Lifetime Qantas Club membership.

[Richogreen]

Hello FFs,

I bought a Qantas Club Lifetime membership in ? 2001 for $2,700 I think it was, just after the Ansett collapse. Prior to that I had a "lifetime" Ansett Golden Wing membership which was amazing and even though it's now worth zilch, that membership owed me nothing. The lounges were superb and I had quite a number of free upgrades, both domestically and internationally. The Qantas club membership has been less "generous" and appears to be getting worse - and I note the upcoming closing of the BKK Qantas lounge. I understand that Qantas club members will only be able to use a secondary lounge at BKK.
Is this the way of the future for Qantas club? Lifetime memberships were phased out years ago. Will Qantas club similarly disappear or be devalued into voluntary extinction? If it does, what will happen to lifetime members???

Thoughts?

Richard.

 

[Dr Ralph]

You're right that things have been steadily been getting worse.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Will Qantas club similarly disappear or be devalued into voluntary extinction? If it does, what will happen to lifetime members???

I don't think QF clubs will disappear. QF is obviously making money out of them (directly, or indirectly by funneling business to QF).

What might happen is that existing lounge arrangements are tweaked to provide a better premium experience for high-paying business class passengers.

At the moment, QC clubs are basically economy class lounges. Status is fairly cheap, and between status and paid memberships, sheer numbers mean there will probably have to be even more cost cutting.

This will either leave QF with the option of sending business class pax to the First lounge, or creating a new 'business class only' lounge with appropriate amenities to match (including champagne, full dining etc).

But will there always be a 'basic' lounge for paid memberships and economy with status? I can't see that going away in the foreseeable future.

 

[UP4014]

I can't see them going away completely, it's a point of differene with Virgin, just. QF have the superior lounges but I guess while Virgin improve theirs QF will slowly lower the standard (as they have been) until they are equal then QF lounge management can be pleased they are running as cheap as they can without customers walking.