Surely it is now now time to change lounge access rules

[Fantic125]

Another thread bemoaning something that QF isn't and maybe should be providing (a seat and a shower). Another thread where it seems QF is holding a gun to someones head to fly them and not providing benefits matching expectations. What I don't understand (not just with this thread, pick any one of a dozen, maybe a hundred threads) if it is not meeting expectations, why not take some of that substantial business elsewhere? Forget moaning about it on websites, send a note to customer service, but then just take your money to someone else. If there is any sort of justification why you wouldn't do that - then QF have you exactly in their sweet spot, and therein lies the answer why they don't need to do anything different.

Please stop bringing logic and reasoning into it - it's raising the tone of the thread!

 

[medhead]

I suppose somehow the fact that I also took up the offer of a free Fin Review on the weekend is affecting the hard earned privaleges of other, unlikely.

Since I've earned my DJ platinum by flying and I've yet to see a paper out of this offer despite registering and doing all the right things, then, yes, I think you have taken my hard earned benefit.


Sent from the Throne

 

[markis10]

Since I've earned my DJ platinum by flying and I've yet to see a paper out of this offer despite registering and doing all the right things, then, yes, I think you have taken my hard earned benefit.


Sent from the Throne

You can have mine if the neighbour does not steal it first, which is currently every second weekend

 

[Warks]

What was on the menu that you were allowed to order from? Interesting, because it would likely be either a condensed version of the standard menu, a completely different menu (which wouldn't make sense) or just what was on the self serve area...

All I know is that I couldn't order the Eggs Benedict!!!

It was limited to things like bacon and egg mcmuffin type meals as I recall. Maybe they didn't want the kids to have a go at everything?

 

[simongr]

How does my utilising Hertz Presidents Circle possibly impact or effect the lounge facilities of DJ's "true Plats or Golds"? I am not clogging up their lounge or taking ther seat allocation, or using their Wifi, or affecting them whatsoever, as I said I have nevr ever been on a DJ plane.

Given that there are a finite amount of vehicles to be upgraded into the fact that you have taken the unearned Pres Circle status could mean that an earned Pres Circle might miss out.

 

[anat0l]

How does my utilising Hertz Presidents Circle possibly impact or effect the lounge facilities of DJ's "true Plats or Golds"? I am not clogging up their lounge or taking ther seat allocation, or using their Wifi, or affecting them whatsoever, as I said I have nevr ever been on a DJ plane.

Well, maybe not impacting on VA's elites, but you are impacting on Hertz elite members. After all, to take a page from your remark earlier, if you really wanted to be Hertz #1 Gold President's Circle, you should put your bum into those cars and get the 30 rentals in a calendar year you need to earn that status. By taking the VA status match route, you got an easy ride (pun intended).

Yes, this is a fairly facetious argument, but you brought it up first.


I think your point has merit (it did take a long time to get the correct base argument out of you, I must say, though), though I'm not entirely sure of the solution. Moreover, what is "enough space"? Certainly, in a lounge not having a place to sit at all is a problem. However, some people define "not having a place to sit" in different ways:

• Is there anywhere to sit down at all?
• There are only business bench seats / high table seats, no couch chairs.... therefore no seats.
• All the empty seats are next to a stranger / occupied by a stranger's bag.... therefore no seats.
• All the empty seats are at tables which are being used / shared by a stranger..... therefore no seats.
• All the empty seats are within 3/5/10 metres of someone else who is using the lounge..... therefore no seats. (Think this is too far? Try asking some of the people on the FT EK board about QF Platinum pax or their own super elites if they were granted access to the EK DXB F lounge)

That all said and done, I believe most of the lounges in the QF network could do with more space. Domestic J lounges in particular (I'm sure QPs are not far off being in a critical state, either). The SYD F Lounge is bursting IMO (so arriving at the lounge at the right moment can be the difference between a good and an average lounge experience). As for lounges at outstations, jury's out on that one (especially for lounges which QF does not operate, e.g. LHR T3). I realise that pretty much network wide, QF is somewhat handcuffed by the space available for expanding the lounge, though you'd think something can be done. (The handcuffed argument came out as the reason PER's QP is not as big as it could be, nor is there a J Lounge; when Brisbane Airport Corporation pushed back the major expansion of the domestic terminal, the master plan of QF expanding the lounge space went with it).

