Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[markis10]

The + footnote to the lounge access table says "access is available when traveling onward that day......."

I find most of my flights are onward as I prefer not to go backwards, although on occasion I do have the pleasure when Crash8'ing and there is no tug.

 

[medhead]

I was just checking out the Qantas Club T&C. As I have about 3 years of paid QC membership sitting there on hold I wonder if these changes are significant enough to invoke clause 4.4

4.4 If Qantas closes a Qantas operated airport lounge in a Member's registered city of residence without replacing it, or amends these Terms and Conditions or the Club Rules in a way that deprives the Member substantially of the intended use of the membership, the Member will have the option of cancelling their membership and receiving a pro rata refund of the membership fee for the remaining period of membership

The lack of priority check in is a clear link, 50% of my intended use of the membership being priority check in, so that would be substantial.
The hard bit would be arguing a link between anytime access and the paid membership, since complementary membership is provided before getting anytime access.
Anyway, this might be something useful to try for those LTG people with paid QC membership on hold.

I find most of my flights are onward as I prefer not to go backwards, although on occasion I do have the pleasure when Crash8'ing and there is no tug.

that is good :!: I wonder if the lounge dragons would appreciate the semantics?

 

[djfuzz]

Don't have much to add re the massive disappointment at these changes, again a newly minted WP who may consider BFoD now.

Having read the wake thread, I wonder if QFF considered that WPs might respond to this by using up the benefit to the absolute maximum until Feb, guesting randoms at each port at whatever opportunity and letting pre-flight restraint take a back seat to milking their bottom line while they can.

As opposed to the few dollars / cents lost due to occasional drop in and drink when arriving, flying other airlines or at the airport for dropping off / picking up others.

 

[Mal]

There's also this doozy in the T&C's:

3.2 Qantas will use best efforts to advise Members of material changes to these Terms and Conditions and, where such changes will limit Benefits:
(a) where the Benefit is provided by Qantas, to give Members at least 6 months' notice;

How Qantas thinks they can wiggle out of this T&C will be interesting. I can't find the escape hatch they used

 

[oz_mark]

There's also this doozy in the T&C's:



How Qantas thinks they can wiggle out of this T&C will be interesting. I can't find the escape hatch they used

Where in the T&C's does it say anytime access is part of the T&C's?

 

[Mal]

Where in the T&C's does it say anytime access is part of the T&C's?

Yeah it's not mentioned. Only:

20.1.7 Complimentary Qantas Club membership for the period a Member maintains Gold and Platinum status level is provided subject to The Qantas Club Terms and Conditions.

And of course there is the escape hatch in the QC rules of changing things around at any time (after informing).

Oh well.

I still don't like the change, and am considering how to lodge feedback with Qantas. Thanks for picking that up though - saves me mumbling something in feedback that isn't correct!

 

[thewinchester]

I was just checking out the Qantas Club T&C. As I have about 3 years of paid QC membership sitting there on hold I wonder if these changes are significant enough to invoke clause 4.4

The lack of priority check in is a clear link, 50% of my intended use of the membership being priority check in, so that would be substantial.

The hard bit would be arguing a link between anytime access and the paid membership, since complementary membership is provided before getting anytime access.

Anyway, this might be something useful to try for those LTG people with paid QC membership on hold.

<quote from T&C's not carried over in post??>

You know what, I think people who are seriously aggrieved by these changes should consider using this escape clause.

If there's some Lifetime or regular QP members who've achieved LTS or LTG, then I'd use this clause to cancel the membership and make QF cough up a prorata refund.

Might be good for scoring at least $1k out of QF for the life members, which they'd be none too pleased handing back, plus it would hit them where it right where it hurts (the balance sheet, not to mention the paperwork they'll have to do in arranging the refund).

 

[kamchatsky]

I am a QFNB and nonQP member. But it is sad to see QF continuing erode benefits. I thought QFF business is the most profitable part of QF? Obviously they are either planning to have a refloat of the QFF, or they are struggling with profits in other parts of the business.

But with many people complaining, I doubt most people would move away from QF. Afterall DJ has not yet establish their Velocity program to be a formidable opposition to QF, so QF can do what they wat.

 

[drron]

You know what, I think people who are seriously aggrieved by these changes should consider using this escape clause.

