Qantas Domestic Lounges from 15/06/23 Guests Must be Travelling on Qantas/Partner Airline

[jase05]

I'm surprised how many people on here this seems to be affecting. I can't imagine parking, bringing a family member through security, walking a billion miles to the lounge, just to sit in a coughpy IKEA chair and maybe get a tiny plate of cafeteria butter chcken and a bread roll. The only time I can think of guesting non-QF flying pers was some work colleagues flying back to a different city on VA about five years ago. Hardly a massive loss, but also I question how much saving in either cost or space there would be from this.

Pretty big load of "meh" from me...

My parents are In their 70’s and still get a kick out of seeing myself or my brothers off at the airport if they drop us off. My two younger brothers fly the absolute cheapest ticket possible but my parents will still go to a cafe at CBR and wait with them. At least with me they get to sit in some comfort and away from the masses when I bring them into the lounge

 

[encryptededdy]

adVAntage

I feel like every time I contact AA customer support they manage to insert "AA" into a word, e.g. "AAmazing!". It would be funny if VA started doing that.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes but this group are full on aero people who know the system maximizing it's benefits.

Therefore I would say this group is not a suitable sample control.

You do realise most lounge attendees are frequent flyers (or their guests)?

 

[CaptJCool]

Yes I know.

But the International guest access rules are a bit complex. They probably could do with some simplification.

And QF had better update their join Qantas Club page, because it still has no restrictions on domestic guests. Paying for QP membership for a year and then not getting a paid benefit a month later?

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/the-qantas-club/join.html

"^ If you're flying Qantas, QantasLink or Jetstar you may bring one guest to join you in a Qantas Club domestic lounge"

Now there are two parts to this... if true this is massive meaning that someone flying JQ could bring anyone flight a oneworld airline but then the second part is will this apply to status holders like Gold/Plat?

This could mean someone with a QF Club membership has better guesting rights to a QF operated lounge then a QF status holder (which just seems wrong).

QC rules got quite complicated as you had the one guest option plus you could pay for a partner membership at reduced rates

For avoidance of doubt etc, my home bases where I have used this as a benefit have been ASP, CBR and DRW. If I lived in Melbourne or Sydney I probably wouldn’t bother although never say never. I think I might have taken him into the TSV lounge one time as well

I bothered with Adelaide (home base) plenty of times (WP go when you like before that benefit was enhanced), free parking within an easy wallk of the terminal or cheap public transport 6 kms direct to the door made it simple, and
Sydney (took friends to various places, even saw my last boss on my final paid working day when I was off on the 747 run to Perth for a sibling birthday and she and one of my mates there were flying to Adelaide that morning! it was a nice way to say farewell as I had taken long term leave before the last day)
Brissy and CBR when employed where colleagues who were flying on other flights could be guested in, but not since i quit working
Perth - mainly family or kids accompanying me on paid tics - they rather like the pizza offering in J lounge there

IMO the biggest issue with overcrowding, a lack of seats, is because many seating areas are setup for 2+ pax and are taken up by lone travellers. This is not a dig at those travellers but lounge designers who should be creating more appropriate spaces.

I don't want to sit in a pair at a table with a random when travelling alone (this may be okay in other cultures but is less socially acceptable in Australia) and I don't want to have to move chairs to create a vacant 2pax space when with Mrs Excel.

Absolutely spot on
the lounge gets crowded with single PAX who take up extra real estate and thus gives the perception of "over-crowding"
Neighbour free seating indeed

throwing out the non-flying guests will not in itself reduce that crowding as either guesting work colleagues who are flying elsewhere or family-friends who dropped you there actually filled an otherwise vacant seat in a 2 PAX seating set-up. they would do well to re-design to provide single seating

I'm surprised how many people on here this seems to be affecting. I can't imagine parking, bringing a family member through security, walking a billion miles to the lounge, just to sit in a coughpy IKEA chair and maybe get a tiny plate of cafeteria butter chcken and a bread roll. The only time I can think of guesting non-QF flying pers was some work colleagues flying back to a different city on VA about five years ago. Hardly a massive loss, but also I question how much saving in either cost or space there would be from this.

well, the food service did go down the gurgler and the free wine was the same as J lounge so that was where the freebie really kicked in (Scotch on the rocks)

as for the saving in cost or space, i agree, its one of those false economies where they really need to re-jig for a lot more single PAX seating/table space which would go much further to addressing the "over-crowding" but it won't save any great amount of cash when the buffet is king. given QF pride themselves on complimentary in-flight services, it feels like penny pinching.



PS Hudson seems like full circle - but where's Fysh ? definitely not on the buffet haha (its a QF Founders joke) https://www.qantas.com/au/en/about-us/our-company/stories/hudson-fysh.html

 

[encryptededdy]

You do realise most lounge attendees are frequent flyers (or their guests)?

I spend most of my time on this forum, but sometimes I venture out to e.g. facebook groups for QF WPs and, assuming that's a vaild sample of the WP population, it's surprising how little people know.

