Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[straitman]

It seems that I was way off the mark with my comment that I thought we would not see any more of Red Roo.

I appreciate that he/she has posted again but after reading what was said I have to say that Red Roo also was way off target with the comments.

There have been quite a few suggestions by people that are simple, easy and cost affective to implement and that will help keep people onside yet they have all been ignored. I will go so far as to say that we are all beating our gums as the spin doctors have now take control.

The comments simply sound like big business spin and I have seen plenty of it over the years from a company that makes Qantas look like the little guy in the corner.

I hate to sound negative with all this as it is against my normal outlook but that is pretty much all I can see out of the posted comments.

 

[medhead]

It's not really providing the same open slather anytime access. As you do need to be flying someone leaving from the same terminal.

Well anytime access is supposed to be linked to "travel" on the day. It seems to me that any open slather issues again arise from interpretation and enforcement. Much like allowing anytime access to the J lounge.

Btw is it time to introduce a new TLA - ATA

 

[djfuzz]

There have been quite a few suggestions by people that are simple, easy and cost affective to implement and that will help keep people onside yet they have all been ignored. I will go so far as to say that we are all beating our gums as the spin doctors have now take control.

The comments simply sound like big business spin and I have seen plenty of it over the years from a company that makes Qantas look like the little guy in the corner.

I was also going to raise this before but self-censored...

It would be a shame if Red Roo's presence here was reduced to simply spouting press releases and cherry picking positive feedback, as I think straitman suggests. I think it would be fair to say that most members here would see through that quite quickly.

More than that, it would be an opportunity missed for some real, concrete and direct feedback from some key demographics of QFF's customer base - and it is in effect an extension of whatever social media marketing they're already doing.

I would venture that crazydave98's involvement here has been very positive, as he provides information and passes on genuine feedback to/from DJ that wouldn't otherwise get through. Many of the telcos have used their twitter accounts in a similar way to provide almost direct actioning of feedback where regular avenues for customer service have failed. Sometimes outcomes are mutually beneficial, at other times not much can be done - but the mere fact of the contact truly is an 'enhancement' of the customer service experience, and mostly strengthens customer loyalty.

...

 

[Princess Fiona]

It's not really providing the same open slather anytime access. As you do need to be flying someone leaving from the same terminal.

I think its important to compare apples with apples here as non-travellers cannot access airside lounges in the UK. The fact remains that QF have brazenly dumped WP anytime lounge access whilst simultaneously courting discount QP membership via the 90 hour promo. Meanwhile telling us via Red Roo that there is a problem with overcrowding. This is beginning to stink and even worse than Shrek's swamp!

 

[oz_mark]

I think its important to compare apples with apples here as non-travellers cannot access airside lounges in the UK.

The same terminal condition would be on the restrictive side at some multi-terminal airports.

 

[kpc]

I appreciate that he/she has posted again but after reading what was said I have to say that Red Roo also was way off target with the comments.

There have been quite a few suggestions by people that are simple, easy and cost affective to implement and that will help keep people onside yet they have all been ignored. I will go so far as to say that we are all beating our gums as the spin doctors have now take control.

I agree 100%. The more I think about it, Red Roo's responses this evening have been nothing short of insulting to our intelligence:shock::evil:. Whilst I may be shot down for saying this, and may discourage him / her from posting again, the post this evening really does nothing to reduce my (and I suspect others as well) infuriation at QFs actions in removing this Platinum benefit. I really don't have much more to say apart from the fact that I will be, figuratively, voting with my feet!

 

[serfty]

For me the change to allow 'arrivals' access makes it palatable.

In reality this was my most common use of WP anytime access - so I lose little.

I've already been voting with my feet and had adjusted my travel. Next year I am likely not to be attaining PG - this was planned before the 2400 SC level was announced. However SWMBO should attain SG in her own right. At the earnings for an additional 1200 SC's, Limo vouchers or 50K QFF points simply don't do it for me, .

I'll get the 1,200 SC's next year - possibly a few more more but once WP and GE attained, most flying will be credited to AA where possible.

I am doing quite fine with AirNZ and confirmed standby upgrades as a Gold Elite. It great being able to select that upgraded seat months out (from any booking class).

 

[el_rooto]

In my opinion, a great enhancement to WP and SG would be to allow points upgrades to J from any economy booking class. This would make the status so much more valuable on leisure trips.

Edit: And Redroo, this would also increase revenue .

 

[samh004]

In my opinion, a great enhancement to WP and SG would be to allow points upgrades to J from any economy booking class. This would make the status so much more valuable on leisure trips.

Edit: And Redroo, this would also increase revenue .

