Q Business Lounges (MEL, SYD, BNE)

[garyjohn951]

Well hopefully the new J lounges will mean that during school holidays, the QC does not look like an ABC premises.

 

[Platy]

Hmm - this is a ll a little depressing. What started off as a great new lounge thing has now become a story of what QF are taking from some pax.

It is indeed somewhat depressing. But, IMHO, typical of Qantas execs inability to manage their brand. They promise a solution to a blatant problem, don't actually do what needs to be done to fix the problem and think the customer is too stupid to realise what's going on. QP members could realistically end up worse off.

Whether QPs are better or worse than an Admirals Lounge, etc, isn't the point. What matters is whether promised product and service is indeed supplied to the customer (judged against reasonable expectation). Thus if lounge crowding is not fixed by the new J lounges, QF have failed in their own stated aim.

Qantas has lost the plot.

 

[moa999]

so has anyone asked the staff recently when the J lounges are expected to open

 

[beardoc]

It is indeed somewhat depressing. But, IMHO, typical of Qantas execs inability to manage their brand. They promise a solution to a blatant problem, don't actually do what needs to be done to fix the problem and think the customer is too stupid to realise what's going on. QP members could realistically end up worse off.

Whether QPs are better or worse than an Admirals Lounge, etc, isn't the point. What matters is whether promised product and service is indeed supplied to the customer (judged against reasonable expectation). Thus if lounge crowding is not fixed by the new J lounges, QF have failed in their own stated aim.

Qantas has lost the plot.

I don't think they've lost the plot - I think that QANTAS has existed without a competitor for such a long time. Now that Virgin Blue is making a play for the premium travellers, QANTAS is trying to hold onto them (and just them) with the Business Lounges. It's to stop Virgin Blue poaching the high value classes by getting someone on par with The Lounge without having to give it to all QP members. I think it's clever on QANTAS' part.

How sucessful this will be will depend on how aggrieved the non-WP members are - that the quality of the QC is going downhill, that they switch to DJ. To do so though, DJ would have to be part of *A - so that their domestic flights could count towards a major international alliance benefit.

I wish DJ would hurry up and do that.

 

[jpk]

This morning in the MEL QP it was reasonably busy (i have seen a lot worse), quite full due to the lost space. I had a look around and wondered just what % out of everyone there was WP or J. Is the crowding in the QP side really going to reduce that much? What are everyone's thoughts as to % of QP punters are WP or J ?

 

[Febs]

Seems to me like QF could fix this whole problem by calling the new J lounges "Domestic First Lounges". Could be a bit confusing though. Unless they rename J to F domestically...which they won't for obvious reasons.

Or perhaps they will claim the new lounge is a Business Lounge and not a Business Class Lounge :shock:

That's my understanding. Still won't stop angry OWS's claiming they have access though.

Out of curiosity, do the OneWorld rules specifically say that an airline's own FFers can be denied from various lounges? E.g. Where does it say that AA can deny their Plat's (OWS's) access to the AC? I know they do this...but I'm wondering why it's allowed? Same deal if QF deny QFF Gold's access to the new J lounges, but allow other OWS's. Technically, an AA Plat and a QFF Gold is still a OWS.

PS: This is another reason I like being a member of QFF and not AAdvantage.

 

[simongr]

PS: This is another reason I like being a member of QFF and not AAdvantage.

Not sure I understand this comment. Assuming QF apply the letter of the law and then allow for their exclusions (similar to AA) then QF WP, OWE and non-QF OWS would get access - being in QFF is a disadvantage.

I assume you might be referring to the lounge access for DOM travel - in which being in AAdvantage is no different to QFF...

 

[Febs]

Not sure I understand this comment.

I travel domestically in the US more often than I do in Australia...so, back when I was a QFF Gold, being the equivalent in AA (Plat) would've been a distinct disadvantage.

In fact...do EXP's even get AC access domestically? If so, do they get drink vouchers too? If not, I'm still ahead as a QFF Plat.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Mal]

In fact...do EXP's even get AC access domestically? If so, do they get drink vouchers too? If not, I'm still ahead as a QFF Plat.

No, and No. Not unless travelling particular routes (eg Trans-US in certain classes) or overseas. Or if they have an Admiral's Club membership.

Hence the reason many US based flyers would do some SCRUNS to get QF SG/WP and then work on their EXP, or alternatively buy QP memberships.

 

[Febs]

No, and No. Not unless travelling particular routes (eg Trans-US in certain classes) or overseas. Or if they have an Admiral's Club membership.

Oh right, thanks. That's pretty poor (imagine QFF Plat's being excluded from QP's!)