 

[justinbrett]

I spend most of my time on this forum, but sometimes I venture out to e.g. facebook groups for QF WPs and, assuming that's a vaild sample of the WP population, it's surprising how little people know.

I'm told nobody under 40 is on facebook these days

Perhaps we need an AFF discord to get a valid sample

 

[encryptededdy]

Perhaps we need an AFF discord to get a valid sample

Instead of leaking classified military documents on discord maybe we can get leaks of when the next DSC is coming.

 

[Lynda2475]

I think those who have earned WP organically from work funded J travel may not pay as close attention to those of use who get part/all the way there on personal travel.

My previous CTO who was CL from his previous role as CIO at a large international company once remarked to me "oh isnt everyone Platinum it is so easy to get" obviously if work funds long and short haul J for you several times a year; but then when he was trying to get reward seats for his wife and 2 kids to LHR in whY didnt seem to be aware he could ask for seat release nor willing to fork out extra taxes for award W or J when I showed him they were available.

Meanwhile his team mostly Golds were earning it the hard way on SYD-MELs in Y; and looking to eek out every benefit.

He always ditched us at security, never a CL invite.

 

[CaptJCool]

so I went Hudson Fyshing and realised this was also in the mix.

basically, its about monetising lounge access for "guests" so you remove the freebies, and replace them with paid entrance....

Invitation to purchase a lounge access pass​

Step away from the hustle and bustle of the airport before your next flight. If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you may receive an email invitation to purchase a lounge access pass 2 to 5 days before your next flight. It's a terrific opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the benefits you could enjoy if you decide to become a Qantas Club member. Refer to your email invitation for more details and to purchase or see the terms and conditions.
Please note that invitations are sent at Qantas' absolute and sole discretion. More information can be found on our FAQs page.

 

[Brissy1]

I'm told nobody under 40 is on facebook these days

Perhaps we need an AFF discord to get a valid sample

Well maybe 1, Zuckerberg is 39

 

[justinbrett]

Well maybe 1, Zuckerberg is 39

Reptilian overlords don't count

 

[Foreigner]

Now that i have achieved platinum tier, i expect to be able to access lounge on arrival (domestic only) but this member benefit may be withdrawn to simplify access policy

 

[encryptededdy]

Now that i have achieved platinum tier, i expect to be able to access lounge on arrival (domestic only) but this member benefit may be withdrawn to simplify access policy

I suspect they have zero idea how many people use on-arrival lounge access given they just waive you in without scanning.

 

[Princess Fiona]

so I went Hudson Fyshing and realised this was also in the mix.

basically, its about monetising lounge access for "guests" so you remove the freebies, and replace them with paid entrance....

Invitation to purchase a lounge access pass​

Step away from the hustle and bustle of the airport before your next flight. If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you may receive an email invitation to purchase a lounge access pass 2 to 5 days before your next flight. It's a terrific opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the benefits you could enjoy if you decide to become a Qantas Club member. Refer to your email invitation for more details and to purchase or see the terms and conditions.
Please note that invitations are sent at Qantas' absolute and sole discretion. More information can be found on our FAQs page.

This is from July 2019.
They have been offering the odd paid access for years.

This new change to guest access is nothing to do with that.

 

[Horatio]

My parents are In their 70’s and still get a kick out of seeing myself or my brothers off at the airport if they drop us off. My two younger brothers fly the absolute cheapest ticket possible but my parents will still go to a cafe at CBR and wait with them. At least with me they get to sit in some comfort and away from the masses when I bring them into the lounge

There’s quite a bit of horses for courses in this discussion. Some of the comments about the hassle involved in guesting someone are no doubt valid at the largest airports.

I’m in CBR as well. Given that (generally) traffic isn’t too heavy, the airport processing not too painful, and an hour of parking only $4, this can be a worthwhile benefit for members. Like others have noted, it doesn’t happen so often, but if someone offers to drop me off, they can spend some time in the J lounge if they’d like. And every now and again over the years I’ve taken advantage of it when giving someone else a lift.

So I’ll also – occasionally – miss this option.

 

[PumaPilot]

Can I be honest ? Good, the business lounge in Sydney during the school holidays is a joke, kids running a-muck, parents not controlling them, every man and his dog in there. I regularly use the Gold lounge as it a lot quieter

 

[oz_mark]

Can I be honest ? Good, the business lounge in Sydney during the school holidays is a joke, kids running a-muck, parents not controlling them, every man and his dog in there. I regularly use the Gold lounge as it a lot quieter

Good chance all the parents and kids are flying, so not likely to change.
I guess by Gold lounge, you mean you use the Qantas Club.

 

[levelnine]

The inability to reason beyond one's own circumstances continues to be the dominant feature of this thread.

An interesting observation from all the reports here is that the people complaining about lounge overcrowding are complaining about airports where people are least likely to use this benefit (eg SYD where it is unlikely anyone would go to the expense/hassle of parking to see off a family member) and the people using this benefit are generally doing it at airports where there is rarely lounge overcrowding (eg CBR).

