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

[Seat0B]

I can’t say I’ve ever used it with QF but with VA I use it all the time out of CBR. Elderly parents live a few hours south and usually drive us to the airport and then come in the VA lounge and have a coffee with us before heading home

My experience is the same but with QF at CBR. My elderly parents used to regularly drop us to the airport for trips and it was lovely to invite them in for a glass of tomato juice and a cup of tea (their respective orders) and chat until they waved us off. My Dad has passed way now and my mum isn’t driving any more so that era had ended. It was a kind and gentle experience for a couple of oldies who had put their travelling days behind them, but still loved the buzz of the airport.

 

[Seat0B]

FWIW - this is a benefit I use very rarely. But when I do use it, I really value it.

For example, a family member might occasionally join me in the lounge to see me off ahead of a long overseas trip. Or I might occasionally guest in a colleague who is flying on a different airline.

I don't think this is a great change and will miss having this option.

Yes I feel exactly the same. Rarely use it but highly valued when I do.

With the Government’s BFOD policy, I have some times guested in colleagues and even supervisors who were allocated to travel on a different airline so we could talk work.

 

[Seat0B]

Maybe enough for them to take notice?
I dont' believe QF when it says it only affects a small minority of passengers.
I suspect it is a little more than just a small number.

The one guest group that has been left out in this thread is the guest/s of the road warriors. The business meetups before flying off?.....

Yes. I was a road warrior for 10+ years and I did sometimes use this benefit for exactly this. Plus as I said upthread for Govt officials on BFOD that saw them not travel on QF, often only one or two with VA and the rest on QF - missing a valuable chance to talk work.

 

[Seat0B]

O the biggest issue with overcrowding, a lack of seats, is because many seating areas are setup for 2+ pax and are taken up by lone travellers. This is not a dig at those travellers but lounge designers who should be creating more appropriate spaces.

I don't want to sit in a pair at a table with a random when travelling alone (this may be okay in other cultures but is less socially acceptable in Australia) and I don't want to have to move chairs to create a vacant 2pax space when with Mrs Excel.

Yes, this! As a single female traveller I also don’t want to share my space with random and often quite inebriated fellow travellers any more than I have to.

 

[RichardMEL]

Yes, this! As a single female traveller I also don’t want to share my space with random and often quite inebriated fellow travellers any more than I have to.

I may not be a female passenger, but I understand fully. I'd feel uncomfortable sitting by someone (unless invited) at a table for two tbh. Since 99% of the time I fly solo, I try to find solo tables, or seating options (the MEL dom J lounge has a few areas where this works reasonably well and I can have a coffee or whatever without feeling like I'm taking space from others. SYD J (for all its faults) too has the rows of single chairs with tables which also work for this to an extent.

I do feel this is a failing of many lounges in a general sense and I do get a bit annoyed seeing some person sitting at a table for four by themselves (for example) as a lounge fills which seems exceedingly selfish to me (but there may be reasons also that I am not aware of, such as waiting for others, or something else - so I try to not judge unfairly). I certainly try to pick a spot with the least potential impact on others.

However this is a tangent point from that of guesting - since those bringing guests in would generally want to (you'd imagine) sit with them - unless it's purely a random "Hey do you want to come into the lounge" situation, agreement to guest say a forum member in and so on where there should be no expectation for the giftee to stay with the gifter.

 

[JohnK]

- Upgrade credits
- loyalty bonus enhancements
- anytime access to lounges
- loss of ability to allocate exit row seats and row 4 seats

What's one more added to the list? Is Platinum close to Gold yet? Platold? Goldinum?

 

[justinbrett]

- Upgrade credits
- loyalty bonus enhancements
- anytime access to lounges
- loss of ability to allocate exit row seats and row 4 seats

What's one more added to the list? Is Platinum close to Gold yet? Platold? Goldinum?

Row 4 seats are still free

 

[BAM1748]

Can I be honest ? Good, the business lounge in Sydney during the school holidays is a joke, kids running a-muck, parents not controlling them, every man and his dog in there. I regularly use the Gold lounge as it a lot quieter

I doubt it will have any effect on kids in the lounge during holidays as presumably they are travelling.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Row 4 seats are still free

I presume he means at time of booking.
Row 4/5 Domestic are P1

 

[justinbrett]

I presume he means at time of booking.
Row 4/5 Domestic are P1

That's not how I interpreted his post, as they are not in the same category as exit row seats (which have a cost even T-80)

But yes, you can't reserve row 4 until T-80 as WP.

