Anyone know what happening to BA lounge access after Emirates deal commences?

[dalereardon]

Hi,

I joined the Qantas Club recently, but before discovering this forum, so wasn't up on all the confusion over BA lounge access for Qantas Club members. I am just Bronze and one of the reasons I bought the Club membership was access to BA lounges as detailed on the Qantas Club benefits page. My wife and I are taking a BA premium economy flight from Sydney to London and onto Venice via Singapore in mid May and wanted the lounge access - I do use it domestically as well but certainly want BA lounge access.

Qantas hasn't told Club members anything about reducing BA access.

Does anyone know what is happening after the Emirates deal goes through and the BA co-share arrangement ceases? Does the Qantas Club need to give us lots of notice for changes or it can just spring a change on us at last moment?

My wife is threatening to kill me, or serious trouble at least, if my extravagant splurge doesn't get us the BA lounges!

Thanks,
Dale.

 

[Princess Fiona]

From the QF link below it would appear that you will have access at SIN and LHR. QF have not stated that anything will change with regard to BA Lounge access for "Kangaroo Route" customers http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/qantas-club-lounge-access/global/en

BA have not said anything either AFAIK but their Lounge staff are notorious for being a little difficult with Qantas Club cards and I would be prepared with the rule sheet if I were you

 

[adelaidefc]

It's a big unanswered question.
I'm in very much the same boat after taking advantage of the incredible premium economy sale BA had late last year to promote the 777-300 flying LHR-SYD via SIN ($2100 to Aberdeen return). I recently lost my QF Gold so will be relying on plain old Qantas Club to get me through.
I spoke to someone at BA who was aware of the Qantas Club access in Singapore and Heathrow, but had no idea if it would remain after 31 March. I've printed out the Qantas rule sheet as it stands just in case it changes soon.

We also have the fact that BA used the Qantas lounge in SIN, and I'm not sure what will happen to the existing lounges now that Qantas are building their own lounge (no coincidence that it's timed to open 31 March I reckon). Will BA take over the existing lounge (in which case I think getting in as a lowly Q Club member may be tricky)?

I don't think we'll have a clue until sometime in March at the earliest. And even then it may be a case of sweet talking whoever is at the desk if it isn't too busy. I think either way we should be ok to use the lounge in Sydney, and maybe even the new Qantas lounge in SIN if the BA one (?) doesn't let you in. Changi isn't the worst airport to hang around either way I guess. Heathrow will be the trickiest as we'll fly to/from T5, where there's definitely only BA lounges and I really don't like our chances.

 

[dalereardon]

Yes I too have taken a pdf of the page. As you say currently the rules are that you can use a Qantas lounge even if travelling on BA so Sydney should be fine and even Singapore but we have 6 hours at Heathrow in T5 so really want the lounge access.

Yes we too took advantage of the premium economy sale - around $1900 for Sydney - Venice return so the fare was a bargain but lounge access was a big decider also.

Can only hope that the lounge access will stay like it works with AA.

Dale.

 

[adelaidefc]

So it looks like the eligibility page has been updated to include access to AA Club in London when flying Emirates or Qantas, plus the details on Dubai lounge access with Emirates.
However they haven't yet removed this bit

Qantas Club Members travelling between Australia and the UK via Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong on Qantas or British Airways services, or travelling on other British Airways flights connecting with these services, can access the British Airways Terrace, Executive and Galleries Lounges

 

[elbarto]

Yes I too have taken a pdf of the page. As you say currently the rules are that you can use a Qantas lounge even if travelling on BA so Sydney should be fine and even Singapore but we have 6 hours at Heathrow in T5 so really want the lounge access.

Yes we too took advantage of the premium economy sale - around $1900 for Sydney - Venice return so the fare was a bargain but lounge access was a big decider also.

Can only hope that the lounge access will stay like it works with AA.

Dale.

