Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[drewbles]

I mentioned over at FT that we should possibly have someone write up a clear, concise complaint letter to QF, sent to it's execs, from all of us.

I know this approach has been taken in the past, although I can't remember what it was for (most likely something to do with prior 'enhancements').

Would some kind of form letter benefit if we all get it and send to Mr Joyce and co?

This is just is not on. As people have said, I doubt a coffee here or a snack there would break the bank. They're meant to be rewarding their loyal flyers, not shafting them.

The Anytime Access was useful for me when dropping my parents off at the airport for their flight home. I could leave them in the lounge, not having to fly, in the event of a delay and I had to leave. It was also useful if their inbound flight was delayed.

And as others have said, as an arrivals lounge to freshen up prior to meetings and the like.

Shame on you QF. If any lurkers are here, people are going to start voting with their feet. DJ are trying their hardest to do things, and with one of your ex bigwigs onboard, it'll happen sooner than later if he has his way, and people will move. You've been 'enhancing' our benefits for too long, and it's just not good enough (not... happy.... jan!)

 

[dajop]

Oh well, looks like I'll cancel my recently purchased YUP in US and will now definitely be using SQ for my upcoming work funded trips to OZ not QF as I intended... But this is one of the things that kept me somewhat loyal to QF after achieving LTG. No need any more. Just buy a full priority pass. Was going to be flying JQ Asia a bit as well, but forget that, as won't get lounge access with them at all.

Such is life.

 

[Reggie]

I have used the QF lounges as arrival lounges a couple of times, and once met a mate at the MEL QF Dom who was flying out whilst I was overnighting at the Hilton. So it would be nice to have retained this for the occasional use, but hey as simongr stated, it might redcue the overcrowding at times.

 

[straitman]

Kind of puts a dent in our FT AGM 19 Feb 2011.

It might be aimed at the AGM :!: :shock:

 

[markis10]

I was wondering about the effect it would have on AGMs :evil::evil::evil:

 

[thewinchester]

As a QPNB, I'm actually quite annoyed about these changes.

One of the biggest selling points was being able to use Priority/Business check-in when travelling domestically, avoiding the nightmare of the main queues.

PER is a nightmare when I travel, as I usually take a red eye out. Even with OCLI and bagdrop, the queues are still out of this world. Removing priority check-in for QP members on domestic segments is a real downgrade IMHO.

The baggage isn't that much of a problem, as it's still the same weight limits. Just means if you have a need to, you can't carry an extra bag for someone when travelling domestically, however this is still fine on international segments.

 

[medhead]

Wow with all these changes coming through there is no longer any point bothering to make platinum. All the benefits are the same as for gold. Except priority economy seat purchase and priority domestic boarding. Anyone who has been in the scum when boarding is called knows there is no such thing as priority boarding.

 

[markis10]

Wow with all these changes coming through there is no longer any point bothering to make platinum. All the benefits are the same as for gold. Except priority economy seat purchase and priority domestic boarding. Anyone who has been in the scum when boarding is called knows there is no such thing as priority boarding.

Apart from F lounge access, two bags for a total 64kg and lets not forget 100% points bonus, which is the big one for me, the extra points in a year pay for quoite a few JASAs.

 

[drewbles]

Wow with all these changes coming through there is no longer any point bothering to make platinum. All the benefits are the same as for gold. Except priority economy seat purchase and priority domestic boarding. Anyone who has been in the scum when boarding is called knows there is no such thing as priority boarding.

For some, the extra 50% points may be enough to want WP, as well as First Lounge Access, which is a huge step up (MEL/SYD) from J Lounge access, and of course, the OW F lounges.

Agreed these changes overall suck, but there is still a difference between them. The baggage allowance is still different too, although as a rule, WP's would probably tend to travel with less luggage than more if they can help it (I know I do).

The F Checkin queue is a big one too for frequent international travellers. I've never seen a queue at an F checkin, but have plenty of times at J.

It's still a big difference for frequent international, not so for domestic IMHO.

 

[straitman]

I was wondering about the effect it would have on AGMs :evil::evil::evil:

It already has been noted on the FT AGM thread.

 

[Danger]

I'm very, very disappointed by this change and I've already got a draft of a letter I'm sending to Qantas.

I do agree somewhat with the statement that the Platinum benefits are now very similar to Gold and certainly agree that the benefits have been diluted. First Lounge access is extremely beneficial definitely but remember that there's only two decent ones in Australia so, to a fair extent, if you travel internationally from other ports (such as Perth, which is my home port), then there's no benefit there.

 

[MarcB]

Slightly OT but you should all take a moment to check out the fee changes too...by the looks, one fee has been reduced (replacement card), the rest are on the up!!!

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

 

[drewbles]

Slightly OT but you should all take a moment to check out the fee changes too...by the looks, one fee has been reduced (replacement card), the rest are on the up!!!

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Must have read your mind... was posting this as you did..

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....t-flyer-program/change-fee-changes-25777.html

 

[markis10]

Just goes to show that October is not a good month for the stock market or Qantas FF's.

I propose an AGM on Jan 31 at all QPs across Australia to toast good bye to this benefit

 

[Alanslegal]

Doesn't sound like much of an enhancment....

Sounds very correct to me! Unless QF decides to re-word the changes by saying "Our Qantas Lounges will have more room, be more quiter, and more food from February 2011 because w**ker Platinums will no longer be able to access them anytime".

 

[Alanslegal]

I propose an AGM on Jan 31 at all QPs across Australia to toast good bye to this benefit

Confirm me down as Platinum for this meet! My GF and I can host 4 guests.

 

[drewbles]

Sounds very correct to me! Unless QF decides to re-word the changes by saying "Our Qantas Lounges will have more room, be more quiter, and more food from February 2011 because w**ker Platinums will no longer be able to access them anytime".

Somehow I don't think 2-3 less people will make it less crowded, although marketing spin being what it is....

I don't think the removal of the benefit will see a significant drop in lounge crowding, but we'll see (if our roars of annoyance don't see QF reverse this, which is almost as likely as hell freezing over).

 

[serfty]

I don't use anytime much - my last use was only recent when we used the Qantas Club as an arrivals lounge for a shower and breakfast after flying in from LHR on QF10.

 

[thewinchester]

Confirm me down as Platinum for this meet! My GF and I can host 4 guests.

Name the lounge and the time, and I'll happily take a WP's guest spot for it. The more members who stick it up QF the better.

Now if only we could crowd every single lounge nationwide on the day before this change...

 

[Flashback]

Oh well, looks like I'll cancel my recently purchased YUP in US and will now definitely be using SQ for my upcoming work funded trips to OZ not QF as I intended... But this is one of the things that kept me somewhat loyal to QF after achieving LTG. No need any more. Just buy a full priority pass. Was going to be flying JQ Asia a bit as well, but forget that, as won't get lounge access with them at all.

Such is life.

I don't really see any need to requal my PS again this year as it won't give me any benefit. Given I now have *A Gold I think I will divert all my planned travel over to *A to focus on requal for that instead.