Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[markis10]

No offence, but this is EXACTLY the problem - you were doing one flight only (not connecting off a QF flight, a situation some people have mentioned), you were not flying on QF, but you were using the QP/J Lounge - and you even had to change terminal to do so!

Sorry but you have too many assumptions in that post to be pointing fingers, how can you say Bundy was doing one flight (you might be surprised to know I had dinner with him last night in Melbourne after the last CBR flight left). Bundy probably just wanted to checkout the J lounge since its new?

At the end of the day the number of visits to the QP when not flying can be counted on one hand by all that I have spoken to, in my case thats over the last 13 years as a QF elite member, I dont think I have sent them broke . All QF have done is give its top tier members a chance to reconsider their choices for the future, a free kick to DJ so to speak!

QF are fight to do whatever to their program, but we are also free to vent if need be, or say its not important!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Personally I can't see the difference whether your using the lounge as a WP travelling on DJ or whether you're just popping in for a visit & not travelling at all.

The only real difference is QF's ego is dented because they're giving the perceived 'free kick' in the first example.

If your parents are travelling on QF & you as a non-travelling WP are guesting them in to the lounge, how is that giving a 'free kick' to DJ?

 

[Danger]

I think QF is absolutely right to crack down on this; I'm quite sure that this was not the sort of situation QF had in mind when it introduced "anytime access''. :shock:

Interesting. Out of curiousity, what do you think their original intention was?

 

[nlagalle]

No offence, but this is EXACTLY the problem - you were doing one flight only (not connecting off a QF flight, a situation some people have mentioned), you were not flying on QF, but you were using the QP/J Lounge - and you even had to change terminal to do so!

I think QF is absolutely right to crack down on this; I'm quite sure that this was not the sort of situation QF had in mind when it introduced "anytime access''. :shock:

JohnPhelan, the reason Bundy Bear did this was for the Anytime Access wake that was held yesterday.

 

[dfcatch]

Interesting. Out of curiousity, what do you think their original intention was?

I'm sure that when I first became Platinum - one of the pieces of literature that QF sent me said something like "...because we realise that sometimes you have to fly another airline..." - in relation to anytime access.

So - they WERE thinking of that. Maybe not thinking about people taking the p..ss, but then I don't think people have been doing that (this weekend excluded).

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm sure that when I first became Platinum - one of the pieces of literature that QF sent me said something like "...because we realise that sometimes you have to fly another airline..." - in relation to anytime access.

The only logical business reason I can come up with for the removal of anytime is if QF planned on introducing a higher-tier above Platinum and the needed more benefits for this new status level.

In other news, I'm loving the Virgin Blue anytime access through Priority Pass. Definitely an upgrade since the 'blue room' days

 

[Bundy Bear]

1 Alpinia Dr, Eagle Farm QLD 4009, Australia

Ok back in Brisbane 3 lounges in one day and not even flying Qantas, thanks Red Roo.


Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[markis10]

Personally I can't see the difference whether your using the lounge as a WP travelling on DJ or whether you're just popping in for a visit & not travelling at all.

The only real difference is QF's ego is dented because they're giving the perceived 'free kick' in the first example.

If your parents are travelling on QF & you as a non-travelling WP are guesting them in to the lounge, how is that giving a 'free kick' to DJ?

It's the removal of the benefit that's giving the free kick to DJ, not the reason people use anytime access, by having one less advantage they are bringing back their offering to equal DJs in terms of when you can access the lounge. If you see the competition catching up to you or getting closer, is it good business strategy to slow down, especially when that comp is a lot closer to a fleet refresh then you are and will offer J on routes that you cannot?

 

[Alanslegal]

No offence, but this is EXACTLY the problem - you were doing one flight only (not connecting off a QF flight, a situation some people have mentioned), you were not flying on QF, but you were using the QP/J Lounge - and you even had to change terminal to do so!

And I did exactly the same thing this weekend, as part of the Unofficial Wake for Anytime Access. Alot of us flew down on JQ and accessed the SYD F Lounge, I then returned to SYD with DJ and accessed the SYD T3 QP afterwards. And this morning, went to the SYD T2 J Lounge for brunch without even flying.

