Do you think that the F lounge meets are going to F it up for others?

[munitalP]

Im concerned.

I have worked very hard over the last 8 years as a platinum to have one of a few privileges available to me - the F lounge.

With the continuous (enhancements) demise of the FF programme, how long before access to the F lounge is stopped partly because a frequent flyer website keeps opening the inner sanctum of Qantas frequent flyers to the world? Lets face it, we have airline reps using this forum, and I am sure that the perceived value of the F lounge is eroding to the genuine F/OWE travellers and if I was in power, I would cut all ties to DOM JQ flights to keep the F flyers and the international OWE flyers happy - but thats just me.

I now look at the open invites to the F lounge with distaste and feel that if AFF members are going to organise a meet - do it behind closed doors and keep it private (as a number of us have before!) - that means its still open to anyone invited (not just OWE), just not the world at large.

My 8pm rant


munitalP

 

[Simo]

I understand what you are saying but at the moment it is one of the perks of being a WP and having to go through all the cough involved in being on a domestic flight going from a International terminal.

I do envisage that the perk will be dissolved in the next few years.

 

[Noob]

But would that not close off the community and inhibit new members meeting and getting involved?

 

[simongr]

I personally don't think so. I think the risk is higher with the random guesting rather than the meets.

 

[markis10]

The QF Intl Domestic legs have gone the way of the Dodo regardless of F lounge runs over the past 15 years I have been an elite member, storm in a tea cup, or perhaps a champagne flute .

QF would be loving the incremental revenue such events bring, sharing the F lounge experience with members who would not normally experience it only inspires them to attain WP, again another win for QF, to look at it any other way would seem selfish!

 

[Fantic125]

I tend to agree with MunitalP in that the International Lounges should be restricted to just that purpose; a lounge for people who are about to depart on an international flight.

TBH, I haven't paid much attention as to when the JQ flight(s?) arrive or depart, but when I'm there it's usually in the SYD lounge on a Sunday morning for either a HKG or LAX flight and it seems to get pretty crowded then.

However, I can also understand that if a loophole in the system allows access for particular domestic flights then I can see why people would do it. I don't think it's "rorting the system" but like any privilege it can be taken away at any time.

If it is going to continue then apply the old adage; Use it, but don't abuse it.

 

[yohy?!]

Probably is taking the p!ss slightly but hey it's not all the time.

Also I'm sure they don't mind all the revenue being 'gifted' to JQ in the process

 

[munitalP]

...

QF would be loving the incremental revenue such events bring, sharing the F lounge experience with members who would not normally experience it only inspires them to attain WP, again another win for QF, to look at it any other way would seem selfish!

Rubbish markis10.

Incremental revenue? Price match on TT - $75 fares on JQ35 vs a bottle of DOM and a 3 course silver service meal?

Sorry, but thats la la land talk.

munitalP

 

[markis10]

Rubbish markis10.

Incremental revenue? Price match on TT - $75 fares on JQ35 vs a bottle of DOM and a 3 course silver service meal?

Sorry, but thats la la land talk.

munitalP

If you live in Melbourne and are returning home maybe, it's not rubbish if you are heading north after the run, as most do, add that to the mix . I am comfortable with it as an elite member since 97, perhaps we should revisit this in 6 years when you meet the same bar???

 

[munitalP]

If you live in Melbourne and are returning home maybe, it's not rubbish if you are heading north after the run, as most do, add that to the mix .

Come on mate, how many flew QF or JQ on the way home last time? In fact, how many the time before. I seem to remember it went from a QF F meet to a DJ (back then) The Lounge meet.

Remember - I'm the first to put my hand up and say that I have previously organised these meets, but in this volatile cost saving market place - do we want to risk the privilege?

 

[Paddy55]

munitalP

No of meets per year * no of attendees
-------------------------------------------- = very small number I think :shock:
No of guests in F lounges in one year


I doubt QF notice the 'blip' AFF make with the meets... and I agree to an extent with the idea that some of the guests get a taste for F lounges and decide to up their travel to obtain WP status.

Paddy

 

[munitalP]

. I am comfortable with it as an elite member since 97, perhaps we should revisit this in 6 years when you meet the same bar???

Im life time Gold before March - where are you again? Was also Gold Elite on A NZ for a few years prior to being OWE, so as previously discussed over many beers (lol) we are on a level playing field as far as who has the biggest (and longest) elite account

 

[awilcockson]

Come on mate, how many flew QF or JQ on the way home last time? In fact, how many the time before

Me ... every time except the ATA wake, and that was to prove a point ...

