Can QF Gold Member Access Lounge Travelling Air Pacific

[smarty11]

Hi, Travelling to Fiji (NAN) with family later this month. Booked tickets through Qantas but they have FJ flight number instead of QF.

Can I still access QF Lounge in SYD?

It is a bit confusing as Oneworld doesn't have Air Pacific as a member airline but Air Pacific says it follows QF FF programme.. Not sure whether it will be applicable in this case or not.

Thanks in advance

 

[NM]

You are not entitled to Qantas Club lounge access as a Qantas FF Gold status member when travelling in economy on a FJ flight number.

If you have Qantas Platinum FF status, or are travelling in business class, then business class lounge access would be permitted.

 

[ANstar]

I thought you could enter with FJ code??? I'm sure I have previously.

 

[smarty11]

Thanks NM..

Thought that would be the case...

Thnx for confirming..

cheers

 

[markis10]

You are not entitled to Qantas Club lounge access as a Qantas FF Gold status member when travelling in economy on a FJ flight number.

If you have Qantas Platinum FF status, or are travelling in business class, then business class lounge access would be permitted.

Sorry NM but I disagree, Qantas regard the QF/FJ flight as a QF flight regardless of the ticketed carrier you are using, this was clearly demonstrated in the announcement re Nadi changes for access:

"The co-branded 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.
Due to lounge refurbishment works, the Air Pacific Tabua Lounge in Nadi will be closed from 14 November and due for completion late January 2009. Eligible Qantas customers including Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyers and customers travelling in Business Class on QF/FJ codeshare flights will be invited to use temporary lounges located near the current Tabua Lounge."

It has been reported on a number of occasions that Qantas have no issues ex Sydney and from the above, you should have no issues ex Nadi as a Gold Member, since they own 46% of Air Pacific its a bit of splitting hairs, bit like the old days with Dragon and CX.

 

[smarty11]

Thanks for your help..

I guess I will find out when I travel and will surely let you guys know so future FF member travellers can know..

Ta

 

[serfty]

This was raised late last year; I believe WP access to the F/L was denied when on an FJ flight number. Indications on FT were that access is granted when on a QF codeshare number (A Qantas "Marketed" flight).

Here's the thread: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/air-pacific-denied-access-qf-15530.html

 

[NM]

Sorry NM but I disagree, Qantas regard the QF/FJ flight as a QF flight regardless of the ticketed carrier you are using, this was clearly demonstrated in the announcement re Nadi changes for access:

While in practice it may be the case the Qantas Gold FFs travelling on FJ flight number are granted access ex-Sydney, I still see no documented entitlement for lounge access if the passenger is travelling on the FJ flight number. Qantas does often permit access outside the rules (such as OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire members travelling on JQ flights), but that does not mean there is an entitlement for access.

Its certainly worth asking, and it seem that in practice people are being granted access, but there is no recourse if access is denied.

The quote you reference is only applicable for departures from Nadi and makes no reference to departes from Sydney using FJ flight number. The Nadi lounge is operated by Air Pacific and it is Air Pacific that are permitting Qantas status passengers to have access to their lounge, which I expect was a condition of the agreement for Qantas to relinquish operation of their own lounge at that port.

Note that the lounge in Nadi is classified as an Associated Lounge. The stated rules for Qantas members accessing an Associated Lounge is that they must be travelling on a QF marketed flight (QF flight number).

The Qantas web site details Qantas Club lounge access rules which clearly state that a QFF Gold member must be travelling on a Qantas or OneWorld flight number to have access to a Qantas Club lounge.

 

[markis10]

The quote you reference is only applicable for departures from Nadi and makes no reference to departes from Sydney using FJ flight number. The Nadi lounge is operated by Air Pacific and it is Air Pacific that are permitting Qantas status passengers to have access to their lounge, which I expect was a condition of the agreement for Qantas to relinquish operation of their own lounge at that port.

NM - I am well aware of the rules but a bit of common sense no doubt prevails given the fact QF have a significant ownership of FJ (thank goodness).

