Qantas New Domestic Business Lounges

[NM]

Originally Posted by simongr

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]

Originally Posted by NM

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]

Originally Posted by simongr

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]

Originally Posted by acampbel

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.

Originally Posted by acampbel

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]

Originally Posted by DTM1

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?