Qantas First Lounges to Reopen

[justinbrett]

My feeling is that ‘extra cost’ amenities, at least at this stage, should be based on class of service, not status. For the most part people haven't been earning status through revenue to the airline.

perception wise with jobkeeper and other various airline subsidies, should money be propping up the cheapest tickets with expensive food and beverages... in some cases perhaps costing close to the price of the base fare itself? Business class tickets include those amenities in the fare.

Considering you can't fly F I can't see how that would work. Usually I would support paid F getting something extra vs WP/P1, but to suggest paid J get more than WP/P1 - nooope! Besides, if you incentivise status you encourage more frequent travel and higher fare classes - if you just incentivise class of travel, that only works that one time.

 

[sudoer]

My feeling is that ‘extra cost’ amenities, at least at this stage, should be based on class of service, not status.

Where's my incentive to fly Qantas if I'm not receiving status benefits?

 

[manutd88]

Yes - here are the eligibility conditions:

Qantas Lounge Access Eligibility | Qantas

Find out more on Qantas Lounge access eligibility whether your traveling in First, Business; are a Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qantas Club or oneworld member.

www.qantas.com

Well traditionally as gold I would have only access to business lounge. Given it's the first lounge, was just worried they may tweak it. Just wouldn't bother going early to airport if they didn't allow the wife on.

 

[Rugby]

If Nestor is on the door at the SYD Flounge next week he’s going to get a bear hug

 

[Princess Fiona]

If Nestor is on the door at the SYD Flounge next week he’s going to get a bear hug

He should be, he was there yesterday and starts back on Monday

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Where's my incentive to fly Qantas if I'm not receiving status benefits?

You’re still getting the business class lounge, just without champagne (sparkling wine would be included). You’re still getting priority check-in and other benefits. Just not ones which cost a lot of money.

Considering you can't fly F I can't see how that would work. Usually I would support paid F getting something extra vs WP/P1, but to suggest paid J get more than WP/P1 - nooope! Besides, if you incentivise status you encourage more frequent travel and higher fare classes - if you just incentivise class of travel, that only works that one time.

Most business class lounges around the world provide champagne. So the cost of the ticket includes that. The provision of that amenity is not being subsidised from other sources.

I’m not sure a platinum in economy class is going to change flying qantas because they get sparkling wine instead of champagne. Many (most?) status holders seem to have stuck with qantas no matter how much the product has been devalued over the years (golden handcuffs).

There has been no flying for status in the last year, so arguing enhanced amenities is a reward and recognition for revenue spend doesn’t stack up - it may in the future, just not now. With a base fare of $80 MEL-AKL (the current price on Jetstar), a bottle of champagne means the passenger is almost flying for free.

 

[sudoer]

You’re still getting the business class lounge, just without champagne (sparkling wine would be included).

Got it, sorry. I thought you were saying no status access to lounges at all.

 

[justinbrett]

You’re still getting the business class lounge, just without champagne (sparkling wine would be included). You’re still getting priority check-in and other benefits. Just not ones which cost a lot of money.



Most business class lounges around the world provide champagne. So the cost of the ticket includes that. The provision of that amenity is not being subsidised from other sources.

I’m not sure a platinum in economy class is going to change flying qantas because they get sparkling wine instead of champagne. Many (most?) status holders seem to have stuck with qantas no matter how much the product has been devalued over the years (golden handcuffs).

There has been no flying for status in the last year, so arguing enhanced amenities is a reward and recognition for revenue spend doesn’t stack up - it may in the future, just not now. With a base fare of $80 MEL-AKL (the current price on Jetstar), a bottle of champagne means the passenger is almost flying for free.

Your argument could be used for any part of the lounge, not just champagne. Let's face it, they're not serving top shelf champagne anyway, probably getting it for $30 a bottle max - and I'm pretty sure they don't pay tax as it's outside the customs zone, so probably even less.

The Flounge is probably going to be a net loss for them in the short term, but they rightly recognise that pax who have spent a lot on flying in the past and will do again, so they absolutely should keep them happy.

Ask yourself, even in normal times, why do they permit WP flying JQ to NZ to the Flounge, but someone who paid full J to London has to go to the business lounge? They play the long game, that's why.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Your argument could be used for any part of the lounge, not just champagne. Let's face it, they're not serving top shelf champagne anyway, probably getting it for $30 a bottle max - and I'm pretty sure they don't pay tax as it's outside the customs zone, so probably even less.

The Flounge is probably going to be a net loss for them in the short term, but they rightly recognise that pax who have spent a lot on flying in the past and will do again, so they absolutely should keep them happy.

