Unoffical Wake for WP Anytime Access, Jan 29 2011

[kpc]

ok so im going to be on JQ35 out of Sydney Int on the Jan 29th so happy to hang in the F lounge then move over to the Melbourne J lounge on arrival for the unofficial wake there!

Look forward to seeing anyone else there that afternoon/night

Of course as you have a J* BP, you are not strictly accessing the lounge on the basis of "anytime access" and can continue to do this as a WP from Feb 1st onwards. I'm keeping this w/e free...can't decide whether to stay the night in Melbourne or not...might go and have a look at some hotel rates:idea:

 

[jdlover23]

Well when i fly to sydney on DJ the day before ill be taking advantage of the anytime access haha, although if they status match me to Gold ill be checking out their lounge

but to be clear, from Feb 1 i can still access the lounge after a QF/JQ flight that day with WP? i figured you couldnt which was why everyone was getting so worked up?

 

[markis10]

Well when i fly to sydney on DJ the day before ill be taking advantage of the anytime access haha, although if they status match me to Gold ill be checking out their lounge

but to be clear, from Feb 1 i can still access the lounge after a QF/JQ flight that day with WP? i figured you couldnt which was why everyone was getting so worked up?

That was a change that came through after feedback here on AFF and elsewhere, and the inclusion of 3K is a good move, however if you are like me and seen vendors/customers off at the airport by guesting them into the QP in the past, things have gone backwards IMHO.

 

[kpc]

but to be clear, from Feb 1 i can still access the lounge after a QF/JQ flight that day with WP? i figured you couldnt which was why everyone was getting so worked up?

Initially, you couldn't from Feb 1, but a slight amendment was made by QF that you could access the QF lounge the same day (ie use lounge as arrivals lounge) if you were travelling that day on QF, J*, 3K, VF, OW flight etc; if you are not, than you no longer have "anytime access" as we have known it.

Hi Everyone,

I’m from Qantas Marketing and wanted to make a few points in regards to the latest changes to Qantas Frequent Flyer and specifically for our Platinum Frequent Flyers.

It’s probably not too much of a surprise for you that we often monitor the frequent flyer forums and in the light of the changes we announced this week, we’d like to clarify a few points here on AFF.

Firstly I’d like to thank you all for your honest and candid feedback. The collective knowledge here on loyalty programs here is arguably worth at least a few PhDs You might be interested to know that online feedback is also provided in regular updates to senior management at Qantas.

On balance, we’ve received good feedback on the changes overall, however it’s fair to say that there has been some vigorous discussion on the change in Platinum lounge access policy. The challenge we face is striking a balance between offering reasonable lounge access, whilst not overcrowding the lounges.

One issue we see is when Members use Qantas lounge facilities and then fly with competitors on the same day. This increases crowding for Members who are flying with us on the day and also gives our competitors a free kick. As you know, anytime lounge access is a particularly unique feature within our program.

However, we have taken your feedback onboard and are happy to make adjustments to this policy and we’re also pleased to let you know about it first!

From 1 February 2011, to access Qantas Domestic or International lounges, Platinum Members must be travelling the same day on a flight that shows on a Qantas (QF), a Jetstar Airline (Jetstar (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K) or Valuair (VF)) or a oneworld® flight number on your ticket. Other lounge access conditions apply. See Qantas Club Terms and Conditions.
​

In doing so, Platinum Frequent Flyers will continue to be welcome to use our lounges to freshen up or whilst waiting for colleagues or friends arriving on other flights. We have also specifically noted Jetstar Asia (3K) and Valuair (VF) as included carriers in the definition.

We believe this is a good outcome for our Platinum Frequent Flyers. I understand that this may not fully satisfy all, however we feel this is fair and reasonable overall. Qantas.com will be updated later today with the revised policy.

Thanks for flying with us.

Red Roo.

On a separate note, I have made a tentative booking at the Holiday Inn, Melbourne airport (Can I walk there from the airport?) Sat 29th Jan, and plan to travel down on JQ35. Have to decide which flight to go back to Sydney on the Sunday...DJ ($59) or QF ($79)...probably the former at this stage....:mrgreen:

 

[markis10]

I believe the HI is within stumbling distance.

 

[Mal]

Add me to the JQ35 SYD-MEL 29 Jan team...

Will keep my options open to getting to SYD, then MEL-BNE. Virgin is looking very likely (keeping in with the theme of the day).

 

[QF WP]

On a separate note, I have made a tentative booking at the Holiday Inn, Melbourne airport (Can I walk there from the airport?)

I went out for some air from the MEL Airport Hilton and made it to HI Airport in 8 minutes (including waiting to cross at the lights). It's 400 metres from the end of the Terminals.

 

[kpc]

Add me to the JQ35 SYD-MEL 29 Jan team...

Will keep my options open to getting to SYD, then MEL-BNE. Virgin is looking very likely (keeping in with the theme of the day).

Are you staying in Mel on Sat night, Mal? PS my +1 thinks I'm mad (actually all of us!!) and does NOT want to come....I think mentioning that i was staying at the HI MEl airport was the last straw

 

[straitman]

I believe the HI is within stumbling distance.

The Hilton is within crawling distance and the HI is within stumbling distance.

 

[yohy?!]

