The Lounge 1stAug - changes to access and pricing (including Priority Pass Access)

[Mal]

So now we'll have a lounge full of up to 12 YO rug rats running amuck. Noice .

It is similar to the T&Cs for the QP regarding children. (Although QF don't offer the privilege up to 12!)
Here are the QF T&Cs:

(c) children aged 3 years or under are not counted as guests for the purpose of determining the number of guests of the Member. However, Qantas may limit the number of those children per Member to two.

I have heard QP staff tend to be very lenient when allowing in children anyway - they tend to not be counted... so in practice the 2 policies are similar.
This doesn't tend to be an issue in the QP's (except perhaps during holidays), so I don't think it will be a huge issue at the DJ lounges.

 

[Mogul]

Lounge membership runs out on 4th August so at least I can get another year at $249. Looking at making Gold next year anyhow.

It's a bit confusing regarding the kids. From the way I read it I can take the wife and the 2 kids (3 & 7) in with no extra charges.

 

[Mal]

It's a bit confusing regarding the kids. From the way I read it I can take the wife and the 2 kids (3 & 7) in with no extra charges.

I don't see it as confusing:

From 26 July 2011, in addition to the existing complimentary allowance of one accompanying Guest per member, up to two children aged three to twelve years inclusive may accompany the member at no additional cost.

After the changes - Allowance is: Member + Guest + 2x (child <12 years) + any (infants < 3 years )

So in your case... yes it is allowed. (And, generally is already allowed in QP's - except that it isn't officially documented as policy there).

 

[notzac]

So, two things that confuse me:

• Priority Pass still appears to get you in to the Lounge (so why on earth would you pay the ridiculous one-time access fee?)
• Costs are going up, yet there is nothing about getting access to lounges outside Australia -- where's the value in that?

Pretty poor form, I must say.

 

[Justinf]

So silver membership up fifty bucks but I get to bring my 10 YO in as well as my wife, but have to pay more for my other two older kids for single entry passes .

Trouble is, I have lounge access for my business travel . I've never yet used my right to bring in a guest even, let alone my kids. Perhaps one day I will but I would have preferred to bring my wife in as a guest and pay the single entry passes for the kids (or leave them outside ).

So now we'll have a lounge full of up to 12 YO rug rats running amuck. Noice .

I still doubt there will be a lounge full of kids, but at least the casual entry fee of $65 will deter the groups of bogans swilling as much beer as they can in 90 minutes.

 

[connieguy]

yet there is nothing about getting access to lounges outside Australia -- where's the value in that?
Pretty poor form, I must say.

You get free DJ domestic and partner international lounge access as part of the DJ Gold benefit.

 

[yohy?!]

$55 seems and interesting number - NZ also lists 'Daypasses' for lounge access at $55 although they aren't sold (yet to come maybe?)

 

[markis10]

$55 seems and interesting number - NZ also lists 'Daypasses' for lounge access at $55 although they aren't sold (yet to come maybe?)

Air NZ has been selling day passes to Koru lounges on a space availability basis for $55 for some time:

@korulounges AirNZ KoruLounges


@dannews you can buy day passes at the door subject to space available prices 55.00pp akl intl

24 Jun via web

 

[notzac]

You get free DJ domestic and partner international lounge access as part of the DJ Gold benefit.

I do, yes, but I'm thinking of the folk that cough up for a DJ lounge membership here.

 

[markis10]

I do, yes, but I'm thinking of the folk that cough up for a DJ lounge membership here.

Why would you bother when PP gives you more for less?

 

[connieguy]

Why would you bother when PP gives you more for less?

I can only guess that DJ hopes most who buy DJ Lounge access and pay the initial membership fee as well, do not know they can get a whole lot more with a US$319 Priority Pass Prestige Membership.

https://www.prioritypass.com/join/What-It-Costs.cfm

Mel Lounge access requirements (also have international United Lounge access):

https://www.prioritypass.com/lounges/lounge-details.cfm

OK you have to pay for a guess but it is still lower cost at US$27.

Oh BTW there is no requirement to be flying with DJ to get Lounge access, just to be on a Mel T3 flight.

 

[markis10]

Oh BTW there is no requirement to be flying with DJ to get Lounge access.

But you must be flying from that terminal that day, which rules out QF customers for MEL, and limits SYD to T2 flights only for domestic. I suspect the same limits may come into place for BNE once its open!

 

[JRT]

sparkling in new MEL lounge

MEL and other Virgin lounges serves two bubbles after 11am -Aussie Seppelt Fleur de Lys, and a rather nice French sparkling Les Petites Vignettes.

 

[connieguy]

But you must be flying from that terminal that day, which rules out QF customers for MEL, and limits SYD to T2 flights only for domestic. I suspect the same limits may come into place for BNE once its open!

Seems DJ Mel T3 Lounge access for Priority Pass is available when flying on any flight (Domestic or International) leaving Mel:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ss-new-melbourne-lounge-30661.html#post446381

 

[markis10]

Seems DJ Mel T3 Lounge access for Priority Pass is available when flying on any flight (Domestic or International) leaving Mel:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ss-new-melbourne-lounge-30661.html#post446381

What happens in real life does not always equal the rules and should not be expected, I have had plenty of anytime access at the QPs in the last few months but I dont expect it!

 

[VirginiaF]

Why would you bother when PP gives you more for less?

Especially if the PP comes complimentary with an Ameerican Express Platinum card.

 

[connieguy]

What happens in real life does not always equal the rules and should not be expected, I have had plenty of anytime access at the QPs in the last few months but I dont expect it!

Me too.

I have not flown with DJ a lot and do not have a PP (but will probable do so). So here I'm in a steep learning curve and just passing on what I learn.

 

[connieguy]

Especially if the PP comes complimentary with an American Express Platinum card.

You get 2 DJ Lounge access passes with the Amex Velocity Platinum card. This is not a PP pass, especially not the Prestige version which gives you unlimited DJ Lounge access as well as to +600 other Lounges around the world.

 

[harriaj]

Why would you bother when PP gives you more for less?

Only until 14 July 2011:


Priority Pass card holders

Members of Priority Pass will have access to the Virgin Australia lounge until 14 July 2011. If you would like to continue to enjoy the lounge, please purchase a single entry pass or an annual membership.

 

[serfty]

You get 2 DJ Lounge access passes with the Amex Velocity Platinum card. This is not a PP pass, especially not the Prestige version which gives you unlimited DJ Lounge access as well as to +600 other Lounges around the world.

The AMEX Platinum reserve CREDIT card gives PP membership with two free accesses per year - after that they are charged to the card at USD27.50 per visit.


The AMEX Platinum CHARGE card gives PP membership with unlimited access.