Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[LiamR]

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

I've had no problem with arrival access. I was thinking along the lines of "I haven't flown Virgin in two days, can I come in?" kind of thinking.

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.

I'll have to try this out next time, I wonder if this is limited to MEL, or all Virgin ports?

 

[connieguy]

I've had no problem with arrival access. I was thinking along the lines of "I haven't flown Virgin in two days, can I come in?" kind of thinking.

I was told by the DJ Mel Lounge manager that if I was a DJ Gold member I would be welcome to use the lounge even if I was not flying with DJ on that day.

 

[LiamR]

I was told by the DJ Mel Lounge manager that if I was a DJ Gold member I would be welcome to use the lounge even if I was not flying with DJ on that day.

Thats great news!

 

[connieguy]

Thats great news!

However a quick of the DJ Gold benefits and Lounge access pages:

DJ Gold benefits:
Gold Membership | Velocity Rewards

DJ Lounge access:
Entry & Access | Virgin Australia

says you need to be flying with DJ to get lounge access and says nothing about arrivals access.

Looks like both DJ and QF are keeping their cards close to their chest.

 

[notzac]

ISTR that crazydave98 has previously confirmed that Velocity Golds are welcome to use the lounge on arrival (though I have no idea whether that extends to allowing a guest as well). I've never had any issues entering post-flight with my Velocity card and the boarding card for the previous flight. That said, it would certainly be nice to see this listed on the website..

 

[Flashback]

I was told by the DJ Mel Lounge manager that if I was a DJ Gold member I would be welcome to use the lounge even if I was not flying with DJ on that day.

Perhaps though, it's anytime access in that you still have to actually be flying somewhere e.g. if you just rock up to the airport without a flight that day and ask to go in, it'll be met with a resounding no....

 

[ReLoad]

I totally realise that this post will be lost in a sea of posts, and that QF wont read it but right now it really seems like:
One hand:
QF Taketh Away and maketh me sad.
The Other Hand:
VA Giveth and VA loveth me.
QF please give me the WP domestic all whY guy some good news because your competition is making their case, and its getting pretty damn good.

 

[m_ratt]

I was told by the DJ Mel Lounge manager that if I was a DJ Gold member I would be welcome to use the lounge even if I was not flying with DJ on that day.

I had 'Anytime access' of sorts in Canberra a couple of weeks ago. My sister-in-law had been in Canberra for the day and I was seeing her off (on Virgin). Flashed my card and asked nicely if we could use the lounge for a coffee while she waited for her flight. Greeted happily.

This is the sort of access I miss on Qantas - the ability to use the lounge while waiting for arrivals, or seeing off family/friends.

 

[OverrideServlet]

This is the sort of access I miss on Qantas - the ability to use the lounge while waiting for arrivals, or seeing off family/friends.

Yep. This is high on my list too.

 

[ajw373]

I had 'Anytime access' of sorts in Canberra a couple of weeks ago. My sister-in-law had been in Canberra for the day and I was seeing her off (on Virgin). Flashed my card and asked nicely if we could use the lounge for a coffee while she waited for her flight. Greeted happily.

This is the sort of access I miss on Qantas - the ability to use the lounge while waiting for arrivals, or seeing off family/friends.

You will get away with that in Canberra because the lounge is generally dead, gives the staff who work there something to do. (like my wife who works there)

 

[straitman]

I have had this in MEL, SYD & BNE also.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[JRT]

I totally realise that this post will be lost in a sea of posts, and that QF wont read it but right now it really seems like:
One hand:
QF Taketh Away and maketh me sad.
The Other Hand:
VA Giveth and VA loveth me.
QF please give me the WP domestic all whY guy some good news because your competition is making their case, and its getting pretty damn good.

Virgin rep has confirmed lounge does offer anytime access to Velocity Golds http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-lounge-access-pricing-effective-30819-6.html

 

[rockyroad]

Re: Platinum 1 Call

...Why so bitter?

As a long term WP all I have seen is a continual erosion of benefits, including ATA, which was a great benefit for seeing off or meeting friends / business clients, who had flown QF but did not have lounge status. As a WP who earns 2 to 3 x the WP retain SCs, I did in effect pay for my ATA use of the lounge and never consumed more than a hot shower and a few cups of coffee. I know others WP who also never abused ATA. We were all very shocked at QF removing the benefit with a weak QF excuse of abuse by a small number of WPs that were flying other carriers. If that was really the case, QF could have dealt with it in another manner than removing the benefit for ALL WPs. Sorry but it was just the start of WP benefits being slashed, which seems to have started in 2008 which was when AJ took over. For QF to now continue their naughty boy approach to their WP1s, is, well, almost beyond belief.

