Qantas Domestic Lounges from 15/06/23 Guests Must be Travelling on Qantas/Partner Airline

[BAM1748]

Good. The lounges are too crowded.

I suspect they aren't crowded because of non travel customers.

 

[justinbrett]

I suspect they aren't crowded because of non travel customers.

Judging by some of the complaints in this thread, they might be.

 

[BAM1748]

I've submitted email complaint into QF ([email protected]) - suggest you all do the same. 10seconds of effort. ChatGPT great for drafting letter:

"Dear Qantas Customer Care,

I am writing this letter as a long-term Platinum member [#Member Number] of Qantas, with deep disappointment and concern regarding the recent update to your Qantas Lounge access policy. I have been an ardent supporter of Qantas for several years, appreciating the exceptional service and benefits that come with being a loyal Platinum member. However, the decision to implement this policy change effective from 15 June 2023 has left me feeling let down and dissatisfied.

The existing Qantas Lounge access policy has been a defining factor in my choice to remain a loyal Platinum member. Its comprehensiveness and flexibility have not only provided me with a comfortable and productive environment before my flights but also allowed me to extend the same privilege to my guests or travel companions. This policy has been a testament to Qantas' commitment to customer satisfaction and recognition of their loyal patrons.

The newly announced policy, which restricts access to Qantas-operated and eligible partner flights departing on the same day, is a significant deviation from the existing policy that has served the needs of Platinum members so well. By narrowing down the eligibility criteria, it feels like Qantas is diminishing the value of our loyalty and disregarding the preferences of its most dedicated customers.

As a Platinum member, I have always held Qantas in high regard for its outstanding service, and I have proudly recommended the airline to my colleagues, friends, and family. However, this change in the lounge access policy leaves me with a sense of disillusionment and compels me to question my continued loyalty to the brand. It is disheartening to witness a shift away from customer-centric policies, especially when it affects long-standing patrons who have consistently chosen Qantas over other alternatives.

I implore you to reconsider this policy change and preserve the existing lounge access policy for Platinum members. By maintaining the current guidelines, Qantas can continue to foster a sense of exclusivity, reward loyalty, and enhance the overall travel experience for its most esteemed customers. Such a decision would reaffirm Qantas' commitment to its Platinum members and set the airline apart from competitors.

I would greatly appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and a comprehensive response outlining Qantas' stance on the lounge access policy change. Additionally, I kindly request that you take my concerns into serious consideration and convey them to the appropriate decision-makers within the company.

Thank you for your time and attention. I hope that Qantas will reconsider this policy change, acknowledging the impact it has on long-term Platinum members like myself. I look forward to hearing from you soon and to continue my valued association with Qantas.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]"

Good idea and an abbreviated version sent.

Post automatically merged: May 17, 2023

Judging by some of the complaints in this thread, they might be.

I think the issue is another reduction in benefits, important to fight every reduction as sooner or later QF might get to the benefit you like most.

 

[GoldenTouchdown]

I’m actually gutted.

I regularly guest my family and friends into the lounges who are usually not travelling with me when flying out of MEL and PER. Flying weekly-fortnightly and mostly at weeknights or on weekends, we’ve spent many special moments and quality time together in the lounges. It gives us an opportunity to connect and keep in touch when we otherwise wouldn’t due to work and travel schedules. It’s practically a family tradition here, savouring the NP inspired delights, plane watching.

For me personally this is actually some of the biggest value I get from QFF status. Earn a lot of points but find it so hard to redeem for the flight rewards you actually want! Can’t easily plan/book a break ahead of time (they’re always last minute when I can fit it in) so usually always paying cash! But what can we do? Domestic flying will never be the same come 15th June!

 

[BAM1748]

I’m actually gutted.

I regularly guest my family and friends into the lounges who are usually not travelling with me when flying out of MEL and PER. Flying weekly-fortnightly and mostly at weeknights or on weekends, we’ve spent many special moments and quality time together in the lounges. It gives us an opportunity to connect and keep in touch when we otherwise wouldn’t due to work and travel schedules. It’s practically a family tradition here, savouring the NP inspired delights, plane watching.

For me personally this is actually some of the biggest value I get from QFF status. Earn a lot of points but find it so hard to redeem for the flight rewards you actually want! Can’t easily plan/book a break ahead of time (they’re always last minute when I can fit it in) so usually always paying cash! But what can we do? Domestic flying will never be the same come 15th June!

Write a letter, put it in writing to them.

If no one complains there will be some manager in QF being back slapped for doing a good job with no customer complaints about it.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It’s a reduction in benefits that doesn’t personally affect me so no I won’t be complaining.

Anything that reduces lounge over crowding is a positive thing IMHO.
The only reason it was possible before is due to us allowing non travellers through security into Domestic airside.
Never quite worked out why we allow that anyway.
Something of an anomaly in the countries I travel through.

