QP members diverted from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Complete - "Next Year"

[DMMatlin]

Re: Qantas removes Lounge Access for QP members on EK flights from Oct 1

This lounge fiasco seems like a great example of QFi's decline. Let me summarise

1 - spend huge amounts of money building a new lounge
2 - promote the huge spend to the most loyal customers through many many many many communications (emails, banners on website, press, media)
3 - excite the most loyal members that a new experience awaits (those who remember the previous QP in LAX will be even more excited than can be explained)
4 - deny a segment of the most loyal customers access to this great new asset using weasel words in clause 1 Million of 3 Million...

How an organisation of QFi's size can get this so badly wrong is just extremely poor business. QFi have access to the exact number of QP, SG, WP and P1 members flying on each and every flight. So it can't be that hard to forward plan that when X lounge is closed Y people won't fit.

Here's an alternative process. 7 Days prior to each flight, QP Staff proactively contact all the QP members on a flight with an "Invitation" to use the AA Club in T4. The message being "that during the rebuild of the F-Lounge capacity has been reduced in TBIT, but don't worry we are here to make the journey smooth for you". They get their $50 food voucher plus access to the AA Lounge in T4. Then 1 hour prior to departure a QF Uniformed employee meets said QP members in the AA Lounge in T4, escorts them to the waiting bus at Gate 47 (I think that's the gate). The bus full of QP members goes straight to the departure gate with time for a smooth boarding process.

At a time when QFi are struggling it just seems stupid to me to annoy customers loyal enough to pay $500 a year for a semi-comfortable seat and a toasted sandwich! These are the customers that when booking a flight START on the QF website, then consider alternatives when the prices looks silly.

Just bad business!

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Qantas removes Lounge Access for QP members on EK flights from Oct 1

Two possibilities come to mind on how this came about.

1) The planners and managers at Qantas had no idea of the numbers that go to the LAX lounge, had no idea that the new lounge would become overcrowded, had no idea that improving their lounge might attract more people. In short they had no idea. Clueless.

Or

2). They knew full well that the overcrowding would occur and simply pulled the lever to jettison QP members. "Paid for QP membership, eh?" <pulls lever, trapdoor opens>. "Bye. NEXT! ". Cynical and vindictive.

Personally, I think it's option 1) - clueless. Or maybe it's 2). Probably a bit of both.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Re: Qantas removes Lounge Access for QP members on EK flights from Oct 1

Once you check in and go to the lounge at TBIT and if you were refused entry can you get back out to go over to T4.

Qantas should have seen this coming; are Qantas and the staff in LA complete idiots.

Say you have 4 flights a day from LAX to Australia, they must have an idea how many are Qantas Club, Gold, Platinum and those flying J and F who are entitled to use the lounge, so closing one of the lounges they know there is going to be a problem.

Did Qantas really hope the problem would just go away.

Poor effort by Qantas, glad my mum is flying out of the US from DFW and not from LAX I wouldn't have heard the end of it.

 

[Ansett]

Re: Qantas removes Lounge Access for QP members on EK flights from Oct 1

With all due respect I find myself asking who left the kiddies in charge again. Surely I is not rocket science to determine how many people are likely to want to use the lounge and ensure that it has the capacity to cater for this.

I agree that it very very poor on QF's behalf to turn away people who have spent cash to get access to the clubs and are now being turned away. Whilst it may be argued that these people are not Frequent Flyers and it wouldn't matter if they get upset, I would disagree as these people are being Loyal to Qantas and yet again Qantas are kicking Loyal customers in the teeth.

Not Good Enough in My opinion.

What is next will they stop WP's access to Domestic J lounge and F Lounge and leave it purely for F passengers and WP1 and perhaps OW Emeralds of other airlines?

 

[harvyk]

Re: Qantas removes Lounge Access for QP members on EK flights from Oct 1

I agree that it very very poor on QF's behalf to turn away people who have spent cash to get access to the clubs and are now being turned away. Whilst it may be argued that these people are not Frequent Flyers and it wouldn't matter if they get upset, I would disagree as these people are being Loyal to Qantas and yet again Qantas are kicking Loyal customers in the teeth.

They are frequent enough to see value in parting with $485 and effectively locking themselves into choose QF if there is a QF option... Plus odds are most higher tier FFer's started off at the lower levels as well, today's QP is quite possibly tomorrow's P1.

 

[Ansett]

Re: Qantas removes Lounge Access for QP members on EK flights from Oct 1

They are frequent enough to see value in parting with $485 and effectively locking themselves into choose QF if there is a QF option... Plus odds are most higher tier FFer's started off at the lower levels as well, today's QP is quite possibly tomorrow's P1.

I couldn't agree more with you and given the many ways that QF are peeing off higher tier passengers they need to encourage those loyal enough to pay out hard earned cash to be loyal to Qantas to ensure they have any hope of replacing what they will lose.

I too started off as a Lowly Bronze many years ago and forked out good money for QFP and once I had a good taste well it was al uphill then. Now sadly seems I am over the hump and on my journey down the hill.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Re: Qantas removes Lounge Access for QP members on EK flights from Oct 1

Agree with comments here... denying Qantas Club members seems like a bad idea.
Employees at Qantas seem to have a knack for poor decisions of late.

Should have restricted guest access like Emirates did a few years back. Although there was some push back, it essentially encouraged people to fly in premium cabins. Look who's making the big bucks now...
Qantas knows how many people will access the lounge. They've had capacity problems dating back at LEAST 10 years.

What is next will they stop WP's access to Domestic J lounge and F Lounge and leave it purely for F passengers and WP1 and perhaps OW Emeralds of other airlines?

