Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[JohnK]

Drat! Flying in a day too early

What time are you going to be in the Lounge?

 

[samh004]

What time are you going to be in the Lounge?

11 till 6, but I am hoping the QF mag will have some suggestions for things to do in SYD anyway, providing it’s not a bad day.

 

[TonyHancock]

Slightly off topic, but I think I may have misunderstood the partner gold requirements going forward.

Am I correct in saying that up until May 2011 the requirement is 2100 SC's for partner gold qualification.

After this date the new requirement is 2400 SC's but it gives the options of PG or a couple of other relatively worthless benefits?

For some reason I had it in my head that 2100 was still the ongoing qualifying number for PG and you could then go to 2400 to get the other relatively worthless benefits if you wanted to. I think I missed the complete removal of 2100 as a qualifying number.

 

[simongr]

It is not explicit that the benefit is being removed.

Complimentary Gold membership for a family member or friend when you reach 2,100 Status credits

Reach 2,100 Status credits^^ in one membership year and, until 3 May 2011, you'll receive complimentary Gold membership for any family member or friend.
Or wait to reach 2,400 Status credits for a choice of rewards

If you have not already nominated complimentary Gold membership for your partner, when you reach 2,400 Status credits in one membership year, you have the choice of one of the following rewards

My interpretation is that nothing changes until 3 May 2011. After that point once you hit 2100 you get the option of giving PG to partner or waiting until you hit 2400 to look at the options.

There is speculation as ever that this will then become the only option and only at 2400 - none of this is confirmed though.

 

[Sequel]

Whie it could read either way, it makes more sense that they are giving you warning that they are removing the benefit (hence the future date) rather than telling you they are going to make a positive change in 6 months time?

 

[serfty]

IMHO, It's quite specific - from 3rd May 2011 it's 2400 SC's to reach gift gold level.

Note that PG no longer exists; things changed on Oct 1 and currently at 2100 SC's you can nominate a "family member or friend" to received this benefit. From 3rd May, it's 2400 before you can received this or 50K QFF or Limo vouchers.

• Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum Benefits

Then click the "Even More Benefits" tab.

Complimentary Gold membership for a family member or friend when you reach 2,100 Status credits

Reach 2,100 Status credits^^ in one membership year and, until 3 May 2011, you'll receive complimentary Gold membership for any family member or friend.

Or wait to reach 2,400 Status credits for a choice of rewards
If you have not already nominated complimentary Gold membership for your partner, when you reach 2,400 Status credits in one membership year, you have the choice of one of the following rewards

complimentary Gold membership for a family member or friend or

three complimentary Qantas Valet Parking or Chauffeured Transfer invitations++ or

a bonus of 50,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points​

My email had this ", until 3 May 2011" in it as well.

 

[TonyHancock]

My interpretation is that nothing changes until 3 May 2011. After that point once you hit 2100 you get the option of giving PG to partner or waiting until you hit 2400 to look at the options.

That is how I read it initially but when I read:

"20.3.2 On and from 1 October 2010, a Platinum Member may be offered the opportunity to choose one of a selection of benefits (as determined and offered by Qantas), and that selection may include Complimentary Gold Membership, when a Platinum Member first reaches 2,400 Status Credits within a single Membership Year (unless the Platinum member has already obtained Complimentary Gold Membership under clause 20.3.1 for that Membership Year). Details of any such benefit or selection and any additional terms and conditions applicable to this benefit are provided at qantas.com. Any offers made under this clause 20.3.2 will expire at the end of the relevant Membership Year that the Member achieves 2,400 Status Credits or, if the Member achieves 2,400 Status Credits in their Membership Anniversary Month in that Membership Year, the end of the following month. Retrospective claims cannot be made if the offer has expired."

...and that made me think that the new qualification point will be 2400.

Whilst this is not directly about anytime access, my interest was stimulated whilst checking through the terms and conditions (I'm losing the will to live!) to find out whether current anytime access permits me to take a guest in the QP.

