Surely it is now now time to change lounge access rules

[Feper]

Surely it is now now time to change lounge access rules.

Has anyone apart from me noticed the rediculous amount of people in the First lounges at SIN, SYD LHR as well as the J lounges in SYD PER MEL AKL?

How can a lounge even pretend to be a First Class facility when people are required to stand or not be able to get a shower?

The time has come to get these first class lounges back to what they say they are, for First Class passengers, CL and P1 only.

This ridiculous marketing campaign of Qantas on handing out double Status credits has truly devalued the program.

It is like a primary school rewards scheme, give everyone a reward by making them platinum or gold.

 

[simongr]

I had no issues getting a restaurant table in SYD last week.

I agree sin is a coughhole.

 

[nlagalle]

Never had an issue getting a table in syd, or a shower or seat in Sin, so I don't agree with you..

 

[markis10]

QF are hearing you, and closing the F lounge in SIN, problem solved!

 

[Mal]

So, if the lounge should be First only - then why do you think a P1 or CL should be allowed entry?

Once again, we have a "let me in, kick others out" thread. Obviously Qantas feels that WP should have entry, so allow them in (and yes, there are OW requirements, so it isn't that simple).

Lounge overcrowding occurs, but Qantas needs to manage this via their methods, not "oh, ban WP from entering" type comments.

 

[oz_mark]

The thing with the First lounge is that, clearly, by its size, it was designed for more than First passengers. It was pretty much built as a platinum (or emerald) lounge.

Removing Platinum from the First lounge isn't really going to help the situation in the J lounge. I am not sure what your justification for CL and P1 being allowed to remain is either.

 

[Jean Prouvaire]

I am not sure what your justification for CL and P1 being allowed to remain is either.

So, if the lounge should be First only - then why do you think a P1 or CL should be allowed entry?

A look at the OP's profile answers that question.

 

[markis10]

Surely it is now now time to change lounge access rules..

OneWorld might also have a few things to say about the proposal.

 

[dk4]

Platinum seems designed to be attained (in the most part) by people who fly frequently in International Business Class. (Pity the poor sod who does it exclusively in Y, and the very small number of AFF “enthusiasts” concocting all sorts of mad cap “runs” to achieve it.)

So as an airline, what lure do you have to offer these customers for their continued loyalty? You can’t give them International Business Lounge access, because they get that from their tickets, you can’t give them International Business Check-in because they get that from their tickets.

But what you can give them, is an upgraded “ground experience” by allowing them the perks of First Class travel, while they are forced to endure those horrible “home away from homes” your airport terminals. (Quite a cost effective approach IMO.)

Competitively, I think that this makes QFF Platinum (and oneworld Emerald) a rather unique & compelling proposition for its intended market segment.

 

[Feper]

So, if the lounge should be First only - then why do you think a P1 or CL should be allowed entry?

Once again, we have a "let me in, kick others out" thread. Obviously Qantas feels that WP should have entry, so allow them in (and yes, there are OW requirements, so it isn't that simple).

Lounge overcrowding occurs, but Qantas needs to manage this via their methods, not "oh, ban WP from entering" type comments.

The perfect way to solve this is to look at the SQ example Silver Kris lounge is available for Business Class passengers and PPS. (Rough equivalent to QF WP) Star Alliance Gold don't get a look in.
But further to this SQ has a dedicated First Lounge available only to First Class passengers and PPS Solitare (P1 equivalent) this is what QF should be aiming towards.
This is not a case of kicking them out, it's a matter of placing them where they deserve to be, how is it at all satisfactory for QF's top revenue customers to have to battle for a seat, for a shower, for decent Internet access, anyone who has been through SIN in the last few weeks ( 4 times in 2 weeks for me) will surely see the issue. If QF wants to keep creating these "pretend WP's then they need to manage them without disturbing their top tiers.

 

[serfty]

OneWorld might also have a few things to say about the proposal.

Dunno, I guess QF can do what they want with their own Emeralds in their own Lounges - a bit like what AA do with theirs ...

 

[markis10]

Dunno, I guess QF can do what they want with their own Emeralds in their own Lounges - a bit like what AA do with theirs ...

I think the odd exception (being the aforementioned AA one as well as the QF Gold to Dom J )would be tolerated as it has up until know, but somehow I cannot see OW being complacent with the expanding exceptions lists, it will become unmanageable. Of course thats assuming QF remain in OneWorld, which as the days go on becomes a less probable assumption.

 

[munitalP]

The perfect way to solve this is to look at the SQ example Silver Kris lounge is available for Business Class passengers and PPS. (Rough equivalent to QF WP) Star Alliance Gold don't get a look in.
But further to this SQ has a dedicated First Lounge available only to First Class passengers and PPS Solitare (P1 equivalent) this is what QF should be aiming towards.
This is not a case of kicking them out, it's a matter of placing them where they deserve to be, how is it at all satisfactory for QF's top revenue customers to have to battle for a seat, for a shower, for decent Internet access, anyone who has been through SIN in the last few weeks ( 4 times in 2 weeks for me) will surely see the issue. If QF wants to keep creating these "pretend WP's then they need to manage them without disturbing their top tiers.

