Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[medhead]

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.

Yes, thank you. Well done. I wasn't referring to the name of the legal entity. That would be why I put the "" around the word loyalty.
My recollection was that the annual report lumped the 2 programs together. My recollection must be wrong. Thanks for the edification.
At least I can stop puzzling over the move to visible distinction between the 2 businesses.

 

[markis10]

Yes, thank you. Well done. I wasn't referring to the name of the legal entity. That would be why I put the "" around the word loyalty.
My recollection was that the annual report lumped the 2 programs together. My recollection must be wrong. Thanks for the edification.
At least I can stop puzzling over the move to visible distinction between the 2 businesses.

Page 56 of the annual report under other income would have also made things clear:

"Revenue from aircraft charter and leases, property income, Qantas Club
membership fees, freight terminal and service fees, commission revenue
and other miscellaneous income is recognised as other income at the
time service is provided."

 

[el_rooto]

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…

I've been on a few flights in sale or red-e-deal y and there were empty seats in J. Qf would have recouped a fair few FF points if I had been allowed to upgrade.

 

[markis10]

I've been on a few flights in sale or red-e-deal y and there were empty seats in J. Qf would have recouped a fair few FF points if I had been allowed to upgrade.

How many 747 Y customers buy a fare thats upgradable then put in an upgrade request, I know I have where the odds looked good, for the less informed customer there will be times where its a futile exercise.

 

[Danger]

Red Roo, thank you for returning. I too suspected you'd be a one post wonder but I'm pleased to have been proved wrong.

That said, as others have commented, your post misses the point on so many levels and you really have provided nothing but marketing spin. This is all the more astonishing given you specifically noted overcrowding as a reason behind the anytime removal when we've come across a 90 hour sale for Qantas Club membership. We weren't born yesterday; this move is completely stupid.

On the subject of Neil Perry: wonderful news – except it benefits everyone who flies QF. Where is the reward for my loyalty? If part of Platinum membership entitled me to have Neil Perry host a dinner party at my house once a year for 12 of my closest friends, then that would be an exclusive benefit. What isn’t an exclusive benefit is the Neil Perry-inspired cous cous or potato, leek and falafel soup in the lounges!

As for anytime access being unique to the Qantas program, others have already pointed out this isn't necessarily correct. I suspect there are even one or two more airlines out there. However, if you’re playing the game of ‘they don’t do it then why should we?’ then it’s a two way street. Apparently, Lufthansa offers guaranteed business class seating 48 hours prior to departure, two confirmed upgrade vouchers and companion awards at 50% off and this for the second top tier. For the elite (Platinum equivalent) it’s six upgrade vouchers, an advance on miles and limo transfer from the FRA terminal (I believe this is only from the lounge to the aircraft). Etihad’s top tier provides limo transfers and concierge service at AUH. Virgin Atlantic’s program offers elite flyers discounts on parking at LHR and LGW and a family account allowing up to six members of the one household to earn miles. Top tier members in Air New Zealand’s loyalty program allow five guests to access the Koru Club lounges and five Koru Club complimentary valet parking vouchers. The list goes on.

I’m not suggesting that’s these benefits are the way to go for QF or would even be valued; I’m simply making the point that if one of QF’s reasons for withdrawing anytime access is because ‘our competitors don’t offer it’ is, firstly, an immature approach and, secondly, avoids the flipside (ie. what do the competitors offer that QF doesn’t).

But even if QF was alone, so what? We're constantly told QF is a premium airline (doesn't the advertising say something like 'the world's premium airline'?) so why don't you act like it?

Red Roo, how about addressing some of the multitude of other issues (and indeed, suggestions) that have been posted here. The consensus is your middleground has done little to appease your loyalest customers.

 

[oz_mark]

I've been on a few flights in sale or red-e-deal y and there were empty seats in J. Qf would have recouped a fair few FF points if I had been allowed to upgrade.

Even if they allowed it on red-e-deal's, there is no guarantee your upgrade request would be successful. Indeed, there may have been people on upgradeable fares that tried and failed.

 

[serfty]

Even if they allowed it on red-e-deal's, there is no guarantee your upgrade request would be successful. Indeed, there may have been people on upgradeable fares that tried and failed.

Of course, before May 2005 if you could ascertain both the upgrade and red e-deal class on the same flight you could book that flight and upgrade right into Business class.

 

[medhead]

Page 56 of the annual report under other income would have also made things clear:

"Revenue from aircraft charter and leases, property income, Qantas Club
membership fees, freight terminal and service fees, commission revenue
and other miscellaneous income is recognised as other income at the
time service is provided."

Not much clearer really. Telling me that qantas club membership fees are reported as other income doesn't tell me anything on the subject of potential payments between QFF and QC for free memberships. Also I can't find anything specific about QC expenditure. I could go off on major tangent about the whole account/relationship thing. But that is something better saved to discuss with the aid of mental lubrication.

 

[el_rooto]

Another privilege idea that wp could have when flying red-e-deal and sale is that they have the ability to request an upgrade using points at checking on an international flight...

Just trying to think of ideas that could improve wp and not be such a huge drag on the airlines facilities, like anytime access obviously is. Whilst also having a benefit to the airline.

Note: Purple denotes sarcasm.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I have just received my SG email, Red Roo, your email spitting system appears not to have heard of your message. I see however the link refers to the revised policy though.

