Anytime Lounge Access Finishing? [Yes, from 15Aug12]

[immature]

Just used my Gold status to enter the SYD DJ lounge on arrival, no other DJ flights today. Was informed that while I could come in today, anytime access would be finishing for Gold and Platinum members from mid August. Has anyone else been told the same?

It's a shame, anytime access is one of my favourite things about DJ Gold But then again, I was status matched, so probably not a high priority for DJ...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Just used my Gold status to enter the SYD DJ lounge on arrival, no other DJ flights today. Was informed that while I could come in today, anytime access would be finishing for Gold and Platinum members from mid August. Has anyone else been told the same?

It's a shame, anytime access is one of my favourite things about DJ Gold But then again, I was status matched, so probably not a high priority for DJ...

It would be a shame. Perhaps VA don't agree with those here on AFF who have done the costings and declared the problem to be "minor".

I've twice read recently, posts about VA ATA being "well liked" by the comped brigade and one member even went on to say he/she was comped plat, has not and will not fly DJ as he/she was rudely spoken to (once), but regularly uses VA ATA. I bit my tongue on that one and didn't reply thinking it's not my place to comment on the attitudes of others (after all, we're all different people) but perhaps those attitudes are somewhat more entrenched than we think.

I hope, if there is substance behind what you were told, that the ATA may just be reduced to arrivals access rather than gone altogether. Better still, targeted toward those who abuse the generosity.

 

[Major]

If ATA is to be stopped then apparently this priviledge has been abused.

Rather than abolish ATA perhaps limit to say 4 ATA visits per year

 

[MarkD]

There have been plenty of posts on here about people happily blatantly making a mockery of ATA Shame, but we all know it's coming to an end. Virgin really seem confused on who is loyal and what loyalty is ATM when you see this potentially happening, then in the other hand gifting platinum again to people who were matched probably abused ATA never flew VA and again get it for nothing. Flame me all you like, I have avoided even posting for a while, but this really sucks if true. At the end of the day the incentive to fly DJ is diminishing but what is the alternative?


Excuse me for daring to disagree with your opinion, even though, in my opinion, your opinion is totally wrong

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If ATA is to be stopped then apparently this priviledge has been abused.

Rather than abolish ATA perhaps limit to say 4 ATA visits per year

Better than lost altogether Major. I've been thinking about my personal use of ATA and it consists of twice without flying (once at BNE AFF meet with the approval of Annette and once to see the new OOL lounge), SYD & MEL upon arrival to grab a bite to eat before meetings but that was largely due to OOL not having a lounge (which it now does) and BNE after flight from a regional (no lounge) and only very occasionally (as I usually want to get home). All up I'm estimating about 8-10 ATA uses since implementation. Now OOL has a lounge, even less.

For our MEL family trip in June, we used arrivals access simply for the family to wait and have a hot coffee/chocolate, while I went over to Europcar to organise the rental pickup (it was 5oC), so that was handy. It's a shame those conveniences may be taken away. Your suggestion may be fair and work for all.

 

[samh004]

I think the ideal solution would be scaling it back to just Platinum members, and limiting the amount of guests you can bring in under ATA, or at the very least, doing the arrivals access thing that QF does for its Platinum members. As a frequent user of the QP on arrival on QF flights I know I'd seriously reconsider flying so much if that benefit was taken away. So I can see how legitimate users of DJ ATA would feel.




 

[Major]

I don't think you should be allowed any guests under ATA rules. Instead take them to a bar or cafe

 

[djfuzz]

Now would be a good time for the company rep to weigh in.

Personally, I second the reasonable suggestions above - I've switched all I can to DJ for various reasons, ATA amongst them. It's a rarely used but extraordinarily handy benefit, and I'd be more than happy if there were reasonable limits brought in to curb excessive use (especially by those not actually maintaining their status), but would be most disappointed to see it go entirely.

 

[anat0l]

I think the ideal solution would be scaling it back to just Platinum members, and limiting the amount of guests you can bring in under ATA, or at the very least, doing the arrivals access thing that QF does for its Platinum members. As a frequent user of the QP on arrival on QF flights I know I'd seriously reconsider flying so much if that benefit was taken away. So I can see how legitimate users of DJ ATA would feel.

Well, not really - if you were flying that much then ATA is not really important, since flying is at least a key to getting lounge access (whether this is before a flight or after a flight, or just on the same day). You may consider flying less only if that meant you were actively chasing the status, if that is what you mean.

AFAIK VA Gold members also get arrivals access for after eligible flights. It can masquerade as anytime access (of which they are entitled to currently), but before the new VA FFP was instigated, they had this privilege. So removing arrivals access and anytime access would be a bit of a double loss. Not saying that it can't happen, but that's what it would look like.


