Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[medhead]

Even taken as a whole I cannot see the last round of changes as an enhancement.

Anyway interesting to see someone else supporting the decision here getting attacked for doing so, the same as happened to me a few months back. Also interesting to not those doing the attacking are the exact same people. Taking comments as personal attacks, when they aren't and then dishing back and belittling the supporter of the changes.

I'm not sure how you expressed your support for the decision. But a few/ couple of people (not saying that includes you) got on and said that those who were unhappy about the change were a mob of selfish whingers who need to get over it. Personally, I'm not sure how that is a constructive contribution or how it supports the decision. I'm also not sure what sort of positive response can be expected to that view.

Oh and as per the question asked, you'll find that many have actually started flying with other airlines.

 

[simongr]

Yes this was mentioned in post #1648. Funny I don't recall the reasons being given including, lounge overcrowding and to not give a free kick to our competitors. Instead the reasons were more like "business decision" and "there are plenty of partners that allow lounge access so ATA is not needed". Not at all similar to the reasons given by QF

I actually think that QF's handling was better - they explicitly said "free kick/crowding" whereas BA have been vague about business decisions when I expect if this issue was with Easyjet at LGW then the competition would have been getting a free with cheap flights but good lounge access.

Coming back also to the overcrowding issue this might have been expected over crowding knowing that they would be doing promos than current over crowding. They could have been reducing access to create space for more growth.

 

[medhead]

Reduce crowding so we can crowd it up again Love it.

Regardless of BAs true motivation they did at least present a thought out reason, which is more than can be said for the qantas example. Overcrowding, oh, free kick. Plus they also support it with the line that there are plenty of partners, a true sounding factoid.

On qantas' free kick, ignoring changed flying patterns, it seems illogical to me as it encourages your most frequent customers to spend with the competition at the very least by buying lounge membership.

 

[oz_mark]

I actually think that QF's handling was better - they explicitly said "free kick/crowding" whereas BA have been vague about business decisions when I expect if this issue was with Easyjet at LGW then the competition would have been getting a free with cheap flights but good lounge access.

I suspect that it didn't really matter how QF or BA delivered the message. There would have been great lengthy debates about however they approached it,

 

[medhead]

I suspect that it didn't really matter how QF or BA delivered the message. There would have been great lengthy debates about however they approached it,

I suspect you're correct.
But as a self labelled big whinger on the qantas approach. I would have been happier with the BA way, or even if QF just said sorry can't afford to give platinum at current levels, it now goes up. (but ATA is kept)

 

[Alanslegal]

Not quite. It was one of many things annouced, which as a WHOLE were called an enhancement. Slight difference.

Anyway interesting to see someone else supporting the decision here getting attacked for doing so, the same as happened to me a few months back. Also interesting to not those doing the attacking are the exact same people. Taking comments as personal attacks, when they aren't and then dishing back and belittling the supporter of the changes.

Think now Feb is behind us and any time has been removed it is time to get on with life. If you don't like it's removal fine, move on and start flying Virgin Aus. Also think it is time for this thread to die a natural death or for it to be closed as it is just going around in endless circles. Qantas has made their decision. They know what effect, if any it has made on their business, they know what some of their more vocal members fell and are clearly comfortable with their decision.

Please re-read my comment and I believe in no way, and it will pass any reasonable man test, that my comments were personal or attacking ANY person on this thread. Re-read my comment carefully and you will see that I more merely stating what I believe to be the changes were and in what order, and consequently what I am doing about them from my flying behaviour.

In response to your comments though, I believe your comments are attacking ME personally including the suggestion for me "to get on with life".

But getting back to attacking the topic however, feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but Red Roo has in this thread suggested crowding as an "issue" and thus was one of the factors for removing Anytime Access and irrespective of the "whole" enhancement program, I will still maintain that the removal of something that was once there is NOT an enhancement - but a reduction.

Here is my post #1653

I think you are missing the whole point of why a few (or many) are upset about losing ATA. I am going to put this in chronological order to make it easily understandable for you and everyone else:-

1. Anytime Access was a publshed benefit.
2. It was removed
3. Qantas called this removal as an 'enhancement'.
4. When something is taken away, it has to be a loss, a reduction - not an enhancement.
5. Qantas claimed it was necessary because of 'crowding' issues.
6. Around the same time, Qantas decides to sell discounted Qantas Club memberships.
7. Around the same tme, Qantas decides to offer Double Status Credits. This impacts crowding because it retains existing elites but also creates new elite members.
8. Point 6 + 7 means more guests in lounge, possible more crowding issues.
9. WPs using ATA infrequently did so or did so when flying from an airport that QF or OW flight was not operating from.
10. QF forgot that it takes 1,400SC to make a WP. Getting WP doesn't happen by magic.

As for voting with my feet, yes, I'll do it. I don't travel that much anyway. What I will do is make no new bookings on QF [my last booking on QF was for my girlfriend a few nights ago on a JASA to ensure she earns enough SC so that she does not forfeit them for loyalty bonus calculations come 1 December 2011]. And I am also highly encouraging family, friends (and even people on this forum) to not fly with QF.
Will this mean anything to Qantas' bottom line? Very unlikely x 1,000,00 but one loss flight booking to a competing carrier, is still a loss.

In 12 months time I might reconsider my No booking promise.when I might book four QF segments using YASA and do my first ever Yupp runs to re-qualify for WP

 

[samiam]

Whether this issue is now old or new (and warrants any or no further discussion) should surely be up to the individuals who constitute the members of the forum, who choose to post on the topic.

