No more "anytime access" for CL's

[mviy]

I agree about the distinction, but if that is QF's main concern (and I guess it probably is), the simple solution would be to change the anytime access rule so it applies to domestic lounges only.

The wine in the Chairman's Lounge (have never been there) I think is better than in the First Lounge. So a CL visit may actually cost QF quite a bit more than a FLounge visit. I recall reading about some AFF members drinking fine wine in the FLounge that was left over from the CL.

 

[mviy]

I think it would be smarter to simply not renew membership to the CLs that abused this access (if this is the real reason for the change).

So if someone whose company spends $5 million with QF each year you think it'd be a smart thing to annoy that key decision maker by specifically stripping CL membership from that individual. I don't think that would end well.

 

[Flying Fox]

So if someone whose company spends $5 million with QF each year you think it'd be a smart thing to annoy that key decision maker by specifically stripping CL membership from that individual. I don't think that would end well.

No I don't. In your example, I personally allow them to keep their CL membership.

I think that QF should review that specific CL's membership and if they were abusing the lounge access and their business wasn't contributing any $ or enough $ to QF, then don't renew their membership.

I personally wouldn't remove anytime lounge access for ALL CLs as per the new rules that have been published.

I would guess that most CLs are very reasonable about lounge access and like with most things, there are only a few bad eggs abusing the system.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I'm not a CL or have ever been into their lounge but what are the rules with VA's The Club or The Gang or whatever they call it?

VA gives 'anytime access' to The Club for Club members and their guests.

The wine in the Chairman's Lounge (have never been there) I think is better than in the First Lounge.

I've been guested into the CL before and I honestly can't say a bottle of Wolf Blass Gold sparkling tops the Champagne choices in the First Lounge!

To be honest, there's so much mystery around the CL when you haven't been inside because people really build it up, and then once you've been in, it's basically like a mini first class lounge but lacking a spa and the extensive dining menu (there's still S&P squid, though): so if you've been to the Qantas First Lounge in Sydney or Melbourne, you've arguably visited a better lounge than the CL. The whole appeal of the CL is that most people can't go inside, which makes people want to go inside, haha.

 

[Pushka]

I think it would be smarter to simply not renew membership to the CLs that abused this access (if this is the real reason for the change).

Oh good luck with that. That would create furore amongst the chosen ones. A few AFF’ers have been guests inside the Sydney lounge.

 

[Pleb Status]

I was given a single entry to the CL in PER many years ago (prior all of the QP renovations).

It was certainly nothing special at that time. The main advantage of the CL is it separates them from us. That also why P1 will never be given any/regular access to the CL...

There are complaints here when SG are allowed to 'sully' the Dom J lounge with their presence when QF closes the QP during quiet periods.

 

[kermatu]

Food and (in general) beverages in the F lounges far better than CL. What the CLs win hands down is quiet, space, more meeting rooms and general peace. Staff are within easy 'reach' but leave you alone until you indicate for one.

I only have a few CL experiences but I've not seen people eating or drinking much. That said, I quite coincidentally did hear just last night of a recent exec at the centre of government who regularly takes her family to the CL in Canberra for a feed when only she is travelling. Pathetic but wouldn't be stopped under this change. Hence, I still believe this is targeted at the F lounges and will not be detrimental to QF's rep. Good move. But they and VA really should cull many from their lists.

 

[Hvr]

But they and VA really should cull many from their lists.

Herein lies the problem. It's a competition. If Qantas offers one group, e.g politicians automatic membership the Virgin feels obligated to do likewise.

Maybe if they were really exclusive, i.e. people are genuine movers and shakers within Australian society then it would be valued more by the members?

 

[kermatu]

Herein lies the problem. It's a competition. If Qantas offers one group, e.g politicians automatic membership the Virgin feels obligated to do likewise.

Maybe if they were really exclusive, i.e. people are genuine movers and shakers within Australian society then it would be valued more by the members?

Limited visibility and information - but experience I have is the 'genuine movers and shakers' want as little time as possible in domestic airports and lounges. It's the lower level (IMHO unworthy) CLs and occasional hangers on (like me!) that are happy to enjoy the CL exclusivity.

Of course, the perks of CL are more than lounge access - and I reckon far more valued - but that's OT.

 

[RichardMEL]

I am not sure how people who have never set foot in the joint can comment on the quality of wine or food, but I digress.

I happened to notice last weekend when flying out of MEL a whole family with a gaggle of kids slip on into the CL. No doubt they were travelling someplace for holidays(or back from). I only noticed as they were right in front of me as I was headed up to the lounge so it was obvious.

