The Meaning of Anytime access to you

[samh004]

The way everybody here is going on about the Gold Coast lounge for example, if this lounge is over-used on an anytime access basis the people using it will only have themselves to blame for anytime access being taken away.

Despite the relatively cheap parking offered at OOL, and other than a few gatherings to commemorate the lounges recent opening (and it’s been coming for a while, as evidenced by the huge thread), I don’t think the Gold and Platinum members of the South East region will be flocking to the lounge every day for a free feed and a drink.

The novelty wears off quite quickly.

I remember ATA for me last year and I had a few good days in BNE before I started adding up the train rides, or the parking, or the fact I couldn’t get sloshed as I needed to drive at some point to get home. So, while the fact that a new lounge has opened will attract some increased traffic, I doubt they’re going to have a huge percentage of ATA users there every day/weekend.

I do think ATA is destined to go at some point though to be replaced with an arrivals access privilege, like Qantas took (though only after complaints). It makes more sense to the business.

Most of us never even used the Qantas ATA, or used it rarely. I think that I used it twice in 2 years. But it was good to know that it was there if needed. Also, I don't remember Qantas saying that abuse was the reason for ceasing it.

Qantas said their lounges were too busy, and implied that it was ATA by its removal, but then offered Qantas Club promotions on several occasions and have had a lot of DSC promotions (though I see the DSC promotions as more of a defence against Virgin doing the same than trying to get more members lounge access rights).

Either way, their whole argument became flawed as soon as they started all their promotions that gave more members lounge access, or better lounge access.

 

[Qld flyer]

I made my first use of ATA this morning - Mrs qldflyer was on a BNE-SYD QF flight (to link to LAX-ORD-RIC - ouch) @ 6am and I'd been up since 3.30am to drop her off. A drop in for a 1/2 decent barista coffee, OJ and toastie seemed reasonable (why oh why do all airport cafes make coffee FAR too hot when it's painful enough to pay $5 for a flat white as it is) when I was already paying for the parking.

When asked if I had already checked in and I pointed out I was using ATA the lovely reception staff whispered 'I would too'. But other than today I have no reason to use ATA as I've got both QF and VA gold membership (not status matched - if only my employer would book one or the other I'd have platinum with one!).

OOL would be the only place, or maybe Mackay, where dropping in for a few beers or feed would be anywhere near cost effective. But surely there are better places to get cheap beer, a toasted sandwich and the occasional hot dog.

 

[bullerdude]

Personally, I hope the keep the Anytime access as it one of the few benefits that is substantially different from Qantas.

I have never used it yet, but I'f my employer happens to book me on Qantas or Jetstar next week (whom I do not have status with) then I will definitely make use of it. I have no issues with using the ATA within reason, especially since I earn my Platinum velocity membership the real way - which costs quite a lot.

 

[mavrick9]

I've used ATA a few times at MEL. A couple of times when dropping of MrsMavrick on a DJ flight.
Other times when waiting for friends on a delayed DJ flight. And a couple of times when we have arrived into MEL on a DJ Flight. Each time I might of had 1 beer/wine and a light snack.
Parking at MEL is the big killer, over an hour cost you $20-$24.


I don't think that I have abused it in any way. When you enter and they swipe the card, they say "are you all right for a boarding pass" without fail. I return "Yes I'm ok".
Once I said "just meeting someone" and got a polite return - "Lucky you"


I always wondered when they swipe your Gold/Plat Card - do they see your onward bookings on the screen immediately? Or is it just your name that shows up?

 

[N860CR]

I've dropped into the SYD lounge on arrival a few times this week (have come in from ports without a lounge so I was in need of a drink!) and they haven't scanned the card. This seems to be a new development as it's always been scanned in the past.

 

[tuapekastar]

I used it a couple of times on QF when it existed (once as an arrivals, once when seeing someone off), and have used it once on VA, on a Sunday night when I was overnighting at MEL prior to an AM international departure (on QF) the next day (they shut the lounge about 20 mins after I arrived).

Broadly speaking, while ATA is just that, I think regularly using the Lounge as a watering/feeding hole just for the sake of doing so, especially when it is the sole purpose of being present at the airport, would be somewhat taking the pi55, and in some specific circumstances both desperate and a little sad.

Occasional use (and I do mean occasional), under most circumstances I would think would be no issue. Arrivals use (from a DJ flight) on a moderately regular basis, without overdoing the time spent or amount consumed would not IMO seem to be an issue either.