Thoughts on Qantas Club/Questions

[HodgoBerro]

I have a Qantas Club membership and I have a few thoughts on the program after purchasing a membership earlier this year.

I took this into careful consideration as I travel quite frequently (see my introduction post for more info) and my previous employer had a staff only deal going where I saved over $500 in joining/membership fees.

I will commend on the priority check in and extra luggage as pre QC, I had waited from 25-60 mins in line with the rest of the plebs. Now I have only spent between 0-15 mins (0 being mobile check in on iPhone no luggage 15 being international transfer flights CHC/SYD/BNE & BNE/SYD/WLG)*

I was very glad for the available facilites in the lounge, and the big plus is the*shower and having that access to one is great. I*must say the CHC codeshare lounge after having about 90 mins the night before was a an absolute godsend. I have used the shower facility in most airports quite frequently especially on early morning flights, late night flights or international connections with some time between flights.

The food could be improved, and dramatically, especially through the seasons and more options for vegetarians. I guess from reading some posts especially about the AC in LAX it's a vast improvement. I guess having a very stiff drink pre flight and not costing a cent for it is what I call privleged! I have spent some time (I think about 7 hours) in the Sydney international lounge and was very impressed with their service compared to the domestic lounge. *

Being able to access a computer, although their programs could be updated, and send off a few emails and make updates to your web related pages.*

I hate waiting so with QC either reading a paper, watching the TV or looking on the computer helps the time go quickly

who here disdains sitting next to a screaming child or a smelly backpacker at the departure gate just before boarding your flight when you are over the day and want to get home?

Anyway*I have*got a few questions to put out to some people in the know, Virgin Blue lounge, pros & cons vs Qantas Club?

Also my family and I are booked on the same flight with QF on August 6 MEL-BNE however are on seperate bookings to me, are they allowed to utilise the check in desk and lounge as my guests although they are on a seperate booking? total group travelling with us, 4 adults, 1 infant and 1 child. Should I contact Qantas?

 

[Katie]

You should all be able to check in together, but you will only be able to take one family member (+ 1 or 2? Kids, if under 3) into the QP lounge with you.

 

[samh004]

As for Virgin Blue's "The Lounge", you'll find it less busy, but mainly because less people travel with them. However attaining status with them can be quite a bit harder.

Regarding lounge access, you can take 1 adult guest in with you like everyone else. Children under 3 don't count, but you might be able to get in older children... Just plan for the worst.

You can all use checkin together.

 

[possumFF]

QC lounges are OK, just. Sometimes I prefer the ambience and views of a coffee shop.
But, I joined when it was a sort of pleasure. There were dress standards. Nowdays you are likely to be run over by screaming kids or have to suffer with smelly armpits thrust under your nose in the food queue. Its no longer a business traveller amenity.
OK for a long stay & shower, or check in without luggage. Hardly worth the life membership my firm paid!

 

[thewinchester]

And while its likely that AFF members offspring behave, please for the love of your preferred deity would you keep them under control.

If I had my way, I'd happily deliver justice in the form of a swift kick in the pants to any kid (and its parental units) that aren't doing a good enough job of keeping them quiet, calm, well fed and respectful of others space.

Sorry, but letting them run around and being right royal pains is unacceptable.

/rant

 

[JetLagged]

And while its likely that AFF members offspring behave, please for the love of your preferred deity would you keep them under control.

If I had my way, I'd happily deliver justice in the form of a swift kick in the pants to any kid (and its parental units) that aren't doing a good enough job of keeping them quiet, calm, well fed and respectful of others space. Sorry, but letting them run around and being right royal pains is unacceptable. /rant

If you would like some help at any time - feel free to call upon me - and if your conscience ends up getting the better of you - know some helpful priests who would be only too willing to grant absolution in the circumstances. LOL

 

[Warks]

And while its likely that AFF members offspring behave, please for the love of your preferred deity would you keep them under control.

If I had my way, I'd happily deliver justice in the form of a swift kick in the pants to any kid (and its parental units) that aren't doing a good enough job of keeping them quiet, calm, well fed and respectful of others space.

Sorry, but letting them run around and being right royal pains is unacceptable.

/rant

Are most children horrors in this situation? I've seen a few in my time.
When we travel with our kids people often remark how well behaved they are as though it's out of the ordinary.

 

[Katie]

And while its likely that AFF members offspring behave, please for the love of your preferred deity would you keep them under control.

As a parent of a rather .. active .. toddler, I wish wish wish QPs would get kids rooms. Best part about the LAX T4 and DFW AA lounges on our recent trip (and BA lounges when she was Miss 18months in 2008) was the kids room. Toys, computers with kids games, TVs, and some chairs/lounges for the parents to sit in.
And it helps keeps the kids away from the other travellers who are enjoying being away from their own kids/don't have kids and don't want to be bothered by others' kids.

I'd much rather sit in that room with Miss 3.5 than sit in a regular QP and deal with her wanting to get her own drinks, try to find ways to look out the windows (e.g. in BNE Intl & we couldn't get a window seat), etc. She was pretty good, most people who commented thought she was cute. I took from simongr's experience last year, and dressed her up as a fairy.

 

[HodgoBerro]

And while its likely that AFF members offspring behave, please for the love of your preferred deity would you keep them under control.

If I had my way, I'd happily deliver justice in the form of a swift kick in the pants to any kid (and its parental units) that aren't doing a good enough job of keeping them quiet, calm, well fed and respectful of others space.

Sorry, but letting them run around and being right royal pains is unacceptable.