Definitely glad I never joined AAdvantage then. Sure it works well for some, but not for others.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Mal]

Definitely glad I never joined AAdvantage then. Sure it works well for some, but not for others. .

AAdvantage has benefits to some. Eg, if Dave Noble is correct about OWE/OWS getting access to the new Qantas Business lounges, then being an AA Plat is better than being a QF Gold for Qantas purposes. Redemptions also tend to be better with AA, and certain other things are better too. Qantas is good for some benefits. Swings and Roundabouts really. Check your flying patterns and choose a scheme which is better for you!

 

[simongr]

I travel domestically in the US more often than I do in Australia...so, back when I was a QFF Gold, being the equivalent in AA (Plat) would've been a distinct disadvantage.

In fact...do EXP's even get AC access domestically? If so, do they get drink vouchers too? If not, I'm still ahead as a QFF Plat.

Cheers,
- Febs.

That's what I couldnt figure out - the initial reference was to Oz lounges which is no different for AFF or QFF. Given that level of US DOM travel then QFF will work well for you. Indeed it is one of the two reasons I maintain QF SG and AA EXP (and probably QF WP this year). The other reason is the pecking order for upgrades

 

[Josh]

I'm not sure if it has been mentioned, but I spoke to a QP staff member a few days ago about the opening date of the new lounges. They said they just got an email mentioning it will be opening towards the end of July.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I doubt that they will

...

QF is starting with them being called Business Lounges and they will allow Business passengers, so I don;t see how they would justify prohibiting access to sapphire members of OW carriers

Dunno how they are going to justify it, but it does look like J pax, OWE and QF Plats only:

Flying with Us - Qantas Club - The Qantas Club News

"Domestic Business Lounges - opening mid 2008
In addition to, and complementing our domestic Qantas Club facilities, Qantas is proud to introduce a new domestic Business Lounge experience. Qantas Business Lounges will offer Business Class customers, Platinum Frequent Flyers and oneworld Emerald guests a new sanctuary in which to work, relax, socialise or prepare for your flight."

 

[Mal]

Dunno how they are going to justify it, but it does look like J pax, OWE and QF Plats only:

As I commented in another thread: "are they just not acknowledging a potential right of passage into the lounges?"

Perhaps OWS in fact can get access, but it's something Qantas doesn't want to advertise.

I still think though that OWS will be in the normal Qantas Club, not any (domestic) Business lounge.

Will be interesting to see what the oneworld lounge page says about the matter when it is next updated.

 

[jpk]

Seems to me that they should really call them First class lounges (despite there being no domestic F) to properly restrict access to OWE, and invite J in there.

Or change the name to something other than "Business Lounge", that is just asking for problems. How does SQ get around not letting *A Golds into their best lounges?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

As I commented in another thread: "are they just not acknowledging a potential right of passage into the lounges?"

Perhaps OWS in fact can get access, but it's something Qantas doesn't want to advertise.

Perhaps. But then who will be in the regular club? Just QC members? (and I suppose QF Gold?)

 

[JohnK]

Perhaps OWS in fact can get access, but it's something Qantas doesn't want to advertise.

Maybe Qantas does not care. I don't think there is a significant number, sorry no statistics to prove my theory, of Oneworld Sapphires in Australia that did not achieve their status through QF Gold but rather from AAdvantage Platinum.

AFF is not the centre of the universe and the majority of people do not know, nor care, about AAdvantage Platinum challenges.

I still think though that OWS will be in the normal Qantas Club, not any (domestic) Business lounge.

I think this will be the case.

If anyone has any doubts just think of the number times one of us has had rightful access to a BA lounge but have been turned away at reception due to one reason or another.

 

[simongr]

Maybe Qantas does not care. I don't think there is a significant number, sorry no statistics to prove my theory, of Oneworld Sapphires in Australia that did not achieve their status through QF Gold but rather from AAdvantage Platinum.

AFF is not the centre of the universe and the majority of people do not know, nor care, about AAdvantage Platinum challenges.

There are however quite a lot of MP Diamond/Gold, BAEC Silver and other people who travel to Australia and have been known to fly domestically. QFF also not the centre of the universe.

I think you are correct that this is something that doesn't concern QF too much in that I assume if a non QFF status member accesses the lounge they will pass that cost onto QFF. That's what happens currently doesn't it?

 

[JohnK]

I think you are correct that this is something that doesn't concern QF too much in that I assume if a non QFF status member accesses the lounge they will pass that cost onto QFF. That's what happens currently doesn't it?

I agree with you and I am almost certain that QF would not be too concerned if a non QFF Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald entered the new domestic business lounges or any QF lounges for that matter. QF would pass the cost of lounge entry to the airline where the Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald member holds status.