Speculation: QF to axe MEL First lounge?

[nlagalle]

Most of the 'problems' in the international QF J lounges would be solved simply by eliminating 'fake' status obtained through DSC promotions and the like.

Would it?? How many people do you think are getting status solely off DSC offers that are outside the FF circles? And the other point is they need to then use said status too.

In an airlines view a crowded lounge is a good sign.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

How on earth would they implement that ?
There are published status benefits and published flight benefits based on class of service.
You are suggesting that prior to each international flight QF looks at the loadings and manipulates the lounge access based on them ?

Really ???

Depending on the numbers there's potential to remove the F lounge from the OW agreement (similar to the Concorde Room), and reserve for F and full fare QF J. Platinum FF gets access to the business class lounge with Qantas Club and all other OW status. This would not be on a flight by flight basis, but a permanent move (provided that would relieve crowding).

 

[nlagalle]

Depending on the numbers there's potential to remove the F lounge from the OW agreement (similar to the Concorde Room), and reserve for F and full fare QF J. Platinum FF gets access to the business class lounge with Qantas Club and all other OW status. This would not be on a flight by flight basis, but a permanent move (provided that would relieve crowding).

Why? QF gets revenue from other OW airlines.. really I am beginning to think you are just spinning stuff up on the fly here.

As for the Concorde room, there is still a F lounge.

And once again it isn't a F lounge if you let J pax in, that's what the J lounge is for

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Why? QF gets revenue from other OW airlines.. really I am beginning to think you are just spinning stuff up on the fly here.

As for the Concorde room, there is still a F lounge.

And once again it isn't a F lounge if you let J pax in, that's what the J lounge is for

Then call it the Captain's Club. There is no OW requirement to have an F lounge.

QF would continue to get revenue from OW airlines using the business class lounge.

 

[Pleb Status]

Would it?? How many people do you think are getting status solely off DSC offers that are outside the FF circles? And the other point is they need to then use said status too.

In an airlines view a crowded lounge is a good sign.

The only reason why DSC promotions exist is they must be popular with the average punter/qSheep (even outside AFF circles). Why have them otherwise?

Participating in a DSC promotion only makes any sense if you will earn/retain a status level which you would not have earned/retained otherwise. SG is the sweet spot in the current QFF program as this gives international J lounge access.

It has been suggested that full J pax should be given F lounge access due to the 'squalid' conditions in the J lounges at present. It has also been suggested that full J pax will book on other airlines if this is not addressed.

Removing some of the pressure on the J lounges would eliminate the need to provide F lounge access. One easy (and fair) way to do this is to 'remove' those who earned access through DSC promotions and the like.

Reading the various QF DSC threads, it is surprising how many here would be sitting out with the masses (or would need to spend/fly more) if DSC promotions were axed.

 

[Pleb Status]

Depending on the numbers there's potential to remove the F lounge from the OW agreement (similar to the Concorde Room), and reserve for F and full fare QF J. Platinum FF gets access to the business class lounge with Qantas Club and all other OW status. This would not be on a flight by flight basis, but a permanent move (provided that would relieve crowding).

So you would rather alienate all QF WP just to provide F lounge access to the small subset of full J pax who are also not WP/OWE (for clarity full J is class J, not classes C,D,I or U).

The only thing I will miss when I drop from WP to LTG at the end of the year will be the F lounge access. Take that away and there is no reason to obtain QF WP status in the future.

 

[nlagalle]

The only reason why DSC promotions exist is they must be popular with the average punter/qSheep (even outside AFF circles). Why have them otherwise?

Participating in a DSC promotion only makes any sense if you will earn/retain a status level which you would not have earned/retained otherwise. SG is the sweet spot in the current QFF program as this gives international J lounge access.

In terms of chasing status. a DSC offer can also get some to that next level a bit quicker (they might already get it later in the year). But point remains I on't be the sole source of "overcrowding" in the lounge. People still have to fly in order to retain/use their status too

It has been suggested that full J pax should be given F lounge access due to the 'squalid' conditions in the J lounges at present. It has also been suggested that full J pax will book on other airlines if this is not addressed.

Removing some of the pressure on the J lounges would eliminate the need to provide F lounge access. One easy (and fair) way to do this is to 'remove' those who earned access through DSC promotions and the like.

I'd hardly call the J lounges squalid. it's a stupid to suggest that full fare J pax get access to the F lounge apart from the sole reason is they spend more. It's a F lounge.

Reading the various QF DSC threads, it is surprising how many here would be sitting out with the masses (or would need to spend/fly more) if DSC promotions were axed.

AFF and other FF communities are a small proportion to the rest of the flying community. they are always looking at maximising their opportunities for status.

 

[nlagalle]

Then call it the Captain's Club. There is no OW requirement to have an F lounge.

QF would continue to get revenue from OW airlines using the business class lounge.

Wow I am so glad you aren't in charge of lounges. It seems to me you are just upset you don't get access to said lounge?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So you would rather alienate all QF WP ...