Ask yourself, even in normal times, why do they permit WP flying JQ to NZ to the Flounge, but someone who paid full J to London has to go to the business lounge? They play the long game, that's why.

The difference here is the taxpayer subsidy airlines are getting. In ordinary times, qantas makes their profit and are free to spend it how they see fit. If they want to reward top tiers who have spent money over the year with enhanced services, that’s fine. (I have expressed disappointment with the QF business class lounge offering many times when it comes to pax paying top dollar, but might not have status).

But if you are taking subsidies.. whether landing fees, rebates to offer half price flights, etc, should money be providing champagne to passengers paying $80 to fly to new zealand?

Keeping status pax happy? They’ve had status extensions, rollover status credits, all sorts of assistance. Do we need to extend premium alcohol?

 

[Berlin]

Keeping status pax happy? They’ve had status extensions, rollover status credits, all sorts of assistance. Do we need to extend premium alcohol?

I fly business class AND hold status and even fund it mostly out of my own private pockets. So clearly, I should get Dom Perignon...

 

[Beano]

I’m not sure a platinum in economy class is going to change flying qantas because they get sparkling wine instead of champagne. Many (most?) status holders seem to have stuck with qantas no matter how much the product has been devalued over the years (golden handcuffs).

Sounds a bit like me. The loyalty program is just that-a Loyalty Program. Why not enjoy business or first amenities when you have proved yourself a loyal customer. To get to P or P1 in economy takes a lot of flying and spending money consistently, which would be the bread and butter of the business. An occasional flight in F is not going to do much for for the business. As for the golden handcuffs I must say that is me, not that I need to as LTG, but flying economy with another airline and no lounge access does not appeal.

 

[Rangalad]

I fly business class AND hold status and even fund it mostly out of my own private pockets. So clearly, I should get Dom Perignon...

X2

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I fly business class AND hold status and even fund it mostly out of my own private pockets. So clearly, I should get Dom Perignon...

Absolutely!

QF's business class lounge offerings are pretty dire... they seem to assume all business class pax have status and pitch their business lounges at an economy class level (cost wise!) Compare to Cathay that offers a much upgraded standard as basic.

Sounds a bit like me. The loyalty program is just that-a Loyalty Program. Why not enjoy business or first amenities when you have proved yourself a loyal customer. To get to P or P1 in economy takes a lot of flying and spending money consistently, which would be the bread and butter of the business. An occasional flight in F is not going to do much for for the business. As for the golden handcuffs I must say that is me, not that I need to as LTG, but flying economy with another airline and no lounge access does not appeal.

For sure. In ordinary circumstances where the airline is paying for it and not taking subsidies, they are free to do as they want And in ordinary times, platinums do a lot of flying. But in the last year... not so much.

 

[Matt_01]

Do we need to extend premium alcohol?

Yes.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Do we need to extend premium alcohol?

Of course we do! I'll have a taxpayer subsidised Krug thanks.

 

[RichardMEL]

while I have heard of Krug in the QF F lounge I've never seen it!! SQ on the other hand.. yum!

 

[justinbrett]

The difference here is the taxpayer subsidy airlines are getting. In ordinary times, qantas makes their profit and are free to spend it how they see fit. If they want to reward top tiers who have spent money over the year with enhanced services, that’s fine. (I have expressed disappointment with the QF business class lounge offering many times when it comes to pax paying top dollar, but might not have status).

But if you are taking subsidies.. whether landing fees, rebates to offer half price flights, etc, should money be providing champagne to passengers paying $80 to fly to new zealand?

Keeping status pax happy? They’ve had status extensions, rollover status credits, all sorts of assistance. Do we need to extend premium alcohol?

The subsidies are funding the parts of the airline not flying (ie long haul). The TT flights do not need subsidies. They will operate at a profit.

Also the vast majority of pax are paying a lot more than $80 so you can stop saying that in every post.

Again, if we’re going to be that frugal, don’t open the lounge in the first place.

 

[kallinch]

Yeah agreed....I contacted QF with same message and am still waiting for reply...

^response from QF re: Air NZ lounge access, guest entitlement and that sadly first check in Melbourne is closed.

 

[jakeseven7]

View attachment 245204
^response from QF re: Air NZ lounge access, guest entitlement and that sadly first check in Melbourne is closed.

Isn't Mel F check-in being totally renovated? The last time I walked past it was builders galore...

 

[TheInsider]

Isn't Mel F check-in being totally renovated? The last time I walked past it was builders galore...

Nah, still there, nothing has changed at all!