Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[anat0l]

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

Then what the hell are you doing here with an alias rather than your real name? And a picture of a plane rather than your real face?

 

[anat0l]

It's all tough love.

You mean just like the army?

But we still love 'em.

I'd be tempted to hold back on that one. This thread just might prove you wrong.

 

[oz_mark]

I'd be tempted to hold back on that one. This thread just might prove you wrong.

Of course it is natural for people to feel let down when rules change, and now that folk like kpc and alanslegal, have explained their position, I understand their aggravation at the change.

But look at Amex, after a botched promotion, people still use them.

And SQ went even more to town when they took aim at their PPS members a few years back (as kpc would remember) (IIRC one of the (many) things they did then was take away anytime access), but I am not sure it caused them any lasting problems.

 

[markis10]

Then what the hell are you doing here with an alias rather than your real name? And a picture of a plane rather than your real face?

I am learning how to multiquote to prevent post padding. Its embarrassing when you dont know how to drive a forum after years of membership so I have to put some modesty steps in place , now I just need to spoof my IP and remove the logs from my ISP, delete my google data or just only every post from a netcafe or QP!

 

[JohnK]

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).

Red Roo did mention overcrowding and to me it is as if they implied that Platinum using anytime access lounges were responsible.

Perhaps you are suggesting a class action against QF?

Furthest thing from my mind. Believe it or not I (we all) have to abide by the decision (even though I think it is a dumb decision) but can also continue to debate it.

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?

Anonymity of the forum? I don't quite understand your statement so if I have done something wrong can you please explain to me in a PM?

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...

Far from rejoicing. I was simply giving another example and I have a vested interest in being a QF Platinum and would hate for any benefits to be removed. In fact I believe it is time QF introduced some new benefits for QF Platinums. And no I do not class NGCI as a new benefit but more like a waste of time, focus and resources.

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

Why not? You should know that is not that easy to get to Qantas Lounges at most airports around Australia and the overwhelming majority of people would not even bother. So let's remove a benefit that is sparingly used.

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.

And I will be doing the same except I may move some flights to the opposition not to try and get status with another airline but to try and save some money wherever possible especially on trips to Thailand.

 

[samh004]

I am learning how to multiquote to prevent post padding. Its embarrassing when you dont know how to drive a forum after years of membership so I have to put some modesty steps in place , now I just need to spoof my IP and remove the logs from my ISP, delete my google data or just only every post from a netcafe or QP!

I’m glad someone is, I always do it, but have quite often seen 3 or 4 posts in a row that just defy belief.

As for being anonymous, try Tor

Anonymity of the forum? I don't quite understand your statement so if I have done something wrong can you please explain to me in a PM?

I think anat0l saw you use the name Mark, but forgot that the two members posting and carrying on a conversation with you have "mark" in their usernames, so had you not know them, you could just have guessed, rather than outed them, so to speak.

 

[kpc]

And SQ went even more to town when they took aim at their PPS members a few years back (as kpc would remember) (IIRC one of the (many) things they did then was take away anytime access), but I am not sure it caused them any lasting problems.

SQ took away anytime lounge access, made qualification for PPS harder (SGD$25K spend in J or F class per year not counting taxes / surcharges), and prevented access to the F lounge if travelling in J. They also took away lifetime Solitaire PPS as well, which was some impossible (to most) figure to achieve. What did it cost them? Have a look at SqTalk ( http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5190 )!! I personally stopped travelling with them completely at a time when I was spending about AUD$20K per year:shock: I did fly them again earlier this year to Asia on a business saver flight using using AMEX pts (from the infamous promo!)....I have to say the SQ J class product and service is a class above QF's equivalent!

Anyway, I digress....if QF have similar ideas, I'm prepared to look elsewhere but where...:?::idea:

 

[Alanslegal]

Of course it is natural for people to feel let down when rules change, and now that folk like kpc and alanslegal, have explained their position, I understand their aggravation at the change.

