Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[NM]

There are exceptions in the OneWorld Lounge access policy that affects QFF gold members now:



oneworld - Lounge Access

It is not a stretch to imagine other exceptions being made (although the sizing of the F lounges look as though Platinums were accounted for)

But it does not state that other OneWorld Sapphire members cannot use the Qantas Domestic business class lounges.

 

[oz_mark]

But it does not state that other OneWorld Sapphire members cannot use the Qantas Domestic business class lounges.

No - but the point is they could stop their own Platinums accessing the F lounge. Saying the oneworld policies allow access is no good, if they have an exception for their own members.

 

[dfcatch]

I think this thread smacks of whingeing for some people as they perceive the benefit lost to be so immaterial that it is not worth considering. For me personally this benefit and the guaranteed seat availability benefit are of no use and if I would exchange them for something else I would (such as being able to book awards into I class).

I appreciate (having read this thread) that some people valued this very highly. Each to their own.

At the same time there may be a benefit that you and I find valuable and important and the same people currently unhappy with the anytime removal would consider our complaints to be immaterial and whingeing. As you say - each to their own.

The second issue that you raised is that you would be happy to exchange one benefit for a new benefit. That hasn't happened here - and that's what has certainly got people upset as well - regardless of the apparent immaterial nature of anytime access.

For example - I would gladly exchange guaranteed economy seat purchase for - well - anything of value!!

 

[oz_mark]

The second issue that you raised is that you would be happy to exchange one benefit for a new benefit. That hasn't happened here - and that's what has certainly got people upset as well - regardless of the apparent immaterial nature of anytime access.

Although, it does seem a bit of a coincidence that they are apparently going through a process of improving the offering in the lounge at the same time as they remove anytime access. Now, it is arguable whether the quality has improved, but Neil Perry licensing fees have probably increased
:shock:

 

[Alanslegal]

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.

QF removed a WP benefit - whether used or unused - and indicated it was a lounge overcrowding solution. This material change affects me even though I have only used it a few times since being a WP. This lie was then exposed when within days of the removal of anytime access announcement, QF decides to sell heavily discounted QP memberships. Removing what it seems to be an infrequently used WP benefit in favour of QP membership that is likely to be used, well it seems to me anyway, that lounge crowding will remain equal at least, if not more given the uptake in QPs number. Again it was the blame that WPs caused overcrowding.

Luckily you fly J/F anyway so all those benefits are attached but for me, lounge access incl. anytime access was one of the carrots hanging in front of me. The recent enhancements which QF like to sensationalise, have been taking away one carrot (the anytime access) and chewing another carrot (baggage allowance changes). These to me are important, what will happen next?

I don't know what your carrot is but it would seem you get all the benefits anyway, so assuming all things are equal, it may come down to fare cost and BFOD policy. QF should count itself lucky to have a domestic J monopoly, but internationally, there is competition. And as you pay for your J/F ticket internationally, theoretically 'loyalty' for QF should be minimised because whoever you fly with, will grant you those similar benefits anyway.

If QF ever decides to reduce lounge access to what you are suggesting, what is the point for some flyers who think lounge access is high on the importance list to pursue SG or WP status, when they can get similar lounge benefits from buying a QP membership.

 

[dfcatch]

Although, it does seem a bit of a coincidence that they are apparently going through a process of improving the offering in the lounge at the same time as they remove anytime access. Now, it is arguable whether the quality has improved, but Neil Perry licensing fees have probably increased
:shock:

I would certainly argue as to whether any tangible improvement has occurred.

Especially seeing as I'm not based in SYD. Not to mention that lounge refresh is something that should be occurring on a regular basis regardless of any other benefits.

So no - I don't consider a minor lounge refresh as a replacement for other benefits.

For it to be quid pro quo - then it would have to be replaced with a "new" benefit, such as an increase in access or increase in allowance or new benefit that previously didn't exist.

Not to mention that according to published benefits, anytime access never afforded access to J lounges - so a J lounge refresh is irrelevant.

Now - F lounges had anytime access removed (as I understand it at the same time as the SYD and MEL F lounge overhauls). But these were not lounge refreshes, these were complete overhauls with significantly new product added which we all now appreciate. Plus - anytime access still remained for the Int J lounge, so you would still have lounge access when flying.

 

[simongr]

1 - At the same time there may be a benefit that you and I find valuable and important and the same people currently unhappy with the anytime removal would consider our complaints to be immaterial and whingeing. As you say - each to their own.

2 - The second issue that you raised is that you would be happy to exchange one benefit for a new benefit. That hasn't happened here - and that's what has certainly got people upset as well - regardless of the apparent immaterial nature of anytime access.

1 - Totally agree there.

2 - I think this is a matter of opinion. I think overall a period of time the QF offering is improving - including the lounges. I think the change to PG has elements which are better. The problem is that these come over time rather than at a point in time which is what happens with the reduction of benefits (which could be considered to be the exchange).

 

[dfcatch]

1 - Totally agree there.

2 - I think this is a matter of opinion. I think overall a period of time the QF offering is improving - including the lounges. I think the change to PG has elements which are better. The problem is that these come over time rather than at a point in time which is what happens with the reduction of benefits (which could be considered to be the exchange).

Very fair point

 

[bossreggie]

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.

I would like to add my thoughts to your opinion JohnPhelan.

We seem to have similar flying preferences except I exclusively fly J DOM and the ONLY time I travel J INT is when QANTAS do not offer an F service. (Trans Tasman mainly)

Having been in the F Lounge well over 100 times, I have never seen it crowded to the point it is uncomfortable.

