Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[JohnK]

I fly SYD-SIN every 4 weeks or so, either in Y+ or J (sometimes F if I can get an upgrade). Each time I travel I check in 6 or 12 bottles of wine (which then needs to go to the oversize baggage area you mention). Most times (probably 6/7 times out of 10) I need to take the wine over myself. The rest of the time the porter will take it.

Glad to see QF looks after Platinums using F check-in facilities.

Checked in at BKK CX F check-in this morning on an economy ticket and my golf clubs were taken to oversize baggage by the assistant in the check-in area. I also had 2 CX CSM's welcome me aboard the CX flight and offering me newspapers and to simply ask if I needed/wanted anything else.

Anyone still wondering how Jetstar is slowly taking over?

 

[Timsboot]

I have a theory here as to why Qantas is removing anytime access. (sorry if this is covered somewhere else in this long thread). I think one of the reasons why Qantas has taken this step is that changes at Sydney airport (international) have dramatically increased the usage of the Business Class lounge by Platinum members flying non-oneworld carriers. In the old days (ie just recently) there were two security / immigration areas for Sydney outbound. Broadly one for Oneworld carriers (gates numbered up to 37) and one for Star Alliance and the rest (gates numbered from 50),. There were exceptions but this was broadly true.

With two customs/security areas Platinum oneworld travelers flying business on SQ, United, NZ, Virgin etc would end up clearing customs near the SQ or NZ lounges and go to them. Even though the QF lounges was better it was not worth the walk.

Now Sydney has moved to just one customs/security area. The exit for this is a one min walk to the escalators for the QF Business lounge. It means that oneworld platinum flyers travelling on Star or Virgin Atlantic can easily stop off at the QF business lounge. I have done this twice in the last 3 months. These are two occasions when normally I would be in either the SQ or NZ lounge over near gate 54 but now found myself with an SQ ticket drinking and eating at Qantas' expense.

If I was Qantas I would not be happy about this change in airport layout (and the extra costs involved). I think this is part of the reason they will cut anytime access.

As to whether or not they should - it is a crazy move. Last thing they should be doing is "enhancing" my status by taking things away. I am gold for life (assuming that stays as a tier for my life. Anytime access is one of the last things driving me to retail platinum status

 

[Alanslegal]

There are changes:

+ From 1 February 2011, to access Qantas Domestic or International lounges, Platinum members must be travelling the same day on a flight that shows a Qantas (QF), a Jetstar Airline (Jetstar (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K) or Valuair (VF)) or a oneworld® flight number on your ticket. Other lounge access conditions apply. See Qantas Club Terms and Conditions.

For a change its good, previously 3K travel would not allow access to F in SIN.

I haven't followed this thread much after ranting a bit about the removal of anytime access however the above changes, appears to be a slight enhancement.

As flying 3K will now give SIN FLounge access, I think I will now have to book some el-cheapie 3K flights ex-SIN rather than considering redeeming KF points and flying SQ in C class.

 

[Danger]

As flying 3K will now give SIN FLounge access, I think I will now have to book some el-cheapie 3K flights ex-SIN rather than considering redeeming KF points and flying SQ in C class.

To save me reviewing the entire thread, are we sure 3K access will now provide F Lounge access? My understanding that the revised change that Red Roo announced many, many posts ago confirmed only J Lounge acess when flying 3K or Valuair.

 

[markis10]

To save me reviewing the entire thread, are we sure 3K access will now provide F Lounge access? My understanding that the revised change that Red Roo announced many, many posts ago confirmed only J Lounge acess when flying 3K or Valuair.

The website is contradictory at the moment on this:

* Jetstar refers only to (JQ) flights. Qantas Club members and Gold Frequent Flyers travelling on Jetstar Asia (3K) and Valuair (VF) do not have access to lounges. Only Platinum Frequent Flyers can gain access to International Business lounges and Domestic Qantas Club Lounges when travelling on Jetstar Asia (3K) and Valuair (VF).
^ Christchurch Associated lounge access is a stand alone agreement between Qantas and Jetstar. Associated lounge access in other ports is subject to standard Associated lounges conditions of entry.


And


+ From 1 February 2011, to access Qantas Domestic or International lounges, Platinum members must be travelling the same day on a flight that shows a Qantas (QF), a Jetstar Airline (Jetstar (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K) or Valuair (VF)) or a oneworld® flight number on your ticket. Other lounge access conditions apply. See Qantas Club Terms and Conditions.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

5 QF incidents in 12 days.

Karma is a cough isn't it...

 

[beardoc]

5 QF incidents in 12 days.

Karma is a cough isn't it...

I'm not sure this is a positive - more incidents means the higher likelihood that WPs will be subjected to in-air incidents. I wouldn't want to wish that on anyone.

 

[markis10]

Regardless of the requirement to be flying QF eff 1st Feb, when did this come in:

^ Must be travelling, not necessarily on Qantas, British Airways or Jetstar to access the lounge.

Have I missed this rule change in the noise generated by other enhancements?

 

[oz_mark]

It's been there a while.

See, for example, this post http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lounge-access-qantas-vs-20767.html#post283660

 

[markis10]

It's been there a while.

See, for example, this post http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lounge-access-qantas-vs-20767.html#post283660

Your link refers to the International lounges which I am aware of, I have not seen domestic lounges being restricted to travel on the day for WP Anytime, maybe it has been there for a while but I would have thought it generated more discussion than it has as it effectively terminates the ability to see people off as a non travelling WP:

 

[oz_mark]

Oh - Looking at old versions of the page, it looks as though it snuck in when the reformatted the page, just after the introduction of the domestic J lounges. The domestic J lounge used to have its own section. I'd take a stab and suggest its a typo.

