Why do people in the US actually bother with lounge access?

[RooFlyer]

But those cuts are not significant in comparison to lounges in the USA - it's not like QF are removing all complimentary alcohol or substantial food offerings.
<snip>

Hence my comment 'we can see where its headed' (thin end of the wedge).

 

[Kangol]

Hence my comment 'we can see where its headed' (thin end of the wedge).

Do you honestly think that will actually happen though? getting rid of entire services?
ie you think QPs and J lounges will stop serving free alcohol. They will stop serving proper food. That will completely change one of the biggest parts of the lounges.

Not to mention I am just referring to dom lounges (the US don't have separate dom/int terminals like we do).
Can you honestly see that happening in the int J/F lounges?
ie paying for eggs benedict or S&P squid in the F lounge :shock:

What's the next step, closing them?

 

[RooFlyer]

Do you honestly think that will actually happen though?
ie you think QPs and J lounges will stop serving free alcohol. They will stop serving proper food. That will completely change one of the biggest parts of the lounges.

Not to mention I am just referring to dom lounges (the US don't have separate dom/int terminals like we do).
Can you honestly see that happening in the int J/F lounges?
ie paying for eggs benedict or S&P squid in the F lounge :shock:

What's the next step, closing them?

No, I can't imagine them stop serving booze and hopefully will never descend to USA standards. And there's no indication that I'm aware of that current cost cutting has affected the Flounges (touch wood). But there is a point when a dom. lounge visit is no longer worthwhile, so they might as well cut out the 'basics'.

Qantas HBA lounge has reached that point for me. Small, always crowded, only basic amenities, not a pre-flight relaxing environment. I don't bother any more. if enough of us take this type of 'hint' they can happily start shrinking the lounges / staff etc.

MEL business lounge can be pretty rough in peak hours. I hear PER is often a zoo. Its swings and round-abouts. Can't get a seat or need to share a group of seats with others? No problem, happy to have some finger food and a drink as long as the tucker's decent. If I can get a seat and just chill for a while, can forgive ordinary tucker. But again, if crowded AND bad catering, why bother? And QF's bean counters win.

Qantas may have created a rod for its own back. They created these great lounges, with great amenities, to attract the FF. And it worked. Now they need to cut costs, the punters notice and they can take their FF business across the road. Downward spiral.

 

[serfty]

... (in fact the only people that can get in there are AC members aside from OW status holders - so if they got free premium drinks there wouldn't be a paid bar )

AA Plat & EXP get A/C access with drink chits when on a same-day international (non North American) itinerary.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

AA Plat & EXP get A/C access with drink chits when on a same-day international (non North American) itinerary.

thanks for the clarification

 

[Robbi]

Basic beer, wine and spirits are complimentary to all. As a QP member or QF gold or above, you are presented with drink chits for premium beverages.

Where/when do you get the drink chits?

 

[tuapekastar]

Where/when do you get the drink chits?

Front desk of said lounge. IME they are stamped with the date and the name of the club (e.g. LAX, DFW) and are valid only for use at that club on that day.

 

[serfty]

Sometimes they forget to give you a chit(s) when entering the lounge.

If so, it is your duty to pleasantly remind them

 

[raleyoz]

And remember they are (IME) happy to provide additional chits when you run out

 

[drron]

Front desk of said lounge. IME they are stamped with the date and the name of the club (e.g. LAX, DFW) and are valid only for use at that club on that day.

though on our last visit to DFW they got the date stamp wrong.ours were valid until 12/19/2018.
Still gave the unused ones away though tempted to keep one as a souvenir.

 

[TomVexille]

According to a family member who works in an Admirals Club. They are supposed to give out 2 drink chits. Usually one when you arrive, and more if you ask. As long as you don't appear intoxicated they will keep giving them to you.

 

[JohnK]

Sometimes they forget to give you a chit(s) when entering the lounge.

If so, it is your duty to pleasantly remind them

There have been times where additional drink vouchers have been difficult to obtain. The strange looks are not necessary.

 

[Grooba]

There have been times where additional drink vouchers have been difficult to obtain. The strange looks are not necessary.

wow really? I can say I've never had an issue with obtaining extras after asking nicely.

 

[grubbidok]

Hence my comment 'we can see where its headed' (thin end of the wedge).

Don't know if this is necessarily true and something we should worry about (quality will probably decline, but access won't). The weird US access rules are actually a legacy of the days of regulation as much as they are an economic choice:

US Airlines Didn't Always Charge for Lounge Access. Why the US Approach Has Diverged from Europe and Asia - View from the Wing - View from the Wing

 

[JohnK]

wow really? I can say I've never had an issue with obtaining extras after asking nicely.

Perhaps I don't ask nicely.