If there's some Lifetime or regular QP members who've achieved LTS or LTG, then I'd use this clause to cancel the membership and make QF cough up a prorata refund.

Might be good for scoring at least $1k out of QF for the life members, which they'd be none too pleased handing back, plus it would hit them where it right where it hurts (the balance sheet, not to mention the paperwork they'll have to do in arranging the refund).

Only problem is i only paid $400 for life membership back in 1992-dont reckon I'd get much out of QF now.

 

[Foreigner]

Sounds very correct to me! Unless QF decides to re-word the changes by saying "Our Qantas Lounges will have more room, be more quiter, and more food from February 2011 because w**ker Platinums will no longer be able to access them anytime".

LOL. I will happily hang on to Qf Gold.

 

[medhead]

There's also this doozy in the T&C's:


How Qantas thinks they can wiggle out of this T&C will be interesting. I can't find the escape hatch they used

Where in the T&C's does it say anytime access is part of the T&C's?

But.... Just thinking this through. Is the full list of stuff in the table of privileges in the T&C? Is there a clause that states that supporting information is deemed to be part of the T&C? (I can't check because the Qantas site has just gone down for me)

It seems to me that Anytime access is gained under the QFF program not the Qantas club. It is a benefit that is gained by complying with the QFF T&C. No one could get anytime access under the QC program. I don't know just thinking out loud really.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Sorry Qantas I'm really struggling to see what enhancement this provides for regional WP's like myself. Earlier this year I flew PER-SYD J on the red eye, connected with Qantas Partner airline Aeropelican at SYD and landed safely in NTL after shower and breakfast in lounge. Next time I'll be at burger king !!! Not happy Alan and a letter will be sent forthwith. QF are snubbing regional FF'ers and this is totally unacceptable. :-(

 

[el_rooto]

This is a pain for regional F'Flyers and people that wanted to fly Jetstar asia whilst in asia. Not happy.

(QF Gold, getting plat.)

 

[Flashback]

Only problem is i only paid $400 for life membership back in 1992-dont reckon I'd get much out of QF now.

Only $400?! I paid $4,300 for mine

 

[Australian]

QF are snubbing regional FF'ers and this is totally unacceptable. :-(

Nooooooo ... i think they're generally snubbing the whole lot well, SG is pretty much intact (dare i say, enhanced even!), since it'll free up lounge/queue access for them, but at the expense of Silver, QP, n Plat... interesting strategy, but i guess they just focusing on the core.

 

[bossreggie]

My 2 Cents Worth.

I am pleased with the changes to the partner gold. My +1 attains SG in his own right anyway so PG has been a waste. I am not sure if I will take the 50K points or the Valet Parking. (Or I may just feel generous)

Anytime access is a definite positive for me. It's not that I have ever gone to the airport as a destination..... But I have used it as an arrival lounge. I have also guested friends into the lounge when dropping them to the airport.


Alan Joyce should head back to Europe and run Ryanair or a similar carrier where frequent flyers get NOTHING!!

 

[markis10]

Not surprised to see this thread and others have a high lurker count through the day, QF getting the feedback??

 

[Paddy55]

Not surprised to see this thread and others have a high lurker count through the day, QF getting the feedback??

Imagine QF would keep their heads down, ignore all the 'noise' from these threads for a couple of months and see if the revenue drops...

If the revenue does not drop I don't think they'll give a rats...

P*ss*d off Paddy

 

[Sprucegoose]

Interesting how this will work in practice.

EG: In Melbourne - there is a check point before entering lounge area - often I just show my Plat card.

Then I walk into Bus lounge, stop at that check point, show my Plat card and ask them to check me in.

IE - As I pass through the Qantas Club lounge, I don't hold a boarding pass or any "proof" that I am actually travelling.

Perhaps they would force me to use the check in machine at top of escalator so that by the time I approach first check point I have a boarding pass which shows that I am travelling?

Flash your card to get through checkpoint one and then use that and an old boarding pass to get through checkpoint 2 behind a crowd!!!!!!!

 

[samh004]

Flash your card to get through checkpoint one and then use that and an old boarding pass to get through checkpoint 2 behind a crowd!!!!!!!

Other than there might be less of a crowd if members decide to jump ship, and they pretty much insist on scanning boarding passes these days.