But look at Amex, after a botched promotion, people still use them.

Let down? Yes, especially when they think removal of WP anytime access will reduce crowding yet choose to give highly discounted QP memberships, even a 90hour sale of some sort, which will logically mean more in the QPs than before.

 

[samh004]

even a 90hour sale of some sort, which will logically mean more in the QPs than before.

I doubt it’ll boost numbers that significantly. Besides, even if they do get a lot of new members, those members still have to be flying QF/JQ to even get through the door, so the amount of people extra per day, per lounge, 1 or 2?

 

[straitman]

I doubt it’ll boost numbers that significantly. Besides, even if they do get a lot of new members, those members still have to be flying QF/JQ to even get through the door, so the amount of people extra per day, per lounge, 1 or 2?

It probably equates to the number they have just chucked out of the lounge by stopping anytime access.

As a few others have said the benefits of double Gold are suddenly looking more attractive so for what it is worth I have actively started to explore my options with DJ. I knew there would be a reason to keep the majority of my points in Amex MR.

As a self funded traveller I need to get value where possible and at this point I have to say QF have pushed me to and possibly over the edge. I will probably keep Platinum until I reach LTG but I suspect we will run Sue (no problems here with anonymity in the forum) up as DJ gold. I can already get DJ lounge access with my PP issued from Amex.

To answer the obvious (to me anyway) question there is nothing specific just an overall perception that 'the time has come'

Now off to do some more research about DJ and work out the best time to look at a status match :!:

 

[Keith009]

SQ took away anytime lounge access, made qualification for PPS harder (SGD$25K spend in J or F class per year not counting taxes / surcharges), and prevented access to the F lounge if travelling in J. They also took away lifetime Solitaire PPS as well, which was some impossible (to most) figure to achieve. What did it cost them? Have a look at SqTalk ( One year after PPS Changes. Any comments? Suggestions? Expectations? - SQTalk )!! I personally stopped travelling with them completely at a time when I was spending about AUD$20K per year:shock:

I'm another who has diverted all revenue to QF and oneworld consequent to those changes. I probably flew both QF and SQ pretty equally prior to the decimation of PPS, albeit crediting to AAdvantage rather than QFF as I was more interested in award flights then. My flying on SQ is now limited to getting rid of my BMI miles as fast as I possibly can. Plenty would probably disagree, QF has always been the industry benchmark for me, but it was also nice to try something different and check out the competition a bit.

QFF is still the most suitable program for my needs, so I will still work on WP requalification. But as I mentioned before, with all these movements in goal posts, I am now increasingly inclined to do only the bare minimum to requalify for WP, and will simply adopt a BFOD policy after earning my 1200 SCs for the year.

 

[anat0l]

I'm another one who just requalifies for QF WP and then puts money elsewhere. That maybe a mark of disloyalty, but my strategy has always been to have some diversity in loyalty benefits.

This is mainly why I select QF for oneworld benefits, and BD for Star Alliance benefits. As soon as I get QF WP requalified, my effort goes to *A and *A flying, unless *A are far too expensive at the time to requalify with.

All said and done, if AA EXP wasn't so difficult to get compared to QF WP, I'd be crediting to AA instead of QF, since from a more utility point of view AA has it better, but I'm not going to go AA PLT (Sapphire) for the sake of losing QF WP (Emerald).

On another note, if the Virgin Group of Australia were to join the Star Alliance, I'd probably be right over there like Garfield on lasagne.

 

[medhead]

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).

It says we need to balance access and overcrowding and then goes on to say that anytime access was contributing to crowding and hence has been removed. The implication is clear

I am learning how to multiquote to prevent post padding. Its embarrassing when you dont know how to drive a forum after years of membership so I have to put some modesty steps in place , now I just need to spoof my IP and remove the logs from my ISP, delete my google data or just only every post from a netcafe or QP!

