Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[JohnK]

<cough>3K</cough>

I have not loked at their schedules but I need a late night flight without the exhorbitant fees for credit cards, golf clubs, seat selection, meals, drinks and 3K just about fails on each. I believe TG was the only viable connection SIN-BKK but I could be wrong.

But consider, do you really need Platinum status?

With my domestic flying (50-60 SYD-BNE flights) I would struggle to get Gold or just get over the line. I want to be able to allocate bulkheads 98.2674%, increased weight allowance including golf clubs (more pieces as a Platinum over Gold?) and chances of better availability for oNeworld awards, better earning rate (100% as opposed to 50%) just in case I decide to fly QF internationally etc.

 

[oz_mark]

I have not loked at their schedules but I need a late night flight without the exhorbitant fees for credit cards, golf clubs, seat selection, meals, drinks and 3K just about fails on each. I believe TG was the only viable connection SIN-BKK but I could be wrong.

With all those requirements, you may well be right.

With my domestic flying (50-60 SYD-BNE flights) I would struggle to get Gold or just get over the line. I want to be able to allocate bulkheads 98.2674%, increased weight allowance including golf clubs (more pieces as a Platinum over Gold?) and chances of better availability for oNeworld awards, better earning rate (100% as opposed to 50%) just in case I decide to fly QF internationally etc.

The main thing I miss as a gold over platinum is the earning rate that the platinum gets. I have to do some calculations to see if it is cost effective to maintain platinum doing some JASA's (e.g. to Perth). Did one last year, and had a very nice piece of Barramundi for lunch

 

[JohnK]

The main thing I miss as a gold over platinum is the earning rate that the platinum gets. I have to do some calculations to see if it is cost effective to maintain platinum doing some JASA's (e.g. to Perth). Did one last year, and had a very nice piece of Barramundi for lunch

For you the earning may well be more relevant as flight to PER are close to 2,000 miles so ~3,000 Qff points as a Gold or ~4,000 QFF points as a Platinum.

For me assuming I did 60 SYD-BNE domestic flights a year then to get the other 600 SCs will cost me ~$1,500 which is peanuts in the grand scheme of things.

The biggest thing that gets me is QF rep comes on here and says something and then a totally different thing appears on website 3 days before Anytime access is about to be removed. Lying? Perhaps a little harsh but it is clearly deception and a distortion of the truth.

 

[Happy Trails]

<cough>3K</cough>

I fly this route every four weeks, and yes, 3K513 with a 19:20 ETD is an option.
But two out of my three most recent 3K flights have been cancelled with short, or no notice, leaving me to scramble for TG or SQ.

 

[JohnK]

I get in ~17:25 and I am not risking a connection onto 3K so I can then scramble to TG or SQ.

It is not hard for QF to look after their top tier frequent flyers in these type of situations. Still going to try and see if I can get into lounge.

 

[oz_mark]

However I bet the intent of this revised wording is to exclude those flying in on a QF domestic flight (or for that matter 3K flight) and out again on NZ, SQ, TG, UA, DL or any other non affiliated carrier. Once again for the probably small number of QFF'ers that would do this, let alone be acquainted with the nuances of the rules that would allow them to access, it again seems petty and mean spirited.

Seems to me it is aimed squarely at these people - those that travel domestically to a gateway port, and then out on a non oneworld carrier. It means they have to use the domestic lounge on arrival, rather than the international lounge. Not so inconvenient at MEL, but places like SYD, its not so easy.

 

[oz_mark]

I get in ~17:25 and I am not risking a connection onto 3K so I can then scramble to TG or SQ.

It is not hard for QF to look after their top tier frequent flyers in these type of situations. Still going to try and see if I can get into lounge.

It may well let you in. Up until every man and his dog posts here that they could get in at XYZ lounge!!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Seems to me it is aimed squarely at these people - those that travel domestically to a gateway port, and then out on a non oneworld carrier. It means they have to use the domestic lounge on arrival, rather than the international lounge. Not so inconvenient at MEL, but places like SYD, its not so easy.

So if travelling ADL QF x/SYD NZ AKL you cannot get admission to the QF lounge at Intl Term saying "but I have travelled on a QF flight today" (meaning the ADL/SYD) as this new terminology of "at intl lounges your next onward flight that day cough" would override having already travelled ADL/SYD.

That will cause a lot of confusion amongst lounge dragons as they're still probably trying to get their heads around the can do/can't do bit which happens in 3 days time never mind this spanner in the works being thrown into the equation at the eleventh hour.

It may well let you in. Up until every man and his dog posts here that they could get in at XYZ lounge!!

Bit of an awkward one as you want to let your fellow AFFers know what they can & can't do without telegraphing it to people who will take it away.

 

[JohnK]

It may well let you in. Up until every man and his dog posts here that they could get in at XYZ lounge!!

Or one can keep their success rate for entry into the lounges post 1 February 2011 to themselves.

I don't expect to get in but have had success a number of times in the past. When dealing with airline employees de nice and don't ask for anything over the top such as an upgrade to business class wearing t-shirt, shorts and thongs. And if the answer to get into the lounge is no then just use the time to have a walk around the terminal(s).

 

[AnonymousCoward]

No arrivals access for international lounges?

Very poor compromise Red Roo. I travel to SIN on QF and try to get out of there on a connection on another carrier the same night as I do not want to wait until lunch the next day to travel CX and now I cannot access the QF lounge while I am waiting in transit?