I find it amusing if some big wig would be "cheap" enough to take the family for a feed to the CL.. it could more be a case of having some time with them when one is so busy for an hour or so prior to a flight? I could see that happening for people who are always on the go... food etc more of a bonus? Just a thought

* Noting I have never been in a CL, unless one counts a makeshift one at OOL with certain other members

 

[DavidFlynn]

There are anecdotal reports of many CL members who due to change in roles or company focus know they won’t get CL membership renewed, so they rather ‘go to town’ to take advantage of it while it lasts. These appear to be more the types who ‘earned’ their membership via influence on travel spend or points purchase (as a points partner) rather than being a high-ranking CEO or VIP per se.

 

[juddles]

Am not nor have ever been a CL, and never will be. But as a P1 who travels too much I really cannot understand this whole thing. In my experience people who fly a lot are the least likely to "abuse" things like lounge access - Christ, half the time I am in some airport I will leave the lounge and go buy a hotdog somewhere - just so sick of the usual fare in lounges.

I understand that CL membership is not based on lots of travel, so maybe they enjoy the lounge access a bit more than me, but I would assume (who knows?) that in general they are busy people, and thus also unlikely to be serial rorters.

As far as taking a whole family into the CL lounge with them, I totally get that. I travel heaps, but my family very little - so if we go on a rare holiday I love to take them into the Flounge or so forth - hardly rorting the system, it is just a small way that a very busy husband/dad can try to make all that away time somehow less distasteful to the family - by sharing with them a really nice experience.

I was unaware before this thread that a CL could use the Flounges even if on a non OW ticket. That surprised me. But I still do not understand how any rorts are worth the backlash from those same people that QF had decided were so important to them........

 

[whughes3]

I was unaware before this thread that a CL could use the Flounges even if on a non OW ticket. That surprised me. .

That actually was orignally the case for Plat FF's as well, but was eliminated quite quickly.

 

[kermatu]

I find it amusing if some big wig would be "cheap" enough to take the family for a feed to the CL.. it could more be a case of having some time with them when one is so busy for an hour or so prior to a flight? I could see that happening for people who are always on the go... food etc more of a bonus? Just a thought

* Noting I have never been in a CL, unless one counts a makeshift one at OOL with certain other members

I know the CL member in question and - while I am only going off the account of two former colleagues of mine that work for her - it is not in any way a surprise to me. That said, I shouldn't have singled out a particular case.

 

[Danger]

Peter Slipper's other activities catching up with his former colleagues.

 

[NSun]

Food and (in general) beverages in the F lounges far better than CL. What the CLs win hands down is quiet, space, more meeting rooms and general peace. Staff are within easy 'reach' but leave you alone until you indicate for one.

I only have a few CL experiences but I've not seen people eating or drinking much. That said, I quite coincidentally did hear just last night of a recent exec at the centre of government who regularly takes her family to the CL in Canberra for a feed when only she is travelling. Pathetic but wouldn't be stopped under this change. Hence, I still believe this is targeted at the F lounges and will not be detrimental to QF's rep. Good move. But they and VA really should cull many from their lists.

Of course the lounges are one thing. But its also being treated like Platinum One member without making 3600 status credits. I flew with a Chairmans Lounge member some months ago CBR-SYD & we got our flights cancelled due to storms in Sydney. We were offered hotels but the CL member insisted they had to be home that night as not only did they have a function in the morning but they didn't have a chance of clothes. So in the end we went home on the one flight that was able to leave (albeit 4 hours later). I'm pretty sure they booted other non-CL members off so we could get back. In the mean time, the Canberra lounge was great with its privacy, tarmac views and great food. Basically a mini version of the Sydney First Class Lounge but with slightly less aircraft on the tarmac.

I think what will truly degrade CL status is taking away of such P1 privileges. I don't really think that many hang out their when flying with other airlines anyway.

 

[serfty]

That actually was orignally the case for Plat FF's as well, but was eliminated quite quickly.

Not sure "quickly" since any-time access had been a perk since Platinum was introduced early this century - and before that (then) top level Golds.

Indeed, until ~1994 it was an unwritten perk for even QP ...

 

[whughes3]

Not sure "quickly" since any-time access had been a perk since Platinum was introduced early this century - and before that (then) top level Golds.

Indeed, until ~1994 it was an unwritten perk for even QP ...

I don't recall exactly when it was, but it was certainly long before the total abolition of ATA.

 

[RichardMEL]

There is CLPO status .....

 

[mviy]

There is CLPO status .....

Chairman's Lounge that is also P1. It makes sense that QF recognises the individual loyalty of CL members.