 

[dk4]

The first time I recall seeing a "must be travelling" relating to Qantas Clubs, was in the March 2009 reprint of the WP handbook.

 

[medhead]

Your link refers to the International lounges which I am aware of, I have not seen domestic lounges being restricted to travel on the day for WP Anytime, maybe it has been there for a while but I would have thought it generated more discussion than it has as it effectively terminates the ability to see people off as a non travelling WP:

As mentioned it has been there a while. I'm sure it has been discussed as I recall one of the senior members here, and possibly a mod as well, pointing out that it doesn't have a restriction on the mode of travel. e.g. One could be traveling by car or bus.

 

[markis10]

As mentioned it has been there a while. I'm sure it has been discussed as I recall one of the senior members here, and possibly a mod as well, pointing out that it doesn't have a restriction on the mode of travel. e.g. One could be traveling by car or bus.

I think you are right and I have just overlooked it, its not enforced AFAIK, at least in my experience of the last two weeks in BNE nor was it enforced at the AFF do weekend. Come Feb 1 its irrelevant with the new changes, but it could be used to stop those joining the wake in their home city!

 

[dfcatch]

I think you are right and I have just overlooked it, its not enforced AFAIK, at least in my experience of the last two weeks in BNE nor was it enforced at the AFF do weekend. Come Feb 1 its irrelevant with the new changes, bit it could be used to stop those joining the wake in their home city!

I think it's clearer in the WP handbook.

Restriction on guests traveling only applies to Int lounges. Domestic J YOU have to be traveling QF, and domestic QP no-one has to be traveling.

There has been some inconsistency between various versions of the webpage and the handbook.

As you say Markis, come Feb 1 it's all academic.

 

[JohnK]

Can someone look at the following scenario and tell me if it is possible based on the proposed changes from 1 February 2011? I know it is a longshot and probably covered in some sub-clause.

If I have a flight BKK-SIN on TG and then a QF flight the same day SIN-SYD/MEL would I be able to access the QF Lounge in BKK? According to the revised terms and conditions it mentions that I must have a flight on QF or specific Oneworld carriers that day but does not mention if it has to be your next flight or the one after.

Now we know that an itinerary such as SYD-BNE (QF) and then BNE-ROK (DJ) will allow access to Qantas Lounge in BNE but will an itinerary such as SYD-BNE (DJ) and then BNE-ROK (QF) allow access to Qantas Lounge in SYD?

 

[oz_mark]

Maybe it depends on how your ticketed, and what it means by "flight number on your ticket". :shock:

 

[serfty]

..

If I have a flight BKK-SIN on TG and then a QF flight the same day SIN-SYD/MEL would I be able to access the QF Lounge in BKK? According to the revised terms and conditions it mentions that I must have a flight on QF or specific Oneworld carriers that day but does not mention if it has to be your next flight or the one after. ...

Here's what we know ...

(Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011)

...
One issue we see is when Members use Qantas lounge facilities and then fly with competitors on the same day. This increases crowding for Members who are flying with us on the day and also gives our competitors a free kick. As you know, anytime lounge access is a particularly unique feature within our program.

However, we have taken your feedback onboard and are happy to make adjustments to this policy and we’re also pleased to let you know about it first!

From 1 February 2011, to access Qantas Domestic or International lounges, Platinum Members must be travelling the same day on a flight that shows on a Qantas (QF), a Jetstar Airline (Jetstar (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K) or Valuair (VF)) or a oneworld® flight number on your ticket. Other lounge access conditions apply. See Qantas Club Terms and Conditions.
​

In doing so, Platinum Frequent Flyers will continue to be welcome to use our lounges to freshen up or whilst waiting for colleagues or friends arriving on other flights. We have also specifically noted Jetstar Asia (3K) and Valuair (VF) as included carriers in the definition. ...

...
It includes arrival date, so in the two situations quoted above, a Platinum would be eligible for lounge access. Note though with international arrivals that international lounges may not be accessible from the arrivals level.

Essentially the main motivation of the latest policy revision is to cover arrival scenarios. ...

Going by that and the "arrival scenario" bit I am not sure the revision was meant to cover the situation. However, if you don't ask, you'll never know.

Aside from that, the BKK QF lounge might not be open before your flight since it opens at 1pm.

 

[JohnK]

Going by that and the "arrival scenario" bit I am not sure the revision was meant to cover the situation. However, if you don't ask, you'll never know.

The QF website mentions details of your QF (partner or Oneworld) ticketed flight that day not next flight or boarding pass. It would be interesting to see how this works in practice and if QF get around it by changing the terms and conditions.

Aside from that, the BKK QF lounge might not be open before your flight since it opens at 1pm.

Sure but there is also another flight later in the afternoon.

 

[medhead]

its not enforced AFAIK, at least in my experience of the last two weeks in BNE nor was it enforced at the AFF do weekend. Come Feb 1 its irrelevant with the new changes, but it could be used to stop those joining the wake in their home city!

IMO it is unenforcible. Sure the intention might have been that travel means flying and that is probably implied I'm context. But, pedantically, it can be any mode of travel. Even if they tried to limit it for home port people, I might respond that I am traveling to XYZ (read airline destination like another close capital) and fail to mention that I intend to drive there.

Then if I were pulled up on not going I could just say I had too many beers and decided it best not to drive to XYZ.