Entering a QF lounge with QR WP and then changing to your QF FF #

[Muppet501st]

My background, VA WP, which i status matched to QR WP, starting to send my business to QF since VA wont refund my USA flights. Im QFF NB
All my work trips are within Qld only.

So this week, i flew QF BNE-TSV, with my QR WP #, BNE lounge, scanned BP, then once inside, changed my FF# to QF, so flights credited to QF.

Then flying QF TSV-CNS, did the same thing, however upon leaving the TSV lounge, was informed that what i had done, wasnt allowed, and that i was double dipping. There were maybe 6 others in the lounge at the time. So my understanding is, that for contract tracing, all BPs are scanned to meet the laws. But since i had changed my FF #, i had dropped off the lounge agents screen, and since i was QF NB, i wasnt entitled to be in the lounge.

So as im new to all this, am i not allowed to do this?

So should i just enter the lounge on my QR WP attached BP, then once ive left the lounge,with 30mins to departure, swap over to QFF FF #

But from my understanding, i could just enter the QF lounge with my QFF # and then show them my QR WP card, as its a Oneworld flight.

Hope all that makes sense.

 

[Mattg]

I don't see any problem with what you've done here. My understanding is that it is possible to use your Oneworld status to access the lounge, while crediting to another program if you wish. Some lounge staff don't seem to like this, but many here have done this before.

@serfty, are you able to confirm if this is allowed under Oneworld rules?

 

[serfty]

@serfty, are you able to confirm if this is allowed under Oneworld rules?

I believe it is allowed under oneworld rules but many lounge staff do not agree. It needs to be both oneworld operated and oneworld marketed. This includes Qantas - i.e. Qantas operated and marketed qualifies as a oneworld flight.

When it is not all oneworld is when the ff program for ongoing segment applies. eg Jetstar, Emirates, etc.

 

[oz_mark]

They are probably making sure they can collect the entry fee from QR.

 

[Mattg]

They are probably making sure they can collect the entry fee from QR.

Who pays though in Oneworld, is it the frequent flyer program being used or the operating airline?

Given Qantas doesn't normally bother scanning boarding passes when you enter a domestic lounge, I suspect it's the latter.

 

[Danger]

This outcome was predicted when the QR status match came along. American explicitly prohibits it; Qantas will now likely move to do the same.

Historically, the issue only arose after the QF/EK partnership. As I understand it, more than a few Qantas Club members (and maybe others with status) were using their credentials to access EK lounges but ultimately crediting the flight to EK rather than QF. Qantas cracked down on it by issuing a memo to lounge staff but my understanding is the directive was supposed to apply only to the EK situation (and maybe other non-oneworld partners), oneworld-oneworld.

There is an argument to be made for double-dipping but in my opinion, it's a long bow. Double-dipping in this context generally applies to earning FF credit with two programs, not to using all the benefits you are entitled to which is how I view this situation.

 

[Kangol]

You can get around the lounge staff by calling to remove the old number and put the new one in, then asking the gate staff to reprint your BP (or use your phone).

 

[NM]

As others have said, there is nothing in any of the program or lounge rules that explicitly stop or disallow what you have done. Indeed, I have done similar with QFF and AAdvantage numbers. However, some QF lounge or Service Desk agents believe you should not be able to access the lounge unless crediting to the same program as permits the lounge access. Unfortunately, there is no way to alter that perspective even though they cannot (or will not) show any written rule that precludes the process of securing lounge access and flight earning from different programs.

 

[Daver6]

So what if the OP keeps his QF FF number in the booking the entire time but shows his QR WP card to gain entry. Is there anything precluding that?

 

[jakeseven7]

So what if the OP keeps his QF FF number in the booking the entire time but shows his QR WP card to gain entry. Is there anything precluding that?

They quite often take your card and scan it / ask to see a BP these days.....

 

[NM]

So what if the OP keeps his QF FF number in the booking the entire time but shows his QR WP card to gain entry. Is there anything precluding that?

Again, nothing in the rules stating that you can or can't do that. But don't be surprised if some agents with a strong view on the matter decide that in order for you to enter the lounge they are "required" to update your FF details in the booking to reflect the program granting lounge access. And at that point you are at the mercy of the particular agent and I doubt any argument you can make about the policy/rules will result in a mutually happy ending.

 

[Franky]

I don't see any problem with what you've done here. My understanding is that it is possible to use your Oneworld status to access the lounge, while crediting to another program if you wish. Some lounge staff don't seem to like this, but many here have done this before.

@serfty, are you able to confirm if this is allowed under Oneworld rules?

 

[Muppet501st]

So what if the OP keeps his QF FF number in the booking the entire time but shows his QR WP card to gain entry. Is there anything precluding that?

I put this question to Qantas, via FB msg,

" Good morning Just a quick question If i have a QF flight booked, on a QF plane, and have my QF Frequent flyer # on my boarding pass, ( im bronze) but i am Qatar Emerald, can i access the Qantas lounges in Australia? my understanding its, as im on a Oneworld flight, i would be allowed into the lounge? Thank you ken"

"Hi Ken, thanks for your message. Yes, you are eligible to use the Qantas lounge however it does need to have a Oneworld flight number. Also please note that, some of our lounges are closed due to COVID19 - see link here: "

 

[NM]

"Hi Ken, thanks for your message. Yes, you are eligible to use the Qantas lounge however it does need to have a Oneworld flight number. Also please note that, some of our lounges are closed due to COVID19 - see link here: "

Let's hope they copied the answer to all the lounge staff who have the power to permit or deny entry at the lounge entrance.

 

[AFF Editor]

I reached out to Qantas and got a definitive answer on this. The OP should have been allowed to enter the lounge by simply showing his Qatar Airways Platinum card.

Qantas Clarifies Lounge Access for Oneworld Frequent Flyers

Airport lounge access rules can be confusing at the best of times.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Matt_01]

Although the Editor has already clarified the position from QF my 2 bobs worth is that of course lounge access should be granted. The OP situation is no different to flying domestic in the US on an AA marketed and operated flight or JP on a JL marketed and operated flight and crediting your points and SCs back to QF. You just show your card and provided it is valid lounge access should be granted. We have never experienced any issues with lounge access getting into lounges based on OW rules. Well there was once in BOS when the AA lounge staff were unsure what the QF white card was all about, I was told they had never seen one before.

 

[Daver6]

I reached out to Qantas and got a definitive answer on this. The OP should have been allowed to enter the lounge by simply showing his Qatar Airways Platinum card.

Qantas Clarifies Lounge Access for Oneworld Frequent Flyers

Airport lounge access rules can be confusing at the best of times.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

It's one thing having someone in the Qantas colouring in marketing department acknowledge the rules correctly, but it's clear QF have no intention of actually educating their staff on the correct rules. There are examples of other OW rules they get wrong at lounges too.

 

[Muppet501st]

I reached out to Qantas and got a definitive answer on this. The OP should have been allowed to enter the lounge by simply showing his Qatar Airways Platinum card.

Qantas Clarifies Lounge Access for Oneworld Frequent Flyers

Airport lounge access rules can be confusing at the best of times.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Perfect timing, im back there this coming Wednesday,

 

[Rebus]

by simply showing his Qatar Airways Platinum card.

Apologies if this has been clarified elsewhere but have QR actually issued physical cards to those who were status-matched?

Or is it sufficient to show a digital card?

 

[Port Power]

Perfect timing, im back there this coming Wednesday,

It seems the main issue with lounge staff was you changing the FF number once inside the lounge. Now you know to just leave the booking and boarding passes with your QFF number and show your QR card to access the lounge.