Cutting Platinums from 1st Lounge

[bokflyer]

First post from long-time lurker. Just spoken to QF Plat consultant and she said in course of discussion that WPs will no longer be able to access 1st lounges as from April 1. She said an e-mail to this effect had been sent out, but I don't recall ever receiving this. If this is true, it seriously undermines one of the few advantages QFF has over Kris.

 

[NM]

See this thread for details and comments about the new policy.

Note that a QF platinum member will still be welcome to use the F lounge when travelling with Qantas or any OneWorld airline in any class. Its just the "anytime" access that is changing to only allow access to the Business Class lounge if you are not flying with Qantas ro OneWorld that day.

 

[moa999]

The email is QF WPs will no longer be allowed any-time access to the FL.

ie. No FL access when you are flying an airline other than QF, JQ or a OneWorld partner

 

[bokflyer]

I remember that, but the QF consultant was very specific that Plats would be stopped from going to 1st lounges even if they were flying oneworld. She said the view is too many people in the 1st lounges and they want more space for when the A380s arrive (even though I thing the 1st cabins on those will be the same capacity as those on the existing 747s). Perhaps this is one of the "enhancements" we have been told to expect?

 

[NM]

I think the agent may have mixed up the facts. QF just spent a huge amount on their new F lounges. If they only permitted F passengers to use them, then they would be almost empty. For example, from MEL, QF operates three flights a day with an F cabin, QF93 to LAX, QF9 to SIN and QF29 to HKG. That is a total of 42 F seats spread over the day.

But we also know that F lounge access is a benefit of OneWorld Emerald status. Even AA, which does not permit their Platinum and Executive Platinum members to use their lounge when flying domestically, honours the F lounge access for international flights.

I would not be concerned that QF will be stopping Platinum FF members from using the F Lounge when flying OneWorld as part of the planned program enhancements.

 

[bokflyer]

The QF consultant was quite specific that Plats were being cut from 1st lounges from April 1, EVEN if flying oneworld. She said lounges were becoming too crowded and they wanted to make room for the passengers on the new A380s. Suggested we all complain about it too. Perhaps this is one of the expected "enhancements" to the program we've been expecting?

 

[serfty]

G'day bokflyer, welcome to AFF.

Look at this page from Qantas.com:

• Lounge Access - Qantas Club and Frequent Flyers

International First Lounge

Member Type

Platinum
Member and 1 guest can
access lounge any time.^
Guest must be travelling
with member.

...

^ Must be travelling, not necessarily on Qantas, British Airways or Jetstar to access the lounge. From 1 April 2008, you must be travelling on the day with Qantas, Jetstar, British Airways or any of the other oneworld members airlines to access the Qantas First Lounge. If you are not travelling on Qantas or the airlines listed, you are still welcome to visit the Qantas Business Lounge before departure.

 

[simongr]

The QF consultant was quite specific that Plats were being cut from 1st lounges from April 1, EVEN if flying oneworld. She said lounges were becoming too crowded and they wanted to make room for the passengers on the new A380s. Suggested we all complain about it too. Perhaps this is one of the expected "enhancements" to the program we've been expecting?

That would actually be a breach of the oneworld agreement that OW Emeralds can access F lounges. I suspect that the agent was having a bad, being mischievous or was just stupid - or a combination of the three.

Also not sure what the agent would mean by referencing the A380. The expected config is 14 F seats and there are currently 14 F seats on the 747 so there will be no more F pax I think...

 

[serfty]

Furthermore, here is an excerpt from the email I recieved last October regarding this:

From: Qantas Frequent Flyer [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, 8 October 2007 2:02 PM
To: <serfty>@ISP_email.COM
Subject: Your Platinum Lounge Access

Changes to Platinum Access


Hello <serfty>

Making your lounge experience more enjoyable

As a Platinum Frequent Flyer, it is natural to expect unique levels of service, comfort and luxury when you travel with Qantas. That's why we have recently made a number of significant investments to improve your travel experience including the new Qantas First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne - lounges like no others in the world.

From mid 2008 we will also be opening Business Lounges across our domestic network for the exclusive use of Business Class travellers and Platinum members. Business Lounges are currently scheduled for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

To make certain that we meet your expectations, we would like you to know that from 1 April 2008, when flying internationally you need to be flying on the day with Qantas, Jetstar, British Airways or any of the other oneworld® member airlines to enjoy any of the Qantas First Lounges located worldwide. And when flying domestically within Australia you will need to be flying that day with Qantas or Jetstar to access the new Business Lounges.

If you are not travelling internationally with Qantas or the airlines listed, you are still more than welcome to visit the Qantas Business Lounge before your departure. Domestically, if you are not flying Qantas or Jetstar you are still welcome in The Qantas Club.

We hope you have the opportunity to enjoy our new lounges when you next travel. In the meantime, please be our guest and tour the new First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne at qantas.com/firstlounges

We look forward to seeing you very soon.

Yours sincerely

Norris Carter
Group General Manager Loyalty

oneworld member airlines: Qantas, American Airlines®, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines (JAL), LAN, Malév and Royal Jordanian ...

