Air Pacific, Points, SC's and Lounge Access

[straitman]

I probably should know this but the more I read the QF web site the tighter the spiral in my brain becomes :!:

With an Air Pacific flight booked on an Air Pacific ticket what QF points, SC's and lounge access are QF F Flyers entitled to receive :?:

The flight is from SYD-HNL-SYD and has a stop (2 hr 5min) in NAN on the way to HNL and an overnight (18.5hr) at NAN on the way back.

 

[djfuzz]

I believe SCs and FF points credit as usual based on fare bucket as per the listing for FJ in the QFF Airline Earning Table.

However, I believe lounge access on the FJ code is limited to class of service or WP any time access to the J lounge - so no F lounge access at all. I witnessed someone get turned away from the F lounge due to booking the FJ code instead of the QF codeshare.

 

[straitman]

I believe SCs and FF points credit as usual based on fare bucket as per the listing for FJ in the QFF Airline Earning Table.

However, I believe lounge access on the FJ code is limited to class of service or WP any time access to the J lounge - so no F lounge access at all. I witnessed someone get turned away from the F lounge due to booking the FJ code instead of the QF codeshare.

The attraction of the FJ rather than the QF booking is of course the price which is substantially different.

 

[Mal]

I think the following is correct for SYD-NAN-HNLvv:

1 pt/mile for BGHKLMNOQSTVWY (Econ) classes, 1.25 pts/mile for CDIJ (Business) classes.

90 sc Econ , 360 sc Business.

10294 miles (return), so easy to work out the points.

Lounge access is a little more tricky.

Plat/Gold get lounge access in NAN, (QP doesn't). Experiences in SYD are mixed, although expect to not get F lounge access if a WP. I believe QP may get lounge access in SYD. Not sure about HNL... but presume they have some lounge arrangements there (perhaps share the QP / AA lounge? )

 

[djfuzz]

The attraction of the FJ rather than the QF booking is of course the price which is substantially different.

What's the fare bucket on FJ?

I agree, getting to HNL is a major PITA on QF/JQ at the moment. I guess lounge access is a small sacrifice for the benefit of the price. Shame NAN-HNL isn't substantially cheaper allowing you to mix carriers and preserve some lounge access.

 

[straitman]

What's the fare bucket on FJ?

All four legs are in 'N'

 

[serfty]

I really only know about SYD.

On an FJ flight number in N class, no First Lounge access in SYD. WP anytime J lounge access is available.

 

[straitman]

Thanks djfuzz, Mal and serfty.

 

[Alanslegal]

So it's correct to say that if a WP was on a QF flight number he/she (plus guest) would get access to the FLounge?

 

[rotuma1]

No lounge access in Sydney if flying under FJ code and no lounge access in NAN either. However a day pass for FJ lounge in NAN is $50FJD is available.

You will as already stated receive Stats + points for whole trip.

 

[djfuzz]

So it's correct to say that if a WP was on a QF flight number he/she (plus guest) would get access to the FLounge?

My understanding is that is correct (at least this is what was suggested at the MEL F lounge) - since a QF codeshare is a 'Qantas' flight, and entitles you to access regardless of the metal since Qantas 'sold' the flight and collects some portion of revenue that goes towards lounge access.

Codeshares only become tricky where they are oneworld carrier codeshares but not operated by oneworld metal.

However, does anyone know what happens in the reverse situation - is F/J lounge access available to QFF elites on non-oneworld codeshares (eg AF, SA) on QF metal? I assume it doesn't apply for other oneworld elites.

 

[straitman]

No lounge access in Sydney if flying under FJ code and no lounge access in NAN either. However a day pass for FJ lounge in NAN is $50FJD is available.

You will as already stated receive Stats + points for whole trip.

rotuma1,

Welcome to AFF.

With two WP's travelling the any time access to the J lounge should apply as posted by several others. Are you suggesting otherwise :?:

 

[Mal]

With two WP's travelling the any time access to the J lounge should apply as posted by several others. Are you suggesting otherwise :?:

Here's the latest published info from Qantas regarding Nadi access:

Nadi - The Qantas and Air Pacific Lounge at Nadi International Airport is now solely operated by Air Pacific. Access to the lounge is available to Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers and Business Class customers travelling on QF/FJ codeshare flights (only). Qantas Club Members travelling in Business Class also enjoy lounge access before their flight.

As commented earlier in the thread, Anytime WP Access to the SYD Intl J lounge should apply, but not F lounge access. The access rights in SYD for a QP member is still unknown (By rule there shouldn't be access, but I'm sure I've heard of people being given access).

 

[serfty]

As commented earlier in the thread, Anytime WP Access to the SYD Intl J lounge should apply, but not F lounge access. The access rights in SYD for a QP member is still unknown (By rule there shouldn't be access, but I'm sure I've heard of people being given access).

No SYD First Class Lounge access due to being on an FJ flight number.

There is a related debate going on on the FT QF forum at the moment. All posted anecdotal experience, both here on AFF and on FT, indicates the QF flight number would be sufficient.

I'll repeat what I recently posted there.

...You WILL get First class lounge access due to flying on the QF codeshare.

