Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[oz_mark]

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:

You could always go back to PPS :mrgreen:

 

[kpc]

You could always go back to PPS :mrgreen:

haha...just wait til I see you in Bne in 2 weeks!!

 

[oz_mark]

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

There is no separate business lounge in Perth, so there is nothing more that is on offer for business travellers/Platinum members.

 

[Flashback]

There is no separate business lounge in Perth, so there is nothing more that is on offer for business travellers/Platinum members.

That was his point I believe...! :shock:

 

[oz_mark]

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

No-ones is doing any such thing. An outcome of the change is to reduce crowding (how much is open to debate).

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.

The direction the scheme will take will depend on the market forces. Needless to say, though, there are plenty of things they could do.

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.

Maybe I need to do a Bunny Bear type run to platinum to find out.

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.

Probably because it is not an enhancement. I'm more tempted by getting to use the F lounges, rather than accessing it anytime.

Having said that, as a Gold, I don't really see any compelling reason to try to get to platinum.

 

[oz_mark]

That was his point I believe...! :shock:

I thought I was replying to straitman's post :shock:

 

[Australian]

Having said that, as a Gold, I don't really see any compelling reason to try to get to platinum.

Well, then, that kinda backs up the point a lot of ppl have been making

BUT ...

The direction the scheme will take will depend on the market forces. Needless to say, though, there are plenty of things they could do.

I agree - I think this will be the most interesting thing ... the other thread just posted to the main forum on the 90 hour fee-waiver window to join QC suggests they want to free up lounges for 'paying' QC members - which goes back to the original essence of QC in the first place (ie, first and foremost a 'paid/subscription lounge', with status access only coming later ... perhaps as a result of OW, but, following that argument, they could also go down the AA route and do away with that for their 'own' elites, too) ... SO, to go back to my main point, it'll be interesting to see what (if any) 'other' incentives they introduce to make other aspects of tiered status more desirable than the lounge itself ...

to be quiet honest, i'd be quite happy as a "WP option" of being able to subscribe to 'premium' QC membership that would allow 'anytime access' (ie, access not being a 'free' right in itself, but the opportunity for WPs to 'opt' for premium (anytime) QC access. (hey red roo -- reading this!!!?? PLZ! )

those loyal to qantas when possible, but feel they need that 'additional' access, can opt for it ... and it still preserves the essence of QC as a paid members' lounge ... the more i've been reflecting on these changes, QC hasn't really been discussed, but I think there's a desire to more clearly differentiate between what QC and Tiered status offer, as there's been a lot of 'benefit creep' between the two as both have evolved ... so i'm not sure that's a 'bad' thing - but i suspect (no, more like "obviously"!!) the 'detangling' has left casualties ... and it's been a bit messy. but i dont see why it needs to be one or the other ... if they want to keep them distinct, do so, but perhaps make concessions (eg, WP options for nytime 'paid' access, etc) to preserve that integrity of both programs.

 

[Flashback]

Well, then, that kinda backs up the point a lot of ppl have been making

BUT ...



I agree - I think this will be the most interesting thing ... the other thread just posted to the main forum on the 90 hour fee-waiver window to join QC suggests they want to free up lounges for 'paying' QC members - which goes back to the original essence of QC in the first place (ie, first and foremost a 'paid/subscription lounge', with status access only coming later ... perhaps as a result of OW, but, following that argument, they could also go down the AA route and do away with that for their 'own' elites, too) ... SO, to go back to my main point, it'll be interesting to see what (if any) 'other' incentives they introduce to make other aspects of tiered status more desirable than the lounge itself ...

to be quiet honest, i'd be quite happy as a "WP option" of being able to subscribe to 'premium' QC membership that would allow 'anytime access' (ie, access not being a 'free' right in itself, but the opportunity for WPs to 'opt' for premium (anytime) QC access. (hey red roo -- reading this!!!?? PLZ! )

those loyal to qantas when possible, but feel they need that 'additional' access, can opt for it ... and it still preserves the essence of QC as a paid members' lounge ... the more i've been reflecting on these changes, QC hasn't really been discussed, but I think there's a desire to more clearly differentiate between what QC and Tiered status offer, as there's been a lot of 'benefit creep' between the two as both have evolved ... so i'm not sure that's a 'bad' thing - but i suspect (no, more like "obviously"!!) the 'detangling' has left casualties ... and it's been a bit messy. but i dont see why it needs to be one or the other ... if they want to keep them distinct, do so, but perhaps make concessions (eg, WP options for nytime 'paid' access, etc) to preserve that integrity of both programs.

Only 90 hour? That's only a few days... I think you mean 90 day

 

[samh004]

Having said that, as a Gold, I don't really see any compelling reason to try to get to platinum.

If I was doing much more travel, and thus getting closer to Platinum anyway, the extra bonus on points would be very welcome and a compelling reason, but as I’m not that much of a frequent flyer, I don’t see the doubling of flights to get there worth it.

I do think the 100% points bonus is a fairly good incentive as far as basic benefits go though.

And I guess, J lounge access is much better than QP

Only 90 hour? That's only a few days... I think you mean 90 day

Nope… it’s 90 hours only

Celebrate our 90th Anniversary

 

[Australian]

Only 90 hour? That's only a few days... I think you mean 90 day

nope - ends oct 14 ... DJ is on the prowl ... we're living life in the fast lane!

 

[Flashback]

nope - ends oct 14 ... DJ is on the prowl ... we're living life in the fast lane!

Oh! Well that's cough then

 

[oz_mark]

Well, then, that kinda backs up the point a lot of ppl have been making

I found no compelling reason before the change, and people have their own reasons for aiming for platinum. But that is a different issue as to why they have made the change.