I think if you're connecting the same day they give you access. I doubt you'll have any luck in VCE as it's a third party lounge and QC don't have access to third party lounges (Though, I had success in CPH once so it's worth a try) On the way back to SYD you'll probably only have access to the AA lounge at LHR T3 according to the QF media release. About Qantas - Media Room - Media Releases - Qantas and Emirates unveil frequent flyer benefits

I believe come 1 April, the whole BA QC lounge access issue will be dead and buried with a change in T&Cs

 

[ajw373]

The OP said they were flying BA via SIN which is moving to T5 so using the AA lounge in T3 won't be an option. Besides doesn't the AA lounge have the caveat that must be flying on QF flight number anyway.

But yes I predict come 31st march (not April 1) it is going to be all bets off in regards to QC access to any BA lounge.

 

[simongr]

Except the joint lounge in HKG I guess.

 

[tyrolean]

I think if you're connecting the same day they give you access. I doubt you'll have any luck in VCE as it's a third party lounge and QC don't have access to third party lounges (Though, I had success in CPH once so it's worth a try) On the way back to SYD you'll probably only have access to the AA lounge at LHR T3 according to the QF media release. About Qantas - Media Room - Media Releases - Qantas and Emirates unveil frequent flyer benefits

I believe come 1 April, the whole BA QC lounge access issue will be dead and buried with a change in T&Cs

Yes, I do believe it as well, but don't they have a time frame when they have to announce the withdrawal of services?

Maybe BA is a bit more clever to keep it in place? What would they lose?

- Customer gets SCs and Lounge Access when I flying BA.
- QF pays for lounge access.

So should be a win situation for BA. But if airline management would be logic....

The Lounge in VCE is nice, but you could live without it. Food is some small snacks only. The bar is a bit better.

IRRC you can buy access to it. Do not arrive to early at the airport, as the Checkin starts usually only 2 hours before the flight leaves.

You may think about upgrading the VCE-LHR leg by cash. Boosts your SCs and gives Lounge access. Just have a look and see what MMB quotes you for the upgrade.

 

[adelaidefc]

You may think about upgrading the VCE-LHR leg by cash. Boosts your SCs and gives Lounge access. Just have a look and see what MMB quotes you for the upgrade.

I considered this too given the increasing likelihood of having no rights to lounge access anywhere (even SYD/SIN). So I wanted to see how much it would cost to to upgrade say the SYD-SIN or the SIN-LHR to ensure lounge access in those places (and a comfy flight on the way over). But because my inbound flight is to ABZ and my outbound is from LHR, it seems the 'complicated' itinerary means that MMB doesn't let me upgrade.

I called the BA contact centre a few times and after a call lasting almost an hour (mostly on hold), was told I wasn't able to upgrade a single sector and the cost of the total upgrade was over $7k. Ummm, no thanks. And BA's incredibly awful call centre combined with the terrible upgrade price has me somewhat not looking forward to flying with them.

 

[tyrolean]

I considered this too given the increasing likelihood of having no rights to lounge access anywhere (even SYD/SIN). So I wanted to see how much it would cost to to upgrade say the SYD-SIN or the SIN-LHR to ensure lounge access in those places (and a comfy flight on the way over). But because my inbound flight is to ABZ and my outbound is from LHR, it seems the 'complicated' itinerary means that MMB doesn't let me upgrade.

I called the BA contact centre a few times and after a call lasting almost an hour (mostly on hold), was told I wasn't able to upgrade a single sector and the cost of the total upgrade was over $7k. Ummm, no thanks. And BA's incredibly awful call centre combined with the terrible upgrade price has me somewhat not looking forward to flying with them.

BA Call Centre may be hit and miss. The German CC is usually quite nice and competent (BTW the same that QF uses).

$7K may be an error. I have a booking (DE-LHR-DE) which quotes 14K Euro for an upgrade (1,5 hours flight!!!) - I really need the SCs. All call centre agents see it, tell me that there is an error, but cannot do anything against it.

