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

[el_rooto]

The main reason I'm a WP is that I enjoyed the F lounge so much after visiting it with dad.

 

[JohnK]

The F lounge runs are now a regular occurence not just one off events.

There is one in a few days and now 2 planned for January. And that is the ones I know about as they have been advertised. Possibly another for February and let's get another one in before Easter.

I do not believe they should be advertised in this way, just to spite QF, on an open forum such as AFF where Qantas representatives are active participants.

 

[Simo]

The F lounge runs are now a regular occurence not just one off events.

There is one in a few days and now 2 planned for January. And that is the ones I know about as they have been advertised. Possibly another for February and let's get another one in before Easter.

I do not believe they should be advertised in this way, just to spite QF, on an open forum such as AFF where Qantas representatives are active participants.

If it wasn't advertised via this forum how would we know about them????

I will agree agree that 3 in 2 months is starting to get a bit over the top.

But on the other hand if I did a F lounge run well so what how many times have I not used a lounge or have been at a port that doesn't have a lounge...

 

[el_rooto]

I could see them taking away F lounge access for JQ flights.

 

[thewinchester]

Listen, we know full well QFF know about the F Lounge runs from both reading this forum, lounge traffic information, as well as private discussions with members. These aren't a secret.

As straitman said, if they were becoming a problem then we would have heard something from Red Roo by now.

Secondly - my view is that our F Lounge runs are a good marketing tool for QFF and Lounges. This gives our members a chance to use their benefits, and show off parts of the carriers premium product to those who've not yet experienced it. If anything, the F Lounge runs are a cost effective sales tool for them to encourage greater loyalty to the carrier, purchase of tickets in higher cabin classes, etc.

As one piece of evidence for this, I had the chance on a flight back from one of these ex-MEL to talk to my slightly younger female seat mate (sadly spoken for) who when the topic changed to what I was flying for that day - I had a chance to talk to her about QF's premium product of which she was not aware. Because of my visit, as well as reading of TR's from those who've flown F, I was able to tell her about the product, service, and the benefits of that cabin class/elite QFF status.

Now this demonstrates two things. Firstly, these runs help with their fan loyalty and brand building - by allowing their customers to become what are the most effective sales piece for the carrier. Secondly, through their networks and conversations - convince others of the product and lounges value thus encouraging them to buy.

It's a simple example of the CwF+RtB formula (Connect with Fans + Reason to Buy = Profit).

Thirdly, we're flying a QF Group carrier to do this. Regardless of how much we spend, the money comes back into Qantas bank accounts. And not all of us will be getting their flights cheaply, specially if they buy closer to the flight date (the bucket of paint scenario), specially if you start at SYD and fly back from MEL. If QF was not getting any revenue from these events, then I'm sure it would be a bigger pimple on the elephant by now.

Forth and finally - how much has QF had to pay for getting anywhere from 10-40 more customers of the brand to have a fun day, experience their premium product, and create more vocal fans? Zero, nada, zip, zilch. That's a great ROI for the outcomes gained in anyone's book.

Now it could be argued that there might have been times where our members may have had too many people in there as a group. If Red Roo has some advice in this regard, I'm sure this could be passed on to the forum to ensure we can continue this practice without raising the hackles of the carrier and lounge staff.

And with that, this finishes a logical reply to munitalP's patently obvious stirring of the pot. Don't fall for his deliberate kicking of the hornet's nest next time

 

[dfcatch]

I don't even want to look at how much I spent on my last F lounge run.

Let's just say that QF made enough out of me that it was a very expensive eggs bene and massage.

Loved it though!!!

 

[cove]

Thank you dfcatch.....I am a shareholder!

 

[Bundy Bear]

As a Qantas Platinum member who lives in Brisbane I wouldn't continue to fly as much as I do if it wasn't for the occasional F lounge run.

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

You need to buy yourself a ticket for tomorrows JQ35 so I can guest you into the First lounge.

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.

Completely agree, that First Lounge meet basically got me started thinking ways to fly enough to attain Platinum.

The main reason I'm a WP is that I enjoyed the F lounge so much after visiting it with dad.

