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

[JohnK]

AFAIK it was only ever written into the lounge access policy.

So no need to provide written communication of changes to terms and conditions for lounge entry?

The silence is deafening....

 

[lovestotravel]

I still cannot believe there has been no formal communication of the removal of anytime access. Either VA are being very amateurish

VA do this quite well, they are consistent at being amateurish..... which is a shame!

 

[lovestotravel]

It relates to the T&C's themselves and the specific notice to be given for "significant changes" - if ATA was not noted in the T&C's then such notice of change would not be required.

But it was promoted on the website as a benefit!

 

[PLANT]

Access on ARRIVAL= AOA

So how are annual\lifetime lounge members finding Access on Arrival of DESTINATION????????

 

[oz_mark]

So no need to provide written communication of changes to terms and conditions for lounge entry?

The silence is deafening....

I would have thought that there would (and should) have been a communication. It shouldn't be up to the staff to deal with it on the 15th....

My point is that the argument that the T&Cs required 30 days notice doesn't seem relevant, given they weren't in the T&Cs to begin with.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Access on ARRIVAL= AOA

So how are annual\lifetime lounge members finding Access on Arrival of DESTINATION????????

ATA or arrivals access has never been a benefit of either annual or lifetime lounge paid membership AFAIK.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Regardless of what the T&Cs did or did not state, there's a little thing called common courtesy that has sadly gone AWOL here.

I and many others rarely use ATA, but imagine the embarrassment for those who aren't AFF members, know nothing about the change, but meet an important client at the airport and go to use ATA! Given some of the feedback that the warnings (particularly from MEL lounge) have been made very undiplomatically, the situation could be very uncomfortable for some of VAs supposedly valuable FFers.

I'm just absolutely amazed that JB has shown such positive leadership since taking the reins, yet also shows such unforgivable ignorance in the area of treatment of his loyal clients. Maybe the VA top dogs all missed a day of lessons in Business 101........"It's Easier Keeping Existing Customers Than Winning New Ones"

 

[anat0l]

...lessons in Business 101........"It's Easier Keeping Existing Customers Than Winning New Ones"

O/T

With today's airlines and diverse demographic of customers, that's not quite accurate.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

O/T

With today's airlines and diverse demographic of customers, that's not quite accurate.

I don't believe coughping on clients from a great height is the workable alternative however! I'm very much believing the SM programme was no where near as successful as we all expected it would be just 12 months ago.

 

[JohnK]

I would have thought that there would (and should) have been a communication. It shouldn't be up to the staff to deal with it on the 15th....

My point is that the argument that the T&Cs required 30 days notice doesn't seem relevant, given they weren't in the T&Cs to begin with.

I don't think I am saying they have to communicate the decision but in my opinion something so important (and a huge selling point while poaching Qantas status customers) deserves some form of formal communication. Not AFF, twitter or Facebook.

You would think that VA has an abundance of customers and can afford to lose a few out of this decision....

 

[N860CR]

Used ATA today for probably the last time in BNE. Managed to get through using the flash new machine. Swiped my card, hit 1 guest and got a "Welcome" message.

I'd assume it'll be programmed next week to reject those without bookings. I'm sure that a message must appear on the agents screen when somebody swipes their card on the machine as the whole process is fairly quiet. I can't imagine it would be too hard to "pretend" to swipe any old card (backwards or something) and then just walk past (and unless it throws up a message, i wouldn't think anybody would notice.)

 

[lovestotravel]

Busy times in MEL I just walk straight into the lounge without stopping............

 

[SilverShadow]

will be using ATA for last time this weekend in Sydney to pick up a hire car for the weekend... sigh... 3rd and last time ever!

 

[lovestotravel]

Still nothing from Virgin

Just for fun I'll try to access the lounge on August 17th without my ticket in hand.....

Nice of Virgin to give notice to their high valued Gold/Platinum members

I am far from surprised though

 

[leemin]

Still nothing from Virgin

Just for fun I'll try to access the lounge on August 17th without my ticket in hand.....

Nice of Virgin to give notice to their high valued Gold/Platinum members

I am far from surprised though

*like*

Sent using AFF iPhone app which doesn't have a 'Like' button

 

[JohnK]

Nice of Virgin to give notice to their high valued Gold/Platinum members

I am far from surprised though

I don't know why people think airlines (including Virgin) consider them highly valued.

We keep harping on the same points and the silence is deafening. A very important decision has been made and this has not been communicated to the masses.

Obviously we are not that highly valued and this decision is not that important....

 

[lovestotravel]

Agree on all points!!!!!

As I have said before, all they care about is market share/revenue/profit.....

 

[mella2007]

Only catching up on this thread.
Very disappointing to hear.
I have never used Anytime Lounge Access for anything but when I'm catching a VA flight (which in the past year has been 100% of the time here in OZ, and every OS trip bar one)
I was actually hoping to use the Lounge next week as I'm flying with REX for the first time in years to a destination VA don't fly to.
It is really frustrating to think how many people have abused the system, who have never or hardly flew with VA since the Status match but have reaped the rewards of the Lounge with their guests.

 

[lovestotravel]

Should have kept ATA but ditched the fly once or twice and we'll make you Gold/Platinum offers....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Should have kept ATA but ditched the fly once or twice and we'll make you Gold/Platinum offers....

The thing that I doubt could be argued against too convincingly is the perception that the VA loyalty scheme has suffered credibility loss over this mess.