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.)

 

[Danger]

I'm pretty sure I'd be OK for this, but I can't find an answer online and want to be sure.

Planing to fly PEK-HKG return in Y in December. PEK-HKG will be on KA metal, HKG-PEK is CA metal. I am *G (OZ). Don't even has a membership with any OW airline.

If I book through the CX website , it's about 30-40% cheaper than on the CA website. My assumption is that I would have no access in PEK (which is fine by me) and have access to *A lounges in HKG (very much want).

So,
1. Are my assumptions correct?
2. Is lounge access affected in any way by where I purchase my tickets (i.e. booking an identical itinerary with CX will give me the same lounge access rights as booking it with CA)?

What's your oneworld status? Cathay Dragon is a oneworld affiliate so if you have Sapphire or Emerald you'll have access in PEK.

Where you book has no bearing on lounge access eligibility.

 

[TomVexille]

I'm pretty sure I'd be OK for this, but I can't find an answer online and want to be sure.

Planing to fly PEK-HKG return in Y in December. PEK-HKG will be on KA metal, HKG-PEK is CA metal. I am *G (OZ). Don't even has a membership with any OW airline.

If I book through the CX website , it's about 30-40% cheaper than on the CA website. My assumption is that I would have no access in PEK (which is fine by me) and have access to *A lounges in HKG (very much want).

So,
1. Are my assumptions correct?
2. Is lounge access affected in any way by where I purchase my tickets (i.e. booking an identical itinerary with CX will give me the same lounge access rights as booking it with CA)?

My understanding of the *A rules is that as long as your HKG-PEK flight has a CA flight number and is Operated by CA (as you said), you should have access to all open *A lounges at HKG

 

[seanpodge]

What's your oneworld status? Cathay Dragon is a oneworld affiliate so if you have Sapphire or Emerald you'll have access in PEK.

None. Have already been to the CA lounges at PEK and they're nothing worth getting too excited about. Will just try to cut down on time spent at PEK instead. Would like to do a bit of lounge hopping at HKG though.

Where you book has no bearing on lounge access eligibility.

Very good.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[seanpodge]

My understanding of the *A rules is that as long as your HKG-PEK flight has a CA flight number and is Operated by CA (as you said), you should have access to all open *A lounges at HKG

Sounds good. Thanks.

 

[bernardblack]

Any recent data points on the service at the MEL Etihad Lounge during the morning for VA23? (I'm Velocity Gold and travelling in the Business.) I just managed to switch my itinerary to the nonstop and would like to know whether I can plan to eat breakfast in the lounge or should fill up elsewhere first.

 

[Chrizztofa]

Hi All

I'm considering flying the following itinerary:
DRW - KNX - BME (Qantas codeshare on an Airnorth operated flight)
BME - PER (Virgin award ticket)

As a Qantas Platinum, can someone please confirm whether I have access to:
1. The Qantas Club in DRW (will the Airnorth boarding pass show the QF codeshare number?)
2. The Qantas Club in BME (same day access arriving on a QF marketed flight), even though my inbound flight is operated by Airnorth and my onward flight would be with VA?

Thanks!

 

[Ric]

A question:

Say I redeem a J award ticket for Hkg >Lhr>Hkg on CX using Asia Miles points, can I get into the CX Flounge at Hkg and Lhr using with my QFF WP status?

Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A question:

Say I redeem a J award ticket for Hkg >Lhr>Hkg on CX using Asia Miles points, can I get into the CX Flounge at Hkg and Lhr using with my QFF WP status?

Thanks.

Yes. And if there is provision to enter your QFFF status into the booking you'll automatically get a lounge invite for F.

 

[serfty]

Hi All

I'm considering flying the following itinerary:
DRW - KNX - BME (Qantas codeshare on an Airnorth operated flight)
BME - PER (Virgin award ticket)

As a Qantas Platinum, can someone please confirm whether I have access to:
1. The Qantas Club in DRW (will the Airnorth boarding pass show the QF codeshare number?)
2. The Qantas Club in BME (same day access arriving on a QF marketed flight), even though my inbound flight is operated by Airnorth and my onward flight would be with VA?