My own self-advice, for the threads I have no interest in, is to not read them.

 

[ajw373]

Please re-read my comment and I believe in no way, and it will pass any reasonable man test, that my comments were personal or attacking ANY person on this thread. Re-read my comment carefully and you will see that I more merely stating what I believe to be the changes were and in what order, and consequently what I am doing about them from my flying behaviour.

In response to your comments though, I believe your comments are attacking ME personally including the suggestion for me "to get on with life".

But getting back to attacking the topic however, feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but Red Roo has in this thread suggested crowding as an "issue" and thus was one of the factors for removing Anytime Access and irrespective of the "whole" enhancement program, I will still maintain that the removal of something that was once there is NOT an enhancement - but a reduction.

Here is my post #1653

Maybe you should re-read what I wrote. Sure I quoted you however I reduced your quote to a few lines that I then made a (very valid) point about that was in now way a personal attack.

The rest of the post was clearly not directed at you personally, it was a general comment based on my own experience a few months ago. I was merely pointing out how anytime someone comes on here in support of Qantas's decision they get abused, belittled and hounded for daring to support this clearly abhorrent view. It is also the same people over and over again doing the attacking. They are the ones that need to move on.

Interesting though how many detractors say they have moved their business as a result of this change, yet everyone seems to agree the lounges are no less busy. Tends to make me think the change has had very little impact on Qantas as many suspected.

 

[TonyHancock]

Interesting though how many detractors say they have moved their business as a result of this change, yet everyone seems to agree the lounges are no less busy. Tends to make me think the change has had very little impact on Qantas as many suspected.

Don't forget QF has had double SC deals and a QP membership promotion since ATA was axed. :-|

 

[medhead]

I was merely pointing out how anytime someone comes on here in support of Qantas's decision they get abused, belittled and hounded for daring to support this clearly abhorrent view. It is also the same people over and over again doing the attacking. They are the ones that need to move on.

well clearly you I've ignored my post but I still think analysis of this thread will show that many of the "supporters" of qantas came to this thread and abused and belittled those who were not happy with the change.

Edit: sorry, I don't this as an accusation just saying it cuts both ways

 

[ajw373]

well clearly you I've ignored my post...

Correct, I have for the most part ignored your posts after the treatment you gave me some months ago. Indeed kept away from this thread because of you. Was very surprised to see it so active almost 3 months after the change was made. Proves the point in my post earlier today.

 

[DC3]

Maintain the rage (or disapproval), I say, and don't worry about the calls to "get over it".

Removal of anytime access deserves to be remembered, and not just allowed to conveniently fade away.

 

[Moody]

Maintain the rage (or disapproval), I say, and don't worry about the calls to "get over it".

Removal of anytime access deserves to be remembered, and not just allowed to conveniently fade away.

Sure it does.

• Remember the Holocaust
• Remember the Alamo
• Remember the Titans
• Remember the milk
• Remember ..... the Anytime Access

Sorry but I've got the giggles now and need to lie down.

 

[DC3]

Sure it does.

• Remember the Holocaust
• Remember the Alamo
• Remember the Titans
• Remember the milk
• Remember ..... the Anytime Access

Sorry but I've got the giggles now and need to lie down.

I do believe you've got it.

 

[medhead]

Correct, I have for the most part ignored your posts after the treatment you gave me some months ago. Indeed kept away from this thread because of you. Was very surprised to see it so active almost 3 months after the change was made. Proves the point in my post earlier today.

Oh so then you deny coming to this thread and calling those who were not happy with the changes selfish whingers? Because I must ask you again what do you expect with such an attitude? When it comes to attacking people are you as pure as the driven snow? You mention my treatment, that's means you must have done something to provoke. Did you post telling those whingers to get over it? If so then I am amazed that you attempt to paint yourself as a victim.

...

 

[david-au-2000]

Maintain the rage (or disapproval), I say, and don't worry about the calls to "get over it". Removal of anytime access deserves to be remembered, and not just allowed to conveniently fade away.

Let the cry ring fourth as we march on the Qantas lounges.

"What do we want? Anytime access!"
"When do we want it? Any time!"

 

[connieguy]

Let the cry ring fourth as we march on the Qantas lounges.

"What do we want? Anytime access!"
"When do we want it? Any time!"

During a recent DJ Mel Lounge tour, the manager did mention that DJ started giving their Golds anytime lounge access right after QF took it away from us WPs. She also stated that DJ Golds also got ARRIVALS anytime lounge access at the same time.

So maybe alter the above chant to include arrivals access as well??

 

[LiamR]

During a recent DJ Mel Lounge tour, the manager did mention that DJ started giving their Golds anytime lounge access right after QF took it away from us WPs. She also stated that DJ Golds also got ARRIVALS anytime lounge access at the same time.

Everytime I use DJ, I flash my card, and they always ask to see a boarding pass of some sort. So I wouldn't call that anytime access...

 

[medhead]

Everytime I use DJ, I flash my card, and they always ask to see a boarding pass of some sort. So I wouldn't call that anytime access...

However, one of the DJ reps here have said that there is arrivals access, IIRC.

 

[connieguy]

Everytime I use DJ, I flash my card, and they always ask to see a boarding pass of some sort. So I wouldn't call that anytime access...

I'm only reporting what the DJ Mel Lounge manager told me on the tour Ms PG and I did on Friday evening. Others here have also verified that as DJ Golds they have received anytime lounge access. I was told that if the lounge is crowded, the anytime and / or arrivals access may be limited to just the card holder.