Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[pshepvic]

The SYD T1 Intl J lounge has one as well at least it did the last time I was in there (mid last year).

Ah yes I do remember seeing it there two ... in fact there were about 3 people standing around trying to work out how to use it!

 

[nlagalle]

Ah yes I do remember seeing it there two ... in fact there were about 3 people standing around trying to work out how to use it!

What could be so hard about it? there is one button to press, it says "OK" I noticed there is one in the JQ lounge in OOL too.

 

[samiam]

The pancake maker in the PER QP has been removed. Might be on the way to Karratha

O/T - they were scanning cards yesterday, however a queue was forming, so just walked past and flashed.

 

[danih88]

For the last few months all I have been doing it flash my WP card in the Melbourne and Sydney domestic/business lounges.

In fact, a few times (including yesterday 10 May), when I land in the Sydney airport, I just walk up to the Business counter and flash my card and walk right through. I usually time it so that I get a quick bite to eat and get down to the carousel in time to see my bag _just_ pop out.

When landing back in Melbourne, unless I land near the lounge side (ie gates 22+), I usually don't bother to pop in. Regardless, the 'flash my WP card' method works every time.

Regards
Daniel

PS: I must note that I'm usually wearing my suit and dragging my lovely Samsonite laptop bag my wife got for me last christmas.

 

[pshepvic]

In fact, a few times (including yesterday 10 May), when I land in the Sydney airport, I just walk up to the Business counter and flash my card and walk right through. I usually time it so that I get a quick bite to eat and get down to the carousel in time to see my bag _just_ pop out.

When landing back in Melbourne, unless I land near the lounge side (ie gates 22+), I usually don't bother to pop in. Regardless, the 'flash my WP card' method works every time.

WP's are allowed arrivals access in the J lounges anyway: Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum Benefits

As a Platinum Frequent Flyer you can access Domestic Business Lounges or The Qantas Club upon arrival if you have travelled that day on any flight that shows a Qantas, a Jetstar Airline or a oneworld® flight number on your ticket.^ You may also bring two guests, who do not need to be travelling.

 

[straitman]

In CBR on Monday (around 1130) there was nobody on either door so anyone could have walked in.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

ROK on Monday, around 10:30-11:00, nobody on the door either.
I literally walked in, did a lap and walked out. Boy 'o' Boy, what a small lounge.

 

[Ewing]

In CBR on Monday (around 1130) there was nobody on either door so anyone could have walked in.

The past few times I've gone in there hasn't been anyone there. It's annoying, because I usually check in at the desk.

(CBR seems to be the only lounge I frequent that enforces same day flying when the desk is manned - so if they're going to scan my card, I'm going to make them print my BP - of course, there's still a kiosk to the right of the desk so I use those when the desk is unattended).

As for other lounges - never been checked in MEL, BNE or SYD. I haven't been to any other domestic lounges since the new rules came in.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

There has been quite of bit of discussion on this thread that with the removal of ATA there is now not much to differentiate WP from SG.

One thing to note is that effective 01 Jun 2011 the new baggage allowances will be in place.

Until 31 May 2011 the checked baggage allowance for WP's for domestic travel is 38kg & for SG's it's 33kg. This is irrespective of the amount of pieces you have.

From 01 June 2011 onwards, WP's will get two pieces @ 32kg but SG's will only get one @ 32kg.

Whilst this may not be a big deal for some it could be an issue if you are SG & regularly travel with a 15kg suitcase & a 15kg set of golf clubs. SG's who continue to travel with two checked pieces will now have to pay $30.00 excess baggage for the second piece each time they travel.

 

[JohnK]

Whilst this may not be a big deal for some it could be an issue if you are SG & regularly travel with a 15kg suitcase & a 15kg set of golf clubs. SG's who continue to travel with two checked pieces will now have to pay $30.00 excess baggage for the second piece each time they travel.

Good point and one that is important to me.

Still I would love to have MY anytime access to lounges back again. I have missed it since it was taken away because of overcrowding in the lounges caused by double SCs promotions.

 

[straitman]

Good point and one that is important to me.

Still I would love to have MY anytime access to lounges back again. I have missed it since it was taken away because of overcrowding in the lounges caused by double SCs promotions.

Well posted. It would be good if QF was actually reading this :!:

 

[djfuzz]

Being a good little WP, I trialled NGCI exclusively during my last work trip - the consequence of which meant that I had to use my WP card for pretty much everything, including lounge entry. The bag drop did not work perfectly, but was adequate and at the other end it was relatively effective. Though slower than a simple BP scan at the gate, the card/receipt system worked relatively well (I'll miss them, but I guess you can probably live without a cardboard BP).