From 1 February 2011, Platinum members must be travelling on a Qantas, Jetstar or oneworld® flight to access any Qantas Domestic or International Lounge5.

View all Platinum privileges

5. Qantas Lounge access. From 1 February 2011, Platinum members must be travelling onward that day on a flight with a QF, JQ or oneworld® flight number on their ticket. Other lounge access conditions apply. See qantas.com/qantasclub

The email doesn't indicate anything which I'd regard as an 'enhancement' (yes the e-word is still there)

The 'enhancement' to being able to stuff one 32kg bag is just dumb. This is just an incentive to people to pack one giant heavy bags. If I have a lot of weight I don't want to stuff it in a behemoth, and do my back in (and possibly that of the baggage handler), I'd rather balance it out in two smaller bags. Its also an incentive for people to try and jam more stuff, like the extra suitcase, in the luggage lockers.

This is just a silly rule - I'd be amazed if your baggage handlers agreed that this was a good idea.

Cheers skip

 

[Princess Fiona]

Just had a phone call from QF Executive Relations in regards to my email to Simon Hickey basically saying that in response to feedback arrivals access/ transfer flights will still be permitted and also that access will be permitted when flying QF Partner Airline ( gave example of OT) even if not flying QF/OW. Advised that a mailout is pending.

 

[simongr]

Just trying to think of ideas that could improve wp and not be such a huge drag on the airlines facilities, like anytime access obviously is. Whilst also having a benefit to the airline.

I think the underlying "issue" about anytime access is really that it means WP don't have to fly QF - so QF not only fund the attendance in the lounge (small beer or in my case large beer) but they lose the revenue that they "should" be earning from the WP's flying. Anytime access makes it easier for WPs NOT to fly with QF. If you know you get lounge access anyway you can easily go BFOD for the bus ride to MEL from SYD, OLCI and still be comfortable around the flight. That is the real cost to QF.

 

[TonyHancock]

I think the underlying "issue" about anytime access is really that it means WP don't have to fly QF - so QF not only fund the attendance in the lounge (small beer or in my case large beer) but they lose the revenue that they "should" be earning from the WP's flying. Anytime access makes it easier for WPs NOT to fly with QF. If you know you get lounge access anyway you can easily go BFOD for the bus ride to MEL from SYD, OLCI and still be comfortable around the flight. That is the real cost to QF.

If my business invested in infrastructure for clients who then chose to use that infrastructure whilst buying from my competitors I would perhaps be a little miffed. I guess the issue is that in order to do this the customers have had to spend heavily with my business first. All a question of balance really.

Being based in Melbourne I suspect I am a little removed from the issue. If I were flying DJ I'm not sure I would fancy the walk back through security from the QP, and then over to the DJ terminal and back through security there. Do people really do that?

 

[markis10]

Being based in Melbourne I suspect I am a little removed from the issue. If I were flying DJ I'm not sure I would fancy the walk back through security from the QP, and then over to the DJ terminal and back through security there. Do people really do that?

Having to go through such barriers is not just the domain of Melbourne, Canberra, Perth and obviously for most flights ex Sydney its just as hard.

 

[simongr]

Isnt there a QP in the Virgin terminal? For regional flights?

 

[markis10]

Isnt there a QP in the Virgin terminal? For regional flights?

Yes there is but its on more restricted hours, and no J lounge obviously, Adelaide and Brisbane would be the two that come to mind in terms of ease of effort to access when not flying QF.

 

[ReLoad]

so, sitting here in the Syd J domestic lounge due to flight delays (allegedly bad weather in Melbourne, like that ever happened?) and id like to wonder if the party pies are Neil Perry designed?

Another useless WP related observation, the W in WP is well deserved, I do love the people who think that speaking loudly about some high powered deal and splurting out company secrets is a good idea, all rather amusing.

 

[NM]

so, sitting here in the Syd J domestic lounge due to flight delays (allegedly bad weather in Melbourne, like that ever happened?) and id like to wonder if the party pies are Neil Perry designed?

The Neil Perry inspired menus are for International J lounges. I do not believe there is any plan for such menu inspiration for the party pies in domestic lounges.

 

[simongr]

The Neil Perry menu has yet to be launched.

Personally I think Neil Perry is a co*k and the * shouldnt be replaced by an "o" and his food is awful. His food is one of the reasons I stopped flying QF for a while.

We should all remember that it was when he was appointed that the cardboard box lunches in DOM whY came in...

 

[moa999]

There seem to be a few groups of Plat flyers here. Some who have been made happy. Some not.

1. People who fly QF only and don't use arrivals - no change.

2. People who fly QF only and use arrivals - now fixed

3. People who preference QF but also use other airlines (whether for schedule, price or routng) - still not happy.

If in the latter bunch Qantas's attitude to you has changed
- It was - you are such a frequent flyer to us that even if you ocassinally use a competitor you can now use our lounge
- To - you are such a frequent flyer with us but we want to ensure you fly with us even more.

Qantas obviously expects this will result in these people flying QF more and thus more revenue.

However pointed out here that if you do 2500 SCs on Qantas and a bunch of flights on NZ/SQ/MH, then you may choose to shift even more of your flights to Star Alliance (or Sky Team) to earn elite status with them as well to ensure you get lounge access when you fly
- thus the decision may actually lose QF revenue