I'm over (most) lounges

[Groundfeeder]

Be like me and pack your ACME Batman Suit and seek out free food selections from 100'.
I'm still renovating my cave as VIP lounge but some rotten bird keeps getting in and out rapidly without a card validation.

 

[MELso]

On my recent trip to Europe, I flew Finnair and got to experience both extremes.

In SIN, I went to the QR business lounge and it was superb - quiet, comfortable seating, nice showers, top notch a la carte dining and great wines/coughtails. Why so good? I imagine it was because it was strictly business class only and the money could be put into offering a good product.

At the other extreme, the Sala Monteverdi in the MXP Schengen zone was dreadful. Basically, I popped in, found there were no seats in the dark dingy atmosphere, looked at a coughpy selection of snacks and drinks, and decided to grab a couple of cans of soft drink and high tail it out of there to a much quieter closed gate lounge. This contract lounge was open to anyone willing to pay ~$A50 so the offerings were necessarily cheap and nasty.

However, for the most part, I think lounges are pretty ordinary - cheap booze, a mediocre buffet (or toasties) and crowded seating. Getting back to the comment of @Atleastonce, might be time to tighten access and improve quality?

 

[justinbrett]

My take (which will get howled down) is that if Im flying J I want to be treated with a much better lounge experience than a lifetime gold on a discount Y ticket.

And some airlines agree with you like QR.

However I agree with QF’s stance that the LTG has spent far more money with QF than a one time J pax, and should be recognised as such.

 

[Forg]

At the other extreme, the Sala Monteverdi in the MXP Schengen zone was dreadful. Basically, I popped in, found there were no seats in the dark dingy atmosphere, looked at a coughpy selection of snacks and drinks, and decided to grab a couple of cans of soft drink and high tail it out of there to a much quieter closed gate lounge. This contract lounge was open to anyone willing to pay ~$A50 so the offerings were necessarily cheap and nasty.

Maybe that price reflects the product, as well?

I tried a couple of LH J lounges circa 2008, one in Frankfurt the other Amsterdam. They were somewhat akin to a really massive version of QF's Hobart lounge (except using automated processes or vending machines rather than the blue-haired tea lady to refresh the bowl of pre-packaged biscuits) ... and I wonder if that partially reflects the product in the air? Most people using those lounges, and the Sala Monteverdi, probably have "EuroBusiness" in mind, ie. Row 4 on a QF 738.

And some airlines agree with you like QR.

However I agree with QF’s stance that the LTG has spent far more money with QF than a one time J pax, and should be recognised as such.

I guess that depends on what the airline's strategy is for WHO they're trying to get loyalty from?

QF seems to be targeting anyone in Straya who'd consider flying, where they can ... the Royalty owned Middle Eastern airlines seem to skew more towards trying to get loyalty from those up the front of the bus?

 

[RooFlyer]

My take (which will get howled down) is that if Im flying J I want to be treated with a much better lounge experience than a lifetime gold on a discount Y ticket.

Totally agree.

 

[CaptJCool]

I found that dripping from WP to LTG
I Automatically got the same but different lounge experience

Who knew there were lounges for the more infrequent traveller that served up the same booze offerings ?

Perhaps coming from Adelaide I was used to the old egalitarian all-in lounge so didn’t get too bothered by what food was available….

After all, it’s all about the droplets (the casino experience that keeps you hooked on returns, rewards and freebies)
The Seppelts Fleur de Lys of which I’ll drink a bottle tonight when I lob in the Melbourne QC

Now where’s my discount Y ticket to Adelaide ?

 

[chol]

When I was flying a lot domestically, I would just pop into the lounge to raid the drinks fridge or grab a coffee and then head out and find a quiet spot somewhere. For food, I would just go buy what I wanted and claim it instead of forcing myself to eat the cheese and crackers and soup or whatever just because it was *free*. International is different if I get access to a shower, but I got so over the domestic lounge zoo. Found it was just better outside of the lounge at some quiet gate somewhere.

 

[justinbrett]

QF seems to be targeting anyone in Straya who'd consider flying, where they can ... the Royalty owned Middle Eastern airlines seem to skew more towards trying to get loyalty from those up the front of the bus?

If it’s a class based benefit then it’s not loyalty as such, those pax can flap in the wind between QR/SQ/EK or whatever and whoever has the BFOD.

The point of a loyalty program is to get customers to stick with you without even considering the competition.

It’s two different strategies that work for different situations.

 

[CaptJCool]

Guzzling

Plus G&T to pay for the overpriced fare …

 

[OATEK]

Is this really a question of familiarity breeding contempt?

I must admit I didn't have any problems finding a comfortable spot and some decent coffee and pastries at Changi recently when I didn't have lounge access for a morning departure.

But when at Gatwick in the North Terminal, a zoo of LCC carriers and patrons, access to the EK Lounge is a wonderful escape.

So as we slide down the QF status greasy pole, we will adjust to more terminal outlets and less lounge time.

 

[AuSammy]

The point of a loyalty program is to get customers to stick with you without even considering the competition.

