Lounge Access Help Desk

[admin]

Background to this thread
We have noticed an increase in the posting of questions regarding what Airport Lounges are available at specific airports when travelling on specific airlines. While one can be assured of access at the airline lounge when travelling on that airline (provided you have Lounge membership), thing start to get complex when travelling on a codeshare or partner airline.

Posting Guidelines
Please post your questions about Lounge access in this thread. Be sure to include the airline you are travelling on, the airport (and terminal, if known), and any Airline Status or Airport Lounge membership programs you have.

When answering questions, please include the original question. This will assist in readability and management of the thread.

(Special thanks to Princess Fiona for suggesting this new thread.)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Just thought I'd provide another data point on lounge access for those travelling on JetStar internationally as a Qantas elite. Earlier today I flew Nadi back to Sydney on JetStar and was advised that I did not have access to the Fiji lounge on account of JetStar not being OneWorld and there being no side agreement with Qantas in that regard. It should be noted that Qantas has and does arrange these side agreements with lounge operators when their own international lounge is closed. For instance, when their Honolulu lounge was closed during COVID, JetStar customers (including Qantas Gold elites) were given a lounge invite to the Delta SkyClub.

Hi everyone. First time flying J with CI (China airlines) and I know I have access to lounge at Mel airport - they use the House. Friends of ours flying PE on the same flight. Can I guest them given I am in J or no because I am not a sky team elite?

Reading the SkyTeam website it seems fairly clear:

Guests​

SkyTeam Elite Plus members can invite a guest traveling on a SkyTeam member airline operated flight. Simply present the boarding pass of your guest for the lounge agent to validate for admission.

So only if you hold SkyTeam Elite Plus status with a member airline, and even then it would only be just one guest. This by the way is consistent across the airline industry, both Star Alliance and OneWorld do not permit guests when a passenger is travelling international business (only international First class gets that perk). This is one of the reasons why holding frequent flyer status can be so useful, it allows you and an additional guest in irrespective of what class you're travelling in.

Having been to the House lounge though (via AmEx Platinum) they aren't really missing out on much. There is a decent buffet and booze selection but certainly nothing top tier when it comes to lounges. The only benefit I see is it is located on the upper level of Melbourne international (unlike the lounges in the basement with no natural lighting) and offers decent runway views. If the guests do want to buy in, it'll set them back $75/passenger. There is also the Marhaba lounge nearby that is also decent.

One thing to consider, if you find yourself travelling often is a travel specific credit card that has lounge access built in as a benefit. For instance, the Citi Prestige card gets you a whole host of travel benefits including lounge access to over 1500 Priority Pass lounges globally for you and a guest irrespective of which airline you are flying or class of service all for a $700 annual fee. Another option is AmEx Platinum, it has a much higher annual fee of $1,450/year but has heaps of benefits including a $450 annual travel credit, $400 dining credit, Accor Plus membership (including free night at an Accor property in Asia Pacific), hotel elite status (Marriott Gold & Hilton Gold) and the aforementioned lounge access. What's more you can get additional cards for your spouse and they'll have the same benefits when it comes to lounges. And the best part about AmEx's lounge access? It's not just Priority Pass! You also get lounge access to Virgin Australia, Delta and Lufthansa lounges when travelling with them for you and a guest. You also get Centurion lounge access along with Plaza Premium lounge access (the latter is important since you actually get an enhanced set of benefits besides the normal Plaza Premium lounge access from Priority Pass).

If all else fails, you can also try looking at the lounge meet ups board to see if someone is travelling when you are that would be so kind as to guest your friends in.

-RooFlyer88

 

[elanshin]

Can SQ J Pax go to the MEL NZ lounge?

From memory that's a yes right? (Answer is Yes).

Also man i heard about silverkrys being a bit average in MEL but damn the difference between ANZ and SQ at MEL is huge.

 

[jase05]

Can SQ J Pax go to the MEL NZ lounge?

From memory that's a yes right? (Answer is Yes).

Also man i heard about silverkrys being a bit average in MEL but damn the difference between ANZ and SQ at MEL is huge.

Each to their own but I actually prefer the MEL NZ lounge over the SQ lounge

 

[elanshin]

Each to their own but I actually prefer the MEL NZ lounge over the SQ lounge

Sorry i think i didn't make myself clear.

NZ >>>>>>>> SQ

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Can SQ J Pax go to the MEL NZ lounge?

From memory that's a yes right? (Answer is Yes).

Star Alliance lounges generally accept passengers travelling Business or First class on a Star Alliance carrier.

 

[SYD]

Star Alliance lounges generally accept passengers travelling Business or First class on a Star Alliance carrier.

Not “generally”, it’s a standard perk (putting aside the SQ anomaly of saving the J lounge in SIN for J PAX only and stumping up a subpar lounge for *A Gold in whY (something QR pinched).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Not “generally”, it’s a standard perk (putting aside the SQ anomaly of saving the J lounge in SIN for J PAX only and stumping up a subpar lounge for *A Gold in whY (something QR pinched).

I use the term generally because it doesn't apply in some circumstances. For instance, flying United business or even first class domestically within the US generally doesn't get you access to United's Star Alliance lounges (aside from those handful of Premium Service transcontinental routes). As for your remark about Singapore there are many reasons I avoid that airport, this being one of them.

 

[SYD]

I use the term generally because it doesn't apply in some circumstances. For instance, flying United business or even first class domestically within the US generally doesn't get you access to United's Star Alliance lounges (aside from those handful of Premium Service transcontinental routes).

That, as you know is a North American thing that also affects OW (AA and AS) and ST (DL), but being AFF, most of us are QF / VA status PAX and can bypass that constraint. Even QP members get reciprocal lounge rights with AA across the network.