 

[RooFlyer]

No you didn't. You said "need". In terms of disability, QF, like any transport operator, has obligations to cater for disabled passengers. The disabled people I know insist on autonomy - the ability to catch a flight without having to ask friends/family for assistance - who won't be there on the other end.

Emotional support is quite another thing and is not what I was commenting on.


That's your choice, and not really what I was talking about. I refer you to the last line of my post for these kinds of issues - which is very different to medical need.

You seem determined not to consider the particular circumstances I was describing, which include "And an auntie who lost her husband, who used to organise everything and now she's a bit lost in the airport process" and "someone who is a bit frail or likes company but otherwise can fly by themselves".

But for the benefit of others, I'll say it again - yes, an airline can look after 'disabled' pax (and I'm describing circumstances where the pax may not be viewed as 'disabled' by the airline), but it can be a matter of whether the flying pax would prefer that assistance by someone they know - even if its a matter of re-assurance and peace of mind.

That can still happen at the airport, but the thread is about lounge access by non-flyers. Right now, if the flying pax has QP access, the helper can too. That's going to be stopped, because, you know, the Spirit of Australia wants things "simpler", so the flying pax would probably self exclude. Again - yay! Less crowding!

And as for it being 'my choice' - geez, I would hope anyone with a shred of empathy and compassion would make the same choice, in the circumstances.

 

[Hobbsy4]

I've submitted email complaint into QF ([email protected]) - suggest you all do the same. 10seconds of effort. ChatGPT great for drafting letter:

"Dear Qantas Customer Care,

I am writing this letter as a long-term Platinum member [#Member Number] of Qantas, with deep disappointment and concern regarding the recent update to your Qantas Lounge access policy. I have been an ardent supporter of Qantas for several years, appreciating the exceptional service and benefits that come with being a loyal Platinum member. However, the decision to implement this policy change effective from 15 June 2023 has left me feeling let down and dissatisfied.

The existing Qantas Lounge access policy has been a defining factor in my choice to remain a loyal Platinum member. Its comprehensiveness and flexibility have not only provided me with a comfortable and productive environment before my flights but also allowed me to extend the same privilege to my guests or travel companions. This policy has been a testament to Qantas' commitment to customer satisfaction and recognition of their loyal patrons.

The newly announced policy, which restricts access to Qantas-operated and eligible partner flights departing on the same day, is a significant deviation from the existing policy that has served the needs of Platinum members so well. By narrowing down the eligibility criteria, it feels like Qantas is diminishing the value of our loyalty and disregarding the preferences of its most dedicated customers.

As a Platinum member, I have always held Qantas in high regard for its outstanding service, and I have proudly recommended the airline to my colleagues, friends, and family. However, this change in the lounge access policy leaves me with a sense of disillusionment and compels me to question my continued loyalty to the brand. It is disheartening to witness a shift away from customer-centric policies, especially when it affects long-standing patrons who have consistently chosen Qantas over other alternatives.

I implore you to reconsider this policy change and preserve the existing lounge access policy for Platinum members. By maintaining the current guidelines, Qantas can continue to foster a sense of exclusivity, reward loyalty, and enhance the overall travel experience for its most esteemed customers. Such a decision would reaffirm Qantas' commitment to its Platinum members and set the airline apart from competitors.

I would greatly appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and a comprehensive response outlining Qantas' stance on the lounge access policy change. Additionally, I kindly request that you take my concerns into serious consideration and convey them to the appropriate decision-makers within the company.

Thank you for your time and attention. I hope that Qantas will reconsider this policy change, acknowledging the impact it has on long-term Platinum members like myself. I look forward to hearing from you soon and to continue my valued association with Qantas.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]"

I don't see the point of spending around $50,000 per year to maintain WP. I'm almost done with the constant flying game anyhow.


Hi

We flew Cairns to Rome Rtn with Emirates / QF, back via Singapore. All of the EK flights were like clockwork. As soon as we got on a QF52 flight, ~ 3 hr delay and missed connection.

Also, I am disappointed to learn that there are no status credits for the EK flights - this must be relatively new. I made a mistake and booked EK rather than QF. My partner {QFF Gold Details} will probably miss out on Gold by 5 SC and now I think maintaining Platinum is not worth it for me.

I see that we can no longer bring guests to the lounge if they are not flying (15 June). Many times I have had a guest drop me off and I bring them in and they have a quick coffee with me prior to departure. This was a major perk.

Another item: The other day, I had a trip ready to pay for and I went back to make sure my details were correct. Then the price rose from $430 to $555 (MKY to CNS 25 June ~1700hrs).

This price rise is more than other airlines (e.g., Bonza) are charging for the whole direct fare. I can't see why I would want to fly if just checking the flight will increase the price so dramatically. Needless to say, I didn't book it and chose another carrier.

I no longer see the point in continuing trying to maintain my Platinum Status. I'm not sure if you have any feedback or resolutions to the above.