"Extended cleaning will take place....."

 

[serfty]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

Thanks Serfty

I checked in at TBIT them walked to T4 which is less than 5 minutes. I returned to TBIT via the shuttle bus to avoid clearing security etc again

Thatnks for that - I presume you were told at check-in before going airside at TBIT.

Were you given any special card/document to access T4 security? (Or did you just use your QF boarding pass?)

 

[Dazz70]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

QF boarding pass had a message on it about accessing the AC lounge to get through T4 security

 

[serfty]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

QF boarding pass had a message on it about accessing the AC lounge to get through T4 security

Aha ... seems like there was some planning after all ...

Anyway, aside from that, the T4 A/C is probably more comfortable the the TBIT oneworld zoo would likely have been. Did they give you drink vouchers on entry?

 

[UP4014]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

As no comment here from any QF reps, can an AFFer tell me when this mess will be fixed?

I love using QF, but it's hard to keep defending them around the office when the they mess up the little things like lounge access and there is radio silence on all but the fluffy feel good stuff and how F passengers will be getting a

Ta,

Matt
PS I work for an Chicago based company, QF themselves make it hard to keep justifying the use of QF.

 

[serfty]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

As no comment here from any QF reps, can an AFFer tell me when this mess will be fixed?....

I guess when the TBIT *O First section with an extra 200 PAX capacity opens "Early Next Year".

 

[Dazz70]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

Yes, received drink vouchers. I also had a guest and we were able
to get more drink vouchers after using the initial 4 vouchers up. And the AC staff were very friendly, they were actually quite surprised QF was sending their members over to T4 !

 

[serfty]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

Yes, received drink vouchers. I also had a guest and we were able
to get more drink vouchers after using the initial 4 vouchers up. And the AC staff were very friendly, they were actually quite surprised QF was sending their members over to T4 !

Yeah, they are quite friendly over there - being able to get multiple drink vouchers is normal.

Thanks again for your posts.

 

[Dazz70]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

I know with the drink vouchers ! It's a pity the LAX - BNE flight no longer departs from T4!!

 

[UP4014]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

Yes, received drink vouchers. I also had a guest and we were able
to get more drink vouchers after using the initial 4 vouchers up. And the AC staff were very friendly, they were actually quite surprised QF was sending their members over to T4 !

With all the fan fair QF have had about the new lounge, our lounge is so great we think you should go to the AA lounge. :shock:

Matt

 

[timster]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

I wonder where Admiral's Club members stand in this ? There has been some question as to whether they get TBIT lounge access at all, if it's a OW lounge and not a QF lounge. But if they do, are they getting booted like QP ?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

I wonder where Admiral's Club members stand in this ? There has been some question as to whether they get TBIT lounge access at all, if it's a OW lounge and not a QF lounge. But if they do, are they getting booted like QP ?

A comment here (which I can't corroborate) on this article suggests that Admiral's club members are indeed being permitted access at the same time QP members are being denied
http://www.ausbt.com.au/no-room-for...&utm_medium=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper

If this is indeed true then QF has truly lost the plot as far as I'm concerned

 

[serfty]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

...
If this is indeed true then QF has truly lost the plot as far as I'm concerned

I guess QF get financial compensation each time an AA member accesses a Qantas operated lounge.

The QF bean counters would love that!

---

Interesting - I wonder what the criteria for the USD50 voucher over being sent to T4 are?

 

[TheBOSman]

Re: QP Members Barred from LAX TBIT Lounge until upgrade Completed - Sometime "Next Y

A comment here (which I can't corroborate) on this article suggests that Admiral's club members are indeed being permitted access at the same time QP members are being denied
Qantas Club members Los Angeles business lounge LAX airport - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

If this is indeed true then QF has truly lost the plot as far as I'm concerned

From AA:

[TABLE="class: aa-tabular-simple aa-tabular-wide aa-zebra aa-no-hover locations, width: 694"]
[TR="class: LAX admirals-club thirty-day citi-exec aairpass"]
[TD]Los Angeles (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport[/TD]
[TD]Airside Tom Bradley International Terminal[/TD]
[TD]Qantas
Admirals Club member and one guest. Must present your Admirals Club membership card (or 30 Day Membership receipt) and boarding pass at check-in counter for same day travel on
Qantas-operated flight.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


From QF:

Los Angeles Tom Bradley - International Business Lounge

Lounge Access and Eligibility

[TABLE="class: basic, width: 500"]
[TR="class: alt last"]
[TH="bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]Qantas Club Member[/TH]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]Next onward flight that day must be a Qantas, or Jetstar Airlines+ flight number.
One guest allowed and must be travelling with the member on the same flight.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


If the are indeed allowing Admirals Club members in, but not Qantas Club members, when both have nearly identical access and rights, then it really is poor form. If they failed to build a lounge big enough, that is on Oneworld. I borrowed part of the following from a previous post I made. In effect, between roughly 9:30PM and 1AM, Oneworld international carriers have nearly 2800 total seats flying out of LAX on some nights. Of these, around 500 of those seats are in F or J on one of the carriers. And yet the lounge only holds 400 when they also allow OWE or OWS members in PE or Y, or QP or AC members in PE or Y into the Oneworld lounge as well? And never mind possible guests for all of these people? Looks like opening the F side can't come soon enough. There are two CX flights leaving not soon after the QF flights depart as well, one just before midnight and one shortly after 1AM most days. Also a BA A380 to LHR at 9:45PM. And of course, all four QF flights leave from TBIT now, so anyone early on the BNE flight will be there in addition to the 2xSYD and the MEL. There's also a LAN flight to LIM some nights just after midnight.