Platinum lounge ???

[MK1974]

I flying a couple of times a week and am Platinum with VA.. The only thing i miss is a nice scotch a coke after a long week!!! Something which QF does offer in there lounges . Wispers on the grapevine is the VA is soon to announce a Plat Lounge. Has anyone heard the same??? lets hope the drink and food menu is better in there!

 

[Fruitcake]

John Borghetti on the record as saying that Virgin will have three broad styles of lounges. 'Regional' lounges - MKY-style. Then 'full service' major lounges like BNE and MEL, toppd out by the 'flagship' domestic lounge at SYD (which is still under construction).
Virgin Australia plans for more (and bigger) airport lounges - Australian Business Traveller

I'm sure I've seen a quote from him saying that QF-style J lounges are not part of the plan but I can't source that at present.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I asked in MEL today about that little glassed in nook beside the angels (as it has been suggested that's a pseudo-business lounge). The angel informed me they do from time to time drop the reserved signs there, but it's not necessarily for business. It's just so they can control some seats in the busy times for certain guests (wheelchair bound and elderly were mentioned). I did like the fact the old comfy chairs have made a reappearance in there!

 

[Simo]

I do miss a scotch and dry if flying VA.

 

[lovestotravel]

As they have not build a Plat lounge in Canberra, it's not going to happen!

VA have said there are no plans for a Plat/business lounge and no plans to introduce spirits to lounges, even though an advertisement showed a bottle of spirits

VA also don't know what food to put/change in the lounges.

These reasons are basically why I am sticking with Qantas

 

[Fruitcake]

VA also don't know what food to put/change in the lounges.

Although I do appreciate that you have posted that testing new products before rolling them out network wide is a sign of weakness, the Velocity rep has posted that a new Lounge menu begins in Brisbane this month.

 

[lovestotravel]

Although I do appreciate that you have posted that testing new products before rolling them out network wide is a sign of weakness, the Velocity rep has posted that a new Lounge menu begins in Brisbane this month.

No they are trialing a new lounge menu in Brisbane, much the same as Luke/Virgin are trialing food options for on-board. It's all about a trial because they don't know what to do.

Yep a sign of weekness and the continuation of amateur hour basically

So many trials, so much talk

 

[Jamesl]

No they are trialing a new lounge menu in Brisbane, much the same as Luke/Virgin are trialing food options for on-board. It's all about a trial because they don't know what to do.

Yep a sign of weekness and the continuation of amateur hour basically

So many trials, so much talk

Mate, QF do trials aswell and for the same reasons(eg: preflight meal ordering), to see if the product provided actually works...Rome wasn't built in a day and their making sure they get it right so whiners like yourself don't have anything to complain about.

 

[Fruitcake]

It's all about a trial because they don't know what to do.

QF trialed wifi entertainment, they trialed long haul onboard wifi internet, they're currently trialing a book-the-cook style service. Oh, and Neil Perry's website boasts about trialing menu options for QF, both on board and in the lounge.

The best of my knowledge, QF has conducted more product trials recently than VA. Clearly, they don't have a clue either!

 

[lovestotravel]

Mate, QF do trials aswell and for the same reasons(eg: preflight meal ordering), to see if the product provided actually works...Rome wasn't built in a day and their making sure they get it right so whiners like yourself don't have anything to complain about.

Firstly, I am not your mate, and I don't whinge, I just provide facts and also give Virgin $0 of my travel money now :mrgreen:

 

[lovestotravel]

Clearly, they don't have a clue either!

No they seem to do very well with food choices in first, business and economy

 

[Mogul]

No they seem to do very well with food choices in first, business and economy

Dare I say it as a result of trials !!!!!!

 

[Plutonus]

I just provide facts and also give Virgin $0 of my travel money now :mrgreen:

You confuse me. On one hand, you thank Virgin for the current Velocity offers and mention that you will take advantage of them, you say VA J in the 777 is better than on QF, and you use "Virgin doesn't do this either" to explain Qantas actions. Then on the other, you regularly say how terrible VA is, Qantas is much better, and that you're not flying VA because of this.

I don't get it.

 

[lovestotravel]

You confuse me. On one hand, you thank Virgin for the current Velocity offers and mention that you will take advantage of them, you say VA J in the 777 is better than on QF, and you use "Virgin doesn't do this either" to explain Qantas actions. Then on the other, you regularly say how terrible VA is, Qantas is much better, and that you're not flying VA because of this.

