The Meaning of Anytime access to you

[MarkD]

In response to another thread, which has gone rabid, ( http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n-australia-velocity/ool-lounge-28501-87.html ) where the potential abuse and misuse of the intention of Anytime access of "The Lounge" for Golds and Platinums became heated. What is your interpretation of a fair use of ATA
I will start off
1. Obviously departure access
2. Arrivals access (maybe a coffee, freshaen up, Shower after redeye etc)
3. Occasional access, when sending off a Colleague/ Family member,
4. Pre-arranged formal events, ie: Lounge opening, AFF event organised with VA approval

What I consider to be an abuse of the privelige
1. Calling in daily for a free feed and a beer
2. Making the lounge the place of the regular Friday afternoo, end of week watering hole
3. Too lazy to make my own breakfast, so I will just pop into the lounge on the way to work, pay $6 to park, and eat something that would cost me $10 at McDonalds

 

[greenfish]

Personally only used ATA once, but perhaps there is an option to "enhance" without disadvantaging "genuine" users.

1. Always permit access on same day of travel (which was the QF response to DJ ATA in the first place)

2. Either a) provide a set number of non-flight related accesses per year which could be tracked in your Velocity account or b) have a fair use clause

 

[Isochronous]

In response to another thread, which has gone rabid, ( http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n-australia-velocity/ool-lounge-28501-87.html ) where the potential abuse and misuse of the intention of Anytime access of "The Lounge" for Golds and Platinums became heated. What is your interpretation of a fair use of ATA
I will start off
1. Obviously departure access
2. Arrivals access (maybe a coffee, freshaen up, Shower after redeye etc)
3. Occasional access, when sending off a Colleague/ Family member,
4. Pre-arranged formal events, ie: Lounge opening, AFF event organised with VA approval

What I consider to be an abuse of the privelige
1. Calling in daily for a free feed and a beer
2. Making the lounge the place of the regular Friday afternoo, end of week watering hole
3. Too lazy to make my own breakfast, so I will just pop into the lounge on the way to work, pay $6 to park, and eat something that would cost me $10 at McDonalds

$6 for parking? I think that's a conservative estimate! And the airport would have to be pretty close to your house to make it work!

 

[Kendall Roy]

What I consider to be an abuse of the privelige
1. Calling in daily for a free feed and a beer
2. Making the lounge the place of the regular Friday afternoo, end of week watering hole
3. Too lazy to make my own breakfast, so I will just pop into the lounge on the way to work, pay $6 to park, and eat something that would cost me $10 at McDonalds

The abovementioned could be easily addressed by providing X amount of "non-travelling" visits p.a. (perhaps more for Plat over Gold) which could be tracked via the reservation system (no need for vouchers).

Disclaimer: Not that I'm suggesting this! (and beaten to it)

 

[thegurio]

I wasn't aware as a gold we got ATA. Tgat means on a FLounge run, I can get in which makes me happy!

Personally, those who use it when not flying, like your abuse options, I completely agree with I think, aside from the cost of parking etc. is ridiculous. Clearly you have enough money to get status, share some of it around at the pub/cafe etc.!

 

[nlagalle]

Personally for me it means I can use it on departure and arrival.

The only other exception is when a friend family member is departing on that airline and i treat them to the lounge. I've done that a few times on both airlines (obviously not on QF since ATA was removed). Or when they are due in on a flight.

I don't really have a need to visit MEL when i am not flying!

 

[MarkD]

The $6 was the amount mentioned in the other thread referenced in the first post. (1 hr at OOL apparantly) - Pretty cheap I wish BNE was the same

 

[DSFlyer]

In response to another thread, which has gone rabid, ( http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n-australia-velocity/ool-lounge-28501-87.html ) where the potential abuse and misuse of the intention of Anytime access of "The Lounge" for Golds and Platinums became heated. What is your interpretation of a fair use of ATA
I will start off
1. Obviously departure access
2. Arrivals access (maybe a coffee, freshaen up, Shower after redeye etc)
3. Occasional access, when sending off a Colleague/ Family member,
4. Pre-arranged formal events, ie: Lounge opening, AFF event organised with VA approval

What I consider to be an abuse of the privelige
1. Calling in daily for a free feed and a beer
2. Making the lounge the place of the regular Friday afternoo, end of week watering hole
3. Too lazy to make my own breakfast, so I will just pop into the lounge on the way to work, pay $6 to park, and eat something that would cost me $10 at McDonalds

Agree entirely

 

[leemin]

In response to another thread, which has gone rabid, ( http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n-australia-velocity/ool-lounge-28501-87.html ) where the potential abuse and misuse of the intention of Anytime access of "The Lounge" for Golds and Platinums became heated. What is your interpretation of a fair use of ATA
I will start off
1. Obviously departure access
2. Arrivals access (maybe a coffee, freshaen up, Shower after redeye etc)
3. Occasional access, when sending off a Colleague/ Family member,
4. Pre-arranged formal events, ie: Lounge opening, AFF event organised with VA approval

What I consider to be an abuse of the privelige
1. Calling in daily for a free feed and a beer
2. Making the lounge the place of the regular Friday afternoo, end of week watering hole
3. Too lazy to make my own breakfast, so I will just pop into the lounge on the way to work, pay $6 to park, and eat something that would cost me $10 at McDonalds

I also agree 100%.

