Airline Top Tier Invitation Only Status (e.g. Qantas' Chairman's Lounge)

[RooFlyer]

Could also include VA's Beyond Lounge, although I dont know much about that and I think fair to say much less 'influential'.

What are the 'equivalent' lounges/facilities provided by other airlines around the world (genuine question)? That is, invitation only, based (I think) largely on elected office, corporate leadership, celebrity?

Germany, France, USA, Canada, UK, Japan?

Any articles on them?

 

[encryptededdy]

US: I don't think they have any, except for access to Flagship/Polaris normally reserved for J ticket holders on any ticket.

 

[RooFlyer]

For non-Australian airlines, this 2015 ET article only mentions very top tier levels/programs earned by flying a lot (sort of like QFF P1) - and not having their own lounge spaces - rather than a tier designed to cater for political/commercial/celebrity types, with its own lounges.

This Bloomberg article defeats the 12ft ladder paywall buster. Can anyone access and extract some bits?

The Hidden World of Invitation-Only Airline Clubs

If you have to ask, you probably don’t belong.

www.bloomberg.com

 

[Mattg]

Air New Zealand has Elite Priority One.

Elite Priority One: Air New Zealand’s secret status

Air New Zealand offers the only invitation-only lounge inside an Australian international terminal, and it's just for Elite Priority One.

www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[RooFlyer]

Air New Zealand has Elite Priority One.

That has private lounges, but still seems to be just a top-most flyer tier (with their PM missing out!!). And the name - the regular Aeroplan top tier is "Super Elite"

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

That has private lounges, but still seems to be just a top-most flyer tier (with their PM missing out!!). And the name - the regular Aeroplan top tier is "Super Elite"

No it's invitation only not a flyer tier.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

UA has Global Services, AA has ConciergeKey. Don’t believe either come with private lounges, but they do have things like escorts through the airport. I’m guessing AA’s version would have access to First Class dining (until that is phased out)

 

[dk4]

BA has GGL (Gold Guest List) which is probably best to compare with P1 at QF, but they also have Executive Club Premier which is similar to QF's CL (invitation only, based on "influence").

source: www..headforpoints.com

Emirates has "IO", which is similarly invitation only, there are no obviously published criteria defining what gets someone a tap on the shoulder to join.

source: www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[Princess Fiona]

For non-Australian airlines, this 2015 ET article only mentions very top tier levels/programs earned by flying a lot (sort of like QFF P1) - and not having their own lounge spaces - rather than a tier designed to cater for political/commercial/celebrity types, with its own lounges.

This Bloomberg article defeats the 12ft ladder paywall buster. Can anyone access and extract some bits?

The Hidden World of Invitation-Only Airline Clubs

If you have to ask, you probably don’t belong.

www.bloomberg.com

The Bloomberg one is the ET article in its entirety

 

[RooFlyer]

No it's [ANZ Elite Priority One] invitation only not a flyer tier.

UA has Global Services, AA has ConciergeKey. Don’t believe either come with private lounges, but they do have things like escorts through the airport. I’m guessing AA’s version would have access to First Class dining (until that is phased out)

But from what I've read, all of those are mainly for the most elite paying flyers, maybe with some others thrown in. What I'm asking after are equivalents to the QF Chairman's Lounge, where politicians, business elite, celebrities (and elite flyers) are invited to join, essentially irrespective of the amount of flying they do. The thread title was changed from what I posted originally.

 

[Mr H]

But from what I've read, all of those are mainly for the most elite paying flyers, maybe with some others thrown in. What I'm asking after are equivalents to the QF Chairman's Lounge, where politicians, business elite, celebrities (and elite flyers) are invited to join, essentially irrespective of the amount of flying they do. The thread title was changed from what I posted originally.

BA Premier is not just for big-spending flyers - also for influential people. BA also gift their regular tiers to people who are not quite as influential - e.g. when I worked for a UK Member of Parliament, he was gifted silver status.

 

[RooFlyer]

BA Premier is not just for big-spending flyers - also for influential people. BA also gift their regular tiers to people who are not quite as influential - e.g. when I worked for a UK Member of Parliament, he was gifted silver status.

Thanks; that sounds like the first non-Australian one (and you can see where the Australian model would have come from).

 

[Mr H]

Thanks; that sounds like the first non-Australian one (and you can see where the Australian model would have come from).

The Australian model is slightly different in that there are separate, dedicated CL lounges. BA Premier can access any BA lounge at any time including the Concorde Room (LHR - normally for pax flying in BA F) but there are no special BA Premier lounges.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

But from what I've read, all of those are mainly for the most elite paying flyers, maybe with some others thrown in. What I'm asking after are equivalents to the QF Chairman's Lounge, where politicians, business elite, celebrities (and elite flyers) are invited to join, essentially irrespective of the amount of flying they do. The thread title was changed from what I posted originally.

Elite priority one is not for high flyers. It is invitation only for those with influence over large corporate travel budgets.

 

[drron]

I know a fellow who was a CFO of a Fortune 20 company. Not all invitations are to the highest elite level. For example he was only given LH Senator status and they have a higher Hon circle elite status.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks; that sounds like the first non-Australian one (and you can see where the Australian model would have come from).

BA don’t give Premier to regular pollies.
I have asked some people I know with inside knowledge.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Nor does NZ for elite priority one.

 

[kpc]

I guess you will get an invite to CL if your father is the PM! Stinks!!!

https://www.news.com.au/travel/qantas-boss-alan-joyce-invites-anthony-albaneses-23yearold-son-to-elite-chairmans-lounge/news-story/b3785f5d6f6821779b292e296924c2c0

 

[RooFlyer]

I guess you will get an invite to CL if your father is the PM! Stinks!!!

https://www.news.com.au/travel/qantas-boss-alan-joyce-invites-anthony-albaneses-23yearold-son-to-elite-chairmans-lounge/news-story/b3785f5d6f6821779b292e296924c2c0

The original article from AFR

12ft |

12ft.io

 

[justinbrett]

Apparently MPs get two invites, so the real question is whether his partner is a member. They've only been together for two years so quite possible he gave it to his son instead.

Perhaps the QF pass went to his son and the VA Beyond pass went to his partner?