benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other questions

[heycam]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a holiday to Europe in May with my partner and a friend, by which time I'll be WP. Friend is NB and partner has no FF account. The plan is to fly MEL-DXB-CDG ... BCN-FCO ... FCO-SYD-MEL, taking advantage of the Qantas/Emirates Earlybird sale and stopping over in Sydney for a wedding. BCN-FCO flight will probably be on IB. A few questions:

1. If we are all on the same PNR, do any of the benefits I get from being WP apply to the other two, for example baggage, priority boarding, seat selection? I'm guessing also that having the 3 of us on the one PNR reduces the chance of an op-up. (And by some reports, QF WPs flying on EK metal for the first time – which this will be for me – have been getting op-ups, so this might well be a real concern! )

2. If I have my way, the MEL-DXB-CDG ... FCO-SYD-MEL flights will be on QF flight numbers so I can earn SCs. Friend reckons it's slightly cheaper to book on EK flights directly, although trying just now on the Emirates site I couldn't get it to give me sensible fares (it's giving me flexible Y tickets ~$11k). If they are slightly cheaper with EK flight numbers though, would there be any disadvantage to booking me on one PNR with the QF flight numbers and the other two on another with the EK flight numbers?

3. It's about $100-150 cheaper to do the MEL-DXB journey on a 777-300ER that stops in KUL or SIN (e.g. EK407) rather than non-stop on an A380 (EK409). (Although I think arriving in CDG at 13:30 on EK409 is preferable to arriving at 20:05, but we're still arguing about that!) Anyone have an opinions on the relative amenity of those two flight options?

4. I'm always keen on trying to get my travelling companion(s) into the lounge, but as I don't often fly just with one other person it's usually a bit tricky. I'll keep my eye on the relevant Meetings thread closer to the departure date to see if anyone could help get the extra friend into the MEL F lounge. I should also get another two complimentary lounge vouchers from my HSBC card by then, but if I remember correctly they only work with Qantas lounges, not other OW lounges. What about the EK lounge in DXB, would they work there? I'm assuming not for the First lounge, but being able to get the three of us into Business lounge would be fine!

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

 

[leon_rex]

Re: benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other quest

Your seating preferences flow to them on the same PNR, at least provided you do the selecting. I used to travel with a Gold and Silver member and we were always in Row 4 or the front row of Economy in the 747. Do everything through QF for ease if the price difference is negligible - why stuff about? I have called the F lounge before to good effect when explaining I am travelling with 2 guests. They are very accommodating. International lounges tend not to be, in my experience.

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other quest

Don't believe your baggage allowances will apply to the others.

I have checked in at QF MEL F checkin with 2 non-status friends (though one had QP membership) on the same PNR. The check in man said he would phone the F lounge and arrange for an extra guest (I did not ask for this).

I also have taken those friends (and others) through PB lanes - I make it clear we know each other), but I think 3 would be my upper limit (maybe my own children excepted) - any more would be taking the piss.

 

[opusman]

Re: benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other quest

and partner has no FF account

I hope you'll do something about that beforehand, even if it's just to take advantage of family transfer!

 

[JohnK]

Re: benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other quest

When it comes to lounges you should be able to guest both travelling companions into a lounge where there is more than 1 lounge available to use. e.g SYD, MEL etc. So you are all not together in the same lounge but at least everyone is in a lounge away from the hordes in the terminal.

 

[heycam]

Re: benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other quest

I hope you'll do something about that beforehand, even if it's just to take advantage of family transfer!

Yes I should get on to that. Any better way to avoid paying the sign-up fee than getting an EDR card? (The additional EDR account would be wasted since everything goes on my one anyway.)

 

[heycam]

Re: benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other quest

When it comes to lounges you should be able to guest both travelling companions into a lounge where there is more than 1 lounge available to use. e.g SYD, MEL etc. So you are all not together in the same lounge but at least everyone is in a lounge away from the hordes in the terminal.

If it comes to that I'd probably rather just hang around all together in the terminal. Although, after a month of holidaying together maybe we will need some time apart.

 

[heycam]

Re: benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other quest

I have called the F lounge before to good effect when explaining I am travelling with 2 guests. They are very accommodating. International lounges tend not to be, in my experience.

I have checked in at QF MEL F checkin with 2 non-status friends (though one had QP membership) on the same PNR. The check in man said he would phone the F lounge and arrange for an extra guest (I did not ask for this).

Those are both interesting to know! Had no idea there'd be the latitude to do this.

 

[leon_rex]

Re: benefits conferred to non-status travelling companions on same PNR, & other quest

Call a few days before and the Concierge will note your name, flight number and the names of your guests. When you get there they do it the old fashioned way, going through a list and ruling through your names when you go in. Some things are easier off the computer!