: Changes to Platinum Lounge Access

1st lounge access not being available under anytime access doesn't seem to be too dire a change

Dave

 

[serfty]

Here's an online link to one of the emails ...

Qantas Frequent Flyer

 

[moa999]

not an overly surprising move and won't impact that many
good to see JQ remains on the list on both counts

 

[Travel Guru]

It was only a matter of time, and fair enough in my opinion

TG

 

[serfty]

Internationally, I have only used this once - last year when flying from AKL to MEL on AirNZ.

With this change, I would still get to use the QP in a similar situation. Not a great difference in AKL .

 

[serfty]

The lounge access page has been updated to reflect this pending change.

[noparse]^[/noparse] Must be travelling, not necessarily on Qantas, British Airways or Jetstar to access the lounge. From 1 April 2008, you must be travelling on the day with Qantas, Jetstar, British Airways or any of the other oneworld members airlines to access the lounge.

 

[JohnK]

I don't think the changes will make too much difference to most people but one good thing is having a separate lounge from the Qantas Club lounge when flying domestic.

Will it still be possible to visit the domestic Qantas Club Lounge when not flying that day?

 

[Ikara]

Will it still be possible to visit the domestic Qantas Club Lounge when not flying that day?

Here's what the email said........

If you are not travelling internationally with Qantas or the airlines listed, you are still more than welcome to visit the Qantas Business Lounge before your departure. Domestically, if you are not flying Qantas or Jetstar you are still welcome in The Qantas Club.

So, my interpretation would be yes.

JB

 

[Shano]

I don't think the changes will make too much difference to most people but one good thing is having a separate lounge from the Qantas Club lounge when flying domestic.

Will it still be possible to visit the domestic Qantas Club Lounge when not flying that day?

The access table on the QF website states "Member and 2 guests can access lounge any time [my underline]. Guests do not need to be travelling". So reiterating Ikara's response - yes.

 

[Reggie]

I have no problem with decision. In fact it is a good decision to protect their brand.

 

[Evan]

Interesting to see the split of people.... Also really what i wonder is where will they fit these lounges and what airports will get them ? they say accross the domestic network, but i would somehow bet it will only be a couple of locations like MEL/SYD/BNE

I also sense there really will be making Platinum more difficult to obtain since every second person seems to be Plat, or maybe its just my perception given like other gold/plats i fly up the front of Y (except for some flights in J) and see more of them that way...

E

 

[oz_mark]

Interesting to see the split of people.... Also really what i wonder is where will they fit these lounges and what airports will get them ? they say accross the domestic network, but i would somehow bet it will only be a couple of locations like MEL/SYD/BNE

As per the second sentence:

From mid 2008 we will also be opening Business Lounges across our domestic network for the exclusive use of Business Class travellers and Platinum members. Business Lounges are currently scheduled for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

 

[Evan]

Duh :!:
Well that was a nice guess by me without reading where they would open !

And i have not even had a drink today.
E