If the flight is near full on that day the tickets cost more. It's fairly universal across all airlines to stop discounting when the seats are almost gone at their highest demand.

Nothing changed. It's a loyalty bonus, like the other loyalty bonuses.

Prior to COVID, but I haven't been there since the Qantas business lounge had a sign up no tipping. The first lounge didn't have a sign. Alaska lounges say no tipping required on their website.

Ponzi scheme parent company didn't have the legs to get it through to profit unfortunately. Virgin Australia luckily could rely on deep pockets twice and the collapse of Ansett to establish itself.

Now all the COVID status gifting is over, you might actually see a progressive reduction in golds and platinums in the line.