Thanks!

The Qantas Club | Lounge Locations | Australia | Darwin Domestic
The Qantas Club | Lounge Locations | Australia | Broome Domestic

If QF marketed then yes to both. (Bring a copy of the e-ticket showing the QF Flight numbers.)

Platinum Frequent Flyer

Must be travelling on any flight the same day that shows Qantas^, Emirates^, Jetstar Airlines+ or a oneworld operated or marketed flight. Two guests allowed and do not need to be travelling.

 

[Chrizztofa]

The Qantas Club | Lounge Locations | Australia | Darwin Domestic
The Qantas Club | Lounge Locations | Australia | Broome Domestic

If QF marketed then yes to both. (Bring a copy of the e-ticket showing the QF Flight numbers.)

Thanks very much! I'll see whether I get strange looks from the lounge staff in BME...

 

[Ric]

Yes. And if there is provision to enter your QFFF status into the booking you'll automatically get a lounge invite for F.

Thank you MEL_Traveller. If Ii am redeeming the award ticket with Asia Miles, don't I have to enter my Marco Polo/Asia Miles FF number/status (which is zero!) rather my QFF number/status?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you MEL_Traveller. If Ii am redeeming the award ticket with Asia Miles, don't I have to enter my Marco Polo/Asia Miles FF number/status (which is zero!) rather my QFF number/status?

unless Asia miles is an exception, you should be able to enter another, principal, FF number. I did this just recently on a BAaward, but put my QFFF number to get seating etc. Same with AA, enter the QFFF number to get status benefits.

if you can't do it on line, call up. Some agents don't understand why you'd want to put an FF number into an award booking as you can't earn miles, but you explain it gives status benefits.

 

[Ric]

unless Asia miles is an exception, you should be able to enter another, principal, FF number. I did this just recently on a BAaward, but put my QFFF number to get seating etc. Same with AA, enter the QFFF number to get status benefits.

if you can't do it on line, call up. Some agents don't understand why you'd want to put an FF number into an award booking as you can't earn miles, but you explain it gives status benefits.

Great to know!! Many many thanks!!

 

[Bwtt]

Hi guys, I've recently made VA gold, but have yet to receive the card.
I'm flying SQ end of next week and was wondering in the case I do not receive the card in time, has anyone had luck getting into the lounges without it?

 

[JessicaTam]

Hi guys, I've recently made VA gold, but have yet to receive the card.
I'm flying SQ end of next week and was wondering in the case I do not receive the card in time, has anyone had luck getting into the lounges without it?

Make sure your status is on your BP and you will be fine. If in doubt ask at checkin for a lounge pass.

 

[ramboflyer]

This is not so much a question but wanted to share my current experience regarding assumed entry to a lounge. This is just my second overseas trip so still have a lot to learn.

As I write this I am on a long stopover at Amman airport on the way home from a european holiday. Briefly a couple of months ago I changed a oneworld J award booking because I had a change in travel plans. After using flight assist to help change my flights the first leg ATH - DXB was in economy and the other legs in J. A couple of weeks before I left home I found J seats from ATH - AMM - DXB. I rushed in and changed the flights without too much thought as they allowed plenty of time for the next connection.

The leg from ATH - AMM was with Royal Jordanian and AMM - DXB is with Emirates. Knowing there was a 9.5 hour stopover in Amman I dumbly assumed that I could pass the time away in a lounge (as my wife and I did in HKG on the way over).

The guy at the checkin at ATH made the first 3 legs (the 3rd to AKL) connections but said I would need to get to the Emirates counter in AMM to get the next boarding pass. After a pleasant flight to Amman I made my way to baggage claim thinking it would take me to the Emirates desk. Getting to passport control / visa purchase the guy wanted me to pay 40 Jordanian dollars for a visa. When I explained I was staying at the airport he sent me off to a transit desk. I found the desk unattended so went up to international departures to hopefully find someone to sort me out.

After walking around in circles for a while I headed back down and there was someone at transit control. I told him I only needed a boarding pass but he said I cant do that until 11pm which was 5 hours away! He said I could use the Zain lounge but I thought otherwise. I went to the Petra lounge and was thrown out because I didnt have a boarding pass and he suggested the Crown lounge saying I shouldnt need a boarding pass but they chucked me out as well.

