Comparative Lounge Level Elite Status - QF v. DJ

[alect]

Having not travelled for some time, I am now destined for weekly domestic travel MEL-SYD and finding the lack of lounge access unbearable (I am QF LTS, AAdv MM/LTG, DJ nada).

So started thinking of the best way to get lounge access as a driver in deciding between QF and DJ - is the below right?:

DJ - 500 status credits - each segment is 10 status credits (rarely full Y) so 25 round trips to reach DJ GLD
AAdv - 60 segments or 50,000 miles/points - each segment is 500 status miles so 50 round trips to reach AAdg PLT

Any other ways? I know paid membership is one but @ $750 for DJ and $855 for QC the value is not there. AA's AC is probably better value for me to sign up with (@ approx $400-450) for QC access.

Any other ideas?

 

[samh004]

If you hit Silver with DJ you get discounted membership to The Lounge, and it might not include the joining fee, but can't recall. Either way, brings the price down a lot, but if you start flying anywhere regional there are less lounge choices

I'm sort of curious how you ended up with both AA and QF lifetime "Ruby", considering neither is ideal, it's something, but I'd have thought continuing on to "Sapphire" would have made much more sense.

Edit: Just had a look and if you get to Velocity Silver (DJ), Lounge membership costs $300, then you have a few more months flying before you hit Gold, at which point your Lounge membership is refunded pro-rata I believe.

 

[alect]

I'm sort of curious how you ended up with both AA and QF lifetime "Ruby", considering neither is ideal, it's something, but I'd have thought continuing on to "Sapphire" would have made much more sense.

Originally with QF. Was WP for several years, including many DONE4s. Moved to the US and stopped accruing QF and became AAdv PLT and EXP for some time. Reached 1MM - then moved back to Austr. I am NOT accruing QF miles any longer (dfue to poor comparative earn/burn ratios) - blew my last balance on recent family trip to Fiji. Have not travelled for work much in the past 4 years - unless work situation changes, travel is unlikely other than MEL-SYD trips. Yes Lifetime Ruby on QF and AA is not ideal but that is where I am and it is better than nothing

 

[drewbles]

If travelling to the USA any time soon, consider doing an AA Status Run, or, A Fastrack with them to AA Platinum (OW Sapphire) which will give you lounge access on QF whilst you build up to SG with them, or, just do YUPP/KUPP runs there to get to QF WP (which can be done for around $2k) or of course, SG for around half that (not including flights to/from the USA).

The other option is to join the DJ Business program (name of it eludes me) but iirc, it's around $20k and you'll get SG for it (and $20k of travel of course).

Or of course do JASA's with QF. There's several options if you don't want to do the no-lounge hard yards to get access into the lounges.

 

[mannej]

There is access to cheaper lounge memberships through Corporate membership rates.

I am aware Gold AFF members do have access to a Corporate rate.

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Not certain if this applies,but if you are looking to get in to QC with out the need to pay for a membership, you may look at Amex Plat card they offer Marco Polo gold membership with your card. so if you are on a one world flight you can get in to the club that way


The Dyslexic Traveler

 

[zig]

Not certain if this applies,but if you are looking to get in to QC with out the need to pay for a membership, you may look at Amex Plat card they offer Marco Polo gold membership with your card. so if you are on a one world flight you can get in to the club that way


The Dyslexic Traveler

Amex Platinum Charge will also give you access to Virgin's Lounge.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I haven't used this myself, but the kerbside entry to the DJ SYD dom lounge is something that QF will find it virtually impossible to replicate. You'll earn status faster with DJ as well - quicker than any QF/OneWorld equivalent.

 

[toowongman]

Having not travelled for some time, I am now destined for weekly domestic travel MEL-SYD and finding the lack of lounge access unbearable (I am QF LTS, AAdv MM/LTG, DJ nada).

Any other ways? I know paid membership is one but @ $750 for DJ and $855 for QC the value is not there. AA's AC is probably better value for me to sign up with (@ approx $400-450) for QC access.

Any other ideas?

When you hit Virgin silver (that's 250 SC or 25 SYD-MEL sectors in saver) you can get lounge membership for $300 (no joining fee). When you hit gold (another 250 SC) lounge is free, and you can get a pro-rata refund on lounge membership if you made it before your paid access expired.

 

[alect]

So it sounds like the most effective options for me are:

- fly on DJ, reach silver (no lounge till then), buy for $300, keep flying and then make Gold and get some refund.
- fly on QF, buy AC membership or get Citi Executive CC with AC membership, and keep flying QF hoping I make PLT on AAdv for next year.

Thank you all for your input!

 

[FlashKiwi]

The key for me was the 'Fly ahead' option with DJ. Once you reach Gold, and have carry on only, you can get on the next flight (seat permitting of course) regardless of fare. This made a big difference to my travels (and time with family)

So it sounds like the most effective options for me are:

- fly on DJ, reach silver (no lounge till then), buy for $300, keep flying and then make Gold and get some refund.
- fly on QF, buy AC membership or get Citi Executive CC with AC membership, and keep flying QF hoping I make PLT on AAdv for next year.

Thank you all for your input!