Wouldn’t that decrease revenue as everyone would buy the cheapest fares and upgrade them, knowing as an elite they’d more than likely get them…

 

[TonyHancock]

How disappointing that after blaming overcrowding, well 'crowding', for the decision to remove anytime access from WP's, Qantas sees fit to offer QC membership without the joining fee in a 90 hour offer.

I am not particularly affected by the removal of anytime access, but what will be next?

I have learned a lot in this thread about attaining and maintaining gold status on two airlines and will investigate further. I will retain platinum status with 5 months to spare in my membership year. Maybe it is time to try Virgin domestically and Emirates on my trips to the UK.

 

[MelUser]

Given Red Roo's comments that overcrowding is the issue - he/she can only mean in the Business Class Domestic Lounge. After all providing discounted Qantas Club membership indicates that Qantas Club's are not full enough and more must be done to increase patronage.

Perhaps removing anytime access for Business Class Lounges and retaining it for the Qantas Club lounges would be an acceptable compromise to Platinums.

Remember a few years ago this is what QF effectively did with its international lounges - ie Platinums were allowed anytime First Lounge access but this was taken away from them.

Additionally, could Qantas please include Air Pacific as one of the airlines on which they will grant lounge access to their Plats/Golds/Qantas Club members etc. This airline is owned by Qantas, run by execs and pilots from Qantas and the profits go to Qantas.

Thank you Red Roo and please do pass this stuff back to Qantas.

 

[markis10]

Additionally, could Qantas please include Air Fiji as one of the airlines on which they will grant lounge access to their Plats/Golds/Qantas Club members etc. This airline is owned by Qantas, run by execs and pilots from Qantas and the profits go to Qantas.

Thank you Red Roo and please do pass this stuff back to Qantas.

Air Fiji ceased ops last year, I take it Air Pacific is the target airline, QF have a minority stake in the airline as does Air New Zealand and a few of the countries governments nearby, the majority owner is the Government of Fiji. Qantas have had their ownership under consideration for sale for the past year, given you have access when flying the codeshare its a bit of a non issue, as for the profits going to QF, since the coup I am not aware of any!

 

[Leumas]

I've written another long rant aiming directly at QF, but I'm not sure what purpose it'll serve, so I deleted it. However, I'll say this.

WP's and SG's are, no offence, 'leeches' to the QC's as a profit centre. They don't directly contribute a cent to QC's, only paying members do. The more crowded QC's are with paying members, the better it is for them. This 'overcrowding' is just saying the current crowd make-up is wrong - we need more paying members and less of these leeches. If I run the QC line of business and am required to make turn a profit each year, I sure as hell won't want any leeches hanging around...!

(Yes, that's an incredibly short-sighted view of things, but I'm too stupid to think of any other reasons...)

Lastly, I think QF is not the majority owner of Air Pacific. The Fijian government is. From what I read, QF want out from this but no one wants to buy it.

 

[medhead]

Perhaps removing anytime access for Business Class Lounges and retaining it for the Qantas Club lounges would be an acceptable compromise to Platinums.

No need to remove anytime access to the J lounge as technically anytime access doesn't include the J lounge. Simply a matter of enforcing the rules.

 

[DC3]

... WP's and SG's are, no offence, 'leeches' to the QC's as a profit centre. They don't directly contribute a cent to QC's, only paying members do...

... If I run the QC line of business and am required to make turn a profit each year, I sure as hell won't want any leeches hanging around...!

Rather harsh, I think. :shock:

 

[TonyHancock]

Rather harsh, I think. :shock:

Indeed, let's not forget who it is spending thousands of dollars a year with Qantas on flights.

 

[oz_mark]

WP's and SG's are, no offence, 'leeches' to the QC's as a profit centre. They don't directly contribute a cent to QC's, only paying members do.

I don't know what the acounting treatment within Qantas is, but I would have thought that QFF would make some sort of payment to QC for the access. Perhaps not, but I would have thought so.

 

[markis10]

I don't know what the accounting treatment within Qantas is, but I would have thought that QFF would make some sort of payment to QC for the access. Perhaps not, but I would have thought so.

I dont believe the QC is classed as a standalone business, the FF scheme is. Word is QF dont even chargeback to JQ when they need seats ex HNL because of issues.

 

[medhead]

I dont believe the QC is classed as a standalone business, the FF scheme is. Word is QF dont even chargeback to JQ when they need seats ex HNL because of issues.

I thought "loyalty" was a separate business meaning QC and QFF together.

 

[markis10]

I thought "loyalty" was a separate business meaning QC and QFF together.

There is no legal entity with the word loyalty and Qantas as part of its name, Qantas Frequent Flyer Ltd and Qantas Frequent Flyer Operations Ltd do exist but dont look after the Qantas club, whose terms and conditions refer to the main business ABN as the operator. Makes sense given the lounges came before the FF program.