Lounge closure 2013!? Anyone got info on the impending holiday lounge closures. Just trying to work out whether to change my QF fights to VA for the next couple of weeks as QF do their annual cost saving lark under the guise of a spring clean or whatever. Yawn. No wonder they're heading for a billion dollar loss. So expected not even news for AusBT?!
Hi PLATY, we actually had the article up about 2-3 weeks back and have been 'reheating' once a week since then, to try and ensure it gets picked up by as many people as possible. Next year we might need to do a little 'promotional tile' for it, like for contests and other highlighted articles, to really help spread the word!
The MH First class lounge at KUL is also closed for renovations. Apparently it will open in early 2014. In the meantime the Business class lounge has been renovated and is now open.
Really, the various domestic business lounges are closed to customers overnight every day of the year. In the case of Brisbane from around 8pm - 8.30pm.
They don't even bother to stay open until the last flight of the day as advertised when flights are delayed if my experience in BNE of two weeks ago is anything to go by - we were chucked out well in advance of boarding of our QF flight.
There are therefore approx 3000 hours per year or more in which these lounges can be cleaned, minor renovations completed, etc., without interrupting service levels.
Unless there is significant internal renovation, the inevitable conclusion is that QF are closing the lounges for nearly three weeks to save money by not paying staff, providing business lounge level catering, maintaining daily cleaning and presentation.
They are still charging business class customers the business class fare, not telling them at purchase that they will experience a lower service level, etc.
Whether you care or not is a matter for personal perception and whether you're travelling during the period.
Saving money by lowering service standards for your premium and most loyal customer base during intense competition with VA is a troubling, perhaps even stupid, strategy, depending on your point of view.
Failing to communicate the situation clearly to customers and claiming the closures are due to cleaning (or whatever) is disappointing.
Last year there was no noticeable difference in the business lounges beforeand after the shut down.
If we know its happening we can choose to fly with VA. That's exactly what I'll be doing for my flights between 25 Dec and 13 Jan...
Nothing changed after the closure of the QF Melb Business Lounge for its "cleaning" and "repair" last year. Also having to put up with the tired QF Club last year was horrible.
QF does it every year, life goes on. Apart from the self-satisfaction of a protest you won't get anything special from the VA lounge vs QF J lounge unless you're HLO ex SYD domestic.
But if more people were prepared to challenge under delivery of service, etc., organisations such as QF would be more likely to treat customers with respect instead of arrogance.
The boundaries also get pushed back as QF finds it can "get away with it" the first time, hey presto the lounge is closed for 3 weeks not two weeks the next time round, devaluations occur without the requisite notice period, etc.
They are slowly but surely gouging their customer base and you're quite happy to sit and say, no problem, that's life, I was expecting to get up the derriere and I'll take it...
I agree with you however considering the situation with QF group this sort of lazy financial cost cutting is slowly going to become the norm and not the exception. Example - the "cafe breakfast" in int J. In a recent speech for UNSW John Borghetti said on average the profit margin in the airline business over the last 20 years is 1%.
I'm sure some bean counters at QF are thinking "hey VA gets away with not having a J lounge, perhaps we can as well?". Interesting times ahead.
Yes, I totally agree with you - and I guess that's my underlying fear - QF being driven by bean counters and artisans of low cost airlines rather than folk with real vision and leadership who look at the wholistic picture, can compete on value (not price)
It's really not the end of the world... It's just a lounge. It's not going to hurt anyone to use the normal Qantas Club lounge for the time the Business Lounge is closed. I promise you will survive. If you think that the VA lounge is going to be better then fly VA. Either way... it's just a lounge!
PLATY
PLATY
Member since 19 Jan 2012
Total posts 138
Lounge closure 2013!? Anyone got info on the impending holiday lounge closures. Just trying to work out whether to change my QF fights to VA for the next couple of weeks as QF do their annual cost saving lark under the guise of a spring clean or whatever. Yawn. No wonder they're heading for a billion dollar loss. So expected not even news for AusBT?!
eminere
eminere
Member since 25 Sep 2013
Total posts 376
Already posted on 18 December: http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-closing-domestic-airport-business-lounges-over-christmas
PLATY
PLATY
Member since 19 Jan 2012
Total posts 138
Thanks, Eminere, Apologies, AusBT. Somehow I missed that article.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,020
Hi PLATY, we actually had the article up about 2-3 weeks back and have been 'reheating' once a week since then, to try and ensure it gets picked up by as many people as possible. Next year we might need to do a little 'promotional tile' for it, like for contests and other highlighted articles, to really help spread the word!