 

[straitman]

There is no separate business lounge in Perth, so there is nothing more that is on offer for business travellers/Platinum members.

They could simply let us us the CL lounge as they did for us last time we flew out of Perth :!:

 

[oz_mark]

They could simply let us us the CL lounge as they did for us last time we flew out of Perth :!:

With the number of Platinums in Perth, I am not sure the CL lounge would cope!

 

[straitman]

With the number of Platinums in Perth, I am not sure the CL lounge would cope!

Well just let the important ones in then. (You and me )

 

[JohnK]

No-ones is doing any such thing. An outcome of the change is to reduce crowding (how much is open to debate).

Mark, the email and later Red Roo clearly stated that the decision to remove Platinum snytime lounge access was due to lounge overcrowding. Now we at AFF, and I guess most Platinums, are aware this is clearly not the case. So to me that is lying, and an attempt to deceive, by Qantas to it's most loyal frequent lfyers.

The direction the scheme will take will depend on the market forces. Needless to say, though, there are plenty of things they could do.

With Platinum and Gold benefits now very similar my money is still on the merger of Gold and Platinum to a new Gold status but requiring 1400/1200 SCs and the new Platinum status will be Partner Gold at 2400 SCs with some limited extras to New Gold status.

Probably because it is not an enhancement. I'm more tempted by getting to use the F lounges, rather than accessing it anytime.

We are all tempted by different benefits. Regardless of what some people on this forum think just because anytime lounge access is not important to them does not make this decision a right one.

Personally as most of my trips are domestic I don't care too much for First Class check-in and First Class lounges. I would hve preferred it if this benefit wsas taken away before anytime lounge access. I am sure this would save Qantas a lot more money especially from those that get ridiculous value from organising FLounge runs and paying ~$35 for a JQ flight to access the FLounge. Surely that it more detrimental to the bottom line than a few Platinums using the domestic lounges before a flight with the opposition.

Having said that, as a Gold, I don't really see any compelling reason to try to get to platinum.

There is really not a lot of difference between Gold and Platinum with the recent "enhancement". I just wonder if people are going to continue status runs at the current rate vying for Platinum?

 

[oz_mark]

Mark, the email and later Red Roo clearly stated that the decision to remove Platinum snytime lounge access was due to lounge overcrowding. Now we at AFF, and I guess most Platinums, are aware this is clearly not the case. So to me that is lying, and an attempt to deceive, by Qantas to it's most loyal frequent lfyers.

Red Roo said no such thing. Read the following again. While acknowledging the issue of overcrowding versus lounge access, the issue being addressed is people flying on competitors (and removing these people reduces crowding).

...
The challenge we face is striking a balance between offering reasonable lounge access, whilst not overcrowding the lounges.

One issue we see is when Members use Qantas lounge facilities and then fly with competitors on the same day. This increases crowding for Members who are flying with us on the day and also gives our competitors a free kick.
...

 

[anat0l]

Mark, the email and later Red Roo clearly stated that the decision to remove Platinum snytime lounge access was due to lounge overcrowding. Now we at AFF, and I guess most Platinums, are aware this is clearly not the case. So to me that is lying, and an attempt to deceive, by Qantas to it's most loyal frequent lfyers.

Now this is just an argument on word semantics.

Personally, lying and being wrong are (or rather, can be) two different things. Businesses that lie can be litigated in courts. Perhaps you are suggesting a class action against QF?

And JohnK even if the gloves did come off would it be awfully much to ask of you to preserve some of the anonymity of the forum, please?

We are all tempted by different benefits. Regardless of what some people on this forum think just because anytime lounge access is not important to them does not make this decision a right one.

Personally as most of my trips are domestic I don't care too much for First Class check-in and First Class lounges. I would hve preferred it if this benefit wsas taken away before anytime lounge access. I am sure this would save Qantas a lot more money especially from those that get ridiculous value from organising FLounge runs and paying ~$35 for a JQ flight to access the FLounge.

Had that happened, we would have much the same vitriolic discussion right now, with different content. You might be rejoicing, but someone else will say the exact same statement you just gave above, which is:

We are all tempted by different benefits. Regardless of what some people on this forum think just because anytime lounge access is not important to them does not make this decision a right one.

...with the relevant words replaced, of course.

a few Platinums using the domestic lounges before a flight with the opposition.

...or as an all-you-can-drink-and-eat plane spotting pub.

There is really not a lot of difference between Gold and Platinum with the recent "enhancement". I just wonder if people are going to continue status runs at the current rate vying for Platinum?

I will (notwithstanding whatever happens in the near future) be pursuing QF WP requalification, even if that means status runs. The main reasons are that I am enjoying the benefits of oneworld Emerald, and QF is the most convenient program for my needs to achieve that status.

If that decision makes any of you think much less of me as a rational human being or me as a fool, then so be it....


BTW, Red Roo, welcome to AFF. Please stay on - we may be a very, very tough crowd to please and our criticism may know no bounds of harshness, but arguments never get into fist-fights here and the content is invaluable. Well, most of time, anyway...

 

[markis10]

And JohnK even if the gloves did come off would it be awfully much to ask of you to preserve some of the anonymity of the forum, please?

What a novel concept, anonymity and the internet, almost an oxymoron!

 

[oz_mark]

BTW, Red Roo, welcome to AFF. Please stay on - we may be a very, very tough crowd to please and our criticism may know no bounds of harshness, but arguments never get into fist-fights here and the content is invaluable. Well, most of time, anyway...

It's all tough love. As Amex found, your biggest supporters can also be your harshest critics. But we still love 'em.