At each of the MEL, SYD and BNE lounges, my card was flashed and that was it. I even stopped at the J lounge counter to check if I needed to get a boarding pass or something, and they said the card was sufficient for everything. I was concerned about arrivals access (which I did need to use once), and whether or not I would need to refer back to the rules, but at no point did I need to use anything but my card for entry.

Mind you, on each visit the lounges were packed full of non-ATA visitors (mostly guests I would have thought) and I imagine will soon get more packed with newly-minted double SC'd WPs. Other than the crockery (mentioned elsewhere) the food/service/furnishings were nothing more than average, so I do wonder when the next round of enhancements will strike and what they will look like. After trying the pizza and the new hot food selection (not special at all), I actually miss the NPPPs. I would have hoped that some of the survey feedback regarding the lounges would have translated into genuine improvements - I'm still baffled as to the barista situation, let alone the narrow windows for hot food. And after a few reasonable 'island' dining experiences in SYD, was very disappointed that there was no corresponding service in MEL or BNE, despite the tables being laid in the same way.

So I gave it a red hot go, but for me the trade off for losing ATA was certainly not worth it. All that remains is for Virgin to start delivering on their big talk about their own service improvements for me to start shifting over (and they could take some big hints from Virgin America) - though perhaps QF is rather cleverly banking on the fact that they will not be able to deliver on those either.

 

[Danger]

From 01 June 2011 onwards, WP's will get two pieces @ 32kg but SG's will only get one @ 32kg.

Valid point. And important to me also.

Still I would love to have MY anytime access to lounges back again. I have missed it since it was taken away because of overcrowding in the lounges caused by double SCs promotions.

Agreed.

Mind you, on each visit the lounges were packed full of non-ATA visitors (mostly guests I would have thought) and I imagine will soon get more packed with newly-minted double SC'd WPs. Other than the crockery (mentioned elsewhere) the food/service/furnishings were nothing more than average, so I do wonder when the next round of enhancements will strike and what they will look like.

I think the next round of 'enhancements' will hit guest access somehow, someway. Like, maybe (maybe), Qantas Club members' guests will also need to be travelling. Admittedly, this doesn't impact on the J lounges. Or maybe WPs' guest entitlements in the J lounge will be reduced to one, while maintaining two in the Qantas Clubs.

 

[drron]

Good point and one that is important to me.

Still I would love to have MY anytime access to lounges back again. I have missed it since it was taken away because of overcrowding in the lounges caused by double SCs promotions.

Well posted. It would be good if QF was actually reading this :!:

You 2 agreeing twice in a week-regular little love fest.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Get over it people, its done, Qantas doesn't love us Platinums anymore and it shows.

This thread should have ended 1 Feb 2011.

I made Platinum 19 June 2010, and had 7 months 9 days to enjoy the privilege, maybe I should feel like I have been ripped off by Qantas by changing one of the rules so soon after I made Platinum.

The rules have changed you just need to play by the new rules to make status, have a good weekend.

 

[JohnK]

Get over it people, its done, Qantas doesn't love us Platinums anymore and it shows.

This thread should have ended 1 Feb 2011.

Some people just can't get over it and shouldn't be criticised for not wanting to letting go.

Especially after being conned by a QF representative on this board that it was due to lounge overcrowding and then they go and pull stunts like selling cheaper lounge memberships and bonus SC promotions.

There are other interesting threads on AFF if not interested in following this one.

 

[Danger]

Especially after being conned by a QF representative on this board that it was due to lounge overcrowding and then they go and pull stunts like selling cheaper lounge memberships and bonus SC promotions.

Very well put, JohnK.

 

[Robert K]

What did anytime lounge access?
could you just go to the airport anytime and use the lounge?

or is it like, you can go use the lounge no matter what airline you flying with?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

What did anytime lounge access?
could you just go to the airport anytime and use the lounge?

or is it like, you can go use the lounge no matter what airline you flying with?

A WP could access the Domestic (and Int l think..) Lounges, anytime. You could fly SYD-SIN with SQ and enter the QC lounge due to WP benefits.
I don't know if any other airline offers ATA anymore though?

 

[serfty]

Until April 2007, a WP could access any Qantas lounge Business, First Class or Qantas club lounge if they could access the front door. Charmans lounges were excluded.

From Aprl 2007 until earlier this year a WP could access any (domestic) QP or international Qantas business lounge if they could get to the front door.

Since February this year, a WP has to be travelling Qantas/oneworld/Jetstar to access a Qantas lounge.