As per the access rules:

Member and 1 guest can access the lounge when travelling on a Qantas, Jetstar or oneworld flight.# Guest must be travelling with member.

To break this down:

• Qantas,
• Jetstar or
• oneworld flight.#

A QF or JQ flight number suffices.

As for a "oneworld flight", see the #: "next onward flight that day must be on a oneworld Airline Members operated and marketed flight ..." (i.e. the # is specific to the reference to "oneworld flight")

Still have doubts about the applicability of the #?

Then consider this: There is no logical way the word Jetstar can be relevant to "a oneworld Airline Member's operated and marketed flight".

Given that the word "Qantas" is more textually remote from the # than "Jetstar" then it's definitive the # cannot apply to Qantas flight numbers.

Significantly, posted experiences agree with this.

Further reading:

Air Pacific denied access to QF F

SYD F Lounge & number of guests?

QF First Lounge access

 

[rotuma1]

rotuma1,

Welcome to AFF.

With two WP's travelling the any time access to the J lounge should apply as posted by several others. Are you suggesting otherwise :?:

Yes you are correct. As I am QP I was rejected access to lounge, priority luggage tags, last year as I was booked on FJ#.

This year I booked on QF# to NAN, so should get lounge access, etc.

I was able to though get 10kgs extra luggage last year.

 

[straitman]

Yes you are correct. As I am QP I was rejected access to lounge, priority luggage tags, last year as I was booked on FJ#.

This year I booked on QF# to NAN, so should get lounge access, etc.

I was able to though get 10kgs extra luggage last year.

rotuma1,

Thanks. I am just double checking.

 

[PineappleSkip]

a day pass for FJ lounge in NAN is $50FJD is available.

Sounds like great value given the lounge is air conditioned and the rest of the airport isn't!

does anyone know what happens in the reverse situation - is F/J lounge access available to QFF elites on non-oneworld codeshares (eg AF, SA) on QF metal? I assume it doesn't apply for other oneworld elites.

I can comment re Air Niugini codeshares (although they are on PX metal). Ticketing on PX will get you points, won't get you SCs (unlike FJ), won't get you lounge access flying out of AU. You need executive club green membership which is currently PGK899 p.a., a little over AUD400.

Flying CNS-POM on a QF ticket you'll be told won't get you access to the 'reef lounge' (the former QC lounge), but in practice I've been told twice I cant get in when I show them an SG card, then let in anyway.

Pretty much the same deal flying out of POM, but if you are WP or SG and flying on a PX ticket I'd give it a try. The boarding passes issud there don't indicate who you were ticketed with.

Cheers skip.

 

[Wannabee]

So just to confirm, I am planning SYD-NAN for travel in a couple of months time.
I may even do a cheap SYD-BNE in Y beforehand so I can do SYD-BNE-SYD-NAN. I know, call me sick but the BNE-SYD-NAN is only $36 more than SYD-NAN in J.

So, I think I get the lounge access. I am WP, SWMBO is SG. If I book with the QF flight number then I may get F lounge access (although according to the letter of the law I shouldn't)

What about Status Credit earn? What does the bit I bolded below actually mean? I get SC's but no points or what?
What does it mean if I book on the FJ flight number? I am not too worried about the F lounge visit. Easy enough to vist on a $49 Jetstar SYD-MEL. What I'm worried about is the SC's.

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Air Pacific (FJ) Earning table
Status Credits are earned on all eligible booking classes.
Excluded: Points are not earned on Codeshare Flights operated by an airline other than Qantas.
# Points are only earned on Air Pacific domestic flights between Nadi and Suva or Labasa and Suva and Labasa.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

What does the bit I bolded below actually mean?

The bolded bit refers to flights that have an FJ flight number, but are code-shares on any airline /other/ than QANTAS.

On the other hand if it's an FJ flight number (FJ marketed) on a QF flight (QF operated) then you still get whatever is listed in the earning table.

 

[markis10]

Flying CNS-POM on a QF ticket you'll be told won't get you access to the 'reef lounge' (the former QC lounge), but in practice I've been told twice I cant get in when I show them an SG card, then let in anyway.

Pretty much the same deal flying out of POM, but if you are WP or SG and flying on a PX ticket I'd give it a try. The boarding passes issud there don't indicate who you were ticketed with.

Cheers skip.

PX is a litle different to FJ, in that PX does not have any QF ownership, so its not given the same considerations. Mind you those considerations are becomming smaller and smaller now that the lounge in NAN is non QF.

In terms of the Reef Lounge, its solely a One world/CX lounge, given CX are the only ones with a flight now ex CNS its fair to say that unless you are on CX then there is no access, as one world rules apply requiring a ticket for a One World pperated flight for admission, while this may seem a tad unfair for PX, imagine how those on QF codeshared flights with JQ feel. If you are getting into the lounge then your lucky and you are drawing on the kindness of the lounge staffer who is probably ex QF, that kindness will have a limit.

To be frank, the Reef lounge is not a place I would be busting to get into, CNS INT is one of those airports where I pay attention to minimum checkin times, theres not much to look forward to airside.