Qantas Club Life Membership

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russmajor

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Around 2001 my now late wife and I both purchased Lifetime memberships for Qantas Club not only to enjoy the benefits of the Qantas Club (mainly in Perth Western Australia and Broome where we lived) but also to support our national airline that at the time was doing it a bit hard. We enjoyed great service, great food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks 24/7 and relaxation second to none. Fast forward to now and on top of the W.A mining boom the Perth Qantas lounge with its Fifo workers in Hi-Vis gear, queues for coffees and make your own sandwiches and pancakes, limited or no alcoholic drinks available throughout the day and overcrowding, was not what we signed a lifetime membership for.

It appears now the Qantas Bussiness lounge at Perth Terminal 4 now provides what the Qantas Club did all those years ago but have overlooked the people that supported them and purchased lifetime membership around 2000-04 when airlines were struggling, including the loss of Ansett. (Especially Western Australian based Life Members.)

My gripe is we both paid for a lifetime memberships with the benefits it offered at the time and now the service is so far from what we signed up for its laughable.
 
QP still have access to alcoholic beverages after noon, I’ve never seen it as limited?
 
QP still have access to alcoholic beverages after noon, I’ve never seen it as limited?
Sorry, I am not aware of the specific times it is available myself as I am actually not a regular drinker, I just know it is not what the original membership offered.
 
The Qantas international business lounges provide alcohol anytime they are open (as they are beyond immigration side they are technically outside of Aus) but the domestic QC lounges have to comply with the state laws re service of alcohol, so in Sydney that means no alcohol before 11am. Same as pub laws.

Cant talk about what other benefits have been lost, as I always flew Ansett domestically in the 80s, 90s until they went bust and i remember their lounge used to have a hot breakfast buffet - something QC doesnt have.
 
It's one of the risks of buying a lifetime membership/anything.

Things change over time, so it's only guaranteed what's written as inclusions at the time you buy it. The actual product or service is likely to change over that time however,

In this case, they still provide entry to the QC lounge, so are delivering what was promised, even if the actual standard has changed.
 
It's one of the risks of buying a lifetime membership/anything.
100% agree. Was always a huge risk. I know I looked at the offer at the time and thought the risk too high.

I'm sure you can be disappointed by what has changed but you really can't complain it change was to be expected.
 
We are both lifetime club members but we made it to Lifetime Gold too. Unfortunately one of our sons was too young for us to get him lifetime Club membership.
 
I remember the lifetime QC mships. Yes they were dearer but not hugely and given it’s nearly 20 yrs ago and mship is now $500++/yr I think you’ve well and truly done ok for the initial risk/investment.

And I agree sometimes the lounges get busy and lines get long and the wine runs out, but the taps stay on. It just happens that way sometimes. On the east coast here the wind and fog days mean we have more than a few days where the lounges get a bit feral. (Some of the worst behaviour I’ve seen is from bloated-ego middle managers full of their own importance standing in a line they think they’re too good for. As if the girl with the trolley can fix it). When the boom passes so will the crowds.

Having said that, Qantas were happy to offer the transaction, take your money and enter into an agreement - even if the initial agreement said ‘may change at our discretion’.

You may not have a moral high ground, but it doesn’t mean you just ahve to suck it up. If it were me I’d be inclined to hand-write a very polite letter, hand delivered next time your’e in the lounge, outlining things you don’t like about the direction the lounge is taking. Do you remember the clothing and footwear rules change a few years ago? Obviously enough people didn’t like paying to use a club that felt more like a front bar on George street, and told them so.

Remembering that you even if you don’t catch many flies, you will ALWAYS catch more with honey.
 
The Qantas international business lounges provide alcohol anytime they are open (as they are beyond immigration side they are technically outside of Aus) but the domestic QC lounges have to comply with the state laws re service of alcohol, so in Sydney that means no alcohol before 11am. Same as pub laws.

I'd be surprised if Australian laws don't exist air side. I'd suggest it is just a different liquor license (or a cost cutting exercise). Bit like how (at least in WA) the casino bars can sell booze any time of the day.
 
If that was actually the reason, then how does the CL get around this issue (I hear they're free flow at all hours)?
They’re a bit different, in that you can get membership by invitation only & there’s undoubtedly no membership fee either. Probably not considered a public place, or something along those lines.
 
So much for privacy, but it is apparent that Qantas is aware of my untimely death in 30 years.

I have been a Life Member of the Qantas Club since the late 1980's, and I just logged on to my account on the QF website, and under 'My Account' I was extremely shocked and traumatized that Qantas states I will meet my demise in 2049.

It states: "Qantas Club Member - Your membership expires Monday 8 November 2049"

Even though it is 30 years away, my 26 year old daughter has commenced making a list of what she can spend her inheritance on.
My 25 year old son just wants a new surfboard, but I am sure my ex-wife will be happy so at least my passing may enhance the life of some people (just not me)

My question is how does Qantas know I won't live beyond 100 years? (Although the red wine might be a give up)😞
 
I have had LTQP courtesy of my Australian Airlines Flight Deck membership since the merger, and for a fair chunk of the membership it has been somewhat redundant as I have been either gold or WP , I have to admit that the thought of returning to the Qantas Club instead of the Qantas domestic business lounge fills me with dread :)
 
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Was fortunate enough to have LTQP from 1996 and living in Ireland between 1996-2000 and then interstate sporadically from 2000-2009 with frequent travel it certainly came in very handy. Made some of those long haul trips in Y just that little bit more comfortable during transits in SIN and LHR.

Sure the lounge maybe isn’t quite what it once was but I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth over the years.

You get access, A place to sit, have a bite and relax before any flights. That’s pretty much what i really expect and paid for. Just my 2c.
 
Travel has changed enormously since then, however I think your Club membership benefits are still valuable to you and you will have had your monies worth and more into the future. It beats sitting in the cafes and you still have priority over Bronze or non FF members.
 
I have had LTQP courtesy of my Australian Airlines Flight Deck membership since the merger, and for a fair chunk of the membership it has been somewhat redundant as I have been either gold or WP , I have to admit that the thought of returning to the Qantas Club instead of the Qantas domestic business lounge fills me with dread :)
I prefer QC lounge in Sydney Domestic over the business lounge - less noise and seems less crowded - food and drinks exactly the same
 
I bought my LTQP beginning of 2006. Prior to that I got it free through work.

It works out has cost me an average of $150pa (after tax deduction) if I never enter a lounge again.

Each visit has included free fast wifi, free snacks, 2 - 3 top shelf spirits, a cappuccino, and sometimes the use of a terminal &/or printer; plus a free entry for one of my partner/business associate/relative etc each time.

I've also been able to choose seats on some flights for free when others have had to pay, extra luggage entitlement on some flights and a very very occasional upgrade.

I reckon it has been darn good value.
 
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