It’s two different strategies that work for different situations.

Not so sure it works that well given the dozens upon dozens of posts on AFF and eleswhere where the op says “reached my goal of ltg, now moving to another program”.

 

[justinbrett]

Not so sure it works that well given the dozens upon dozens of posts on AFF and eleswhere where the op says “reached my goal of ltg, now moving to another program”.

But they were loyal to get LTG. If they don’t want to receive the benefits, no loss to QF.

 

[Seat0B]

But they were loyal to get LTG. If they don’t want to receive the benefits, no loss to QF.

Well other than all their continuing airfare revenue….

 

[CaptJCool]

Well other than all their continuing airfare revenue….

Well I’m one of them
Wasn’t shown the love when I applied for
a Virgin love match LMAO

LOYALTY is a fascinating double-edged sword

What does the recipient of the cash do to deliver loyalty to me, their loyal customer ?

Repeatable, regularity
Service recovery that makes the difference - like in the current “bomb cyclone” in Sydney they’ll be sending all the Sydneysiders home while the visitors get put up in a hotel for the night or two ?


A birthday gift ?
A membership anniversary upgrade ?
Status sure based on a combination of previous spend (especially of other people’s money - like my former employer or the business owners earning points from income)
But we know better than the average Cat that gaining status has its loopholes (eg points club enables you to earn status credits on reward tickets)

But what happens when status downgrades ? us in Adelaide who never had the business lounge didn’t til May get downgraded cause we all shared the same lounge …

Loyalty can only be a two way street when it’s reciprocated so things like volume discounts don’t really affect the average punter so what’s the reciporication = free bubbles ?

 

[Seat0B]

I have a bit of a foot in both camps on this one, with the decision ultimately hinging on the quality of the lounge.

QF First lounge anywhere - yes please. EK first lounge, double yes please. Regular EK lounge yes please. JAL lounges - hmm not so much. Sri Lankan J Lounge Colombo - nope, no way, get f#cked, f#ck off! And I am keen to branch out into some other international lounge offerings when travels permit.

QF Domestic J lounges are usually pretty good, although they can be overcrowded. And the last couple of times I’ve visited the QP (if I have too many guests for J lounge) have been good too. I’ve noticed new carpet and new chairs in MEL J and CBR J recently, which is an improvement.

I like being able to get free coffee, and also free water - I really resent having to buy bottled water when I’m thirsty. The food offerings in most lounges are no worse than the public offerings, and sometimes better. I like being able to get a shower if I’ve had a sweaty day or long commute.

But these days, with the upgrades made to many of the terminal public toilets, I’d use those in preference to the old yucky ones in SYD Domestic, and especially as most of the public ones still have paper hand towels

 

[CaptJCool]

I have a bit of a foot in both camps on this one, with the decision ultimately hinging on the quality of the lounge.

And I am keen to branch out into some other international lounge offerings when travels permit.

I like being able to get free coffee, and also free water

Yeah the quality matters
Most lounges are decent - I do think they can get overcrowded and thus run down faster than if there was light usage
Good booze
Average food offerings aside the zucchini soup last night in QC Melbourne was great!

While I’m keen to check out other Airlines, this does come with an up-front cost.
For me, this is covered by the tax savings made being on super rather than working. (Plus kids in their 20s and no home loan)

Yes, the free things in life - (last night the extra $37 I paid for the tic was well and truly consumed on Fleur de Lys and G&T)

 

[aikman]

Not so sure it works that well given the dozens upon dozens of posts on AFF and eleswhere where the op says “reached my goal of ltg, now moving to another program”.

LTG is nothing more than a trophy. I don't think many AFF people want LTG for its benefits. I think that's why many are upset with the LTP criteria, not so much because they can't get Platinum benefits but more so because the LTP trophy is difficult to get.

 

[kookaburra75]

Guzzling View attachment 454598View attachment 454599

Plus G&T to pay for the overpriced fare …

Don't worry - the QF Bus Lounge only had Seppelt's The Drives Sparkling, so not much better really - at least they've dropped the Grant Burge 'stuff'

 

[DejaBrew]

LTG is nothing more than a trophy. I don't think many AFF people want LTG for its benefits. I think that's why many are upset with the LTP criteria, not so much because they can't get Platinum benefits but more so because the LTP trophy is difficult to get.

Not sure I would agree with that. I would think that most view LTG as less of a "trophy" and more a safety net guaranteeing lounge access and various benefits across One World carriers, whilst enabling people to break free of the QF shackles and explore alternative options and programs for their travel. That's a much easier proposition when you don't need to worry about maintaining your status and flying minimum sectors etc.

No doubt most would prefer LTP and the benefits that go along with it, but it is ridiculously positioned to the point where the average traveler has no hope of ever attaining it, thus making it even easier to explore alternatives once reaching LTG.

 

[aikman]

more a safety net guaranteeing lounge access and various benefits across One World carriers, whilst enabling people to break free of the QF shackles and explore alternative options and programs for their travel.

This sounds contradictory to me. A bit like saying you will stay with your partner but really wanting to be with someone else.