You make me kak myself! LMFAO. Deserved place... Hoot

 

[harvyk]

You probably don't remember given it didn't affect you, but QF did once try and take something away from one of their status levels. PS and J-Checkin. Let's just put it this way, they managed to piss off some of their loyal customers to the point that not only did DJ thank QF for the move, QF very quickly reversed it's decision within a year, and made a big song and dance about it trying to get those now ex-PS's back on the QF boat. That was at the PS level, and simply removing a checkin option. Now imagine what would happen if they did it at the WP level, and removed the F benefits which WP's get. They would have every competitor CEO in the world offering to buy AJ thank you drinks for off loading some of their biggest and most profitable customers.

WP is not a level which is easily obtainable by any stretch of the imagination. It requires either a lot of BIS miles, or flying in F repeatedly to achieve.
Finally if you don't like the F-Lounge, as a P1 you always have the option of going down stairs to the J-Lounge and trying for the showers down there.

 

[simongr]

This is not a case of kicking them out, it's a matter of placing them where they deserve to be, how is it at all satisfactory for QF's top revenue customers to have to battle for a seat, for a shower, for decent Internet access, anyone who has been through SIN in the last few weeks ( 4 times in 2 weeks for me) will surely see the issue. If QF wants to keep creating these "pretend WP's then they need to manage them without disturbing their top tiers.

Placing them where they deserve to be? Why do they deserve to be anywhere but the lounge to which they have been entitled for some time? Your beef seems to be the growth in numbers due in part to double SC offers. However there are P1s who got DSCs (me included) that would now be clogging up your elite lounge.

Then strip out my DSCs and I still have about 3000 SCs for last year - and by your rules that wouldn't get me into the F lounge. Those 3000 SCs were a combination of international J and a LOT of domestic whY. If I wasn't getting int'l F lounge then probably 50% of that would be switched to DJ.

 

[medhead]

For a start SIN at the present time is an extremely poor example to use as justification for this proposal due to the revised lounge arrangement for "renovations". At present the "first" lounge allows in F, J, WP and SG passengers at SIN. So this appears to be nothing more than a knee jerk reaction to an artificial situation at one lounge. I am amazed by the number of threads that have complained about SIN since the renovations that seem to completely ignore this fact.

The other point is I believe it is called a First lounge not a first class lounge. Big presumption to include "class".


Sent from the Throne

 

[JohnPhelan]

I've long held the view - and expressed it on a number of threads here - that, internationally, there should be three lounges - First (for First class pax), Emerald (for Emerald/Platinum pax), and Business (for Business class and Sapphire/Gold pax). Effectively, this is the arrangement that BA has in place at LHR T5.

Cl and P1? I'd lean to include CL in First, and P1 in Emerald. Of course, both of these classifications are unique to QF.

Much as I do enjoy the F lounge when I'm travelling in J, I do think F class pax should have somewhere that is just for them.

And yes, I know this is not a popular view on this forum!

 

[markis10]

I've long held the view - and expressed it on a number of threads here - that, internationally, there should be three lounges - First (for First class pax), Emerald (for Emerald/Platinum pax), and Business (for Business class and Sapphire/Gold pax). Effecively, this is what BA has in place at LHR T5.

Cl and P1? I'd lean to include CL in First, and P1 in Emerald. Of course, both of these classifications are unique to QF.

Much as I do enjoy the F lounge when I'm travelling in J, I do think F class pax should have somewhere that is just for them.

And yes, I know this is not a popular view on this forum!

I am happy for the P1s and CLs to have BNE F lounge to themselves, while the rest get to roam between the QF and EK J lounges!

 

[ozmille]

I had three visits to to SYD Flounge in August two in SIN and did not have any issues getting restaurant seats in SYD or a comfortable seat in SIN even with the added number of people currently there.

 

[Feper]

Placing them where they deserve to be? Why do they deserve to be anywhere but the lounge to which they have been entitled for some time? Your beef seems to be the growth in numbers due in part to double SC offers. However there are P1s who got DSCs (me included) that would now be clogging up your elite lounge.

Then strip out my DSCs and I still have about 3000 SCs for last year - and by your rules that wouldn't get me into the F lounge. Those 3000 SCs were a combination of international J and a LOT of domestic whY. If I wasn't getting int'l F lounge then probably 50% of that would be switched to DJ.

Sorry to sound harsh, but you are an example of what I mean, 3000 SC does not entitle you to P1, it is through these double SC that QF are creating these false P1's and WP's.

At 3000 SC for the year you will receive all of your bonus points and then the choice of PG or more points, you already have been rewarded. To say that your deserve a higher level is false, unfortunately near enough should not be good enough, once you reach the 3600 requirement I will say congratulations and welcome you into the top tier and all the entitlements that will bring.