If you would like another quote then I offer this from the QF Club application, given that Tabua has reciprocal rights with QF, then the SYD QP is no doubt a QF/FJ lounge, does that mean a guest gets in but the member does not......one of those curly ones , :

"The Annual Guest card is only acccepted in Qantas operated lounges branded as The Qantas Club and joint QF/BA, QF/AA or QF/FJ lounges"

for the record I have had access without issue on a FJ flight number, while the same rules you quoted did not help me in SIN three weeks ago, with an onward oneworld flight later the day at 2PM with CX, yet I was not given QP access at 3AM of the day of travel, go figure :shock:

 

[NM]

If you would like another quote then I offer this from the QF Club application, given that Tabua has reciprocal rights with QF, then the SYD QP is no doubt a QF/FJ lounge, does that mean a guest gets in but the member does not......one of those curly ones , :

No, the Qantas Club lounge at Sydney is not a joint QF/FJ lounge. Its a QF lounge. The lounge at Nadi used to be a joint QF/FJ lounge, but I do not believe any joint QF/FJ lounges exist any more. To me knowledge, the only remaining "joint" QF/XX lounges are LAX T4 (joint QF/AA) and SIN (joint QF/BA). Reciprocal access or parent company partial ownership does not make a lounge become a "joint" lounge.

 

[markis10]

No, the Qantas Club lounge at Sydney is not a joint QF/FJ lounge. Its a QF lounge. The lounge at Nadi used to be a joint QF/FJ lounge, but I do not believe any joint QF/FJ lounges exist any more. To me knowledge, the only remaining "joint" QF/XX lounges are LAX T4 (joint QF/AA) and SIN (joint QF/BA). Reciprocal access or parent company partial ownership does not make a lounge become a "joint" lounge.

True, but how do you explain the inconsistancy of the access to the Nadi lounge in the context of the "rules" as published recently by Qantas? They are clearly saying that there is access in Nadi yet you are saying no access according to the rules in Sydney, it just does not make sense, can you address this point rather than quoting what we can read ourselves for the benefit of others???

 

[tuapekastar]

To me knowledge, the only remaining "joint" QF/XX lounges are LAX T4 (joint QF/AA) and SIN (joint QF/BA).

I think you can add BKK and HKG to the list of jointly operated lounges, if I understand the QF website correctly.

Lounges operated by:
Bangkok - Qantas/British Airways
Hong Kong - Qantas/British Airways
Singapore - Qantas/British Airways

 

[NM]

I think you can add BKK and HKG to the list of jointly operated lounges, if I understand the QF website correctly.

Lounges operated by:
Bangkok - Qantas/British Airways
Hong Kong - Qantas/British Airways
Singapore - Qantas/British Airways

Yes, that would appear to be correct.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

True, but how do you explain the inconsistancy of the access to the Nadi lounge in the context of the "rules" as published recently by Qantas? They are clearly saying that there is access in Nadi yet you are saying no access according to the rules in Sydney, it just does not make sense, can you address this point rather than quoting what we can read ourselves for the benefit of others???

It may be an example of "in theory theory works, in practice it doesn't"

Technically NM is correct. But in real life it appears that the situation is different in some cases (where some > 1)

 

[NM]

True, but how do you explain the inconsistancy of the access to the Nadi lounge in the context of the "rules" as published recently by Qantas? They are clearly saying that there is access in Nadi yet you are saying no access according to the rules in Sydney, it just does not make sense, can you address this point rather than quoting what we can read ourselves for the benefit of others???

The Nadi lounge used to be a joing QF/FJ lounge and hence Qantas Club members (and Qantas FF status members) had access when using the QF flight number. When QF pulled out of the joint operation agreement for the Nadi lounge, all sorts of commercial undertaking may have been included in the commitment, of which we are not privy to the details.