Bitter? No not really. Just sad to see a once great airline become what it is today. I still feel a pang of guilt when I step onto a VA aircraft, as if I'm being disloyal to all those years that my family, friends, employees and myself once flew QF and only QF unless QF did not fly to where we needed to be.

With the double VA SC offer, I will now be able to retain VA WP in the next 4 weeks (1 x Lax rtn in J). WP retain is done. Decision now is to go for WP1 or AA Exp. Probably not a hard decision? Wonder what DrRon would recommend?

 

[mannej]

Rocky Raod, one thing that did come out of the AFF lunch was discussion that QF were looking at the alternatives to ATA. Guest passes was one idea that was floated from memory.
Not being Platinum, I was never affected by the removal of ATA, however it is fair enough when people are saying there needs to be a compromise and a solution worked out.

 

[rockyroad]

Rocky Raod, one thing that did come out of the AFF lunch was discussion that QF were looking at the alternatives to ATA. Guest passes was one idea that was floated from memory. Not being Platinum, I was never affected by the removal of ATA, however it is fair enough when people are saying there needs to be a compromise and a solution worked out.

It is not a problem anymore. As a VA WP, I again have the ATA that QF took away. As thanks to VA, I will retain my VA WP in the next month. Once I see the published WP1 benefits are a meager as revealed at the AFF15/16? lunch, AA Exp will be my next target and then maybe Gold Elite with NZ unless VA joins *A. Somewhat sad for a guy who easily spent +$150k a year with QF.

 

[simongr]

I don't think it is sad - I think it is a very rational choice - other airlines and programs are meeting your needs. QFF is not going to meet those needs - especially in relation to ATA. I am not going to say "get over it" but don't have an expectation that it will return. That message was very clear at the lunch.

 

[drron]

Re: Platinum 1 Call

As a long term WP all I have seen is a continual erosion of benefits, including ATA, which was a great benefit for seeing off or meeting friends / business clients, who had flown QF but did not have lounge status. As a WP who earns 2 to 3 x the WP retain SCs, I did in effect pay for my ATA use of the lounge and never consumed more than a hot shower and a few cups of coffee. I know others WP who also never abused ATA. We were all very shocked at QF removing the benefit with a weak QF excuse of abuse by a small number of WPs that were flying other carriers. If that was really the case, QF could have dealt with it in another manner than removing the benefit for ALL WPs. Sorry but it was just the start of WP benefits being slashed, which seems to have started in 2008 which was when AJ took over. For QF to now continue their naughty boy approach to their WP1s, is, well, almost beyond belief.

Bitter? No not really. Just sad to see a once great airline become what it is today. I still feel a pang of guilt when I step onto a VA aircraft, as if I'm being disloyal to all those years that my family, friends, employees and myself once flew QF and only QF unless QF did not fly to where we needed to be.

With the double VA SC offer, I will now be able to retain VA WP in the next 4 weeks (1 x Lax rtn in J). WP retain is done. Decision now is to go for WP1 or AA Exp. Probably not a hard decision? Wonder what DrRon would recommend?

You have to ask?:shock:
I am just a plat on AA but feel I get treated very well.Have been EXP and the greatest benefit was the 4 EVIPs every year.I dont mind flying AA F Transpac to Japan or China.Certainly putting the extra 2400 SCs that you earn from requalifying WP to obtai n WP1 to AA should get you to EXP.
Much better Aaward availability at lesser cost on AA particularly in premium cabins.And with both QF and AA OWE status you can upgrade on both QF and AA but also with AA miles on BA and IB.
AA of course dont only not give ATA but domestically no access to lounges.Fortunately QP takes care of that.

 

[serfty]

...
Much better Aaward availability at lesser cost on AA particularly in premium cabins. ...

Certainly lesser cost for premium cabins, but better award availability?

 

[drron]

Certainly lesser cost for premium cabins, but better award availability?

Definitely.On several occasions I can book awards on AA that we cant get using mrsdrron's WP QFF account.Never had an instance the other way around.Though we never try booking simple return flights to the US or LHR on QF though.

 

[rockyroad]

...other airlines and programs are meeting your needs. QFF is not going to meet those needs - especially in relation to ATA. I am not going to say "get over it" but don't have an expectation that it will return. That message was very clear at the lunch.

I worked this out a long time ago, have nothing to "get over" and started moving my business to VA even before they announced ATA and a top tier FFer program which, IMHO, is well above that which QF offers. That said I will still maintain QF WP, which I did 2 months into my current year with VA WP being retained in the next 4 weeks. I'm looking forward to reading the official WP1 announcement tomorrow but at this point in time AA Exp is looking good.