Qantas New Domestic Business Lounges

[borntotravel]

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?

[ejb]

Hi borntotravel,

I think QF have done a reasonable job of splitting the crowd and to allow "paid" QC members in would lead to overcrowding in the Bus/Plat lounge.

Also you seem to be saying that "paid" QC members have more rights than SG members however IMHO I think QF would value SG over QC NB/PS as by achieving SG you have flown often. Also many SG and WP members have paid QC memberships in limbo (me included, 11 months remaining if I ever drop below SG) so they would then also want access to the new lounge.

ejb

[adrian]

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?

The QF Club members are getting what they pay for - access to the QF Club Lounge.

If access was open to QF Club members also, then that would defeat their purpose.

[DTM1]

The idea of the paid product is to provide something extra to some infrequent travellers and for QF to derive additional revenue from that group of travellers.

The aim of the bus/plat lounge is to provide something that money cannot buy, and say thank you to the most frequent travellers (similar to the international first lounge rules). I think it is the right thing. However, whether or not QF have devalued the QC for gold ffs by selling too many QC memberships is another question altogether.

By the way, the bus lounge approach is also adopted by AA, with their Flagship Lounge product.

[coyote25]

Welcome BornToTravel,

This might start up a bit of debate between the merits of paid membership versus rewarded membership to the lounge. I'm actually in both sections having a suspended paid membership and a WP membership so I can see both sides.

The problem with allowing paid membership into the dom business lounge is you'd only have SG outside leading to potential crowding problems + seeing this as an elite lounge (which I believe is the plan). Plus it appears that QF wants to made the dom business lounge a key part of their very frequent flyer program.

Yes they make a lot of money off people paying for membership but with WP they are looking for long term financial benefit, plus it's another golden handcuff to keep WPs aiming to stay WP, which includes those who get LTG.

They are trying to give you something to aim for, now whether the dom business lounge and first class international lounge, exit seat requests plus top of upgrade list (behind CL) is enough of an incentive is another question but this is what QF is trying for, to make the WP stand out more. I expect changes in the future to again go down this route.

BTW I haven't tried the new bus lounges yet but I'm thinking that any lounge will still be a better place to be when delayed.

[moa999]

I would say very few people make WP without spending (either personal or corporate) at least $10k a year on Qantas, majority probably much much more.
(yes I know it is possible to construct an overseas purchased DONE/ YUP runs for less than that - but that is a small percentage)

Any half decent profit margin puts the contribution well ahead of QP members.

Now if you paid a few grand for lounge access...

[taswegian77]

I think QF has got it right with the new J domestic lounges. I have not been in there yet but the idea of a lounge just for J paying and CL/WP members is a good idea. Maybe QF should make it harder to reach SG and WP, that way the over crowding might not be such an issue. Getting 1400 SC is tough and retaining it is only marginally easier. I say give the benefits to WP. Good work QF.

[simongr]

By the way, the bus lounge approach is also adopted by AA, with their Flagship Lounge product.

I didnt quite get this comment at first. Are you referring to the restriction to access the Flagship lounge only to pax in full fare F flying transatlantic and/or non-AA OWE?

[Batesy]

Like many others I am WP so can access the J Dom and F int lounges. I also have a paid QP membership that will kick in should I drop my status.

When/If that happens I won't expect access to the more elite lounges, why would I? I am less valuable to the airline than before, plus I knew the rules going in when I joined the Qantas club.
Also to be selfish, keep out of my lounge!! Only joking, however let me assure you that they aint that great, in fact the Dom J lounges have turned out to be a great disapointment to those who can acccess them. I can't find the SIGNATURE food offering anywhere. A very slight improvement on the existing QP.

[Sequel]

...would lead to overcrowding in the Bus/Plat lounge.

To late! BNE Thurs evening - standing room only (as lots of seats in groups of 4 with 1 or 2 spare, people with bags on seats etc)