In desperation I found my ANZ black card which I knew would get me in somewhere as a Veloce member. So here I sit at the tiny Blue Fig Cafe having enjoyed a tuna roll and carrot cake. Had to pay for the beer but it was worth it!

So I have been through security twice already and later tonight there will be third time.

Its not that I want to eat and drink in a lounge for hours on end but it would be nice to have a shower and a nap before the next flight.

I suppose the lesson is read the fine print which would have told me I cant get in to the lounge until 3 hours before my flight at this airport otherwise I would not have changed the flights just to sit in J for 4 hours.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So now I'm at the lofty heights of QFWP (P1 is no hope), can anyone advise if that gives me PX Paradise lounge access when booked through PX and travelling on PX metal? Or alternatively, QF lounge access if on PX?

Lounges may include BNE, CNS, POM, HGU and GKA.

I can now add an update on this. The Reef Lounge in CNS was shut, so I couldn't try for access there, but I did try for access in the PX Paradise lounge in POM but was refused. The lady stated access OK if on a QF tix on a code share flight (PX metal) but not for QF WP on a PX tix a PX metal. I assumed this would be the case, but thought I'd try.

GKA new domestic airport is still under construction (the old one is a tin shed) and I didn't see a Paradise Lounge to try and POM dom lounge I didn't even try as it looked shut and uninviting.

 

[ramboflyer]

I'm at Amman airport and about to fly Emirates in J.

I finally get my boarding pass well after midnight and using Emirates web site head to the Petra vip lounge.

Partner lounges | Our Lounges | The Emirates Experience | Emirates

My boarding pass says "Crown Lounge" but as the Petra lounge is much closer to my gate I want it. I was refused entry and pointed out what the Emirates web site said. Despite him calling someone else I was still denied entry.

I headed back to the Crown lounge which is fine but still dont understand why I couldnt get in to the Petra lounge.

I intend to ask the question of Emirates when I get back home. Any thoughts?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm at Amman airport and about to fly Emirates in J.

I finally get my boarding pass well after midnight and using Emirates web site head to the Petra vip lounge.

Partner lounges | Our Lounges | The Emirates Experience | Emirates

My boarding pass says "Crown Lounge" but as the Petra lounge is much closer to my gate I want it. I was refused entry and pointed out what the Emirates web site said. Despite him calling someone else I was still denied entry.

I headed back to the Crown lounge which is fine but still dont understand why I couldnt get in to the Petra lounge.

I intend to ask the question of Emirates when I get back home. Any thoughts?

I'd let it go.

The Petra lounge is a contract lounge. Airlines can have different reasons why they direct you to another lounge including capacity controls, new contract arrangements, or feedback from previous passengers that a particular lounge isn't suitable.

You might have an argument if you were seeking access to a dedicated EK lounge and were directed to an inferior partner or contract lounge, but that not the case here as EK doesn't operate their own lounge.

There's little right of recourse for you in this particular situation. EK business class entitles you to lounge access, which you have. Distance from the boarding gate is probably going to be considered a minor issue.

 

[ramboflyer]

I'd let it go.

The Petra lounge is a contract lounge. Airlines can have different reasons why they direct you to another lounge including capacity controls, new contract arrangements, or feedback from previous passengers that a particular lounge isn't suitable.

You might have an argument if you were seeking access to a dedicated EK lounge and were directed to an inferior partner or contract lounge, but that not the case here as EK doesn't operate their own lounge.

There's little right of recourse for you in this particular situation. EK business class entitles you to lounge access, which you have. Distance from the boarding gate is probably going to be considered a minor issue.

I probably will let it go as it's not up there in the importance stakes but I'm one of those who likes answers when something doesn't seem right. It wasn't a capacity issue as I could see most of the lounge and there were about 6 people in there.

At the Emirates lounge now at DXB and boy is it big! Still lineups for the men's toilets and showers though.

Had a nice breakfast but nearly choked with all the smoking. Really hits you when you have become accustomed to no smoking in public eating areas.