/rant

Be relieved that these two children have a mother who puts them under a very short leash. Master Two is very well behaved with his Ta's and pleases & Master 2 Months is a very subconscious or unconscious little man - he sleeps quite a bit. I think these two are the rare ones that actually have common sense.

 

[markis10]

And while its likely that AFF members offspring behave, please for the love of your preferred deity would you keep them under control.

If I had my way, I'd happily deliver justice in the form of a swift kick in the pants to any kid (and its parental units) that aren't doing a good enough job of keeping them quiet, calm, well fed and respectful of others space.

Sorry, but letting them run around and being right royal pains is unacceptable.

/rant

Letting some QP members run around is a royal pain by comparison, I rarely find kids in the QP when I am flying given is mostly BH, weekends is a different story, and in my experience the behavior of QP members often is far worse than any uncontrolled kids!

 

[dk4]

...Virgin Blue lounge, pros & cons vs Qantas Club?

To compare Qantas Club Lounges with Virgin Blue’s The Lounge, I would firstly consider whether lounge access is required on not.

For me, they key reason for lounge access is to escape busy, raucous departure concourses. So, if flying domestically, then at Virgin Blue I find the opportunity to discover a haven beyond their departure concourses is paramount (given their broader customer base & common user terminal facilities) whereas when flying Qantas, their own terminal departure concourses (generally) have a more refined ambience (often even better than the Qantas Clubs!) meaning that there is often less need to use a lounge.

In terms of Food & Drinks, if you like beer & wine then Virgin Blue starts serving earlier than Qantas at 11am, but only Qantas lounges have spirits. However, once onboard the opposite is true in Economy (i.e. no spirits on Qantas only Virgin Blue). For simple nibbles like crisps and savoury mix, then Virgin Blue is better than Qantas, but Qantas has more substantial fare on offer across all three meal periods (breakfast, lunch and evening). However once onboard, Virgin Blue has a menu of items which generally surpasses what Qantas offers to eat across the day (as a whole).

For computer access, it tends to be easier to find an accessible one in a Virgin Blue lounge (even though they have less than the comparable Qantas lounge) & I find that the Virgin Blue Lap Top benches are better designed than those at Qantas.

But Qantas has significantly more lounges than Virgin Blue: and usefully, also includes access to partner lounges with a major European and North American airline, as well as lounges at Australian International Terminals.

Both airlines offer TVs, reading material & shower facilities in their major city lounges. Some of Virgin Blue’s have irons, and some of Qantas’s have hair driers.

Both Lounges allow you to purchase additional guest entries into their lounges (beyond “you plus one” membership); at Virgin Blue this is on a per guest per use basis and at Qantas this is per guest on an annual basis.

Also, as originally noted Qantas Club comes with luggage & check-in privileges which Virgin Blue’s The Lounge membership lacks.

 

[markis10]

I found the Lounge generally has better food, a barista that does not leave after the morning rush and a lot less noise, the wines are also better IMHO at the lounge.

 

[oz_mark]

I found the Lounge generally has better food, a barista that does not leave after the morning rush and a lot less noise, the wines are also better IMHO at the lounge.

Agreed - Where they exist at the same airport, I far prefer The Lounge to the Qantas Club. However, the downside is that there are far fewer of them.

 

[markis10]

The lack of lounge locations was the main reason I did no renew, having the casual option also helps in that I can always get access if needed.

 

[HodgoBerro]

Thanks heaps for all your help, I guess I'll have to get a one off pass to the lounge to sus it out for myself...

I will stick with the QF Club for the time being due to the perks etc (luggage and check in) I really haven't had a problem of children running riot in the lounge, just at the departure gate.

I must say I have my 'brushes' with fame though, my highlights being the West Indies & several well known AFL, Rugby League & Rugby Union identities

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hardly worth the life membership my firm paid!

Possum - you will only know that on your last day; one muses!!!!

 

[whereishome]

In regards to children running amok in the QP - try Narita around holiday season.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I was in the PER Dom QC last Tuesday.
There was a guy in the downstairs club who was wearing; Thongs, board shorts and singlet.
The dress code certainly needs to be upped again l think! It's getting a little bit to relaxed IMO.

 

[djfuzz]

I found the Lounge generally has better food, a barista that does not leave after the morning rush and a lot less noise, the wines are also better IMHO at the lounge.

I probably couldn't care less about the other issues, but this is a big one - I don't know how you can assume that people only want a proper coffee on weekdays in the early morning. If you can have a bartender, surely it can't be that much more difficult to have just one trained barista on staff, even if you train up an existing staff member. At the very least, I could maybe understand if a full-time barista was limited to the J lounge as an additional benefit (as it seems they do in the F lounge), but the fact that it isn't suggests that they don't think people want a proper coffee throughout the day. Is it a Sydney thing?

I was in the PER Dom QC last Tuesday.
There was a guy in the downstairs club who was wearing; Thongs, board shorts and singlet.
The dress code certainly needs to be upped again l think! It's getting a little bit to relaxed IMO.

While I agree that thongs/singlets might be taking things a bit too far (especially in winter!), I don't think you can get too prescriptive with a dress code - not everyone travels in work clothes, if only for comfort or to try and maintain those clothes for when they're most needed (I'm the latter, given I never fail to spill food on them when eating on any kind of moving vehicle).

 

[nlagalle]

While I agree that thongs/singlets might be taking things a bit too far (especially in winter!), I don't think you can get too prescriptive with a dress code - not everyone travels in work clothes, if only for comfort or to try and maintain those clothes for when they're most needed (I'm the latter, given I never fail to spill food on them when eating on any kind of moving vehicle).

Neat casual? I think as long as you don't look scruffy there should be no issue.