Qantas New Domestic Business Lounges

[NM]

Only certain fare classes as well.

F or Z inventory to be exact. A does not get you into the Flagship Lounge on a 3-class trans-continental flight.

 

[simongr]

F or Z inventory to be exact. A does not get you into the Flagship Lounge on a 3-class trans-continental flight.

And in fact doesn't get you into the AC at all I think...

 

[NM]

And in fact doesn't get you into the AC at all I think...

not unless with an international connection, paid AC membership or OneWorld status outside AA.

 

[sr81]

The issue is overcrowding not the perceived class division. We wouldn't be in such a stink if we could always find a seat in the QP and it provided what we paid for. ie a place of calm away from the bussel of the terminal with some snacks and a beer after 1pm.

What QF didn't do is create more space. They simply halved existing clubs. Not the best approach.

 

[Danger]

Oh - so you have a breakdown of QC customers between paid and un-paid, and also how much they paid?

No, actually I don't. I was suggesting that the very cheap memberships are a big contributing factor to lounge overcrowding. I would summise that those using Qantas Club baggage tags (as opposed to gold or platinum baggage tags) are most likely to be paid members rather than 'status' members.

My point is that price is not such a big factor , and casual paid-up QC members (by definition) will not be there very often.

As individuals, those paying for membership probably won't be there often but I think it's reasonable to assume there is a significant number of them so those individuals add up to be a lot of people.

 

[acampbel]

Danger - you can suggest, assume and think what you like (I always do!), but looking around me on a Friday night in any QC in the land ...... I don't see many people who look like infrequent travellers.

And I am going to think very carefully about whether I should replace my tags ... assuming of course Qantas actually sends me some!


Cheers,

Andrew

 

[dajop]

Aaah a great opportunity to be controversial ... if on the east coast and don't like QF's approach to Qantas Club's and the overcrowding, simply fly Virgin Blue and sign up with Priority Pass (or join the Lounge). There is a choice in many circumstances. Pro's and con's with both options, and easier said than done. But Qantas does not have a monopoly on this aspect of flying any more, unlike in the 4 years or so after the collapse of AN.

 

[JohnK]

I think this type of debate comes up regularly and everyone, including me, thinks of ways to amend the access rules so that they have access. Why would QF allow paid Qantas Club members into the new business lounges? All this would achieve is make the new business lounges more crowded than the regular Qantas Club lounges.

The business class lounges were created with a specific purpose in mind. I think QF have it just about right. Business class passengers and Platinum status in the new business lounges with Qantas Club members and Gold status in the regular Qantas Club lounges....

 

[straitman]

Having just read this from top to bottom in one hit I must agree with the new lounges as is. Qantas has achieved what they want with this change and the WP's (& bus) pax will have a little more privacy on most occasions.

No one has suggested a realistic alternate option to what is on offer and even if they did I'm sure it would be something that has already been thrashed out by Qantas.

 

[vt01]

my understanding was that Exec Plat AA (OWE) are also allowed acces to FS louges - am I wrong ? (I have only been in on basis of F trans-atlantic/WP status)


Ok, have now read NM's reply, so disregard the above.

That's perhaps why there are so few people in the ORD FS lounge, as they would only be non-AA OWEs and intnl flights (as no trans-con from there) - I have never seen more than 5 or 6 people there, although it does make for a nice lounge experience, particularly when compared to the AC.

The day I was in the AA FS lounge it was quite crowded. I would say at least 20 people - maybe more..

Also, If you're in the QP and ask for an ODU to business and you get your new boarding pass, does this mean you can now enter the new business lounge?

 

[thegurio]

Count me in for one who thinks they got it right, I'm a QF NB so don't think i benefit from this change! The reason why i think this is two fold.

• The commercial worth from WP and Business pax far outwiegh the $700 odd that it costs to join or the ongoing $500 or whatever it is. The profit they make above the seat price would be greater than this on every seat.
• With business pax but for this thought I'm thinking more WP, they spend most of thier time on the road so would want a haven to do some work from. I know with myself i spend a far proportion of my time in the car and love it when i can sit in a quiet cafe (My version of the BL!) and do some work.