 

[JohnK]

I had a similar type of discussion with the 2 desk service staff at the SYD F lounge in early January. They were basically saying the same type of things and that Platinums had already being sent the letter informing them of changes from April 1st.

I assured them that I had received the letter and I will still have access to F lounges if flying Oneworld otherwise I would be relegated to the J lounge. They were saying no international lounge access unless I was flying Oneworld, which is wrong. Aso I mentioned that I would have access to the new business lounges if flying QF or still have anytime access to the Qantas Clubs. Anyway they were arguing the point that I was wrong and they finally found a draft letter on their computer which confirmed exactly what I was sent and that they had misinterpreted the contents of the letter.

Just remember that not all QF employees are aware of the current rules and some of them misinterpret the internal memos they are sent. Now this does not mean that there aren't further changes in the pipeline but for these changes to occur they will need to give us 6 months notice.

 

[dajop]

I had a similar type of discussion with the 2 desk service staff at the SYD F lounge in early January. They were basically saying the same type of things and that Platinums had already being sent the letter informing them of changes from April 1st.

Sounds like it might be handy to carry around a copy of the letter from April 1st ....

 

[JohnK]

Sounds like it might be handy to carry around a copy of the letter from April 1st ....

I think that is a good idea. It will go with my printout of Oneworld Lounge Access Policy I carry with me.

What got me the most was that the lady was very insistent on the rule changes. Are they being given the wrong information, interpreting it wrong or just trying to assert some type of authority? The discussion went on for about 15 minutes so it wasn't just in passing....

 

[taswegian77]

Personally i like the changes they are making to the lounge access to F lounges. As I fly exclusively OneWorld I am happy to restrict F lounge access to those flying one world on that day. The other day in SIN the F lounge was so full I was scared to leave my chair to get bubbles in case when I got back someone was sitting there.
Anyway other than MEL or SYD, most other lounges are not much different. I prefer BKK J to BKK F. i even think SIN J is maybe marginally better than SIN F but I travel less through SIN mainly due to the overcrowding there.

 

[JohnK]

Anyway other than MEL or SYD, most other lounges are not much different. I prefer BKK J to BKK F. i even think SIN J is maybe marginally better than SIN F but I travel less through SIN mainly due to the overcrowding there.

True. I don't think the BKK F lounge or SIN F lounge are anything special especially the SIN F lounge as it gets too overcrowded and not enough PCs. The SIN J lounge is OK but most times there are way too many unsupervised children in there playing loud internet games. If I had my choice I would rather go to the Skyview Lounge which is much quieter and has a nicer atmosphere.

While we are on this subject I noticed that the SIN J lounge was closed for business around 12:00noon when I was through there in early December. I got in a little earlier and the staff were quite happy for me to drink away and use the PCs. There wasn't any food around either and I had to ask for a glass of bubbles.

 

[Petch]

If I had my choice I would rather go to the Skyview Lounge which is much quieter and has a nicer atmosphere.

I will be in Singapore in a few months, departing on QF with a group. (1xWP, 1xSG, 1xPS, 2xNB) I managed to exchange someone’s January expiring free pass the other day in a QP, for one later in the year (thanks to a tip posted on AFF) so I have everyone covered for lounge access in Singapore... BUT, if Skyview is nicer (& I note it is a Priority Pass Lounge, so I have access) should I reassess my approach?

 

[JohnK]

... BUT, if Skyview is nicer (& I note it is a Priority Pass Lounge, so I have access) should I reassess my approach?

That is entirely up to you. You won't be able to use the QC passes in the Skyview lounge.

I try to avoid the SIN J lounge if possible and in my opinion the Skyview Lounge is a nicer lounge and i have never seen it crowded and hardly any children running around or hogging the PCs.

The food is on par, if not better, with QF J lounge especially the dim sum and the wonderful desserts on offer. And you have just as much variety with beverages. It is not as big as the QF J lounge, but for me that is a plus, fantastic views outside if you want to spot aircraft or watch the people walking through the terminal downstairs.

 

[v8Statesman]

Does a QF WP have access to the Skyview lounge when traveling oneworld? Or is it another system?

 

[dot]

Does a QF WP have access to the Skyview lounge when traveling oneworld? Or is it another system?

Yes - the Skyview lounge is the CX lounge at SIN (See SIN Map - Terminal 1 - level 3), so WP's can get in anytime (at least when you are flying OW anyway).

Personally, I prefer the QF F lounge and have never had a problem with kids, PCs (I only use my own anyway) or food although the skyview has nice dumplings.

 

[jpk]

What got me the most was that the lady was very insistent on the rule changes. Are they being given the wrong information, interpreting it wrong or just trying to assert some type of authority? The discussion went on for about 15 minutes so it wasn't just in passing....

I think the internal communication systems and processes at the QF Group are poor. I had an hour long chat with a QF long haul stewardess last week in a cafe at MEL. I was dropping someone off and went for a coffee, she was waiting before clocking on. It was an interesting chat across most aspects of her job, but I was amazed at how many things she did not know, or knew wrongly. I think galley (chinese) whispers is also responsible for a lot of this.

As a result, I rarely take a QF staffers word at face value. This especially applies to call centre staff. If you are a regular FT/AFF reader, then you are probably better informed than they are.