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