What other airline would give you access?

You are treating you top tier frequent flyers like a joke and I am strugglinfg to justify international bookings on QF is other carriers are cheaper. Good to see QF alienating customers further....

Doubtful. They are figuring out that giving away booze and food to people flying on other airlines is just costing them money.

 

[medhead]

Doubtful. They are figuring out that giving away booze and food to people flying on other airlines is just costing them money.

I'm only talking domestic. But what would cost more, giving me a coffee, an english breakfast muffin and some vegemite or having me fly with another airline?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I'm only talking domestic. But what would cost more, giving me a coffee, an english breakfast muffin and some vegemite or having me fly with another airline?

If the profit from the ticket is something like $10, then giving you stuff.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

What other airline would give you access?

Doubtful. They are figuring out that giving away booze and food to people flying on other airlines is just costing them money.

QF should've thought about that in the very beginning when they first offered it. No-one would complain if anytime access wasn't there to begin with as it would be up to the individual to decide whether or not Platinum status was worth achieving without it.

It's not like WP's are expecting something for nothing as they've got the runs on the board first by doing a considerable amount of flying with QF and are entitled to reap the fruits of their labour.

Where people have an axe to grind is QF dangled the carrot and advertised anytime access as a benefit and loyal customers have got to WP by giving plenty of $$$ to QF in business when they could have flown with a competitor for less. Then having attained this level out comes the stick and the benefit is withdrawn.

Whoever made this decision may be smug about it now however when the chickens come home to roost this time in the DJ camp who'll be laughing then? :shock:

 

[JohnK]

What other airline would give you access?

British Airways for one.

If you are going to have arrival access for domestic flights then it makes sense to have arrival access for international flights.

Doubtful. They are figuring out that giving away booze and food to people flying on other airlines is just costing them money.

It will actually cost them more profit (regardless of the airfare cost) if I purchase an airfare on another airline instead of Qantas. Then there are load statistics, repeat business, recommendations.

So giving away a soft drink and a snack to your most loyal customers (when you don't fly to their final destination) makes perfect business sense....

 

[AnonymousCoward]

QF should've thought about that in the very beginning when they first offered it. No-one would complain if anytime access wasn't there to begin with as it would be up to the individual to decide whether or not Platinum status was worth achieving without it.

Benefits come and go. Expecting everything to stay the same forever is just naive.

Additionally, there is continual cost pressure on prices. Expecting the same level of benefits and services as before, yet at ever lower prices for flights, is also naive.

It's not like WP's are expecting something for nothing as they've got the runs on the board first by doing a considerable amount of flying with QF and are entitled to reap the fruits of their labour.

WP is an annual requalification exercise. Simply do not requalify for WP - direct your energies elsewhere. It's a free market. QF is free to offer whatever benefits it wants to, but likewise you are free to fly on another airline.

Does QF complain that people here choose to fly on another airline when the price is cheaper?

Whoever made this decision may be smug about it now however when the chickens come home to roost this time in the DJ camp who'll be laughing then? :shock:

I think QF's done the numbers and worked out that they are going to make money (or lose less money) by doing this.

 

[medhead]

If the profit from the ticket is something like $10, then giving you stuff.

Let's be realistic here. The things I listed probably cost them a whole $2. The cost of lounge access is already covered by them giving it to me free due to my flying. If I fly elsewhere sure they save $2 but they don't get the $10 profit (nett $8). Instead that profit goes to the competition. I thought this was about not giving a free kick to the competition.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Let's be realistic here. The things I listed probably cost them a whole $2. The cost of lounge access is already covered by them giving it to me free due to my flying. If I fly elsewhere sure they save $2 but they don't get the $10 profit (nett $8). Instead that profit goes to the competition. I thought this was about not giving a free kick to the competition.

There's a cost of running a lounge: the capital expense and the ongoing operating expenses (rent etc.). There's the cost of staff. There's the cost of the food they provide to you: sure you might consume $2 worth, but I'm sure other people consume a great deal more.

Anyways, this conversation is pointless. If this is such a deal-breaker, then please go fly another airline. It's the only way you can really send a message to QF. Maybe QF doesn't want you as a customer. But if they do, then it's the only way to get them to change their minds. Everything else is just so much hot air.

 

[medhead]

There's a cost of running a lounge: the capital expense and the ongoing operating expenses (rent etc.). There's the cost of staff.

Indeed and as I said qantas has deemed those costs have been covered by the profit from the flights required to get gold status as that is the point that they give away QC access for free. Remembering also that someone who is platinum and using anytime access has done so much more flying above and beyond gold.

Anyways, this conversation is pointless.

and yet you started the conversation. :-|

 

[nlagalle]

There's a cost of running a lounge: the capital expense and the ongoing operating expenses (rent etc.). There's the cost of staff. There's the cost of the food they provide to you: sure you might consume $2 worth, but I'm sure other people consume a great deal more.

Those operating costs will remain largely unchanged regardless. There is a certain number of staff required at anytime, rent etc. Whether you enter the lounge or not is not going to alter much of that cost. It is already factored into the base operating cost of the lounge.

 

[straitman]

If the profit from the ticket is something like $10, then giving you stuff.

For you to even make this statement I have to challenge your knowledge of airline yield management.