Thats my opinion anyway and i cant wait to try them out to be honest but alas i fear its not going to be whilst they smell new...

 

[Sprucegoose]

Interested in other members' viewpoints on restricting access to the new and upgraded QF domestic Business Lounges (currently Syd/Mel/Bne with better hot food and decent coffee) to Business Class and Platinum FF? Do you think that paying Qantas Club members should have access to these new lounges? Understand that with the increase of Gold+ FF that the club lounges have become very crowded and are no longer a quiet haven, but what about those members who pay for the privilege of lounge access, shouldn’t they also have access to the new improved lounges?

There is too much riff-raff in the air these days. QF is one of the very few airlines where you can pay for access. On any other decent airline status is just that. awarded by slogging it out at the pointy end. Thankgod the new lounges go someway in redressing the balance by restricting access.

cheers SPRUCE

 

[simongr]

There is too much riff-raff in the air these days. QF is one of the very few airlines where you can pay for access. On any other decent airline status is just that. awarded by slogging it out at the pointy end. Thankgod the new lounges go someway in redressing the balance by restricting access.

cheers SPRUCE

Apart from the american carriers of course and alos don't forget that CX allow lower tier FFers to access their own lounges.

 

[saber_echo]

My experience of J lounge so far?

- No seat at BNE
- Food court quality curry and rice (Signature Menu?)
- Fighting for power outlets as my laptop battery fades away

Generally, I end up back in the main lounge - and at BNE I had to for the lavs. What's the deal with MEL and having to walk through two entrance checkpoints?

I must confess, I'm a sucker for hotcakes at brekky so I'm not being entirely critical.

 

[serfty]

G'day saber_echo, welcome to AFF.

... What's the deal with MEL and having to walk through two entrance checkpoints? ...

I think we have architectural issues at work here.

The MEL/SYD/BNE QP's that were dissected to make J lounges and QPs were originally only designed for the one "venue".

With SYD and BNE they found ways to have separate entrances; "sort of" with BNE and certainly with SYD.

As far as MEL goes it seems the problem was more difficult. Perhaps the use of existing plumbing was the major issue.

 

[pauly7]

I think this type of debate comes up regularly and everyone, including me, thinks of ways to amend the access rules so that they have access. Why would QF allow paid Qantas Club members into the new business lounges? All this would achieve is make the new business lounges more crowded than the regular Qantas Club lounges.

The business class lounges were created with a specific purpose in mind. I think QF have it just about right. Business class passengers and Platinum status in the new business lounges with Qantas Club members and Gold status in the regular Qantas Club lounges....

I agree, I actually think the segmentation is correct as well. I also support QF jacking up the QF club fees by at least 10-20% as well

 

[straitman]

My experience of J lounge so far?

- No seat at BNE
- Food court quality curry and rice (Signature Menu?)
- Fighting for power outlets as my laptop battery fades away

Generally, I end up back in the main lounge - and at BNE I had to for the lavs. What's the deal with MEL and having to walk through two entrance checkpoints?

I must confess, I'm a sucker for hotcakes at brekky so I'm not being entirely critical.

saber_echo,

Welcome to AFF and we trust we'll here some more from you soon.

 

[JohnK]

I agree, I actually think the segmentation is correct as well. I also support QF jacking up the QF club fees by at least 10-20% as well

Personally, I think Qantas Club membership, including joining fees, has been way too low in the last few years. Oh, sorry, if that mean less people in the lounges then all the better....

 

[acampbel]

Personally, I think Qantas Club membership, including joining fees, has been way too low in the last few years. Oh, sorry, if that mean less people in the lounges then all the better....

Ahh ... the good old "I'm in, so the rest of you can cough off" syndrome. White Australia Policy anyone?


Cheers,

Andrew

.

 

[serfty]

... White Australia Policy anyone? ...

Nup, colour doesn't come into it - more like the "I'm allright Jack" syndrome ...

As I have posted elsewhere, Qantas make quite a profit with QP membership from those who fly only a few time per year. For those who fly much more, enough to get complimentary access, Qantas makes enough revenue from their fares to cover QP costs.