 

[JohnK]

Row 4 seats are still free

Only at T-80 hours. I don't want to play that game anymore. I've flown more than enough and just keep seeing benefits constantly eroded.

And exit rows were complimentary. Just call up and request exit row and they'd process the seat request the majority of the time.

I will be relying on Lifetime Gold very soon and apart from status bonus, request award seats to be released and First lounges at some airports there are no other differences.

Anyway must be getting time for another Qantas club sale after they take care of the overcrowding in the lounges.

 

[RichardMEL]

Yes, status benefits have been eroded over the years (and the more longer term folks even remember what UC's were!). No excuse, but hardly the only airline/FF program to do these kinds of things.

They're all going the same way in search of the dollar more and more. This of course is no shock to anyone who has been playing the game for as long as many of us have been.

It's times like this one tends to evaluate strategies, or even give up on the game even more fully than many of us already have, and focus on BFOD, service/product we want(and can obtain within our mans) as opposed to hoping or relying upon older standards of expectation, given they can and will change on a whim.

 

[CaptJCool]

Yes, status benefits have been eroded over the years (and the more longer term folks even remember what UC's were!). No excuse, but hardly the only airline/FF program to do these kinds of things.

They're all going the same way in search of the dollar more and more. This of course is no shock to anyone who has been playing the game for as long as many of us have been.

It's times like this one tends to evaluate strategies, or even give up on the game even more fully than many of us already have, and focus on BFOD, service/product we want(and can obtain within our mans) as opposed to hoping or relying upon older standards of expectation, given they can and will change on a whim.

as at 31 December 2022

Revenue received in advance (current and non-current) 8.267 BILLION

A YEAR earlier was $6 billion

that search for $$$ is going fantastically brill

https://investor.qantas.com/FormBuilder/_Resource/_module/doLLG5ufYkCyEPjF1tpgyw/file/2023HY/1H23-Appendix-4D.pdf

page 27

 

[flydoc]

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

I wrote to QFF noting that the 1 month lead time for this change appeared to breach the QFF T&Cs, and have received a reply which states that the QFF service centre “follows the QP T&Cs” and that my feedback was noted, appreciated and would be forwarded “to a higher department”.....

 

[oz_mark]

I wrote to QFF noting that the 1 month lead time for this change appeared to breach the QP T&Cs, and have received a reply which states that the QFF service centre “follows the QP T&Cs” and that my feedback was noted, appreciated and would be forwarded “to a higher department”.....

The Qantas Club has a different set of terms and conditions to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. The Qantas club ones don't say much

4.2 Qantas will use reasonable endeavours to advise Members of any material changes to the Benefits including by publishing the changes on the Qantas Club pages of qantas.com.


4.3 Qantas will give notice of any material changes to these Terms and Conditions that will apply to a Member's then current membership period by providing a written notice by email or mail to an address provided to Qantas by the Member, as well as by publishing the changes on the Qantas Club pages of qantas.com.

 

[flydoc]

The Qantas Club has a different set of terms and conditions to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. The Qantas club ones don't say much

Agree; as noted upthread it’s actually the QFF T&Cs that have been disregarded - post above amended to reflect this.

 

[auscal]

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]"

This is so very obviously a ChatGbTbcreated letter.

 

[auscal]

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!

If Qantas lounges are where your get ”special moments and quality time” then maybe those who are participating should value it enough to purchase their own membership.

 

[Danger]

If Qantas lounges are where your get ”special moments and quality time” then maybe those who are participating should value it enough to purchase their own membership.

How does that help a non-flying guest?

 

[leon_rex]

I haven’t flown with Q since the Covid regulations came into force. I was going to do a couple of Jakartas to keep WP. Ended up dropping to Gold, and they’ve extended it til next Jan.

Now I’ve taken about six discount J flights on DJ (do we still call it that?) in the last year. I was very impressed - pre take off sparkling wine, a firm ‘no forward lav’ rule, the lovely host standing firm between business and economy during disembarkation. Great service, friendly pilot chats. A real effort being made.

Get onto QF j class the other day and none of that is happening. Usual lacklustre attention to detail *yawn*. A real disappointing welcome back to Qantas country. Added to which, my other half and I drive for hours to get to the airport & I now find they’re cancelling guest access. Hope she enjoys her Starbucks coffee. This airline has nothing to offer that virgin doesn’t do better. Alan and his friends have eviscerated it. Sad.