Agreed.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Interesting Topic.

Perhaps Qantas should consider the Lounge beyond the Lounge as some others do. EG SIA "Private Room".

 

[Alanslegal]

I have no problem with these meet ups and I don't think QF would be concerned about them, it would only be a very small numbers in any instance. The meetups that are organised here, usually there have a 4:1 WP to non-WP ratio, and by removing this as a WP benefit will really annoy quite a few people.

Alot of WP pax, even here, would never ever want/need/wish to step on a JQ flight so there isn't many folks who make it to WP and then go directly to JQ. As mentioned, it takes alot of effort to pass through Customs and Immigration and sometimes you can be stuck close to an hour just so your orange D sticker can be looked at. The last thing a WP does ... especially one who has already devoted alot of hours at the airport, on the plane, travel time .... is to go out and fly JQi domestic legs just to get some complimentary food and champagne.

 

[casanovawa]

Never done them before, but unless its about crowding of the lounge issue, the only variable cost for QF is the alcohol and the food provided as fixed costs of staff etc are there no matter what...

The cost of the flight, well basically most people wouldn't have bought a ticket if not for an FLounge run and the plane(s) would still have had to take off anyway so the cost of the flight to JQ can be deducted from the equation unless the seat would have been bought by someone else who may not have used the FLounge... So are the JQ planes seats all booked out when the members fly?? If not its safe to assume that no one was kept of the flight by the AFF members and so flight costs to JQ would be exactly the same if the AFF members flew or didnt fly and so any revenue they gave JQ for flying is additional revenue...

So if AFF members were to fly up and back on JQ with price matches and say were $70 both ways that is $140 of additional revenue JQ have gained and what are the costs to JQ/QF??? A salt and pepper squid meal?? An eggs benedict?? While yes in a dome or a high falutin restaurant you maybe pay $40-70 or so the actual cost of ingredients of these things is what?? $15-20??? Ok, so still looking like a profit there... And then you say people will be guzzling Dom Perignon or Tattinger or whatever?? I in fact don't much like wine or champers, no matter how much it is meant to cost (even though they will be buying bulk and get at reduced prices..) I personally would probably just drink bourbon or vodkas, so a bottle of one at reduced bulk prices to QF?? $20??? If i was to pay $140 to get to one of these things (although it would be a lot more from Perth) and were to consumer even $70-80 worth of alcohol and raw ingredients, has JQ/QF at least broken even if not made a profit?? Am i missing something there???

 

[AnonymousCoward]

what are the costs to JQ/QF??? A salt and pepper squid meal?? An eggs benedict?? While yes in a dome or a high falutin restaurant you maybe pay $40-70 or so the actual cost of ingredients of these things is what?? $15-20??? Ok, so still looking like a profit there...

Yet restaurants are not huge profit earners. There are still significant costs to running a business, which chews into that per-unit profit.

$150/visit was a number touted somewhere as the cost QF charges to other airlines for usage of the lounge.

 

[serfty]

Yet restaurants are not huge profit earners. There are still significant costs to running a business, which chews into that per-unit profit.

$150/visit was a number touted somewhere as the cost QF charges to other airlines for usage of the lounge.

There's a high fixed cost with restaurants - whether the customers come in or not.

They do have an inkling of the number of eligible guests they expect. ( A couple of months ago before a JQ flight MEL-AKL I was greeted on arrival with "we were expecting you" and "there one other from your flight who may visit".) So that's an advantage the Flounge mgmt do have over most restaurants.

 

[drewbles]

At the AFF/QF Lunch at Rockpool, Red Roo and Simon both stated that they have no plans whatsoever to remove F lounge access for WP's at all, nor was there any plans to restrict it to QF/OW flights and exclude JQ.

Of course QF can change what they like, but the question was asked, and that was the answer.

