Elite Priority One
#31
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
Yes it was.
Due to NZ OTP I decided to have a look after breakfast to see what I could do with my extra 20 minutes.
50% off all stock and they would courier out the items, arrived the next day. I checked the store the next day and yes there was no equivalent sale in store so I was very happy, especially as Danielle helped me with selecting a very versatile pattern tie that would go with a variety of shirt patterns that I had.^
Due to NZ OTP I decided to have a look after breakfast to see what I could do with my extra 20 minutes.
50% off all stock and they would courier out the items, arrived the next day. I checked the store the next day and yes there was no equivalent sale in store so I was very happy, especially as Danielle helped me with selecting a very versatile pattern tie that would go with a variety of shirt patterns that I had.^
#32
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: NZ*G, United.
Posts: 194
Apparently Chairmans Lounge privileges don't continue once you stop being an MP (maybe even a MInister). A friend who is a member is amused to see the ex-pollies loitering waiting for someone to get them in.
#33
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: NZ*G, United.
Posts: 194
Keeping my expectations modest I'm not sure I would value an exclusive area unless it was exceptionally spiffy. One of the good things about Koru lounge is the people who meet there and the maintenance of relationships or work done as a consequence. It is an engineroom of New Zealand connectedness at one level. A select separate place would mean fewer chances to catch up with fewer people.
#34
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, KQ Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 675
Keeping my expectations modest I'm not sure I would value an exclusive area unless it was exceptionally spiffy. One of the good things about Koru lounge is the people who meet there and the maintenance of relationships or work done as a consequence. It is an engineroom of New Zealand connectedness at one level. A select separate place would mean fewer chances to catch up with fewer people.
For me it would be useful to have the choice - something quieter if I wanted to get some work done, or the main lounge should I feel the desire to connect with others.
#35
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: NZ G, QF Bronze
Posts: 326
The evening curry in the EP1 lounge would be made with gravy beef, instead of chuck.
#36
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 52
Back then the big advantage was you could use it whatever airline you were on. Or even if you wernt flying and just meeting family between there connecting flights you could bring the whole clan in.
He was CEO of one of the bigger listed companies at the time. When he retired he kept his access for a couple of years and after that he dropped a status level every two years till he had no status at all.
As for MPs my family knows a minister in the former Labour government. He has no status officially anymore with NZ but he is always seated in the good seats and his boarding pass always scans green at the Koru lounge.
Go figure
#37
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
My Dad was Chairmans lounge for many years and Ansett Pass or whatever it was called at Ansett before they went under.
Back then the big advantage was you could use it whatever airline you were on. Or even if you wernt flying and just meeting family between there connecting flights you could bring the whole clan in.
He was CEO of one of the bigger listed companies at the time. When he retired he kept his access for a couple of years and after that he dropped a status level every two years till he had no status at all.
As for MPs my family knows a minister in the former Labour government. He has no status officially anymore with NZ but he is always seated in the good seats and his boarding pass always scans green at the Koru lounge.
Go figure
Back then the big advantage was you could use it whatever airline you were on. Or even if you wernt flying and just meeting family between there connecting flights you could bring the whole clan in.
He was CEO of one of the bigger listed companies at the time. When he retired he kept his access for a couple of years and after that he dropped a status level every two years till he had no status at all.
As for MPs my family knows a minister in the former Labour government. He has no status officially anymore with NZ but he is always seated in the good seats and his boarding pass always scans green at the Koru lounge.
Go figure
#38
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Programs: NZ *E, QF Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, PanPacific Platinum
Posts: 754
Koru used to have no restrictions either. I often used to drive to chch, read the paper, drink coffee then go home! Then Sept 11 happened and security etc changed things. I have a life now by the way :-)
#39
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 596
Omg that seriously sounds like almost the craziest thing I have ever heard. I know of plane enthusiasts who like hanging out at the airport, and I get that -but to go there for a coffee and go home just because is a scary thought. The more I fly the less I love the airport. The irony is the more I fly the less time I spend there. I avoid it, get there last minute, routinely bypass my 'earned benefits' such as the "relaxing lounge" etc.