You probably will receive an upgrade offer when checking in online. You can ask at the airport as well. Those upgrades are usually priced quite reasonable.

 

[adelaidefc]

Looks like we have our answer now - eligibility page updated:
Until 30 March 2013, Qantas Club Members travelling between Australia and the UK via Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong on Qantas or British Airways services, or travelling on other British Airways flights connecting with these services, can access the British Airways Terrace, Executive and Galleries Lounges.

So I guess now I have to hope for reasonable upgrade offers if I want lounge access, which I'm not hopeful of given the mixed sectors.

 

[timster]

Looks like we have our answer now - eligibility page updated:
Until 30 March 2013, Qantas Club Members travelling between Australia and the UK via Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong on Qantas or British Airways services, or travelling on other British Airways flights connecting with these services, can access the British Airways Terrace, Executive and Galleries Lounges.

Yes, so after March, no BA lounge access in Europe when flying BA or QF.

Indeed it appears that Qantas Club members' lounge access rights in Europe have been decimated after March by the EK deal.

"From 31 March, Qantas Club members will continue to have access to Qantas operated International Business Lounges and will be welcomed at the Emirates Business lounge in Dubai when their next onward flight that day is with Qantas or Emirates.
When travelling from London, Qantas Club members will have access to the American Airlines Admirals lounge at London Heathrow when the next onward flight that day is with Qantas or Emirates. "

So even when flying in/out of Europe with QF or EK, QP members will have lounge access only in Dubai and LHR. The previous access to lounges all over Europe (operated by BA), is not being offered by EK.

Not happy.

 

[adelaidefc]

So even when flying in/out of Europe with QF or EK, QP members will have lounge access only in Dubai and LHR. The previous access to lounges all over Europe (operated by BA), is not being offered by EK.
Not happy.

Oh wow - didn't think of that, an unwanted side effect of the deal.

I wonder if QF staff in Sydney will be nice enough to let me in the lounge before my BA flight? They haven't advertised the change very far yet.

And what lounge will BA use in Singapore? Given the tie-up with Cathay maybe the Skyview lounge?

 

[markis10]

And what lounge will BA use in Singapore? Given the tie-up with Cathay maybe the Skyview lounge?

BA will use what used to be the F lounge, and I would not be surprised if CX join them.

 

[Ansett]

During a recent visit to F Lounge in LHR ht elounge wizards advised we would still have access to the lounge and that they had heard that MH would move to T3 and use the lounge too. Could get crowded.

OOOPS meant T3 sorry

 

[markis10]

During a recent visit to F Lounge in LHR ht elounge wizards advised we would still have access to the lounge and that they had heard that MH would move to T3 and use the lounge too. Could get crowded.

OOOPS meant T3 sorry

Dont think MH will make much of a difference given the timing of flights VS QF etc, from memory their existing lounge has 30 seats.

 

[Oubline]

When they say "your next onward flight is with Qantas", does that count you out for access if you're flying on the BA codeshare of a Qantas flight?

E.g. flying QF35 to Singapore but purchased as BA7309. Will they even know it was bought on the codeshare, or will I just get a QF boarding pass for the flight with QF35 on it?

 

[ajw373]

During a recent visit to F Lounge in LHR ht elounge wizards advised we would still have access to the lounge and that they had heard that MH would move to T3 and use the lounge too. Could get crowded.

OOOPS meant T3 sorry

Don't see MH moving back to T3 until such time as the new T1/2 (or what ever it is going to be called) has opened and taken a few more Star airlines out of T3, and that is a few years off.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Does anyone know what's happening to the Elemis Spa access after the JSA ends?
Currently QF CL/P1/WP can use it flying on BA or QF. It's officially only available to BA F/J passengers and BAEC Gold on or having flown long haul on BA.
Can we expect the QF access to continue or will it be modified?