As you fly F regularly, you would know that you are treated differently to those PAX in J and Y.

I would be REALLY annoyed if F Lounge access became restricted to PAX only in F. When I fly to AKL, I am unable to purchase an F ticket with QF. In MEL, the INT J lounge is too dreary for me as it has no windows.

IMHO... WP's have EARNED the right to use the DOM J lounge and INT F Lounge. I do not care where they are sitting on the plane.... I believe their loyalty deserves the access.

Late last year I was travelling to BKK. (booked F via SYD) When checking in at MEL I was advised that as my passport had less than 6 months validity that QF could not take me. I had to purchase a J ticket on TG as their rules allowed entry to Thailand with less than 6 months validity.

That was the FIRST time I ever used any time access in an INT J lounge. It was a benefit to me.

I headed to the J lounge and handed my boarding pass over. Went and poured myself a stiff scotch and was enjoying it when I was paged. I returned to the counter only to be greeted by the concierge from the F Lounge. I was immediately taken upstairs to the F Lounge where I enjoyed a couple of hours prior to my flight.

Removal of these benefits has ensured I am now flying other airlines. Not a dummy spit, as I will attain WP very easily each year. From 1st SEP to now, I am already past PG. Quite possibly, my F flight from LHR - MEL next Monday night could be my final International QF flight for this membership year.

 

[el_rooto]

Removal of these benefits has ensured I am now flying other airlines. Not a dummy spit, as I will attain WP very easily each year. From 1st SEP to now, I am already past PG. Quite possibly, my F flight from LHR - MEL next Monday night could be my final International QF flight for this membership year.

Boss, don't you get anytime FLounge access with CL?

 

[JohnK]

For example - I would gladly exchange guaranteed economy seat purchase for - well - anything of value!!

I would not consider this as a benefit! You are paying full economy prices for the privilege anyway.

 

[bossreggie]

Boss, don't you get anytime FLounge access with CL?

I have never had to use it. When I had to fly to BKK last year with TG I was WP so very (pleasantly) surprised to be taken to the F Lounge.

 

[el_rooto]

I have never had to use it. When I had to fly to BKK last year with TG I was WP so very (pleasantly) surprised to be taken to the F Lounge.

A family friend (CL) was telling me he flies to Europe on SIA for work, and stops off at the QF F lounge first.

 

[dfcatch]

I would not consider this as a benefit! You are paying full economy prices for the privilege anyway.

Exactly my point John

But QF want to tout it as an important WP benefit. It may well be to some people but is isn't to me.

So I would gladly give it up in exchange for something else

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Exactly my point John

But QF want to tout it as an important WP benefit. It may well be to some people but is isn't to me.

So I would gladly give it up in exchange for something else

Air Canada have a pick and choose benefit system.

 

[medhead]

I would not consider this as a benefit! You are paying full economy prices for the privilege anyway.

Exactly my point John

But QF want to tout it as an important WP benefit. It may well be to some people but is isn't to me.

So I would gladly give it up in exchange for something else

Isn't the benefit that they will give you the seat and kick someone else off the flight? Karma wise I'm not sure it would be a good thing to do. But if you absolutely had to be somewhere, and were willing to waste the money, it might have some value. The fact that I can never see myself using it says it has no value, and hence is of no benefit. (edit: to me)

 

[Mal]

But if you absolutely had to be somewhere, and were willing to waste the money, it might have some value. The fact that I can never see myself using it says it has no value, and hence is of no benefit.

I see it as a valuable benefit, even though I've never used it (the one time I needed it, the service was a prop - so not covered), and if I absolutely had to be somewhere ASAP, it would be handy.

But even though I've never used it (and I do know of people here who have used it), It is still a benefit from Qantas for Plat that if removed will be a degradation of the benefits of Plat.

Some people aren't realising that everything removed from Plat (however small) is a reduction in Plat benefits... While it's ATA today, tomorrow it could be priority baggage or something else that others do enjoy....

 

[AnonymousCoward]

QF removed a WP benefit - whether used or unused - and indicated it was a lounge overcrowding solution.

I'm pretty sure Red Roo said it was because QF were giving their competitors a "free kick". Reducing crowding would merely be an anciliary benefit.

 

[dfcatch]

I see it as a valuable benefit, even though I've never used it (the one time I needed it, the service was a prop - so not covered), and if I absolutely had to be somewhere ASAP, it would be handy.

But even though I've never used it (and I do know of people here who have used it), It is still a benefit from Qantas for Plat that if removed will be a degradation of the benefits of Plat.

Some people aren't realising that everything removed from Plat (however small) is a reduction in Plat benefits... While it's ATA today, tomorrow it could be priority baggage or something else that others do enjoy....

Well said.

I agree completely.

It doesn't matter that I personally don't value it, i would be disappointed to see it go, unless it was replaced with another benefit.

In other words I support genuine enhancements to the program, just not "Qantas Enhancements".

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Isn't the benefit that they will give you the seat and kick someone else off the flight? Karma wise I'm not sure it would be a good thing to do. But if you absolutely had to be somewhere, and were willing to waste the money, it might have some value.

I've used it before. Last time to get from Singapore to Sydney. They gave it to me on a B class fare, and (presumably) kicked someone else off the plane if someone didn't change their plans.

The fact that I can never see myself using it says it has no value, and hence is of no benefit.

Hmm - so ATA isn't a benefit either, since I don't use it? (OK, OK, I said I'd stay out of that argument, so it's just a light-hearted comment, not meant to be taken seriously or to start debate)