Personally, I have used ATA on arrival and probably twice when dropping family members off for their flight.

I'd like to think DJ won't be forced to go the way of QF due to others milking the system a little too much..

 

[atreides]

In response to another thread, which has gone rabid, ( http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n-australia-velocity/ool-lounge-28501-87.html ) where the potential abuse and misuse of the intention of Anytime access of "The Lounge" for Golds and Platinums became heated. What is your interpretation of a fair use of ATA
I will start off
1. Obviously departure access
2. Arrivals access (maybe a coffee, freshaen up, Shower after redeye etc)
3. Occasional access, when sending off a Colleague/ Family member,
4. Pre-arranged formal events, ie: Lounge opening, AFF event organised with VA approval

What I consider to be an abuse of the privelige
1. Calling in daily for a free feed and a beer
2. Making the lounge the place of the regular Friday afternoo, end of week watering hole
3. Too lazy to make my own breakfast, so I will just pop into the lounge on the way to work, pay $6 to park, and eat something that would cost me $10 at McDonalds

Yep, I agree. I only used ATA with Qantas for 1, 2 and 4. I could understand the value if there was some last minute business to go over with a colleague or seeing a loved one off on a long voyage.

I think ATA should be conditional on:
1. Having a ticket or seeing someone off who has a ticket, with any carrier, up to 4 hours prior to stated departure time unless transiting to another flight that day
2. Access upon arriving from a flight from any carrier.

 

[serfty]

I've live with ATA of one form or another for 16 years.

For me, while it's nice to be able to drop in for a refresher of various dimensions, it's not that much of a deal.

I have had over a 1000 flights, but when not flying I would have used the benefit with either Qantas or Virgin Australia less than 20 times over 18 years.

An airport is an airport and while lounges are a nice way to start out, and have a quick refresh on arrival that's it.

 

[Simo]

I have used ATA twice when I have not been flying.

The time that I found it really great was I had to meet a customer at the airport and we went in there and sorted out all of it with out having to try and find a table at the food court.

The power point was awesome as there laptop had a flat battery and I needed to use theres.

I also had to pick up my mother from the airport and her flight was delayed so I went there and had a soft drink while i waited for a delayed flight.

Both times VA was the flight the person came in on.

 

[mella2007]

I've never used ATA and try and avoid airports as much as possible when I'm not flying myself. I don't think I've ever used the lounge when even I've gone to pick up someone or see them off. Considering my office is only 10 mins away from Tullamarine maybe I should pop in for a quick lunch sometime :mrgreen:

 

[samh004]

As posted in the other thread:

I’d imagine it’s not likely to be scrapped so much as enhanced in the same way QF did. Though as two levels offer the privilege, perhaps Gold will move to arrivals only access (like QF Plat… which is where I see the whole privilege moving to eventually, as that’s the primary use), and Platinum will keep ATA for another year or two, for the time you’re seeing a colleague off and other such times of not over the top use, before also becoming an arrival/same day travel privilege.

With Qantas I’m a big time user of arrival access, it’s great being able to get off your flight, where you may have only had a snack, and have dinner in the lounge, along with a glass of juice, before finding your car and heading home. I don’t drink and then drive, and as I’d imagine alcoholic beverages cost more to them than non-alcoholic ones, I’m not a burden on the system.

So I’d look at Virgin’s ATA in the same light.

 

[Boris spatsky]

This might draw the crabs, but i use it every now and then at CBR on a Saturday afternoon to take my kids to watch the planes. I always ring first, and only go when the lounge is quiet (not many flights mid arvo on a Saturday). We always sit in the corner with the windows at the far end. Kids love plane watching, i can have a coffee and read the paper.

I make the point on entry to the host to let me know if they would like me to leave. Has not happened yet

 

[markis10]

This might draw the crabs, but i use it every now and then at CBR on a Saturday afternoon to take my kids to watch the planes. I always ring first, and only go when the lounge is quiet (not many flights mid arvo on a Saturday). We always sit in the corner with the windows at the far end. Kids love plane watching, i can have a coffee and read the paper.

I make the point on entry to the host to let me know if they would like me to leave. Has not happened yet

Considering its a weekend and you have the courtesy to ring, I think it's a great idea, and I am sure DJ see the future business in the form of your children who no doubt have good impressions of the airline!

 

[smit0847]

They could make it 'ATA on presentation of any boarding pass for that day of travel'.

This would cover most fair situations (other carriers, farewelling friends, arrivals etc)

 

[Simo]

I have used the arrival access a few times in TSV which is good so you don't have the huge line up for the toilet in the public area.

 

[Major]

I have used ATA twice (both AFF meets) and don't have a problem with the occasional use.

The cost of parking will prevent abuse. What can you possibly consume in the time you rack up a $6 parking fee.

 

[moa999]

I have only ever used either QF or DJ as arrivals access.
Couldnt imagine just dropping into the airport.