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
The MH First class lounge at KUL is also closed for renovations. Apparently it will open in early 2014. In the meantime the Business class lounge has been renovated and is now open.
PLATY
PLATY
Member since 19 Jan 2012
Total posts 138
Thanks, David, it's a very timely article and apologies again for missing it!
Really
Really
Member since 02 Jan 2013
Total posts 54
When then would you suggest they clean the place?
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
Do Qantas Clubs not need the same level of cleaning? When are they going to do those and shut them down?
If cleaning in fact is the real reason.
PLATY
PLATY
Member since 19 Jan 2012
Total posts 138
Really, the various domestic business lounges are closed to customers overnight every day of the year. In the case of Brisbane from around 8pm - 8.30pm.
They don't even bother to stay open until the last flight of the day as advertised when flights are delayed if my experience in BNE of two weeks ago is anything to go by - we were chucked out well in advance of boarding of our QF flight.
There are therefore approx 3000 hours per year or more in which these lounges can be cleaned, minor renovations completed, etc., without interrupting service levels.
Unless there is significant internal renovation, the inevitable conclusion is that QF are closing the lounges for nearly three weeks to save money by not paying staff, providing business lounge level catering, maintaining daily cleaning and presentation.
They are still charging business class customers the business class fare, not telling them at purchase that they will experience a lower service level, etc.
Whether you care or not is a matter for personal perception and whether you're travelling during the period.
Saving money by lowering service standards for your premium and most loyal customer base during intense competition with VA is a troubling, perhaps even stupid, strategy, depending on your point of view.
Failing to communicate the situation clearly to customers and claiming the closures are due to cleaning (or whatever) is disappointing.
Last year there was no noticeable difference in the business lounges beforeand after the shut down.
If we know its happening we can choose to fly with VA. That's exactly what I'll be doing for my flights between 25 Dec and 13 Jan...
driley28
driley28
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 May 2012
Total posts 299
Nothing changed after the closure of the QF Melb Business Lounge for its "cleaning" and "repair" last year. Also having to put up with the tired QF Club last year was horrible.
johnaboxall
johnaboxall
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Aug 2011
Total posts 384
QF does it every year, life goes on. Apart from the self-satisfaction of a protest you won't get anything special from the VA lounge vs QF J lounge unless you're HLO ex SYD domestic.
PLATY
PLATY
Member since 19 Jan 2012
Total posts 138
True enough, Tronixstuff.
But if more people were prepared to challenge under delivery of service, etc., organisations such as QF would be more likely to treat customers with respect instead of arrogance.
The boundaries also get pushed back as QF finds it can "get away with it" the first time, hey presto the lounge is closed for 3 weeks not two weeks the next time round, devaluations occur without the requisite notice period, etc.
They are slowly but surely gouging their customer base and you're quite happy to sit and say, no problem, that's life, I was expecting to get up the derriere and I'll take it...
johnaboxall
johnaboxall
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Aug 2011
Total posts 384
I agree with you however considering the situation with QF group this sort of lazy financial cost cutting is slowly going to become the norm and not the exception. Example - the "cafe breakfast" in int J. In a recent speech for UNSW John Borghetti said on average the profit margin in the airline business over the last 20 years is 1%.
I'm sure some bean counters at QF are thinking "hey VA gets away with not having a J lounge, perhaps we can as well?". Interesting times ahead.
PLATY
PLATY
Member since 19 Jan 2012
Total posts 138
Yes, I totally agree with you - and I guess that's my underlying fear - QF being driven by bean counters and artisans of low cost airlines rather than folk with real vision and leadership who look at the wholistic picture, can compete on value (not price)
AusFlyer
AusFlyer
Member since 10 Mar 2011
Total posts 137
It's really not the end of the world... It's just a lounge. It's not going to hurt anyone to use the normal Qantas Club lounge for the time the Business Lounge is closed. I promise you will survive. If you think that the VA lounge is going to be better then fly VA. Either way... it's just a lounge!