VA are leaving it a bit late if they are deciding to remove ATA. Even in QF, plenty of notice was given (which gave adequate time for the ranting and so on, some of the largest and headache-inducing threads in AFF history were created as a result). In any case, given that there's no official word yet except possibly from behind the counter, I'd treat this with a pinch of salt. No point entertaining a rumour that ultimately proves to be untrue.

 

[moa999]

I suspect DJ is sick of being the Jetstar lounge at OOL and SYD particularly (the Jetstar/Qantas equivalents being fairly average)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

AFAIK VA Gold members also get arrivals access for after eligible flights. It can masquerade as anytime access (of which they are entitled to currently), but before the new VA FFP was instigated, they had this privilege. So removing arrivals access and anytime access would be a bit of a double loss.

I hope you're right with that one anat0l. I can't remember the score previously with regard to arrivals access as I was a lounge member and arrivals access was not part of those rights. Note though, the OP was using arrivals access when the message was delivered!

VA are leaving it a bit late if they are deciding to remove ATA. Even in QF, plenty of notice was given. In any case, given that there's no official word yet except possibly from behind the counter, I'd treat this with a pinch of salt. No point entertaining a rumour that ultimately proves to be untrue.

Except, VA certainly have plenty of runs on the board with regard to lack of notice when implementing "enhancements".

 

[Major]

To be able to use The Lounge while you are waiting for someone to arrive or have a coffee or beer after you arrive is a great benefit for VA Plats/Golds.

But to use Lounge facilities whilst traveling on a competitor's airline is nothing short of a rort. Those who are abusing this priviledge need to have a long hard look at their moral fibre

 

[medhead]

Virgin really seem confused on who is loyal and what loyalty is ATM when you see this potentially happening, then in the other hand gifting platinum again to people who were matched probably abused ATA never flew VA and again get it for nothing.

Of the various offers I've read about here I don't think it's fair to say they are getting it again for nothing. There requal offers involve return business or a flexi flights. Potentially at a high cost. Others are getting a limited number of SC, that don't give automatic requalification, for taking a flight.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Of the various offers I've read about here I don't think it's fair to say they are getting it again for nothing.

Quite right!

Next to nothing would be fairer.

Even those poor unfortunates who have been offered the two rtn J flights, would have to shell out $2/SC. Less for the flexi invitees. I'm feeling so sorry for them. I only have to shell out circa $7/SC. I can't believe VA have been able to make this scheme so "fair". It must have taken them weeks of planning to do so. :evil:

 

[DJSYD81]

Maybe it is just for Sydney for the time being? Aren't the renovations beginning from August? Maybe they don't have the space to allow ATA in the upstairs section.

Not that I use ATA let alone abuse it but I wouldn't panic until it is confirmed in other ports.

I am not bothered either way.

 

[anat0l]

Maybe it is just for Sydney for the time being? Aren't the renovations beginning from August? Maybe they don't have the space to allow ATA in the upstairs section.

Well that's certainly a possibility. Same with the other major lounges for that matter.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Same with the other major lounges for that matter.

LOL ...........How many lounges do you think VA have?

 

[anat0l]

LOL ...........How many lounges do you think VA have?

Well, you know what I meant... at least BNE, MEL and SYD, and perhaps CBR too.

I mean, let's not start arguments about, 'if they had plans for separate lounges etc., then that's incongruous with what they've just completed in OOL', and so on.


Saying that the SYD lounge has been slated for a significant makeover for a while, which is independent of the 'separate lounges' idea, if that is on the cards.

 

[mickeyc747]

I just made a telephone call and Platinum call centre said they are not aware of ATA being removed. I also asked could they get the DJ rep to confim, and they said stay tuned and would pass it on to the DJ rep.

 

[SilverShadow]

Maybe it is just for Sydney for the time being? Aren't the renovations beginning from August? Maybe they don't have the space to allow ATA in the upstairs section.

Not that I use ATA let alone abuse it but I wouldn't panic until it is confirmed in other ports.

I am not bothered either way.

Hopefully you are right. I've only ever used my ATA privilege when I had to wait for Mrs SilverShadow on her late night flight home from Perth to Melbourne. I was the only person in the MEL Lounge at the time other than staff and it was eerily quiet. I didn't even eat, just sat there, so can't imagine I'm costing Virgin anything to do that.

I really hope they don't remove it especially when it's a perk that some of us don't tend to abuse.

Has anyone else heard 'official' word from lounge staff about this other than the original poster?


Cheerio