QF Gold not allowed access to EK Sydney lounge [flights to USA]

[Daver6]

My understanding from both here, the EK and QF websites as wells as AusBT articles suggest that as a QF SG flying on QF (QF11 to be specific) should have had access to the EK lounge in Sydney.

Not the case this morning. Despite the dragon not being able to show me anything to this, they refused to let me in.

From EK's website at https://www.emirates.com/au/english...an-airport-with-both-an-emirates-lounge-and-a

[h=2]If I am eligible for lounge access and departing from an airport with both an Emirates lounge and a Qantas lounge, can I choose either lounge?[/h]We recommend that you use the lounge of the operating airline to ensure convenient gate proximity and access to boarding calls and other flight information.

After much discussion with the dragon, she assured me the EK website specifically said it excludes QF flights to the US. She couldn't find it but said by the time I get to the QF lounge she would email them and they could show me. The QF dragon at the lounge said the QF website also said as much. The proof I was provided with was this

From QF I was directed to this page https://www.qantas.com/travel/airli...al-t1/international-business-lounge/global/en with the following highlighted

++ Flights to Americas and South Africa are not included.

and from EK https://www.emirates.com/english/skywards/about/skywards-programme-rules.aspx highlighting

Members travelling on Emirates Codeshare Flights operated by other carriers will not be eligible to access the Emirates Lounge, excluding members travelling on Qantas codeshare flights.

Now in my mind none of that says I cannot access the EK lounge and thought the general customer experience from both airlines was disgraceful.

And just to add, the QF J lounge was a complete zoo and a disgrace. It was so busy they opened up into the area where the escalator goes up to the F lounge so people could sit there!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Maybe *(only)* allowed entry if the person is flying EK J/F class or EK Skyward (upper tier).
I am QF SG, and each time I have entered the EK lounge, its always flying EK J or F, so they can't quibble. If I was flying to HKG/US, and in any class, I would not dare approach the EK lounge to try to gain entry.
If you were flying to DXB/LHR on a QF/EK flight number in Y, but as a QF SG, and they denied you entry, then you probably can take it up further.
But as you were not flying an EK service, but a QF service to the US, and not EK related, that is the probable reason you were denied entry.
You could take/twtter if up with QF/EK, not sure what their reply will be.
No harm in trying.

 

[Daver6]

Perhaps I just totally misunderstood the access rules.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'll leave it for the experts - but it would appear on reading that the '++' exception doesn't apply to QF gold, only to Emirates FFers.

Interesting that on the link you provided: https://www.qantas.com/travel/airli...al-t1/international-business-lounge/global/en , picture two of the slideshow has kids with their feet (and shoes) on the seats. But I guess this is an international lounge so no dress or other standards apply.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The Lounge Staff were correct. You cannot access the EK Lounges on flights to or from Americas (North and South) and South Africa.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'll leave it for the experts - but it would appear on reading that the '++' exception doesn't apply to QF gold, only to Emirates FFers.

Interesting that on the link you provided: https://www.qantas.com/travel/airli...al-t1/international-business-lounge/global/en , picture two of the slideshow has kids with their feet (and shoes) on the seats. But I guess this is an international lounge so no dress or other standards apply.

The lounge access page linked to details access to the QF Int J Lounge, hence the reciprocal access for EK Skywards members is listed.

The QF/EK partnership does not cover the USA, South America or South Africa.

 

[oz_mark]

The agreement between Qantas and Emirates (the joint network) does not include North America. As a result, eligibilty for access to the EK lounge does not extend to flights between Australia and North America.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The lounge access page linked to details access to the QF Int J Lounge, hence the reciprocal access for EK Skywards members is listed.

The QF/EK partnership does not cover the USA, South America or South Africa.

Yeah - I guessed it must be reciprocal after reading your post.

 

[Spongbob]

I am QF SG, and each time I have entered the EK lounge, its always flying EK J or F, so they can't quibble.

Yes AP, your lounge entry was because of the class of travel on the EK flight, not because of your QFF Gold status.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

And just to add, the QF J lounge was a complete zoo and a disgrace. It was so busy they opened up into the area where the escalator goes up to the F lounge so people could sit there!

That's been the case on at least my previous two visits to SYD F.

 

[SpudOz]

The lounge access page linked to details access to the QF Int J Lounge, hence the reciprocal access for EK Skywards members is listed.

The QF/EK partnership does not cover the USA, South America or South Africa.

That's my understanding of the partnership. However, last month I was travelling EK Y from Lusaka (Southern Africa) to Dubai. Surprisingly, I was given access to SAA's lounge in Lusaka (I am QF Gold).

 

[Mattg]

It's due to regulatory requirements as set out in the QF/EK partnership approval.

The same issue exists with lounge access when flying from New Zealand to Pacific island destinations. NZ/VA only have ACCC approval to codeshare etc. on trans-Tasman flights. They are competitors, however, on flights between New Zealand and Rarotonga, Apia etc. So if you have VA status and fly VA from AKL-RAR (for example) you have to use the Emperor lounge in AKL and not the NZ lounge. If flying Air NZ, you don't get lounge access at all.

 

[dttexitsign]

That's my understanding of the partnership. However, last month I was travelling EK Y from Lusaka (Southern Africa) to Dubai. Surprisingly, I was given access to SAA's lounge in Lusaka (I am QF Gold).

Anecdotally, I've never been knocked back from the EK lounges in JNB & CPT when travelling Y (on EK).

 

[coyote25]

Well as a Platinum member flying to Bali (QF43) in J I was declined entry as EK doesn't codeshare with Qantas on that route.

I didn't really care as I had QF F Lounge access this was just because I was in transit for a while and wanted to take a walk.

 

[Daver6]

The agreement between Qantas and Emirates (the joint network) does not include North America. As a result, eligibilty for access to the EK lounge does not extend to flights between Australia and North America.

So if flying to NZ on QF with a QF flight number, could a SG or J pax access the EK lounge?

 

[Princess Fiona]

So if flying to NZ on QF with a QF flight number, could a SG or J pax access the EK lounge?

Yes they could.

 

[Daver6]

Yes they could.

Thanks PF. Is it being in J or SG that gets one in? Or both?

And therefore, is the MEL EK lounge better than the QF one?

 

[mviy]

J on EK metal would get you in wherever you're flying. To get in as J on QF metal or as SG you'd need to be flying on one of the routes that they partner on.

As they partner on flights to NZ you can get in on that route as SG or J on QF metal. As they don't partner to the US you can't get in.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And therefore, is the MEL EK lounge better than the QF one?

Chalk and cheese. QF basement, no windows, crowded, lack of staff, poor food. EK... well... chandeliers and unicorns. Almost.

 

[Dr Ralph]

And therefore, is the MEL EK lounge better than the QF one?

1000% better!