This week's wrap for frequent flyers and lounge lizards

By Chris C., August 28 2015

It’s a big week for frequent flyer lounge perks with the opening of a new Qantas Business Lounge in Perth for Platinum and Platinum One travellers, while SkyTeam Elite Plus cardholders can no longer kick back in Brisbane when jetting off with China Southern.

Also in this week’s wrap: Virgin Australia extends lounge privileges into many city CBDs – not just airports – for Velocity Gold and Platinum members, who can now set up camp in Servcorp offices once a month at no charge.

Rounding things up for another week, we take a look at GHA’s Discovery loyalty scheme which delivers many useful benefits at brands such as Rydges, Parkroyal and Pan Pacific.

Free Servcorp lounge access for Velocity Gold, Platinum

Virgin Australia’s Velocity Gold and Platinum members can now make free use of Servcorp Business Lounges in many cities popular with business travellers, while all Velocity members can earn points on selected Servcorp products and services.

Among the CBD locations to choose from: the MLC Centre in Sydney’s Martin Place, a Collins Street address in Melbourne and properties on Eagle Street in Brisbane’s financial district, along with lounges in Singapore, Hong Kong and at One World Trade Centre in New York.

New Servcorp clients can also earn 20,000 points on signing a new serviced office contract, 10,000 points with a new co-working contract and 5,000 points with a new virtual office.

Your guide to GHA’s Discovery program

While most hotel loyalty programs offer points to travellers, GHA's Discovery scheme favours 'local experiences' instead, with everything from behind-the-scenes tours through to dinner cruises, spa treatments and also free overnight hotel stays up for grabs.

Those local experiences are earned by reaching the Platinum and Black tiers when staying at Global Hotel Alliance’s long list of hotels including Pan Pacific, Parkroyal, QT, Rydges, Kempinski and more.

All up, the group has around 500 individual hotels spanning 32 brands in 76 countries – including a number of properties in Australia – so here’s what you need to know about GHA's Discovery scheme.

Read: Your guide to GHA’s Discovery program

Qantas opens new Perth lounge for Platinums

The new Qantas Business Lounge at Perth Airport is now open, and Australian Business Traveller is on the spot to bring you this first look at what's in store.

Opening its doors to Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers, Oneworld Emerald members and business class passengers, the lounge delivers great new amenities such as dedicated pizza and wine bars.

And for Gold frequent flyers, Oneworld Sapphire members and paid-up Qantas Club cardholders, there’s the promise of more elbow room in the existing Qantas Club lounge thanks to the opening of this new facility.

First look: Qantas Business Lounge, Perth

China Southern: no Brisbane lounge for SkyTeam Elite Plus

SkyTeam Elite Plus members jetting to Guangzhou with China Southern will now find themselves without airport lounge access in Brisbane.

Instead, these passengers will each receive a $40 voucher to Brisbane River Grill – a new restaurant and bar located past security and near the departure gate normally used by China Southern.

The airline previously sent its premium passengers to the Air New Zealand lounge in Brisbane, but which is soon to be closed or at least temporarily reduced in size to allow for much-needed refurbishment works.

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