Only platinums flying economy, if that would ease overcrowding.

 

[nlagalle]

Only platinums flying economy, if that would ease overcrowding.

So removing a defined benefit. One that would do more damage and lose them more than your hairbrain idea?

 

[Pleb Status]

In terms of chasing status. a DSC offer can also get some to that next level a bit quicker (they might already get it later in the year). But point remains I on't be the sole source of "overcrowding" in the lounge. People still have to fly in order to retain/use their status too.

I agree that removing the 'fake' status created by DSC promotions will not fix the 'problem', but it is a start. It is far better than some of the other options suggested.

I'd hardly call the J lounges squalid. it's a stupid to suggest that full fare J pax get access to the F lounge apart from the sole reason is they spend more. It's a F lounge.

I also agree that the J lounges are not that bad (my 'squalid' statement was hypebole) and the F lounges should NOT be accessed by non status full J pax. Improving the J lounge conditions would eliminate the need (or suggestion) for this to occur however.

 

[mannej]

Only platinums flying economy, if that would ease overcrowding.

So alienate a high status member who may be of more value to the airline if you take total overall spend compared to a once off flyer?

Makes sense to me...

 

[Pleb Status]

Only platinums flying economy, if that would ease overcrowding.

And also WP/OWE flying in business in classes C,D,I and U (which is almost all business pax) as these are not full business fare classes.

 

[nlagalle]

I agree that removing the 'fake' status created by DSC promotions will not fix the 'problem', but it is a start. It is far better than some of the other options suggested.

the ones that will game the system will still find ways to do it. QF know that some of the their promos create a massive boost to people who only need a slight differentiator to spend a few more bucks on QF.

I also agree that the J lounges are not that bad (my 'squalid' statement was hypebole) and the F lounges should NOT be accessed by non status full J pax. Improving the J lounge conditions would eliminate the need (or suggestion) for this to occur however.

Yes it would. But every lounge has a lifecycle. look at the CX lounges a few years back. when QF opened the new HKG lounge it killed the CX ones. Now CX has done up their lounges they leapfrog the others. just look at LHR. they will be leapfrogging each other.

 

[mviy]

It has been suggested that full J pax should be given F lounge access due to the 'squalid' conditions in the J lounges at present.

As a WP flying with multiple friends all in long haul paid J it would be nice to be able to take in a second guest (it would certainly be much more enjoyable than needing to split up and meet up again on the plane), but we'd rather split up than have none of us go to the FLounge.

Removing some of the pressure on the J lounges would eliminate the need to provide F lounge access. One easy (and fair) way to do this is to 'remove' those who earned access through DSC promotions and the like.

Reading the various QF DSC threads, it is surprising how many here would be sitting out with the masses (or would need to spend/fly more) if DSC promotions were axed.

I'm looking to build towards LTG efficiently (it will take a long time to get there and will take some careful planning) and if DSC helps me to get there so be it. I do fly paid J long haul for leisure travel where I can so whilst I wouldn't have got WP without a run I definitely would have got SG without a run and retained it as well. If there had not be the lure of FLounge access I don't think I would have bothered going for WP.

Flying domestically I try to avoid the commuter peaks which also helps to minimise my impact on lounge crowding. Internationally there's not much choice when to fly but then I don't fly overseas as much as I do domestically.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Only platinums flying economy, if that would ease overcrowding.

Not in favour of that, as IMHO it'd be one of the biggest drawcards for chasing Platinum and one of the best rewards for obtaining it; but I'd support banning Platinums flying JQ Y, and sending all non-J JQ passengers to the business lounge.

 

[drron]

If J pax have to use the J lounge surely the F lounge should be for F pax.:shock:

 

[Pushka]

thanks. But still potential to copy those services across to full J at MEL/SYD.



QF has chosen not to refurbish atm. It would be interesting to see the ratio of full J to platinum Y on a flight. If the latter was more they could reduce crowding by swapping access around.

Then the beef is with Qantas not providing services for J passengers. By giving invites to F lounge then you diminish the F experience. Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

[straitman]

Depending on the numbers there's potential to remove the F lounge from the OW agreement (similar to the Concorde Room), and reserve for F and full fare QF J. Platinum FF gets access to the business class lounge with Qantas Club and all other OW status. This would not be on a flight by flight basis, but a permanent move (provided that would relieve crowding).

Only platinums flying economy, if that would ease overcrowding.

.... and achieve precisely what. Remember that the perspective and expectations of the airline and the passenger can often be different. (A bit like a passenger or pilots view of a good landing)

 

[nlagalle]

Not in favour of that, as IMHO it'd be one of the biggest drawcards for chasing Platinum and one of the best rewards for obtaining it; but I'd support banning Platinums flying JQ Y, and sending all non-J JQ passengers to the business lounge.

My only caveat on that is for QF to offer services to those destinations. As they gifted those routes to JQ you often don't have a choice.