QF has p***ed me off because one of the reasons ME and the GF aimed for WP was "anytime access". We are leisure flyers so visiting the airport without flying is just as fun (as we don't get to go that often anyway) and now they have removed it because they believe that this is to only cause for lounge crowding.

In the next 16 months as a WP we will be trying to maximise the SYD and MEL F Lounge including ALOT of cheap JQ flights and after that we will be reassessing our travel plans with QF and OW.

From 1 February 2011 I am predicting the lounge will continue to be busy (at times) and the overcrowding issue that Qantas and Red Roo blames upon WPs using anytime access will be proven as a lie.

Lounge crowding will continue, they might as well remove SG's from domestic QP access and really crack down on that (like what AA does anyway). Now that will p*** alot of flyers off eg. yourself.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

lounge crowding wont be an issue because so many of you claim to be heading for greener pastures elsewhere so you won't have platinum cards soon enough. This is how the lounges will be quieter. Thankyou Qantas.

 

[medhead]

lounge crowding wont be an issue because so many of you claim to be heading for greener pastures elsewhere so you won't have platinum cards soon enough. This is how the lounges will be quieter. Thankyou Qantas.

Maybe.
Except I'm going to retain my platinum card and will convert my previous plan of partner gold into DJ gold.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Maybe.
Except I'm going to retain my platinum card and will convert my previous plan of partner gold into DJ gold.

lovely - see you in the F lounge then.

I do the same only I don't bother with that awful virgin blue company, I have star gold. but then, domestic aussie flights are only about 3% of my miles flown each year.

 

[Princess Fiona]

One question remains as yet unanswered, I have been told by QF via telephone that QP access would remain for WP on domestic partner airlines eg. OT, FQ ie routes that QF don't fly but are happy to award FF points via partner airlines. Red Roo and the website seem strangely silent on this. I'm looking forward to checking this out on my next trip, if I cannot access QP in this way then I will give serious consideration to directing all business above and beyond SG elsewhere, presuming I can give up my Flounge addiction

 

[JohnPhelan]

Interesting. Out of curiousity, what do you think their original intention was?

Hi Danger,

I would think there are some obvious - and commercially-sensible - reasons for QF to grant Anytime Access for WPs:
* to use the Lounge on arrival after a QF flight
* to use the Lounge when friends/relatives are travelling on QF but you are not
* to use the Lounge in your home city for meetings with a client/colleague who is flying in on QF
* to use an international Lounge when coming off a QF flight and connecting to a flight operated by another airline (to a place where QF doesn't fly)
* to use the Lounge as a base if you are an aircraft enthusiast spending time at the airport to look at planes!

All of these make sense to me, and are not done at any detriment to QF.

QF is not, and should not be, in the business of providing you with a benefit if you have chosen to fly on one of its competitors, when you could have flown to the same port on QF. To do so is to make it easier for you to fly with the competition - and that makes no commercial sense!

 

[JohnPhelan]

.

Lounge crowding will continue, they might as well remove SG's from domestic QP access and really crack down on that (like what AA does anyway). Now that will p*** alot of flyers off eg. yourself.

Ummm, no. Would not p*** me off at all. Because:
(a) I'm a lifetime QP member
(b) I almost always fly J domestically and either F or J internationally, so would be getting access from that anyway
(c) I don't look at everything that QF does from a perspective of 'what's best for me personally'.

For the record, no, I don't think SGs should have QP access removed, but I do think that the F lounge should be for those travelling F only (internationally), and the J lounge for those travelling J only (domestically). Happy to have a separate facility for WPs who are travelling Y, or use the QP.

 

[JohnK]

I would think there are some obvious - and commercially-sensible - reasons for QF to grant Anytime Access for WPs:

Reasonable assumptions

* to use the Lounge when friends/relatives are travelling on QF but you are not

But assuming Platinum is travelling competition and friends/relatives are travelling QF do the lounge staff need to know you are actually travelling that day and are with the competition?

