Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[beardoc]

I get this funny feeling that Anytime Access will continue in most lounges as staff will turn a blind eye to the revised guidelines.

For the most part Anytme Access to domestic business lounges was an unwritten benefit anyway. I used to go to the Qantas Lounge when not flying and advised by staff to use the business lounge facilities.

I'm not sure they will, though - it was a change in the rules at the start of the month - it would just take a memo or two to staff that they need to start enforcing the rules - and that pseudo-anytime access will be taken away. There are scanners outside all the QPs - all they need is a memo that staff are required to use these for access and it all ends there. And if someone argues, they can simply say that the rules have been like this since February 1st.

 

[whughes3]

I was in the MEL domestic J lounge on Saturday morning, and spent a bit of time hanging round the service desk arranging a minor itinerary change; in the process I noticed that discreetly tucked away they were maintaining a tally sheet of visitor numbers vs. type (Plat, J, guest etc). I couldn't help but notice that the most numerous category seemed to be guests!

 

[tyrolean]

I was in the MEL domestic J lounge on Saturday morning, and spent a bit of time hanging round the service desk arranging a minor itinerary change; in the process I noticed that discreetly tucked away they were maintaining a tally sheet of visitor numbers vs. type (Plat, J, guest etc). I couldn't help but notice that the most numerous category seemed to be guests!

As I fear that QF follows LH on most enhancements (due to customer demand, to assure the "quality of the product") that they may remove the guest rule, as LH did with their sliver members.
First they got rid of the allowance of one guest.
Then they introduced the possiblity to bring guests for a ridiculous fee (25 Euro /35 US$).

On the discussion there were some, that said that removing anytime access would make the lounges more empty and more comfortable. But in the end nothing changed. The lounges are as crowded as before.

One of the reasons is the fact that if two people are traveling and both have status (like when I travel with my Wife or Daddy Tyrolean) only one flashes his card. The other one is counted as a guest. From my experience many do that.

 

[JohnK]

I'm not sure they will, though - it was a change in the rules at the start of the month - it would just take a memo or two to staff that they need to start enforcing the rules - and that pseudo-anytime access will be taken away.

No problem if they do enforce the rules although one month into the new rules and 'anytime access' still exists in most lounges.

I couldn't help but notice that the most numerous category seemed to be guests!

Perhaps the next lot of 'enhacements' to QFF will see the removal of the ability to guest into the lounges or at least reduce the number of guests for Platinum to 1 guest.

 

[Danger]

Perhaps the next lot of 'enhacements' to QFF will see the removal of the ability to guest into the lounges or at least reduce the number of guests for Platinum to 1 guest.

Sadly, I wouldn't be the leasat bit surprised. They've been cunning in this last round of 'enhancements' and I reckon that downgrading guests' allowances would be the final straw for many.

As I fear that QF follows LH on most enhancements (due to customer demand, to assure the "quality of the product") that they may remove the guest rule, as LH did with their sliver members.

Removing guests entirely, for example, leaves a litanny of reasons why this is simply not practical.

Again, if lounge overcrowding is the issue (as Red Roo kindly noted in her post on the topic months ago) there are plenty of other ways to unfill them.

 

[JohnK]

On the discussion there were some, that said that removing anytime access would make the lounges more empty and more comfortable. But in the end nothing changed. The lounges are as crowded as before.

Unfortunately 'anytime access' to lounges did not have too much to do wtih overcrowding of lounges. This was the spin that QF used and a lot of people believed it.

Overcrowding of lounges is simply a result of too many lounge membeships whether paid or complimentary....

 

[ejb]

Unfortunately 'anytime access' to lounges did not have too much to do wtih overcrowding of lounges. This was the spin that QF used and a lot of people believed it.

Overcrowding of lounges is simply a result of too many lounge membeships whether paid or complimentary....

I think it could also do with timing of flights, which QF have little control over.

Take PER for instance, Red-eyes to BNE/SYD/MEL all leave within a small timeframe each night ensuring that the lounge is full, also it seems like flights to country WA are bunched up causing a lot of people to use the lounge at once.

With 3 full flights leaving and a lot of pax having access it is bound to cause problems.

Just a thought and I would love anytime access back as it was great when picking up family.

ejb

 

[markis10]

I think it could also do with timing of flights, which QF have little control over.

Take PER for instance, Red-eyes to BNE/SYD/MEL all leave within a small timeframe each night ensuring that the lounge is full, also it seems like flights to country WA are bunched up causing a lot of people to use the lounge at once.

Anyone who has been in the DRW QP would know what you are talking about at midnight and midday!

 

[russ]

I agree! It's often more calm and spacious outside the QP... and the food is better!

 

[Sequel]

2 from 2 today, BNE and MEL with just the flash of the card.

Did notice the PAX type check sheet in MEL had way more "guests" than any other category, so my sick prediction is anytime access may well come back once they realise that is is the guests causing all the crowding, with the "enhancement" of removing the guest access in exchange.

 

[dfcatch]

Just waved the card at SYD T3 J lounge today.

 

[Alanslegal]

Did notice the PAX type check sheet in MEL had way more "guests" than any other category, so my sick prediction is anytime access may well come back once they realise that is is the guests causing all the crowding, with the "enhancement" of removing the guest access in exchange.

I *like* your sick prediction .... but it could be a double edge sword for me, because if I go to use ATA I want to bring my friends in.

 

[Ewing]

At CBR this morning I was asked if I was checked in. I said yes, but my BP is in my bag (it was - with my other paperwork for the day).

She then swiped the card in the computer and pulled up the reservation. They don't seem to be using those scanner things.

At MEL (using arrivals access) I was just waved through

 

[whughes3]

At MEL J lounge this morning (arrivals access) I just gave them a cursory wave of my OLCI BP and was allowed in. I seriously doubt they were able to distinguish the flight or date on the BP..

 

[reductionist]

MEL QP this morning. Waved my QP Bronze card in the general direction of the desk and was asked to "please come on inside". Had a laptop, roller bag and non-flying guest with me.

By my next visit to MEL I'll be WP so will report back then.

 

[JohnK]

I am not going to mention locations anymore but my experiences over the past month appear to suggest that Anytime access is not policed in most lounges I visit.

See if I can get the same result from international lounges later this month.

 

[Princess Fiona]

At MEL J lounge this morning (arrivals access) I just gave them a cursory wave of my OLCI BP and was allowed in. I seriously doubt they were able to distinguish the flight or date on the BP..

I did similar in Melbourne J Lounge this morning. No evidence of any scanners being used. I had my JQ boarding pass in my bag and was not asked at either desk for anything after waving the WP card.

 

[toronto]

I did similar in Melbourne J Lounge this morning. No evidence of any scanners being used. I had my JQ boarding pass in my bag and was not asked at either desk for anything after waving the WP card.

This is going to nowere. The rules already in place and soon or later they will follow.

 

[russ]

I wore my hi-viz vest to the SYD J lounge this evening and they just waved me in!

 

[Grooba]

flashed card at SYD Friday night and straight through no questions asked.