I wouldn't normally even think about this but I'm staying near Sydney airport on Saturday night for a Sunday flight so I thought I'd take advantage of anytime access to consume my, not inconsiderable, weight in food and booze.

edit: BTW having just reread my earlier post I should clarify that I consider PG a very worthwhile benefit whilst the other two new options I consider relatively worthless.

 

[medhead]

the 2100 SC gift gold benefit is clearly time limited to May 2011. "Until 3 May 2011" you get gift gold. Afterwards = nada @2100SC. Another dodgy degrading of benefits.

Whilst this is not directly about anytime access, my interest was stimulated whilst checking through the terms and conditions (I'm losing the will to live!) to find out whether current anytime access permits me to take a guest in the QP.

Lounge access and guest allowances is not in the T&C. Look at qantas club access summary table. Access to The Qantas Club lounges

2 guests allowed for a platinum under anytime access:

Member can access the lounge at any time.^
Two guests allowed and do not need to be travelling+.

 

[TonyHancock]

the 2100 SC gift gold benefit is clearly time limited to May 2011. "Until 3 May 2011" you get gift gold. Afterwards = nada @2100SC. Another dodgy degrading of benefits.

Confirmed over the telephone by Qantas today. They may treat each case on an individual basis, but no guarantees. Interestingly my "summary" still states:

Additional Status credits required by 31 Jul 2011 to receive
complimentary Gold membership for a family member or friend: 1,380

Seems to me that my best ongoing option is to maintain WP with QF by just reaching the 1200 and gold with DJ from now on. (I already have the flights booked that will give me the 1200 with QF)

I have made one domestic journey that was not Qantas in 12 years, seems loyalty does not mean a lot to Qantas, as many have already stated.

Care to comment Red Roo? :?: I must admit the interaction from DJ staff in the Virgin thread is most refreshing.

Lounge access and guest allowances is not in the T&C. Look at qantas club access summary table. Access to The Qantas Club lounges

2 guests allowed for a platinum under anytime access:

Thanks for that. Looking forward to my afternoon in the QP. almost worth flying up on the Friday so that I don't have a same day boarding pass!

 

[bossreggie]

Seems to me that my best ongoing option is to maintain WP with QF by just reaching the 1200 and gold with DJ from now on

+1 With You.

I will be looking at doing the same thing.

For me though... I will probably start doing my Trans Tasman with EK again in F.

For the past few years QF has had my TT business exclusively, in J 6 - 8 times per year. I don't see the need to continue to fly them once I achieve WP in a membership year any longer.

My year started 1st September. I only need 280 sc'c to requalify fo WP once again. I have a TT in J booked for Christmas so for my next few flights I will look at other carriers.

My +1 gets at least SG in his own right each year so I guess I will direct my spend elsewhere.

SERFTY..... How do I get *A top tier easily??

 

[simongr]

I have made one domestic journey that was not Qantas in 12 years, seems loyalty does not mean a lot to Qantas, as many have already stated.

I am not sure how many DOM flights you have taken but how would you expect QF to know that you have only flown once DOM not on QF in 12 years?

I went through an intense 18 months where if I had credited to QFF I would have earned 6000-8000 SCs - with only perhaps 4 DOM flights. How would QF know that I hadn't taken any non-QF flights? They can only measure and reward what they know.

Also in terms of loyalty over that time have you been rewarded with lounge access? Loyalty bonuses? Status bonuses? Premium check in? Express immigration when travelling in "other" classes? Ability to confirm ODUs in the lounge? Access to FF redemptions that others couldn't?

How many other retailers do you deal with offer you benefits like those above and beyond the price you pay for the goods and services?

 

[DC3]

I am not sure how many DOM flights you have taken but how would you expect QF to know that you have only flown once DOM not on QF in 12 years?

