Quest Minimum Level question

[Oliphant]

The Quest Minimum Level mechanic is not working like I thought it does. In various places I recall reading that the minimum character level for any quest is the quest level adjusted for difficulty (hard +1, elite +2) minus 4 (-4).

For example, take the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar:
It's a level 28 quest, so I thought you had to be level 24 to play normal, level 25 to play hard and level 26 to play elite. But, I was able to enter the HHofE at character level 24 on hard (stepped in and completed) and apparently elite too (appeared to be an option but I didn't step in on elite).

I've looked through U21 and U21 patch notes and didn't see any changes. Curious if anyone knows how it really works. I've hesitated to post LFMs allowing level 24s on hard to avoid possible disappointment but I'd like to allow for more players.

[Thalone]

ViPs are supposed to get a "bonus" for the purposes of quest minimum level. I've read a few posts about this, but the forum search isn't cooperating... I don't believe this was ever a documented mechanic.

[Oliphant]

Thanks for reply. I'm not vip but I recent purchased TP so I'm premium at the moment. Hmm..

[Oliphant]

I would appreciate a definitive answer if anyone can cite something. I'm hoping they didn't change mechanics to allow VIPs and Premiums into quests earlier than f2p. I'm fine with advantages for paying but not when it complicates us all setting up our LFMs. When I set an LFM, I need to know the players that join will be able to play. And if I can't be sure of that for all players, my personal response is to just restrict the LFM anyway to avoid possible disappointment along those lines.