If I am going to do this trip then I need to do it properly.

Jan 29 BNE-SYD on DJ The 9:00am departure.
Jan 29 SYD-MEL on JQ for the F Lounge
overnight Melbourne; I may need another Hilton stay credit.
Or I could fly TT to Perth and then back again on DJ.
Jan 30 MEL-ADL DJ 12:00pm departure
Jan 30 ADL-CBR DJ 3:45PM-5:45PM
Jan 30 CBR-SYD-BNE DJ 7:05PM Departure.

Just watch the Jetstar booking page; now they want to charge you $3.00 :evil: to select a seat or $12.00 to select a better one. :shock:

Just leave the selection when purchasing, do online check-in at T-48 and you should be able to get an exit row or decent seat for free

-

I'd like to join SYD Flounge contingent on Jan 29 (if someone can guest) for lunch and then take JQ35 to MEL for dinner in J Lounge (again if someone can guest) then a (rather messy) DJ flight back that evening

 

[Ewing]

I wasn't going to go for this as I can't see myself going to the airport without flying, but the JQ35 idea sounds wonderful with a nice casual flight up from CBR in the morning.

Now I have to decide if:
a) I'll fly home on the last DJ flight (leaves 6pm)
b) I'll fly home on the last QF flight (leaves 7pm)
c) I stay the night and fly home the next day.

So yes, add me to the JQ35 team

 

[Alanslegal]

ok so im going to be on JQ35 out of Sydney Int on the Jan 29th so happy to hang in the F lounge then move over to the Melbourne J lounge on arrival for the unofficial wake there!

Look forward to seeing anyone else there that afternoon/night

Add me to the JQ35 SYD-MEL 29 Jan team...

Will keep my options open to getting to SYD, then MEL-BNE. Virgin is looking very likely (keeping in with the theme of the day).

I'll see you both in the F Lounge! ps. and KPC

 

[Alanslegal]

I'd like to join SYD Flounge contingent on Jan 29 (if someone can guest) for lunch and then take JQ35 to MEL for dinner in J Lounge (again if someone can guest) then a (rather messy) DJ flight back that evening

I can guest you (and appears a few others could as well).


Just a reminder, that it is the Australian Open 2011 final weekend so hotels are likely to be quite high. I might try and find some tix to the mens finals on Sunday (guessing it will be a classic Federer vs. Nadal match)

 

[yohy?!]

I can guest you (and appears a few others could as well).

Brilliant! Thanks

 

[kpc]

I can guest you (and appears a few others could as well).


Just a reminder, that it is the Australian Open 2011 final weekend so hotels are likely to be quite high. I might try and find some tix to the mens finals on Sunday (guessing it will be a classic Federer vs. Nadal match)

Is the final played in the evening on Sunday? If I can get to the tennis and catch the last flight back to Sydney on Sunday night I would be interested in this....assuming the ticket prices (just checked: reserved seating is $339.90 + $5.10 eticket for twilight session) are not extortionately high. Have to be back at work on Monday. I will pay for my JQ35 flight first, and then work out when I return to Sydney on the Sunday. I can also guest 1 to the F lounge in Syd.

 

[medhead]

I would love to join you all on JQ35. But it is my daughters birthday on the 29th. (don't mention that I've planned the trip twice and then remember the birthday). So I can't join you. But I do think I can treat her to a birthday visit to the ADL QC.

Anyone planning to go to do this in ADL?

 

[FuzzyAUS]

Hi All,

I have just booked myself and Mrs Fuzz onto the JQ35 shuttle and will be joining the FLounge Party before hand.. will be getting there to maximise Flounge time..

Have also taken up a reward night at the InterContinental and will be enjoying the day in Melbourne on Sunday and will then take a flight back to Sydney Sunday evening after enjoying some J Lounge time.

Cheers
Fuzz

 

[Mal]

Are you staying in Mel on Sat night, Mal? PS my +1 thinks I'm mad (actually all of us!!) and does NOT want to come....I think mentioning that i was staying at the HI MEl airport was the last straw

Don't know yet. Can either overnight, or head back to BNE that night. Still to decide.

 

[Bundy Bear]

So yes, add me to the JQ35 team

Do we need to reserve a table or 3 in the F lounge. :shock:

 

[Ewing]

Do we need to reserve a table or 3 in the F lounge. :shock:

We might have to reserve the whole restaurant at this rate - I just had a conversation with another CBR based AFFer who wanted to know what flights I'll be on so he can book the same

So far we have on JQ35:

Ewing
Alanslegal
Bundy Bear
kpc
jdlover23
Mal
FuzzyAUS +1

Apologies if I've missed anyone. Looking at that list, I don't think guest spots will be a problem for any others who want to join us who aren't WP

My other flights:

- QF704 CBR-SYD, dep 0955, arr 1050
- QF822 MEL-CBR, dep 1900, arr 2005

Not really true in the spirit of things as I won't be using 'anytime', but unfortunately the DJ schedule didn't fit in with the last flight back home at 6pm.

FYI - for those who need the SC bump or don't want to fly Y - StarClass is also available @ $329 and delivers 40 SCs and 1250 points - just make sure you select Melbourne Tullamarine as your destination instead of just Melbourne. I haven't booked JQ35 yet, but will likely take this option