 

[casanovawa]

Anonymous, that might well be a very valid estimate of $150/customer for a business like Qantas to make over the year with number of visitors divide by cost of providing the service etc... But i was talking about on any given day, the same amount of staff will be there, the same amount of electricity and everything being used etc.. If 10 AFF'ers turn up for a FLounge run or they don't, the only thing that will change for the day is the amount of food and alcohol they consume and most people will struggle to eat and drink more than $150 worth of food and alcohol especially at the rate at which they are able to buy it in bulk.. QF/JQ won't be earning a big profit, but it won't be a bit loss either and if they get the benefits of advertising to potential clients who might want to spend extra money to reach WP levels etc, its probably pretty cheap as has been mentioned here as almost no cost to them...

 

[munitalP]

Anonymous, that might well be a very valid estimate of $150/customer for a business like Qantas to make over the year with number of visitors divide by cost of providing the service etc... But i was talking about on any given day, the same amount of staff will be there, the same amount of electricity and everything being used etc.. If 10 AFF'ers turn up for a FLounge run or they don't, the only thing that will change for the day is the amount of food and alcohol they consume and most people will struggle to eat and drink more than $150 worth of food and alcohol especially at the rate at which they are able to buy it in bulk.. QF/JQ won't be earning a big profit, but it won't be a bit loss either and if they get the benefits of advertising to potential clients who might want to spend extra money to reach WP levels etc, its probably pretty cheap as has been mentioned here as almost no cost to them...

Sorry mate, you are way out of touch.

5 AFFers in the MEL F Lounge on the way to the SYD Gathering clocked a bill in excess of 1.5 grand for breakfast and Vino. Anat0l - is that the correct figure?

Every meal and drink is recorded as in a restaurant, and if you ask nice on the way out, they will show you the cost.

FWIW, apart from one particular AFFer as well, that particular day wasn't as excessive as it has been

I believe that the F lounges are run as a separate business by the caterers and QF are billed as a customer would be in a restaurant.

Also in your above equation, you seem to neglect the scandalous fees that SACL would be charging...

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Anonymous, that might well be a very valid estimate of $150/customer for a business like Qantas to make over the year with number of visitors divide by cost of providing the service etc... But i was talking about on any given day, the same amount of staff will be there, the same amount of electricity and everything being used etc.. If 10 AFF'ers turn up for a FLounge run or they don't, the only thing that will change for the day is the amount of food and alcohol they consume and most people will struggle to eat and drink more than $150 worth of food and alcohol especially at the rate at which they are able to buy it in bulk.. QF/JQ won't be earning a big profit, but it won't be a bit loss either and if they get the benefits of advertising to potential clients who might want to spend extra money to reach WP levels etc, its probably pretty cheap as has been mentioned here as almost no cost to them...

If you use that logic, then every single person - from the first person, to the last person, who walks into the F lounge is profitable for QANTAS - because the staff, fitting, rent etc has already been paid for.

Yet someone has to pick up those fixed costs, and the only way to do that is to spread it across all patrons.

That said, since this whole operation is outsourced to Sofitel, I suspect QF is charged at a commercial rate for these things.

 

[JohnK]

As a Qantas Platinum member who lives in Brisbane I wouldn't continue to fly as much as I do if it wasn't for the occasional F lounge run.

Surely there is a difference between individual F Lounge runs and ones that are advertised on an open forums as group lounge runs just to spite Qantas?

Wasn't it also mentioned that people were going to wear Virgin t-shirts to the Qantas F Lounge on January 29 last year? Very smart....

 

[bigjobs]

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

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!

Lol at pepole being 'inspired' by an airport lounge.

 

[serfty]

Lol at pepole being 'inspired' by an airport lounge.

Let me express it this way:

​

• Some like flying/traveling for flying/traveling's sake.
• Some like to be comfortable when they are flying/traveling for flying/traveling's sake.
• Of these many find the availability of and access to airport lounges to assist in being comfortable when flying/traveling for flying/traveling's sake.
• The better the facilities of an accessible airport lounge the higher the chance of greater comfort when flying/traveling for flying/traveling's sake.
• To whit, access to and experience of lounges like the Qantas First in MEL and SYD and other lounges with similar reputations around the world are generally coveted by many who like flying/traveling for flying/traveling's sake.

For many, all the better if said experience can be shared with like minded people.

YMMV​