Real perks of VA Plat, and what does QFF Lounge have that VA doesn't?

[sjtaylor]

Hi all,
Forgive me posing two questions in the one post:

1. Shortly going to re-qualify as VA SG; I've no scs to speak of in QFF and wonder if it's worth climbing the VA ladder or obtaining some decent status in QFF to get off lowly bronze.
Are there any real perks of VA Plat that can't and don't apply to VA Gold, apart from the free upgrades from Flexi?

2. And this is a slightly unusual question.
Is anybody willing to give a run-down of food and beverage generally available in both lounges? I'm blind/vision impaired and generally have to rely on lounge angels to do this. I take it that stock choices don't rotate all that often?
Cheers, and thanks for a grea resource.

 

[bammac]

Not only does the food menu rarely get rotated, I swear some of the crackers have been around since I gained access in 2005. Probably the biggest thing is having enough space to sit down. I've been in lounges from both VA and QF that have been a tad tight on a few occasions.

 

[samh004]

Biggest differences.
For both program's you'll find Platinum allows more than one guest, and being perhaps better looked after. However if you have special needs, they may already be looking after you better than status holders.

In terms of QF vs VA.
With Qantas Platinum you get access to a slightly better lounge in a few major ports domestically, which does have better food choices.

If you're a fan of spirits (to drink), Qantas offers this in their lounges, while VA does not.

 

[kevrosmith]

VA Platinum get better seat selection at time of booking compared to VA Gold.

VA Lounge food offerings include:
Breakfast: greek yoghurt, tinned peaches and pears, fruit salad, cheese, boiled eggs, ham. Muffins, bread, pancakes with maple syrup or jam/cream.
Daytime: range of Mrs. Crockets-style pasta/grain/pea salads, sliced salad vegetables (tomatoes, cucumber, beetroot etc.), sliced meats, sliced cheese, soups: including mushroom, pea & ham, chicken & corn. Sliced bread.
Dinner times: fried rice and condiments, hot dogs, range of curries and rice.

Haven't been in QP for quite some time, but Business Class Lounges (you'd need to get to Qantas Platinum to access) have a range of salads, soups and nibbles. A more substantial meal offering is provided around dinner etc. E.g. curry or stew with mashed potato or rice. Since the new managers took over the Lounge, they've also started offering "gourmet" hot dogs. The QP at OOL does have a hot meal option (pasta dish or meat-ball dish rotated), though not sure if that is typical of other QPs.

Lack of spirits in VA Lounge has already been noted.

 

[sjtaylor]

VA Platinum get better seat selection at time of booking compared to VA Gold.

VA Lounge food offerings include:
Breakfast: greek yoghurt, tinned peaches and pears, fruit salad, cheese, boiled eggs, ham. Muffins, bread, pancakes with maple syrup or jam/cream.
Daytime: range of Mrs. Crockets-style pasta/grain/pea salads, sliced salad vegetables (tomatoes, cucumber, beetroot etc.), sliced meats, sliced cheese, soups: including mushroom, pea & ham, chicken & corn. Sliced bread.
Dinner times: fried rice and condiments, hot dogs, range of curries and rice.

Haven't been in QP for quite some time, but Business Class Lounges (you'd need to get to Qantas Platinum to access) have a range of salads, soups and nibbles. A more substantial meal offering is provided around dinner etc. E.g. curry or stew with mashed potato or rice. Since the new managers took over the Lounge, they've also started offering "gourmet" hot dogs. The QP at OOL does have a hot meal option (pasta dish or meat-ball dish rotated), though not sure if that is typical of other QPs.

Lack of spirits in VA Lounge has already been noted.

Thank you all; this information is extremely useful. Excellent run-down on lounge food, thankyou.

Yes; spirits would be a (rather big) bonus, but as I fly only domestically I fear that decent QFF status would be scarcely obtainable.
However, each time I fly VA (Syd-bne; Bne-ntl; Bne-Bun) I can't help wondering what it's like on the other side of the fence.

 

[blackcat20]

The QP at OOL does have a hot meal option (pasta dish or meat-ball dish rotated), though not sure if that is typical of other QPs.

I've seen a hot meal in the QP in Canberra. Haven't been in other QPs at the right time to find out.

 

[sjtaylor]

I've seen a hot meal in the QP in Canberra. Haven't been in other QPs at the right time to find out.

Thank you all; this information is extremely useful. Excellent run-down on lounge food, thankyou.

Yes; spirits would be a (rather big) bonus, but as I fly only domestically I fear that decent QFF status would be scarcely obtainable.
However, each time I fly VA (Syd-bne; Bne-ntl; Bne-Bun) I can't help wondering what it's like on the other side of the fence.

 

[smit0847]

Having been SG and now WP on VA I wouldnt bother stretching for WP again, there's not much difference. I strongly believe SGs get too much as they want to make it more inticing than QF SG whereas WP dont get enough as VA dont have as many carrots to dangle as QF (i.e. FLounges in Australia).

The best benefits of WP:
1. Row 3 at anytime
2. 4 x comp upgrades (but now that the 2-4-1 CC offer doesnt include Flexi fares this is not nearly as valuable).
3. Flounges in AUH and LAX (never used either).

 

[kevrosmith]

Having been SG and now WP on VA I wouldnt bother stretching for WP again, there's not much difference. I strongly believe SGs get too much as they want to make it more inticing than QF SG whereas WP dont get enough as VA dont have as many carrots to dangle as QF (i.e. FLounges in Australia).

The best benefits of WP:
1. Row 3 at anytime
2. 4 x comp upgrades (but now that the 2-4-1 CC offer doesnt include Flexi fares this is not nearly as valuable).
3. Flounges in AUH and LAX (never used either).

I tend to agree with this. WP on QF is very handy, whereas there is less distinction between VA Gold and Platinum. The most useful thing for me as VA Platinum is aiming for Partner Gold and/or Partner Platinum to be able to give Gold/Platinum to a friend as a gift. I've been fortunate lately with op-ups into J on VA, though often I'm the only VA Platinum on-board and Gold and Silver members have been also been given an op-up at the same time as Y has been absolutely full.

 

[erkpod]

I'm not quite VFF WP yet but the main things I'm looking forward to is row 3 & the upgrades. I don't want to go below SG ever again.

 

[drewbles]

I never sit in row 3, as if you have anything more than a petit derrière, they are not comfortable.

The upgrades are also now pretty much a false economy. I used to be able to do MEL-PER return for $600. It's now over $1k on flexis.

Hopefully they'll surprise us all and come out with more tangible benefits for WP, but I don't count row 3 or the upgrades as a huge one any longer.