* to use an international Lounge when coming off a QF flight and connecting to a flight operated by another airline (to a place where QF doesn't fly)

Umfortunately QF has failed miserably on this point.

* to use the Lounge as a base if you are an aircraft enthusiast spending time at the airport to look at planes!

Why is this any different to someone flying the competition on the day. Both these Platinums are a burden to QF.

QF is not, and should not be, in the business of providing you with a benefit if you have chosen to fly on one of its competitors, when you could have flown to the same port on QF. To do so is to make it easier for you to fly with the competition - and that makes no commercial sense!

It is easier to fly the competition when QF excludes entry to their lounges to their most loyal flyers.

I do not believe the opposition are getting a free kick. It is not to my advantage to put to many flihts to the opposition as I will struglle to maintain status on QF.

 

[Danger]

Hi Danger,

I would think there are some obvious - and commercially-sensible - reasons for QF to grant Anytime Access for WPs:
* to use the Lounge on arrival after a QF flight
* to use the Lounge when friends/relatives are travelling on QF but you are not
* to use the Lounge in your home city for meetings with a client/colleague who is flying in on QF
* to use an international Lounge when coming off a QF flight and connecting to a flight operated by another airline (to a place where QF doesn't fly)
* to use the Lounge as a base if you are an aircraft enthusiast spending time at the airport to look at planes!

All of these make sense to me, and are not done at any detriment to QF.

They sound like good points to me. Indeed, many of them have been quoted by users as reasons they use anytime access, meaning the 'free kick' angle is by no means the whole basis for use. However, apparently QF does see it as detrimental to them: they've cited lounge overcrowding. What's more, presumably everyone who accesses the lounge takes up at least a seat, let alone has a piece of toast and a glass of OJ. So I think there is a cost but, historically, it's been one they've been prepared to wear because Platinums have 'flown the hard miles'. Of course, the evidence suggests QF isn't able to quantify that cost.

QF is not, and should not be, in the business of providing you with a benefit if you have chosen to fly on one of its competitors, when you could have flown to the same port on QF. To do so is to make it easier for you to fly with the competition - and that makes no commercial sense!

We'll respectfully disagree on this one. I'm all for anytime access for Platinums and don't support your argument.

 

[medhead]

QF is not, and should not be, in the business of providing you with a benefit if you have chosen to fly on one of its competitors, when you could have flown to the same port on QF. To do so is to make it easier for you to fly with the competition - and that makes no commercial sense!

Except I guess when your other point about QF not servicing the route applies. Shame QF are not making the distinction. I gotta say it makes a lot easier to decide to spend more with the competition now that anytime access is history.

 

[TonyHancock]

Can I ask the WP's who believe that those complaining about the demise of Anytime Access are whingers just to give a little thought to what is important to you about being a WP? Just imagine if Qantas "enhance" the thing you believe is important to you.

Anytime access is not particularly important to me but 2100 SC's for PG was, and it is being enhanced to 2400 now. Almost out of reach for me. (I'll scrape in this year)

This is about QF removing published benefits and it could be something important to you going next. Whether you used anytime access or not it is another feature removed. What if international F lounge access is removed next?

 

[whughes3]

Can I ask the WP's who believe that those complaining about the demise of Anytime Access are whingers just to give a little thought to what is important to you about being a WP? Just imagine if Qantas "enhance" the thing you believe is important to you.

Anytime access is not particularly important to me but 2100 SC's for PG was, and it is being enhanced to 2400 now. Almost out of reach for me. (I'll scrape in this year)

This is about QF removing published benefits and it could be something important to you going next. Whether you used anytime access or not it is another feature removed. What if international F lounge access is removed next?

Hear, hear. It would be nice if some people would have the grace to concede that other's perspective may legitimately be different from their own.

(For example, I tend to travel "light" and I rarely/never use the extra luggage allowances; but I would still be annoyed if they were removed and I consider that others would equally be entitled to be annoyed).