I went through an intense 18 months where if I had credited to QFF I would have earned 6000-8000 SCs - with only perhaps 4 DOM flights. How would QF know that I hadn't taken any non-QF flights? They can only measure and reward what they know.

Also in terms of loyalty over that time have you been rewarded with lounge access? Loyalty bonuses? Status bonuses? Premium check in? Express immigration when travelling in "other" classes? Ability to confirm ODUs in the lounge? Access to FF redemptions that others couldn't?

How many other retailers do you deal with offer you benefits like those above and beyond the price you pay for the goods and services?

Red Roo could not have put it better.

 

[ejb]

I am also not happy about losing anytime access but it certainly is not enough to push me to start using DJ.

No J class, no anyseat awards (points earning and SC earning) and poor international routes all will keep me with the roo.

ejb

 

[bossreggie]

How many other retailers do you deal with offer you benefits like those above and beyond the price you pay for the goods and services?

Hey Simon..... I do not think that is the main issue... I am thinking that for MOST (and certainly in my case) it is the dilution of benefits which is causing so much concern.

 

[serfty]

... How do I get *A top tier easily??

Top tier in *A airlines generally relates to your 'home' airline only. *G is is the top *A tier, recognised by all *A carriers. It's a bit like oneworld Sapphire. There is no *A recognition for an emerald equivalent.

As far as getting it, there's no 'easy' way - unless you can get BMID to comp you (other members of this forum have done so).

Asiana give *G for 20K programme miles IIRC.

AirNZ Gold require 900 of their status points, that's 15 T-T round trips in economy or 6 trans pacific. Of course "Instant Upgrade" fares in the USA can be useful (60 or 90 SC for first class over/under 1500 km)

 

[TonyHancock]

Red Roo could not have put it better.

Indeed!

I suspect that Qantas should have a fair idea of my loyalty give I have 12090 status credits earned over 11 years....with the vast majority earned from Y flights.

Given that I have flights booked that will retain WP by Feb 2011, would it have been too bigger ask for Qantas to have have said that if I reach 2100 SC's by the end of July I would gain PG?

Given that QFF is a successful business in itself, and at one stage seemed to be geared up to create flight sales by developing loyal customers the comparison with "other" retailers is not really relevant.

As for the benefits, I have certainly used some of them, they were being paid for by the tens of thousands of dollars I have been paying each year to fly with Qantas.

Sadly those benefits are gradually being eroded away, and that is the point.

 

[simongr]

Hey Simon..... I do not think that is the main issue... I am thinking that for MOST (and certainly in my case) it is the dilution of benefits which is causing so much concern.

Which is a fair concern. I fail to see why QF should reward people above and beyond the agreed loyalty rewards - referring to the comment "how about rewarding my loyalty after only one non QF in 12 years". For the record, since the collapse of AN I have only flown QF domestically if possible (SYD-BKH was only available on REX for some reason).

 

[Sequel]

How many other retailers do you deal with offer you benefits like those above and beyond the price you pay for the goods and services?

I have seen similar posted several times. The answer is simple.

Neither Coles or Woolies offer me anything substantial for my return custom, so I buy my groceries where ever is cheap, sells what I want and is convenient.

Now if Woolies started offering me priority checkout, a free loaf of bread after I had purchased 10 etc, then I may start using Woolies exclusively, even though they are more expensive.

However, should Woolies then stop from offering me priority checkout etc, then I would go back to using both supermarkets.

 

[TonyHancock]

For the record, since the collapse of AN I have only flown QF domestically if possible (SYD-BKH was only available on REX for some reason).

...and whilst Qantas was busy looking after Ansett FF's the loyal Qantas customers found themselves in overcrowded lounges, getting absolutely dreadful service. So yes I do think Qantas owe me a little loyalty in return...and at the time of the Ansett collapse I was paying for QP membership.

...and for the record my complaint is not about getting over and above what was stated, it is about having something removed that I was working towards in my membership year.

 

[medhead]

Well just finished using anytime access. Now to travel to woolworths.