I don't get it.

Unlike some fanbois on here, I give credit where it's due and criticism where it's due.

The product on VAs 777 is outstanding, the product on the 737 and domestically is a joke.
The QF A380 J is nice in Emerald city, but in the zoo further back it's not that nice.

I don't fly VA domestically and in-fact cancelled my only 3 flights for this year and booked on Qantas.

Currently Platinum for another 11 months and then I'll happily sit at Gold until March 2015. Late 2014 I'll consider using VA domestically again, but with no J lounge, no spirits and lack of IFE in J, and month of trials to decide what food to put in a lounge.... I doubt I'll be bothering with VA again.

Of course the fanbois of VA on here continue to pick at everything I say, but funnily enough the more they comment, the more I'll rant

The main issue I have with Qantas is what will happen with their international network, but since they are now in bed with EK, at least we'll have EK metal to fly on with some good benefits for those who have QF status.

It's just a shame I have millions of VA points, and not so many QF points

 

[Mogul]

Unlike some fanbois on here, I give credit where it's due and criticism where it's due.

The product on VAs 777 is outstanding, the product on the 737 and domestically is a joke.
The QF A380 J is nice in Emerald city, but in the zoo further back it's not that nice.

I don't fly VA domestically and in-fact cancelled my only 3 flights for this year and booked on Qantas.

Currently Platinum for another 11 months and then I'll happily sit at Gold until March 2015. Late 2014 I'll consider using VA domestically again, but with no J lounge, no spirits and lack of IFE in J, and month of trials to decide what food to put in a lounge.... I doubt I'll be bothering with VA again.

Of course the fanbois of VA on here continue to pick at everything I say, but funnily enough the more they comment, the more I'll rant

The main issue I have with Qantas is what will happen with their international network, but since they are now in bed with EK, at least we'll have EK metal to fly on with some good benefits for those who have QF status.

It's just a shame I have millions of VA points, and not so many QF points

How can you give credit or criticism if you don't fly with VA ????

 

[lovestotravel]

How can you give credit or criticism if you don't fly with VA ????

I guessed you missed the bit where I made Platinum with them and then another 600SCs.. From all reports on here, not much has changed with them that would want to get me back to flying with them.

 

[Fruitcake]

Unlike some fanbois on here, I give credit where it's due and criticism where it's due.

I'll back you on that. I find most of the standards you set to be either practically impossible or economically impractical but you do apply them pretty evenly.

I must admit I was surprised to read a positive review from you of the VX Loft at LAX. So I figure it must be pretty darn good .

 

[lovestotravel]

I'll back you on that. I find most of the standards you set to be either practically impossible or economically impractical but you do apply them pretty evenly.

I must admit I was surprised to read a positive review from you of the VX Loft at LAX. So I figure it must be pretty darn good .

A VA J lounge or at least more/better/different food in the VA lounge isn't that hard Again as least VA are aware of the issue regarding food and are trying something new.

I wouldn't go that far with the VA Loft lounge, but compared to USA lounges it's pretty good. Of course it needs to be compared to the new QF lounges opening in November (J) and then the F lounge at LAX early 2014....

As others have said QF have had years and years to perfect and tweak their systems/processes and VA is very new to all of this.

Hopefully later this year we'll have an idea of what QF is really going to do with JQ International, the 787's, the remaining 8 A380's etc etc, at that time and then through next year I can then re-cough my needs and perhaps direct some $ back towards VA to ensure I keep status with them!

 

[muppet]

I would prefer VA built some J lounges around the place, but alas.

The reality is, I will lose my QF WP due to the significantly higher value overall I get from VA.

I much prefer QFs lounge products. But with the various promotions, I just haven't had a chance to fly them. July to December last year I didn't fly Y at all, about 30 flights, all J on VA due to their discount upgrade promotion (which essentially meant for my flights, that buying a flexi = business due to 10 points per $).

I love QF, but i'd prefer to fly J, and I can with VA...... at the moment, I've noticed price rises on my routes of about $10 per month for flexi fares.

 

[Bolthead]

Sorry but this is now starting to sound like a bash lovestotravel thread....