It should be noted that making these lounges bigger doesn't directly solve the problem for the "high end" customers (like P1, CL and bona fide F customers). Enlarging the lounges improves the experience for all lounge patrons.

Creating a new segregated (non-oneworld registered) lounge system for First class passengers would be the only way to manage to appease at least F pax, but since there aren't many of them I can't see those lounges being all that big at all, so the guarantee is more of a seat to sit in rather than having at least 20 square metres per eligible patron. Also, such a space should be restricted to F pax. CL may get in, but why would they since they often have their own lounge (which they can probably take guests in with). As a matter of precedent which I'm sure you'll agree, I don't think P1s should have unrestricted access to such a lounge. Maybe allow access with passes (e.g. BA CCR passes given to BAEC GGL members who achieve a certain high tier points balance), and you can earn additional passes with more SCs (before end of year reset). P1s should be able to have other powers that Platinums cannot themselves exercise with respect to the existing F lounges, e.g. the ability to make spa reservations in advance (or be "2nd priority") even when not flying QF F, the ability to reserve a table at the restaurant, the ability to reserve an office suite, bring in an extra guest....

 

[simongr]

All I know is that I couldn't order the Eggs Benedict!!!

It was limited to things like bacon and egg mcmuffin type meals as I recall. Maybe they didn't want the kids to have a go at everything?

How long ago was this? If recently then an email to QF to complain would be appropriate - they can't improve if they aren't aware of problems.

I have had nothing other than exemplary service in the SYD F lounge - except when I have exemplary service and great company.

 

[simongr]

Once the pack has tasted blood it is hard to stop them....

I can see your point, not sure why most others have an issue with it.

If your spending that much money/time flying then you should be afforded the knowledge that you will be able to get a seat.

I went from Silver to Platinum this year and getting lounge access was a disappointment, more times than not I cannot get a seat or a computer but that is mostly in Perth. It also happened to me in Singapore. Brisbane can also be messy at times, will have a year of the business lounge now so can make an observation about that as time goes by.

I often have that "whats the point" feeling when going into the lounges only to see them full up every time, I imagine it would be even more frustrating if you were P1 and spent a lot more time flying.

I don't think Qantas should take anything away from members, but ensuring their top tier are looked after would be more incentive for people to reach that level.

As repeatedly commented P1 is not a tier. Why shouldn't everyone who is entitled to access the lounge get a seat.

I am currently sat in the MEL J lounge with plenty of seats free and again great service (although I reckon the food in the WP might be better).

I think the problem some are having with the suggestion is that (as per the title of the thread) in order to preserve fewer getting a seat the F lounge access rules should be changed to restrict access to some.

 

[markis10]

All I know is that I couldn't order the Eggs Benedict!!!

It was limited to things like bacon and egg mcmuffin type meals as I recall. Maybe they didn't want the kids to have a go at everything?

Maccas has a first class section now???

 

[harvyk]

Maccas has a first class section now???

Haven't you seen their recent valet parking ads?

 

[freepyjamas]

Given the relatively minute number of people who fly F on Qantas, and given Qantas seems quite keen on phasing out F in favour of more J seats... if they didn't use the F lounge for WP's, I'd be surprised if they kept it open at all.

Maybe the OP should be thanking the poor, smelly WP's for keeping the F lounge viable.

 

[EmilyHoward]

Evidently, very few CL members or First Class Flyers can be unhappy with the way Qantas is running its Lounge access both internationally or domestically otherwise there would be 'murmurs' or 'noise' on here.

Personally I have no issue with Lounge access and am confident that Qantas/Emirates will be able to manage any Lounge issues going forward accordingly.

EH

 

[11sjw]

Have to agree that the OP accepting a status match DJ WP then whining about Double SC offers is a tad hypocritical.

