Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[ozbeachbabe]

In my opinion, the overcrowding was spin. It's not about overcrowding. It's about DJ flagging that they are coming after QF's business.

I think the above just hit the nail on the head! :!:

A bit like a spoiled child saying "if you're going to play with someone else I won't share my toys with you anymore". :evil:

 

[Happy Trails]

In my opinion, the overcrowding was spin. It's not about overcrowding. It's about DJ flagging that they are coming after QF's business.

+1
And very effective spin too, given that Red Roo only referred to "crowding", rather than "overcrowding".
Semantics I know, but there is a difference.

 

[Mal]

Qantas is blaming WP for overcrowding and does not have any tangible proof that anytime access is the root of all this.

Yep, it's very fishy. The only records kept as to who accesses lounges is with International lounges (as your boarding pass is scanned). Domestically, although they have scanned passes at various times - normally it's a flash card/enter type situation.

Can't wait for the next *great idea* that will dilute the scheme further.

 

[Leumas]

I think the above just hit the nail on the head! :!:

A bit like a spoiled child saying "if you're going to play with someone else I won't share my toys with you anymore". :evil:

If this is the case, it sure is a funny way to do business...

'Uh oh, our competitor is after our most loyal and [possibly] most profiltable customers. What are we doing to do?'
...
'I know, let's piss them off. If they don't like us, we won't like them either!'

 

[marki]

Can't wait for the next *great idea* that will dilute the scheme further.[/QUOTE]

Ditto (so TruE) and then we will all be giving Orwellian(1984) Smiles

 

[kpc]

It will be nice if Red Roo would respond to some of these comments but I won't be holding my breath tho.....as the consumer I reserve the right to choose who I fly (and spend my cash) and I will...Loyalty, btw QF, is a 2 way street:!:

 

[Paddy55]

Yep, it's very fishy. The only records kept as to who accesses lounges is International lounges (as your boarding pass is scanned). Domestically, although they have scanned passes at various times - normally it's a flash card/enter type situation.

Can't wait for the next *great idea* that will dilute the scheme further.

Agree 100%. When I travel domestically I generally flash my card, not my boarding pass. Have used anytime access just twice in the past year... not often but very handy for meetings that really had to happen at the airport.

I too feel that QF's FF benefits and overall service will continue to erode over time as the airline heads not just to better financial performance, but to its "Jetstar-isation", from where Mr Joyce has his roots.

When they get there, as I'm sure they will, they may find their Frequent Flyers have disappeared to a more business focussed DJ, or to Aadvantage with the better earn/burn ratios documented on this site.

Paddy

 

[farstar]

I have never used anytime access, are there any other airlines in the world that offer it as part of their FF program? I guess a lot of people must use it due to the fuss.

The only time I might use anytime access would be if there was a destination that Qantas, Jetstar, or Oneworld does not fly to.

I know it was a published feature of the program but it will be no big loss to me. Even as an arrivals lounge I would probably not use it.

I think it would have also have been fair if not flying you could access the lounge if you guested in someone who was flying Qantas or Jetstar. That way at least it would be the same as if you had been flying and guested in someone who just came to the airport to see you off (one person flying and the other not).

I am a WP until at least 31 May 2012 so we will see how if there any new "enhancements" by then.

 

[Mal]

I have never used anytime access, are there any other airlines in the world that offer it as part of their FF program? I guess a lot of people must use it due to the fuss.

Yes. BA is one (Their Gold members get Anytime access to BA lounges).

I have used the Anytime access quite a few times over the years, and will definitely miss it.

 

[Smackbum]

It will be nice if Red Roo would respond to some of these comments but I won't be holding my breath tho.....as the consumer I reserve the right to choose who I fly (and spend my cash) and I will...Loyalty, btw QF, is a 2 way street:!:

I am absolutely gobsmacked by the comment "Loyalty, btw QF, is a 2 way street". This is exactly what Qantas is now saying - if you are going to sleep with the opposition then don't come around for dinner at my place before/afterwards because that is plain insulting.

And good luck to the members who travel enough flights to get Gold status with Qantas and Virgin. I scrape through to QF Gold by flying Qantas 90% of the time, so when Virgin is too much of a bargain to resist I either arrive at the airport at boarding time or buy my way into The Lounge. Works for me.

 

[kpc]

I am absolutely gobsmacked by the comment "Loyalty, btw QF, is a 2 way street". This is exactly what Qantas is now saying - if you are going to sleep with the opposition then don't come around for dinner at my place before/afterwards because that is plain insulting.