As for your remark about Singapore there are many reasons I avoid that airport, this being one of them.

You’re probably in a very small minority of members here. Heading west from SYD, if I had to hub it somewhere, SIN would be my first choice over all the usual suspects in Asia and the ME. I’ve not been there but new *A Gold lounge is supposed to be quite decent (it has toilets now!) plus the OW lounge offerings are solid. With the exception of QR, usually OW access rules apply.

 

[MJW Kangaroo]

Hi, we are flying in February from Muscat to Doha with Qatar in economy, then onward from Doha to Brisbane in J. We have booked direct with Qatar and nominated our QFF numbers to receive Qantas points. We are both Qantas gold members. My question is will we be able to access a lounge in Muscat because we have an onward flight in J or because we hold QFF gold status ?

 

[RealtimeY]

You should get access to the Primeclass lounge because of your status

 

[MJW Kangaroo]

You should get access to the Primeclass lounge because of your status

Thanks, who runs the prime class lounge ?

 

[dairyfloss]

Thanks, who runs the prime class lounge ?

It’s a contract lounge; Not run by any airline. See here: Primeclass Lounge - Muscat International Airport | TAV Operation Services

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[jase05]

Hi, we are flying in February from Muscat to Doha with Qatar in economy, then onward from Doha to Brisbane in J. We have booked direct with Qatar and nominated our QFF numbers to receive Qantas points. We are both Qantas gold members. My question is will we be able to access a lounge in Muscat because we have an onward flight in J or because we hold QFF gold status ?

Just be wary that both points earn and status credit earn will be pretty poor on the DOH-BNE leg unfortunately

 

[Nate-Dawg]

Hi, I'm wondering about "stacking" guest allowances for Qantas club access. I'll be flying MEL-SYD at the same time as two family members will be flying MEL-BNE (all with Qantas). I have a Qantas Club membership (obtained via Points Club Plus) and would be flying a J Classic Reward. Both family members would be flying Y Classic Rewards. Can I bring myself + 2 guests into the Qantas Club in MEL (i.e. one guest due to my Qantas Club membership and another guest from my J class guest allowance)? None of us have any status. I'm aware that I'd normally be able to access the MEL Business Lounge for myself and one guest, but our party is a bit too big in this case.

 

[flyingfan]

Hi, I'm wondering about "stacking" guest allowances for Qantas club access. I'll be flying MEL-SYD at the same time as two family members will be flying MEL-BNE (all with Qantas). I have a Qantas Club membership (obtained via Points Club Plus) and would be flying a J Classic Reward. Both family members would be flying Y Classic Rewards. Can I bring myself + 2 guests into the Qantas Club in MEL (i.e. one guest due to my Qantas Club membership and another guest from my J class guest allowance)? None of us have any status. I'm aware that I'd normally be able to access the MEL Business Lounge for myself and one guest, but our party is a bit too big in this case.

I don't believe stacking is possible and don't remember reading stories here that it has been - you get the one best allowance of whatever you're entitled to but not the other allowances in addition. If I were flying F as a Platinum, I'd still only be able to take one guest into the F lounge, not two.

The lounge agents are known to make exceptions but this is absolutely not to be expected or relied on, and in my recent experience they enforce requirements strictly - QF wants people to spend to get status or QC.

 

[woody666]

Good Afternoon,

I am a new member, so I do apologise if this has been asked before.

We are travelling CX, BNE - HKG in Jan 2025, in Prem Economy.

At Present I am a Gold FF with QF, which will expire 31 Dec 2024.

Will they allow us into the lounge with QF Lounge Passes even though we are travelling on CX, as they use the QF Lounge in Brisbane

Thanks for your advice regarding this.

Woody666

 

[equus]

Lounge passes are only valid when travelling QF (you have to link them to your QF booking).

Depending on how early in January you are travelling, you may have a slim hope that you SG status won't drop before you travel, and will still show. There is generally a grace period of a few days before status demotion actually occurs, to allow for late posting flights etc.

 

[elanshin]

Hi, I'm wondering about "stacking" guest allowances for Qantas club access. I'll be flying MEL-SYD at the same time as two family members will be flying MEL-BNE (all with Qantas). I have a Qantas Club membership (obtained via Points Club Plus) and would be flying a J Classic Reward. Both family members would be flying Y Classic Rewards. Can I bring myself + 2 guests into the Qantas Club in MEL (i.e. one guest due to my Qantas Club membership and another guest from my J class guest allowance)? None of us have any status. I'm aware that I'd normally be able to access the MEL Business Lounge for myself and one guest, but our party is a bit too big in this case.

I don't believe this is officially the case, you can definitely ask, but be prepared to take one to J lounge and 1 to qantas club.

 

[SYD]

There’s been several reports of QF WP/SG gaining access to SYD QF lounges recently with FJ BPs (as mentioned here). @kangarooflyer88 mentioned they’d give it a try.

Although, AFAIK the QF, FJ and OW websites haven’t been updated.

I was at the SYD QF F lounge today (flying QF) and asked about flying Fiji Airways. They confirmed that it’s “official” policy to allow QF WP in flying either QF or FJ code.

I didn’t push the line of questioning to other non QF OWEs.

 

[flyingfan]

Depending on how early in January you are travelling, you may have a slim hope that you SG status won't drop before you travel, and will still show. There is generally a grace period of a few days before status demotion actually occurs, to allow for late posting flights etc.

I've read numerous reports of a lag before status drops. However, +1 ended SG on 30 Nov, and the very next day 1 Dec the status was already showing PS. No time wasted there.
YMMV