I can say I've never had a problem getting some type of seat in a lounge. May not have been my first choice but I've always ended up in one.

 

[samh004]

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

Go on.

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?

SIN wont be a problem for too much longer, while LHR is a British Airways lounge and nothing to do with Qantas. More to do with OneWorld rules really.

I'll agree the J lounges and/or QP do tend to get very busy, with increasing membership of both the status and paid variety, perhaps it's time the lounges were expanded instead.

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?

On the first point, I've never had an issue, while on the second, considering there are what, 5 showers? And the capacity is well and truly above that, your issues seem to lie with Qantas not having adequate facilities rather than too many people being in the lounge.

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.

You're quite right, First Class Lounges should only be for First Class Passengers. I wouldn't even let a CL or P1 in them, unless they're in First Class of course.

Or, and now I'm really thinking outside the box here, what if you had a First Class lounge inside a First Class lounge. I don't think any major airline has ever done something like that before. You could even give it an illustrious title, of a mythical plane that once flew faster than sound or something like that.

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

It has and it hasn't.

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

I didn't always win in primary school, sounds like you went to a very elite school Mr. P/P1/PPS!

 

[anat0l]

Or, and now I'm really thinking outside the box here, what if you had a First Class lounge inside a First Class lounge. I don't think any major airline has ever done something like that before.

Actually, Air China has Platinum lounge rooms in the First Class lounges in PEK T3. These small lounge rooms are equipped with a couple of couches and a TV, and are designed for Phoenix Miles Platinum members. I believe they are served by a waiter or something on demand. (Personally I'd find the room a bit claustrophobic, no windows or anything, so I'd rather sit out in the lounge!)

Malaysia Airlines have a similar facility in KUL for Enrich Platinum.

And of course, British Airways have the Concorde Room at LHR T5, which is really a First Class passengers only lounge (except for BA Golds who hold a Concorde Room pass, which I believe is only gifted upon them after achieving 5000 tier points, which is double Gold) - I think BA Premiers do not have access to this lounge unless they fly BA First.

I think the JL Sakura lounge at HKG has a First Class only section within the otherwise J/F lounge. Only passengers who are booked into First may sit in that section (oneworld Emeralds may not sit there). That said, it is just a roped off area of lounge, so it only guarantees a place to sit, nothing more.

 

[simongr]

I think the JL Sakura lounge at HKG has a First Class only section within the otherwise J/F lounge. Only passengers who are booked into First may sit in that section (oneworld Emeralds may not sit there). That said, it is just a roped off area of lounge, so it only guarantees a place to sit, nothing more.

I have sat in that section as an OWE flying in J. Albeit briefly as it is carp.

 

[amaroo]

Actually, Air China has Platinum lounge rooms in the First Class lounges in PEK T3. These small lounge rooms are equipped with a couple of couches and a TV, and are designed for Phoenix Miles Platinum members. I believe they are served by a waiter or something on demand. (Personally I'd find the room a bit claustrophobic, no windows or anything, so I'd rather sit out in the lounge!)

Malaysia Airlines have a similar facility in KUL for Enrich Platinum.

And of course, British Airways have the Concorde Room at LHR T5, which is really a First Class passengers only lounge (except for BA Golds who hold a Concorde Room pass, which I believe is only gifted upon them after achieving 5000 tier points, which is double Gold) - I think BA Premiers do not have access to this lounge unless they fly BA First.

I think the JL Sakura lounge at HKG has a First Class only section within the otherwise J/F lounge. Only passengers who are booked into First may sit in that section (oneworld Emeralds may not sit there). That said, it is just a roped off area of lounge, so it only guarantees a place to sit, nothing more.

BA LHR T3 Flounge has an F only dining room......not that good IMO.

BA also has a CCR at JFK.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I'll repeat what I always say on such threads:

You don't *have* to go to a lounge everytime you're at an airport.

 

[MadFairlane]

I won't take up a seat... I can't get in... LOL :mrgreen:

 

[11sjw]

Actually, .....

I believe samh004 was being sarcastic.