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

[eastwest101]

ISTR reading that Qantas Clubs (or whatever they were called in the early years - pre-dates my involvement) originally allowed all members ATA, and people living near airports would join them and use them as their 'local' - never ever flying but regularly rounding up whatever guest allowances they had and that was their Friday or Saturday night out.

I agree - that would seem to be abuse of a system. But there are shades of grey here, one persons abuse is another's fair use.

For instance - in my case - does arriving at a DJ port after flying DJ and then having a coffee in the DJ lounge before a Rex flight count as abuse? or fair use? If I do it every day is that abuse? Or once a month?

 

[mickeyc747]

Thanks for the update - so as long as you are flying or have flown on DJ that day you will be able to access the lounge?

If your point 3 is correct and they are targeting pax not even flying DJ on that particular day - it will be interesting to see how much of an effect this has on some of the members here. It won't affect me much as I only use ATA about once a month upon arrival into a DJ port and waiting for a connecting Rex flight, all other times I use the lounge before a DJ flight. But I forsee some grumpy posts from other people whom may be affected...

I asked that question as I sometimes fly rex and was told that if I arrive on a DJ flight then there should be no issue. But who knows the story I was told earlier today completly changed.

 

[tuapekastar]

I agree - that would seem to be abuse of a system. But there are shades of grey here, one persons abuse is another's fair use.

For instance - in my case - does arriving at a DJ port after flying DJ and then having a coffee in the DJ lounge before a Rex flight count as abuse? or fair use? If I do it every day is that abuse? Or once a month?

Zactly! That is why it's probably a strange sort of benefit to offer in the first place. I'm not sure of the history of DJ ATA (ie. when it was introduced) but assuming it was in place well before last year's status match, it would not surprise me at all if they had in mind to remove it quite some time ago but left it in place during and for a while after the status match as another tempter for people to switch. But that, of course, is speculation.

Your usage is probably what they had in mind as 'fair use', even if on a daily basis. And it appears you'd be able to continue doing so under the new 'arrivals access' policy.

 

[markis10]

Interesting timing for the news, given the swathe of folks who have 6 odd weeks left on their status match and have probably spent their weekend wondering in part to how they will take up the various offers to retain status. I suspect some (if not many) may see it no longer worth the benefits on offer, has DJ poached the short sighted bean counters from QF recently???

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I agree - that would seem to be abuse of a system. But there are shades of grey here, one persons abuse is another's fair use.

50 shades?

 

[mickeyc747]

Update of ATA

It ceases on 15th August notice period starts tomorrow that is we will get emails from DJ lol.

Confimed that if you are on an inbound DJ flight and connecting to rex just save your boarding pass and you will be able to use the lounge.

So arrival access is ok as long as you hold a boarding pass.

 

[samh004]

So arrival access is ok as long as you hold a boarding pass.

Is that for Gold and Platinum, or just Platinum?

I guess we'll find out the exact details in a couple days anyway.




 

[mickeyc747]

Is that for Gold and Platinum, or just Platinum?

I guess we'll find out the exact details in a couple days anyway.




Didnt ask they knew I was Platinum one cant asume any more, but you would have thought as they are removing ATA from both the arrivals policy should remain the same.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

It ceases on 15th August notice period starts tomorrow that is we will get emails from DJ lol.

Ahh ok... still quite disappointed that it's being removed - I've only used it when picking up friends from the airport in BNE (after advising them to travel on VA so that they'd arrive close to the lounge), and in MEL before heading to the international terminal (considering their abysmal international network on their own metal - before I became QF WP)... Looks like I'll stop advising friends to travel on VA then!

 

[simongr]

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[malmacdowall]

If the outcome of removal of ATA is that they remove the freeloaders that are comped status AND still don't fly VA, then all the better IMHO.

 

[kamchatsky]

I think it is a good thing.

At the end VA needs to make money. No point feeding the status match freeloaders who flies JQ/QF and drink up on VA. It is just wrong.

I was status matched to Gold, and whilst I did use 1 ATA (to send my wife to MEL who is also VA Gold anyway and booked on J), I have flown VA exclusively.

I like the idea of lounge access on arrival. It is a good thing.

 

[MarkD]

They certainly don't appear to be removing freeloaders, 1 or two round trip tickets and they can keep platinum, or nothing and drop platinum to gold. Sorry but I cannot see how having a privelige that has been part of the package torn away and told like it or piss off is good marketing.
Fwiw I never abused the ATA I used it maybe 3 times in 12 mths, maybe 6 arrivals access, at points away drom home, i never use arrivals access at bne because i would rather head straight for home and have a coffee with my wife than sitting in an airport lounge I really don't like airports and get sick and tired of lounges and terminals so usually arrive with bare minimum time when flying, and would rather go for a colonoscopy than go out of my way to hang out in an airport lounge for kicks Seriously another useful benefit stuffed up by a) inconsiderate selfish coughs. Or b) greedy airline trying to piss off and screw over as many loyal customers as they can. Your choice as to what you believe


I'm too poor to own a signature

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Well, I'll be waiting in anticipation to see the details but if the change allows arrivals access and is for gold and plat, then I'm fairly satisfied.