This change aligns Domestic and International and I think it’s a good thing.
QF should not be supporting guests flying VA or Rex or Bonza regardless of how much the Platinum member spends with QF.

 

[justinbrett]

I think the issue is another reduction in benefits, important to fight every reduction as sooner or later QF might get to the benefit you like most.

But the lounges getting more and more crowded every year is also a reduction in benefits.

This is a reduction of benefits for the minority that benefits the majority

 

[muppet]

I suspect they aren't crowded because of non travel customers.

Agreed - lounge crowding is more likely due to endless free status extensions and double status credits.

New status members are getting a help up with double status credits why none of the existing status members are ever dropping off due to all the handouts. I think even members with status ending June this year will still get a COVID extension to next year plus up to 50% head start on the 2025 year end status requirements ….

 

[BAM1748]

It’s a reduction in benefits that doesn’t personally affect me so no I won’t be complaining.

Anything that reduces lounge over crowding is a positive thing IMHO.

So for you from what I'm reading it's a benefit to cut this from the Plat offering.

 

[perk]

Will this remove arrivals access for platinum members?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Will this remove arrivals access for platinum members?

No the change specifically states guests.

 

[GoldenTouchdown]

Write a letter, put it in writing to them.

If no one complains there will be some manager in QF being back slapped for doing a good job with no customer complaints about it.

Am planning to do so.

I could understand if they were to restrict this benefit during peak hours when lounges are fairly crowded for other members comfort. But the vast majority of my flights depart in off-peak times when the lounges are not crowded, so find it very disappointing.

 

[Muppet501st]

Nothing stopping you from continuing to do this, just outside the lounge precint.

I have no problems with the change, maybe even extend it to exclude JQ pax

I’m actually gutted.

I regularly guest my family and friends into the lounges who are usually not travelling with me when flying out of MEL and PER. Flying weekly-fortnightly and mostly at weeknights or on weekends, we’ve spent many special moments and quality time together in the lounges. It gives us an opportunity to connect and keep in touch when we otherwise wouldn’t due to work and travel schedules. It’s practically a family tradition here, savouring the NP inspired delights, plane watching.

For me personally this is actually some of the biggest value I get from QFF status. Earn a lot of points but find it so hard to redeem for the flight rewards you actually want! Can’t easily plan/book a break ahead of time (they’re always last minute when I can fit it in) so usually always paying cash! But what can we do? Domestic flying will never be the same come 15th June!

 

[GoldenTouchdown]

Nothing stopping you from continuing to do this, just outside the lounge precint.

I have no problems with the change, maybe even extend it to exclude JQ pax

It's a jungle out there...

 

[justinbrett]

Agreed - lounge crowding is more likely due to endless free status extensions and double status credits.

New status members are getting a help up with double status credits why none of the existing status members are ever dropping off due to all the handouts. I think even members with status ending June this year will still get a COVID extension to next year plus up to 50% head start on the 2025 year end status requirements ….

Lounges were plenty crowded pre-Covid too.

Can't blame everything on Covid.

This has been a boiling frog situation for many years that keeps getting progressively worse. I half expected they'd completely discontinue paid Qantas club to alleviate the crowds.

 

[aikman]

I can't say I've ever thought about taking non travelling family members into the lounge with me. I'd be too stressed thinking about how high their car parking fees would be for every minute they stay in the lounge.

 

[Danger]

3.2 Qantas Loyalty will use best efforts to advise Members of material changes to these Terms and Conditions and, where such changes will limit Benefits:

(a) where the Benefit is provided by Qantas, to give Members at least three months notice ...

Frequent Flyer Terms and Conditions | Qantas

These Terms and Conditions form the basis of Qantas Frequent Flyer, to protect both Members and the Qantas Group.

www.qantas.com

 

[Virgin Bart]

A big change for me. Often my wife would pop into the lounge with me for a coffee when picking me up or dropping me off (although that was exceedingly rare, it was very nice).

 

[Hampton Mike]

It’s a pretty marginal loss of benefit to me - I think I have maybe hosted a non-flying guest once and been hosted once by my partner. The hassle of getting back from the airport after the hosting flyer has departed would make the whole exercise pretty unsatisfying. I think the only time it might be useful would be on arrival and taking someone into the lounge who has come to the airport to meet you. But factor in what to do with luggage, and parking fees while you go to the lounge, maybe again makes this an unrewarding experience.

On the converse, because the current policy is unlikely to be much real use to anyone, I can’t see it reducing numbers in the lounge much.

However, if your traveling colleagues are flying on a competitor airline, then I think QANTAS should remove such an opportunity.

So, maybe, that’s what they’ve identified because other than that I can’t see much damage or benefit from the current rules.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Lounges were plenty crowded pre-Covid too.

Can't blame everything on Covid.

This has been a boiling frog situation for many years that keeps getting progressively worse. I half expected they'd completely discontinue paid Qantas club to alleviate the crowds.

I imagine density could easily be reduced by removing the Chairmans Lounges.