China Eastern Business Class Lounge: Sydney (SYD) and Auckland (AKL)

[Rayesfeg]

Flying between the two cities later in the year with China Eastern - Business class.
There is a surprising lack of information on the China Eastern website about which lounge business class passengers may access in either airport.

Researching online is even more unclear as some websites suggest that the Sydney lounge will be the Skyteam lounge, however the Skyteam lounge website excludes China Eastern as an airline that will grant you access. The next train of thought is the Qantas lounge given China Eastern does partner with Qantas - however the booking was not made through Qantas and the ticket is not a "QF" label.

For the Auckland leg, I am confident it will be either the Strata Lounge or the Qantas lounge, again there is a lack of information on the China Eastern website to give me any sort of information.

Appreciate any experience/insight on the above journey from experienced AFF'ers.

 

[jase05]

A bit of chatter about it here

SkyTeam Status Match - ITA Airways

ITA is now running a status match promo: https://www.itaspa.com/en_it/volare/statusmatch.html I'm eligible for it via United status, so seriously considering it in case ITA joins SkyTeam or in case something useful comes of it...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[RealtimeY]

I saw the SYD QF lounge staff counting a stack of MU lounge vouchers a few months ago.

 

[Rayesfeg]

I saw the SYD QF lounge staff counting a stack of MU lounge vouchers a few months ago.

That is interesting. I would have assumed that the lounge entry would be associated to the boarding pass and they would scan it (similar to LATAM business class access to the Qantas lounge).

Good to know, thank you for sharing.

 

[MH_fan]

Can an MU ticket give access to the QF lounges in Sydney if the flights are not QF-coded?

 

[elanshin]

Can an MU ticket give access to the QF lounges in Sydney if the flights are not QF-coded?

Depends on access. MU uses SYD QF J lounge for their J and Skyteam E+ pax. You can also get access as QF Gold+ travelling on MU.

For MU J and elites they give you a lounge pass I believe.

This was how I got both my parents into QF J last time, one accessed via the pass the other I brought as a QF status. Funnily they didn't need my QFF on the BP, just that I had QF status.

 

[MH_fan]

Depends on access. MU uses SYD QF J lounge for their J and Skyteam E+ pax. You can also get access as QF Gold+ travelling on MU.

For MU J and elites they give you a lounge pass I believe.

This was how I got both my parents into QF J last time, one accessed via the pass the other I brought as a QF status. Funnily they didn't need my QFF on the BP, just that I had QF status.

So, if I'm a WP with QF and have an MU ticket (no QF code), will I get access to the QF First Lounge in SYD then?

 

[elanshin]

So, if I'm a WP with QF and have an MU ticket (no QF code), will I get access to the QF First Lounge in SYD then?

That I'm not sure about. I would assume so since I got into MU "F" lounge at PVG when travelling on QF so I assume they reciprocate. But i didn't test getting into QF F at the time in SYD as the goal was to get both parents into QF J.

 

[serfty]

So, if I'm a WP with QF and have an MU ticket (no QF code), will I get access to the QF First Lounge in SYD then?

NO - You need a oneworld marketed and operated flight, or a QF, JetStar or EK flight number.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/qantas-lounge-access-eligibility.html#international-first-lounge

 

[MH_fan]

Thank you for clarifying! So, only the business lounge then.
The only decision left then is QF Business Lounge or the SkyTeam Lounge...

 

[jase05]

Thank you for clarifying! So, only the business lounge then.
The only decision left then is QF Business Lounge or the SkyTeam Lounge...

If you have the choice I think the SkyTeam lounge is better than the QF J lounge

 

[Rayesfeg]

If you have the choice I think the SkyTeam lounge is better than the QF J lounge

When it comes to all things flying, most 'other options' are better than the Qantas option

 

[RealtimeY]

It really depends what you want.

Views outside - SkyTeam
Self serve alcohol - QF J

There are also some differences in the food offerings and crowdedness depending on time of day. Not always an easy choice!