Self-entry machines at The Lounge

[an*g-bne]

Noticed this new addition to the entrance of the Mackay lounge this evening - a self-admit scan your own card entry terminal. I also took a photo of the whole machine, but it didn't turn out, unfortunately. This is just the screen.

Physically, it resembles a Qantas RFID check-in pole, and once you swipe your card, you get prompted to touch the screen to indicate the number of guests you're bringing in (0, 1, 2, 3 for my Plat card).




Any sightings at any other lounge?

 

[samh004]

Interesting contraption, but doesn't eliminate the need for staff with partner cards also granting access that presumably aren't compatible.


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[medhead]

Interesting contraption, but doesn't eliminate the need for staff with partner cards also granting access that presumably aren't compatible.


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But will hopefully speed up the queue at 5am when the lounge opens and the first person in line has some complex question.

 

[samh004]

But will hopefully speed up the queue at 5am when the lounge opens and the first person in line has some complex question.

Indeed.

It'll be interesting to see how this develops.


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[moa999]

Certainly would be useful at SYD in peak periods at the premium checkin, even with three angels.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Also interesting that it has a prompt to touch the card... are there currently any DJ RFID membership cards? My new Gold card (valid 'till Apr 2013) certainly isn't.

 

[straitman]

NZ successfully use a similar system.

 

[N860CR]

Interesting. I wonder if checks for a flight booking or works for ATA as well

 

[kalboy]

Qualified for Gold a week ago so will be interesting to see if the card has RFID embedded when it turns up.

 

[LiamR]

Also interesting that it has a prompt to touch the card... are there currently any DJ RFID membership cards? My new Gold card (valid 'till Apr 2013) certainly isn't.

All of Velocity cards issued since May 2011 (Ie the new designed ones) have had RFID chips installed into them. You can't tell with Platinum, but if you hold a Gold or Silver card up to a bright light, you can just see the antenna.

It was discussed on here a long time ago

Edit:

No I'm not crazy...

Ok here is something I noticed this morning with my Velocity Gold card i received a couple of weeks ago..

It seems to have a proximity chip it in it similar to the paypass/paywave. I only noticed this as when i went to scan my wallet at the train station (using MyKi), the reader prompted there were multiple cards. Took the velocity card out and the reader could scan my wallet (with MyKi inside).

Can anyone shed some light on it?

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ew-velocity-frequent-32475-15.html#post482742

 

[serfty]

NZ successfully use a similar system.

However, they still have am attendant monitoring entry.

At the smaller NZ Ports they give you a pin number to access the Koru lounges.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[pshepvic]

This will be great in Melbourne as well - frequently there is a queue in the morning for entry - the problem is people checking in holding up the line. They also should install a couple of check in kiosks at the lounge entry as well. Or at least direct check ins to one desk and have a separate person checking BPs for people already checked in (have noticed this occasionally lately, but not consistently).


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[Justchecking]

Given its MKY I dare say partner cards are not going to be a big issue there. Clever way to keep staff numbers down. I love self-serve machines wherever I find them. Strangely this is one of the more 'exciting' DJ threads.

 

[LiamR]

This will be great in Melbourne as well - frequently there is a queue in the morning for entry - the problem is people checking in holding up the line. They also should install a couple of check in kiosks at the lounge entry as well. Or at least direct check ins to one desk and have a separate person checking BPs for people already checked in (have noticed this occasionally lately, but not consistently).


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

I think that's a good idea and should have been done instead of the current "Priority Lounge Entry" queue. One side for people with Velocity Card and BP in hand, other queue for everybody else.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The card on the left looks like a "Lounge" member card.

Is this a new edition? When I was a lounge member only, we just used our normal (silver back then) Velocity card.

Or is that a "Lifetime" lounge membership card?

 

[an*g-bne]

FWIW, when I was there yesterday, the "touch" part wasn't working, and I had to swipe. Was told by the lounge angel that the swipe part was coming very soon and just waiting on integration with Sabre. No idea if this is accurate or not, but if it is, then it sounds as though it will be checking for a valid booking as well.

 

[samh004]

Or is that a "Lifetime" lounge membership card?

I wonder if there were ever any takers of them...


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[Deleted member 29185]

I wonder if there were ever any takers of them...

Not me!

 

[MichaelD]

Great idea!

I like that Virgin check everyone coming into the Lounge, but dislike that this means there can be a queue to get in.

 

[pauly7]

This will be great in Melbourne as well - frequently there is a queue in the morning for entry - the problem is people checking in holding up the line. They also should install a couple of check in kiosks at the lounge entry as well. Or at least direct check ins to one desk and have a separate person checking BPs for people already checked in (have noticed this occasionally lately, but not consistently).


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

Totally agree if this machine eliminates the queues in Melb especially it will be great.

I tried a flash my card and walk past and was yelled back by the lounge dragon who said I had to be processed. Said sure no probs, was then told to get in line (behind pax obviously getting flights changed etc) and I just said, 'here is my boarding pass just page me when you are done' and walked off.

3 other people then did it behind me (and told me 'good one') as well so felt a little guilty for the staff but was feeling a bit over it that day hence being a bit cheeky!!

They paged me 5mins later a bit sheepishly... I think the dragon who yelled realized she had been a bit OTT as she apopogised, as I did saying they needed a better system... And here it is!!