 

[Greggsy]

Personally (if I was Qantas), my stance would be if you've flown enough to make it to WP level in the first place, plus you travel in especially for the occasion to go through customs to sit on a sh!tty jetstar flight to MEL....... then feel free to eat/drink/get massaged as much as you want.

Greg.

 

[haydensydney]

I've never actually been in a F lounge before. Sigh.

 

[tuapekastar]

I note the increasing number of 'runs' created primarily for F lounge use. F lounge temptation is not really enough to get me flying around the country (what sort of AFFer am I? :shock. I'll allow that I have expressed an interest in something that has been mooted for late January but at this stage that is all it is - an interest, which may or may not result in actual flights.

I do think the AFF community (particularly the number of regular posters) is an infinitesimal proportion of total QF (or any airline) flyers, though with a relatively high proportion of statused flyers.

The QF group does get revenue from the flights anyone takes to attend these functions (even if it is sometimes outdone by consumption in the lounge) and for every guest there is a WP present, as per anyone non-AFF guesting people.

I don't think F lounge runs based around JQ are likely to make any difference to access rules, as they (currently) are the veritable pimple on an elephant's bum as far as overall impact goes, but I do take munitalP's point about not shouting all this stuff out too loud and too often, and not being perceived by others as 'snouts in the trough' too often, or taking the piss. Discretion and subtlety are wonderful attributes.

I have a MEL-SYD JQi flight coming up in January, so breakfast in the F lounge, but it was not planned that way. I had a JASA SYD-SIN (because it was reasonably priced, versus a ridiculous number of points for MEL-SIN), so was looking for a QF flight MEL-SYD to connect and spotted JQinn (can't recall the number OTTOMH) and the timing was good so thought 'that'll do'. It would be disappointing to lose that F lounge access for the reasons in the OP (though as stated I don't think that will happen).

 

[serfty]

For several years (when it was cost effective), I'd utilise the QJi Pm flights for a 40SC *Class trip in relation to work.

I did this a dozen or more times; on five of those I guested a non WP FT/AFF member in - FWIW they all became WP within a year or so (can't say if the visit inspired them or they were going to attain the status in any case).

The first of the big runs that I am aware of was prior to the 2008 FT AGM in BNE where 20 or so had breakfast in the SYD Flounge before flying QF175 to BNE (6th Annual FT AGM, BNE QP, Saturday 23 Feb 2008 - Page 26 - FlyerTalk Forums)

A good time was had by many.

 

[amaroo]

Never been on a lounge run - never knew what it meant until I joined AFF!

I know AFF, has a zillion members but looking at a couple of threads on the topic - I'm not sure any lounge run would get more than say, 15-20 at the max.

I'm travelling with my family (5) in Dec and we can guest one each into the F lounge therefore, a party of 10. I'd have to say the F lounge would have seen many a party that numbered more than 10 & probably more than 20+

FWIW, I recall seeing about 100+ dog collars in the F lounge after World Youth Day

Can't see a small event (presumable) per year by AFF being an issue for QF.

 

[medhead]

I'll say that I've kicked in considerable extra in airfares for my 2 JQ35 flights, including the accidental f lounge visit that the organiser skipped. In fact in that case my $89 ADL-MEL turned into a $490+ ADL-SYD-MEL. I don't know the margins involved but I reckon they covered my 4 glasses of bubbly. If I do it again, I think I'll again do a single booking with qantas ADL-SYD-MEL, just for the certainty of getting both BPs, even with the extra cost.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

LAN had a special recently - $149 one way SYD-AKL
QF routinely has specials SYD-AKL/CHC/WLG/ZQN/NAN for under $200 one way.

The last Flounge FunRun I was involved in cost me over $500 for the day which went straight to QF bottom line. QF made more out of me than many other WP's in the lounge that day.

QF would be loving the incremental revenue such events bring, sharing the F lounge experience with members who would not normally experience it only inspires them to attain WP, again another win for QF

Perfectly said. Infact QF should be encouraging us to do more of these and bring new friends into the world of First class lounges and points collecting. I can't count the number of family members/friends/work colleagues who ask me for advice on flights/hotels/credit cards... and no doubt reading this now most of you giggled a little inside knowing it happends to you too. Collectively, AFF'ers have a large sphere of influence over other customers who would otherwise blindly book flights based on media perception/price.

I would argue that to some degree Qantas needs these fun-run day trips to continue.