I do recall a story from a few months back, where a member used to use ATA to take his young grandson on a Sat afternoon. He'd have a quiet peaceful coffee during an "offpeak" lounge time while his grandson would have an exciting time plane watching in MEL. What a pity that ATA will now go, as too for the people picking up friends and relatives (arriving on VA flights).

Upside......hopefully the lounges may start becoming less crowded during the peak business times which still leaves that point of difference between the majors.

 

[MarkD]

Maybe they are looking to cut wages....


I'm too poor to own a signature

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Maybe they are looking to cut wages....

I think more likely they're looking to cut the alcohol bill!

Let's be positive, VA may be looking at using the money saved from the freeloaders grog consumption to introduce spirits at the bar for the genuine users!

 

[TonyHancock]

I used ATA once. I was on JQ35 (I still feel ill.) and popped into the MEL Lounge to regain my sanity.

For those who think this will reduce the status match freeloaders have a think about it. The freeloaders status match, assuming they have not met their re-qualification requirements will be expiring within a month or so anyway.

This impacts the genuine FF's and those that DJ have chosen to re-elevate through the "2 J flights and your in strategy".

I guess this was inevitable but it does bring DJ closer to QF and whilst ATA is not that important to me, I do wonder what is coming next. My plan to secure DJ plat, as a priority, has now changed and my main focus will be on maintaining WP1 with QF....despite the appalling QF domestic premium boarding.

 

[MarkD]

LMAO. WE CAN DREAM. they will qf enhance the beer next and it will be a cardboard cup a packet soup and thimble of water, anything else is costing them money and is not allowed.


I'm too poor to own a signature

 

[Verde]

If the outcome of removal of ATA is that they remove the freeloaders that are comped status AND still don't fly VA, then all the better IMHO.

The thing to keep in mind is that the "freeloaders comped status" were a big part of the market VA needed to win over from QF. Plenty of people would have tried VA that were QF loyalists and I think the positive VA data and the negative QF data reflects this was successful. Just be patient and time will weed out those who don't fly enough to keep it. To get plat/gold with Qantas you must have been flying a decent amount, so winning those people over to Virgin would be beneficial.

I think reducing ATA to Arrivals is fine. If I'm not flying on that airline that day (ie. no revenue) then why should they give me access?

Certainly if I were one of the elite 'The Club' types we are starting to hear about, that might be a level to deserve ATA, but the "comped freeloaders" like myself will have their 12 months expire and either keep status by way of flying or lose it (or parachute, but that means you did actually take a few flights).

I know I've felt a little bad the few times I ducked into a VA lounge after a Rex flight, but it has probably only happened twice and I don't mind them withdrawing that at all.

People have been pushed to taste the VA flights, to try out the lounges, so hopefully the goal of getting them to switch is achieved if it is going to happen - thats what VA needed/wanted - that was the "deal" as far as I can tell. Now you either fly and earn it, or it'll parachute away (or disappear entirely if you never fly VA).

The 4 flight requirement to parachute to Gold ensured I did that when the opportunity presented itself and the Flexi requirement to use the upgrades ensured I paid more for a few flights I otherwise wouldn't have (BNE-NTL, I think I was the only person in PE on that flight so it isn't like I stopped them earning premium revenue from others). If I end up using it again for a BNE-PER flight I'm looking at booking I'll feel a bit like a I ripped them off a little, but if I feel like I owe them one then I'm inclined to do things like book a friday afternoon flight from Albury with them rather than Rex despite them being a bit more expensive (I've already done that once this year I think).

They've created some good will that means I'll pay a bit more sometimes for them over others and while it may not be big bucks it can't hurt. If they can get people paying extra because they're a notch better than the competition, then that will make them a premium airline now they've exited the LCC arena.

It probably helps that Qantas keeps shooting itself in the foot. I'll never fly DFW-BNE again thats for sure after having my luggage not make the trip. I'll certainly think twice before booking international flights with Qantas if there is a hint of industrial action in case they decide to have a lockout again too. Lifetime status credits are the main thing keeping me Qantas focused (since I should be able to make LTS in the next few years and I can hang on to that once my flying is cut back which should happen after my next move).

 

[Justchecking]

Can't say I'm surprised. But I am surprised it lasted as long as it did. I suppose they have to draw the line somewhere and I guess arrivals access is the 'where'.
It's interesting to me to see people choosing their FF program on the basis of ATA. Especially for those saying they used it seldom anyway. Oh well people value different things I guess. In either case none of us can really say we didn't see it coming. There are always a certain element who abuse any privilege they are given, that's just human greed unfortunately.