QF to sell lounge passes

[SpudOz]

After this is implemented, I would always wonder how many people in the QP were "pay by voucher" passengers, if the QP was overcrowded and it was standing room only. Situation Normal for me.

 

[russ]

I already wonder how many WP riff-raff are in the lounges. It's a zoo in there a lot of the time.

 

[medhead]

I already wonder how many WP riff-raff are in the lounges. It's a zoo in there a lot of the time.

Very few I'd imagine. We're mostly in the business and first lounges.

 

[russ]

Sorry, yes, I was talking about business and first lounges. I can't remember when I was last in a QP!

 

[drron]

The trouble is JohnK, that you could use that argument about QP members devaluing status members.

If QF have seen an opportunity to increase revenue without too much of an effect (off-peak times etc) then let them.

I rue the day when they let that status crowd with their entitlement attitude into our club.:shock:

 

[downgraded]

Air NZ's been doing e-passes for some time, linked to their mobile app. They even gift them to top tier FF as an additional treat, don't think you can actually buy Koru club entry on a per visit basis.

Don't see anything wrong with any of this, it's all paid entry one way or another anyway and as to value, there's more to it than just free F&B - an opportunity to get out of the airport shopping mall/ food court is worth it's weight to some.

 

[russ]

Once they have the pass-per-use infrastructure working, I wonder how long it will be until QF gives WP's a finite number of passes to premium lounges rather than the current unlimited offer. I know there would be an outcry, but it would be tempting for QF.

 

[harvyk]

Could also be an interesting test for the dress code rules...." but I paid good money/points to come in" ...

No different than any other place with a dress code. They would be required to refund the money / points if the person was not up to dress code rules, but having paid for entry (and no doubt made aware of the dress code rules) you would not be more entitled to access the lounge than anyone else.

 

[downgraded]

It's not as unlimited as it was. You used to be able to use the lounge even when you weren't flying OW because they didn't offer the destination/schedule you required.

 

[harvyk]

You can see it backfiring though: "this is all that there is? And they want me to pay $xx_ a year for the privilege?"

Unlikely, I would expect most peoples first visit to a lounge as a wondrous experience, especially if you don't have guaranteed access the next time around.
It's only FFers like us whom get jaded because we think the service we receive in the lounge is just the way flying is, when for the average person it is anything but...

I still remember my first visit to a QP. It was ADL and QF put me in the QP as an apology because my bags arrived late from a previous flight. These days I know that the visit I had was nothing special or out of the ordinary, but as a lounge virgin things like free food, an open bar and comfortable seats was so surprising and wonderful, to the point that I signed up before my next trip away.

 

[njba]

Unlikely, I would expect most peoples first visit to a lounge as a wondrous experience, especially if you don't have guaranteed access the next time around.

I think your experience was a little different: you didn't pay for access and as a resulted were probably predisposed to feel a little more positive.

Paying directly creates higher expectations which in some cases will be met, certainly, but in some cases will not.

 

[BD1959]

I suppose they are going to use their great store of data vis-a-vis lounge access to only make offers for access in predicted quiet periods? If done well, this will avoid most of the scenarios you envision. And for when worst comes to worst, at least people will get a points/money refund.

However if you take HBA as an example, you can predict "quiet times" all you like however it only takes one or two aircraft delays to slide into the lead-time for the next service to completely fill the lounge - as last Thursday afternoon demonstrated. Would this preclude such Lounges from ever being offered?

This makes a mockery of those who pay good money for an annual membership, not to mention a joining fee, or those who give QF a lot of business being a QF SG member.

Not really Pooch. This is (for the time being)_ a targeted Promotion - you can never be sure whether you'll get the offer or not. With a QP membership - or status - you're pretty much guaranteed entry so surely you'd continue to buy for that certainty?

Regards,

BD

 

[medhead]

Once they have the pass-per-use infrastructure working, I wonder how long it will be until QF gives WP's a finite number of passes to premium lounges rather than the current unlimited offer. I know there would be an outcry, but it would be tempting for QF.

I think that would be a great move, depending on the limitation imposed. for example for the 2014/15 financial year I had about 112 eligible guest spots, I used maybe 3 of them - maybe. But the next time I had a family holiday with 3 other adults and 2 children, or perhaps 2 other adults and 2 children, I can't guest the group into the lounge unless I go begging, cap in hand (please sir may I have some more).

I'm all for being given (112-X) E-lounge passes if I get the flexibility to guest all of my family on the rare occasions we travel together.

 

[mannej]

I think your experience was a little different: you didn't pay for access and as a resulted were probably predisposed to feel a little more positive.

Paying directly creates higher expectations which in some cases will be met, certainly, but in some cases will not.

Expectation like this?

 

[Mattg]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet...

Why would anyone pay 7,000 points for a lounge pass, when you can upgrade to business class for 5,000 points on some flights/ticket types? Even on a red-e-deal, upgrades on flights like SYD-MEL and BNE-CBR only cost 10,000 points - and you'd get J lounge access and a J seat/meal onboard.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Unlikely, I would expect most peoples first visit to a lounge as a wondrous experience, especially if you don't have guaranteed access the next time around. It's only FFers like us whom get jaded because we think the service we receive in the lounge is just the way flying is, when for the average person it is anything but...

Quite so. I know many people who've been totally bowled over by a Qantas Club, let alone an international business lounge. One should never underestimate the appeal of airport lounges to the 'infrequent flyer'.

 

[Awesom Andy]

View attachment 73969

Expectation like this?

Not sure who put the crosses over the airline's name, but there is only 1 airline flying between AUH and BRU non-stop...

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet...

Why would anyone pay 7,000 points for a lounge pass, when you can upgrade to business class for 5,000 points on some flights/ticket types? Even on a red-e-deal, upgrades on flights like SYD-MEL and BNE-CBR only cost 10,000 points - and you'd get J lounge access and a J seat/meal onboard.

You can't always get an upgrade when you want to, but then, if it's at off-peak times, I guess upgrades shouldn't be too difficult to come by.

 

[JohnK]

Once they have the pass-per-use infrastructure working, I wonder how long it will be until QF gives WP's a finite number of passes to premium lounges rather than the current unlimited offer. I know there would be an outcry, but it would be tempting for QF.

I know you stir quite a lot but I would not consider this proposal a terrible idea.

How many First lounge passes do you think is fair? 16/year? 12/year? 8/year? Most people would get reasonable use out of 16.

I wouldn't restrict access to business lounges or Qantas clubs.

 

[awkwardpaws]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet...

Why would anyone pay 7,000 points for a lounge pass, when you can upgrade to business class for 5,000 points on some flights/ticket types? Even on a red-e-deal, upgrades on flights like SYD-MEL and BNE-CBR only cost 10,000 points - and you'd get J lounge access and a J seat/meal onboard.

you make an excellent point - but maybe when their upgrade doesnt clear?

 

[russ]

I know you stir quite a lot but I would not consider this proposal a terrible idea.
How many First lounge passes do you think is fair? 16/year? 12/year? 8/year? Most people would get reasonable use out of 16.
I wouldn't restrict access to business lounges or Qantas clubs.

I wasn't thinking just FLounge, I was thinking any lounge. There is so much penny-pinching going on at QF and the industry that I think that it is inevitable that they are going to try to save on food and drink in the lounge. If I were inside QF, the first thing I'd do is publish an access price, which is exactly what they've done. Mark my words - you heard it here first!