Let me "ungobsmacked" you then! When I directed just about all my travel to QF last year, one of the benefits of Plat status was "Anytime" acesss. Now that I have directed $30K+ of travel QF's way in ONE year, and reached platinum status, QF are removing one of the benefits they had advertised as a benefit of reaching Platinum status.... That's what I meant by "Loyalty, btw QF, is a 2 way street". I'm gobsmacked!!:shock:

 

[DC3]

Most of us would have (or had) certain expectations of the benefits on attaining platinum.

For some, that may have included being able to make use of anytime access. For others, anytime access didn't matter.

Reductions in any of the platinum benefits will affect each of us in different ways. Some have already said that they don't care at all about anytime access, and have already mocked others over this.

That doesn't mean that we shouldn't be supportive of those who are facing the loss of a benefit that means something to them.

 

[kpc]

Most of us would have (or had) certain expectations of the benefits on attaining platinum.

For some, that may have included being able to make use of anytime access. For others, anytime access didn't matter.

Reductions in any of the platinum benefits will affect each of us in different ways. Some have already said that they don't care at all about anytime access, and have already mocked others over this.

That doesn't mean that we shouldn't be supportive of those who are facing the loss of a benefit that means something to them.

Well said!

 

[straitman]

Most of us would have (or had) certain expectations of the benefits on attaining platinum.

For some, that may have included being able to make use of anytime access. For others, anytime access didn't matter.

Reductions in any of the platinum benefits will affect each of us in different ways. Some have already said that they don't care at all about anytime access, and have already mocked others over this.

That doesn't mean that we shouldn't be supportive of those who are facing the loss of a benefit that means something to them.

Thankyou DC3.

Well said.

Nobody here expects everyone to agree but there is certainly room for everyones opinions :!:



Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[JohnK]

In my opinion, the overcrowding was spin. It's not about overcrowding. It's about DJ flagging that they are coming after QF's business.

So why lie, attempt to deceive, your most loyal frequent flyers?

Can't wait for the next *great idea* that will dilute the scheme further.

There is no doubt the scheme will be diluted further in the not too distant future but what else could they dilute without breaking Oneworld rules.

Perhaps Qantas Platinums will no longer have access to QF First Lounges unless flying First Class. This is one area where overcrowding occurs at most overseas QF First Class lounges.

I have used the Anytime access quite a few times over the years, and will definitely miss it.

This was one of the main reasons I went for Platinum status in the first place and then spent hard earned money over the next 3 years trying to retain it.

This "enhancement" just does not add up.

 

[hotanddusty]

Well it had to happen costs will always rule the skies. Try Perth’s new up graded lounge and see if Platinum means anything!!

 

[straitman]

Well it had to happen costs will always rule the skies. Try Perth’s new up graded lounge and see if Platinum means anything!!

Would you like to elaborate :?:

 

[Alanslegal]

This was one of the main reasons I went for Platinum status in the first place and then spent hard earned money over the next 3 years trying to retain it.

Sadly but true but it is because of this benefit that I managed to persuade the GF to go for WP status. I told he we'd go to the QP once every few weeks and bring 4 friends who living quite close to SYD and just enjoy a beer, some nibblies whilst watching planes outside.

We are 100% leisure travellers so seeing, hearing planes is a positive enrichment to our lives. Afterall we do not do serious flying as many hardcore flyers in this forum, so being at the airport and as close to travelling as possible, it is a benefit to us.

I could have persuaded her other WP benefit but she's not interested in points, status credits, preferential upgrades etc but none of that stacked up when I told her we can access the lounges anytime. That was the selling factor. Sad but true.

 

[Flashback]

I don't know if this has already been said.. but if overcrowding is the supposed reason, how come they're letting WP into the Dom J lounge on "anytime" access, even though as per the published benefits anytime access doesn't extend to that lounge? I see through you, QF.

 

[drron]

Sadly but true but it is because of this benefit that I managed to persuade the GF to go for WP status. I told he we'd go to the QP once every few weeks and bring 4 friends who living quite close to SYD and just enjoy a beer, some nibblies whilst watching planes outside.

We are 100% leisure travellers so seeing, hearing planes is a positive enrichment to our lives. Afterall we do not do serious flying as many hardcore flyers in this forum, so being at the airport and as close to travelling as possible, it is a benefit to us.

I could have persuaded her other WP benefit but she's not interested in points, status credits, preferential upgrades etc but none of that stacked up when I told her we can access the lounges anytime. That was the selling factor. Sad but true.

How times have changed.We used to go and park at Kingsford smith!