#40
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 52
This was funded buy my after school job at Khandallah New World and guest passes raided from the old mans collection that were never used over the preceding 10 years.
When last flight was boarding we would go back to the CBD and raid Dads works board room bar with his old swipe card they never canceled. We would fill up black rubbish bags with booze and just walk out. I remember one occasion where two mates and my self got out of the lift with our booty to be confronted with the cleaning crew to which my friend who went onto a role in broadcasting proclaimed to his audience right guys I think we have all the files we need and led us out the front door with our "file bags " going CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK
#41
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
Funny you say that. I got my first Koru Club card and the year following Golden Wing card when I was 15. On a friday night me and some mates from school would often dress up a little and get drunk and smoke in the lounge then head into town. We were never questioned once either over the lack of travel or our underage drinking. We would make up these ridiculous conversations to be overheard about "calling in the legal team" or firing someone to help with our silly cover story
This was funded buy my after school job at Khandallah New World and guest passes raided from the old mans collection that were never used over the preceding 10 years.
When last flight was boarding we would go back to the CBD and raid Dads works board room bar with his old swipe card they never canceled. We would fill up black rubbish bags with booze and just walk out. I remember one occasion where two mates and my self got out of the lift with our booty to be confronted with the cleaning crew to which my friend who went onto a role in broadcasting proclaimed to his audience right guys I think we have all the files we need and led us out the front door with our "file bags " going CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK
This was funded buy my after school job at Khandallah New World and guest passes raided from the old mans collection that were never used over the preceding 10 years.
When last flight was boarding we would go back to the CBD and raid Dads works board room bar with his old swipe card they never canceled. We would fill up black rubbish bags with booze and just walk out. I remember one occasion where two mates and my self got out of the lift with our booty to be confronted with the cleaning crew to which my friend who went onto a role in broadcasting proclaimed to his audience right guys I think we have all the files we need and led us out the front door with our "file bags " going CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK
#42
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
Omg that seriously sounds like almost the craziest thing I have ever heard. I know of plane enthusiasts who like hanging out at the airport, and I get that -but to go there for a coffee and go home just because is a scary thought. The more I fly the less I love the airport. The irony is the more I fly the less time I spend there. I avoid it, get there last minute, routinely bypass my 'earned benefits' such as the "relaxing lounge" etc.
I too have started to arrive at airports closer to departure time, lounge offering decreasing in value for me. I even skipped SYD QF First Lounge to do some shopping. I was not terribly hungry and knew I would get something decent to eat in Business Class. For my frequent domestic flights I sometimes eat breakfast at home instead of the KC, but it does depend on how I feel in the morning, which all indicates I will not renew my KC membership at the end of the year.
#43
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ*S plus various hotel programs
Posts: 945
The ability for a Koru member to be able to go into the Koru lounge when not flying was removed in June 2002. This resulted in someone taking Air NZ to court over this removal, but without success:
#45
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 52
[QUOTE=poopbunny;22892011]Even if it was open to non-travellers, I am not certain the offerings at the lounge these days is even worth the drive to the airport, let alone the cost of parking.
The lounge food was nothing to write home about back then. I think soup was often the only hot option. It was all about inflight service. Remember blue ribbon service on Ansett and meals designed by a leading restaurant from the city you were flying out of on NZ. It amazes me now they cant make a cup of coffee from Wellington to Christchurch but could once manage a three course dinner.
The deal was when they cut all that we were to get better offerings in the lounge... now we have neither.
The lounge food was nothing to write home about back then. I think soup was often the only hot option. It was all about inflight service. Remember blue ribbon service on Ansett and meals designed by a leading restaurant from the city you were flying out of on NZ. It amazes me now they cant make a cup of coffee from Wellington to Christchurch but could once manage a three course dinner.
The deal was when they cut all that we were to get better offerings in the lounge... now we have neither.