I suspect the people who write the rules expect that a QF FF member using the FJ flight number would not have access. But in practice I think the lounge staff in both Sydney and Nadi do allow Qantas Gold and Platinum FF members to use the lounge regardless of whether they are using the QF or FJ flight number. Just because access is granted now does not mean it it the intention or the rules. The human factor come into play, which can work both for and against members. In this case the lounge staff seem to be taking the generous approach, perhaps at the direction of management. But the rules do no imply any right for lounge access at either end based on QF FF status if using the FJ flight number. Other basis for lounge access may exist, such as being a member of the FJ lounge/FF program or travelling in the business class cabin. But purely based on QF FF status would appear to be unsupported by the published lounge access rules.

 

[Grooba]

I was in the Air Pacific lounge this morning sceduled to depart on FJ911, ticketed as QF392.

Forgeting the QP there is actually a Air Pacific lounge I walked in and asked where the QP was. The lounge guy told me that the lounge was for SG/WP only, without him actually if I was on a QF or FJ ticket. Showed him my card and he allowed me through.

This jogged my memory as to the last time I was there - the lounge guy had a list of names and after giving my card and identifying myself he went and marked me off his list. This morning all that was required was a flash of the card (he didn't ask for a boarding pass at all).

 

[mhen]

I have done about 30 returns to Fiji in the past 4 years (but none this year). As a Qantas Club member and then a Gold FF I have never had any issue with Club access at Sydney irrespective as to whether ticket was QF or FJ.

In Fiji when the lounge access policy changed (Qantas Club excluded) a couple of years ago I had become Gold so have not had any problems there either. However I have seen many Qantas Club members turned away.

The press release for the opening of the refurbished lounge in Nadi included

Air Pacific Opens New VIP Lounge At Nadi Airport
30 January 2009
.... Air Pacific Tabua (business) class and Tabua Club customers along with Qantas Platinum and Gold Card customers are entitled to use the lounge.....

So as a Gold you are entitled but note they have been very strict about the 1 guest rule and counting even very small children as guests. I have seen a parent come in with one child leaving rest of family outside!

The best thing for me was that the check-in line for Business included QF Gold. Anything to beat the long economy line of sun-burnt, braided, tired and hung-over Aussie tourists slowly being processed in "Fiji-time"!

 

[smarty11]

Ok fellas.. so this is how it went..

For starters, I am a SG travelling with Mrs Smarty11 and two kids (7 and 3).

SYD to NAN:
On FJ flight, while checking in @ SYD asked the lady if I can access QF Lounge.. she said should be OK but to check at the Lounge..

Went to the Lounge.. asked the lady if I can come in with family "Of course you can..".. no problems.. Don't know whether it is policy/per rules or courtesy.. probably later.. but who cares!

NAN to SYD:
Checked In with family at Business counter as Economy was a mile long. No issues..

Went to the Lounge, showed by card.. as said above.. they had a list with mine and whole family's name on it.. Access with family (4 in total) No problem..

So in summary. it was all OK..

I think they maybe relaxed this time as not many people are flying..

Vinaka...

 

[tuapekastar]

Ok fellas.. so this is how it went..

For starters, I am a SG travelling with Mrs Smarty11 and two kids (7 and 3).

SYD to NAN:
On FJ flight, while checking in @ SYD asked the lady if I can access QF Lounge.. she said should be OK but to check at the Lounge..

Went to the Lounge.. asked the lady if I can come in with family "Of course you can..".. no problems.. Don't know whether it is policy/per rules or courtesy.. probably later.. but who cares!

NAN to SYD:
Checked In with family at Business counter as Economy was a mile long. No issues..

Went to the Lounge, showed by card.. as said above.. they had a list with mine and whole family's name on it.. Access with family (4 in total) No problem..

So in summary. it was all OK..

I think they maybe relaxed this time as not many people are flying..

Vinaka...

Thx for the update smarty11. Whilst as you say, they may have relaxed attitudes at the moment, always good to know what is possible, even if it may be against the rules.

 

[Grooba]

Thx for the update smarty11. Whilst as you say, they may have relaxed attitudes at the moment, always good to know what is possible, even if it may be against the rules.

It's amazing what a nice attitude and pleasant demeanor can achieve, even if it is against what the "rules" stipulate.