I’m glad someone is, I always do it, but have quite often seen 3 or 4 posts in a row that just defy belief.

Sorry. Bit hard to multi quote using iphone.

I'm another one who just requalifies for QF WP and then puts money elsewhere. That maybe a mark of disloyalty, but my strategy has always been to have some diversity in loyalty benefits.

With the removal of anytime access I don't see it as disloyal at all. I had budgeted about 1900 SC for the next 12 months and maybe 5 virgin flights. I will mainly travel domestic (one international return flight), so I can't see the point of preferentially flying with Qantas once I retain Gold. I was thinking about getting up to PG, but couldn't do that by May. So this is the consequence of qantas' decision, obviously they don't value my loyalty to earn an extra 1500 SC with Qantas over letting me into the lounge 5 times. Their choice. :-|

 

[oz_mark]

It says we need to balance access and overcrowding and then goes on to say that anytime access was contributing to crowding and hence has been removed. The implication is clear

The specific issue was about using the lounge when using other airlines. I think DJ, others think the Middle East airlines, Air Asia and so on. Maybe its about QF trying to maintain its margins in the face of that price pressure.

 

[Joshua]

So I picked a good week to travel away without much internet access... come back to a lot of reading

I know in some QP's they keep the figures of who's flying what, ie. JQ or QF etc. so presumably they have some numbers regarding WP's getting in but they can't be all that accurate with WP's never showing their boarding passes.

From my total lack of flying on busy times & days, I've seldom ever seen a full house. Though an early Monday morning in a renovating PER QP early in the year came close.

Ok so they've at least allowed arrivals access. What about adding accompanying a person flying on the day? I still think the easiest way for be to issue a set of guest passes to WP's annually.

Would solve a lot of problems here.

*Can take friend/family in when dropping them off.
*Can take your 24th child in.
*Would provide some additional perk to the status
*Would provide a some additional promotion to the club, think colleagues etc.
*Closest thing we'll ever get to eVIP's

Given they've made the decision I'm thinking of realistic options they could do to compensate for perceived imbalance.

 

[medhead]

The specific issue was about using the lounge when using other airlines. I think DJ, others think the Middle East airlines, Air Asia and so on. Maybe its about QF trying to maintain its margins in the face of that price pressure.

yes, 2 issues are mentioned however, free kick to competitors contributing to crowding.

 

[Flashback]

It probably equates to the number they have just chucked out of the lounge by stopping anytime access.

Although the changes aren't in effect till 1 Feb 2011, so until then could be super-overcrowding?

 

[markis10]

Having had a bit more time to think about the change I cannot see myself being a WP again (after 6 years over the last 10 being WP) with any great effort. I am just going to have to look at how much the 100% points bonus is worth and what benefit I can get by putting the flights beyond 600 SC to an alternative, PG is certainly out of the question if I do requal. I am tempted to requal with 4 segments on QF and the rest on some well priced CX flights, they seem to understand loyalty in the one world sense.

 

[ReLoad]

Gee Whiz! talk about not log in for a few days and blam! (insert your favourite sound effect from a 80's batman TV episode)

Ok, firstly a big thank you to Red Roo, i'm glad QF is listening to us, and forming something of a compromise, also a big thankyou for being relatively quick in formulating a response, sometimes the wheels inside the corporate machine take a long time to grind out a decision, and I'm glad you were so rapid in your response, you have in my case saved a WP from jumping ship.

The arrivals access is excellent, thank you!

And perhaps some questions at the more seasoned international WP may answer:

After landing in LAX & LHR, where would I go to get a shower and freshen up given you cant get through security at the departures area to get back into the lounges? the times I have flown in I have never bothered, just caught a connection and thats it.

 

[John Reid]

Although the changes aren't in effect till 1 Feb 2011, so until then could be super-overcrowding?

Yep, that'd be the WP's cruising in for a free beer or six?

That's IS a joke BTW