Lounge access Nadi

[large]

Hi all,

Just asking for some information, someone may have recent experience here, I've done a forum search here but the latest post was 2019.....

I am QC Bronze flying ADL to NAN on FIJI Airways and return in September. Flights are QF ticketed, so QF flight numbers on FJ metal, travelling in "Y"

I know I can access the QC in ADL but the question is can I access the Premier International Lounge in NAN? Qantas website says is a partner lounge, so I can as I'm on a QF ticketed flight.

FJ website says only QF Gold and above status can. I know I can access with $99 FJD each. (also is paid entry worth it?)

Just not sure which is correct as maybe websites havent been fully updated post covid????


Thansk in advance

 

[Lynda2475]

I cant help wrt access as I am gold and was flying FJ in J on a QF flight number, but i personally wouldnt pay $99 to acess.

The lounge is in the basement, no windows, has a decent selection of hot food but unless you plan to drink your entry fee probably not worth it. That said its a small airport with few dining choices airside, and the chairs in the lounge were comfy enough, and the bar tender was mixing coughtails.

If you are staying at one of the larger hotels, there will likely be a FJ check in desk at the hotel where you can drop bags and get your boarding pass to speed things up at the airport such that you dont have to go super early.

 

[justinbrett]

Hi all,

Just asking for some information, someone may have recent experience here, I've done a forum search here but the latest post was 2019.....

I am QC Bronze flying ADL to NAN on FIJI Airways and return in September. Flights are QF ticketed, so QF flight numbers on FJ metal, travelling in "Y"

I know I can access the QC in ADL but the question is can I access the Premier International Lounge in NAN? Qantas website says is a partner lounge, so I can as I'm on a QF ticketed flight.

FJ website says only QF Gold and above status can. I know I can access with $99 FJD each. (also is paid entry worth it?)

Just not sure which is correct as maybe websites havent been fully updated post covid????


Thansk in advance

I would say you do have access, as you're flying with a QF flight number the QF website should be the most accurate.

The FJ website doesn't even list QF J pax for getting access - which I'm sure they do. I'd say it's just a poorly written website.

 

[jb flyer]

I cant help wrt access as I am gold and was flying FJ in J on a QF flight number, but i personally wouldnt pay $99 to acess.

The lounge is in the basement, no windows, has a decent selection of hot food but unless you plan to drink your entry fee probably not worth it. That said its a small airport with few dining choices airside, and the chairs in the lounge were comfy enough, and the bar tender was mixing coughtails.

If you are staying at one of the larger hotels, there will likely be a FJ check in desk at the hotel where you can drop bags and get your boarding pass to speed things up at the airport such that you dont have to go super early.

fj$99 is only approx au$64. It's definitely worth it. It's almost new, clean & you can have a shower there if you want. AFAIK you can only check your bags at the sofitel on denarau as fiji air owns a %.

 

[SYD]

This article (also precovid) suggests QP don‘t get access.

Review: Fiji Airways Premier Lounge, Nadi International Airport

Fiji is synonymous with ‘island time’ and tropical vibes, making it a tough act to follow when your resort holiday inevitably comes to an end. That said, the Fiji Airways’ Premier Lounge at Nadi Airport does an admirable job at extending that feeling just a little bit longer. From varied seating...

www.executivetraveller.com

Whereas pretty sure QP used to get access to the old Tabua lounge when flying FJ or QF (but not JQ).

As an aside, note the inconsistency of lounge access - QF Gold and up get access in NAN regardless of QF or FJ code. Not mentioned in this article but discussed in several threads, departing Oz in whY, QF QP and up only get lounge access if on a QF code (QF or FJ metal). So beware booking a cheap FJ fare or redeeming points on FJ metal ex-Oz if you want lounge access (unless you book J, but even then WP get relegated to the J lounge).

 

[jpp42]

As an aside, note the inconsistency of lounge access - QF Gold and up get access in NAN regardless of QF or FJ code

This was not my experience, I was not allowed access in Nadi as QF WP when travelling Y on FJ code earlier this year, stopover LAX->NAN-SYD. This is consistent with the Oneworld Connect rules and is what I expected, but we asked anyway to be certain.

We did end up paying for the lounge access (on the outbound trip we were in J and had access so knew what it was like). Agree with jb flyer that the cost is reasonable for shower, reasonable quietness, acceptable food and drink, etc. It's more about the comparison to the tiny, cramped zoo that is the main terminal. If it was Singapore would I pay for such lounge access? No way, but here it's worth it.

 

[justinbrett]

This article (also precovid) suggests QP don‘t get access.

Review: Fiji Airways Premier Lounge, Nadi International Airport

Fiji is synonymous with ‘island time’ and tropical vibes, making it a tough act to follow when your resort holiday inevitably comes to an end. That said, the Fiji Airways’ Premier Lounge at Nadi Airport does an admirable job at extending that feeling just a little bit longer. From varied seating...

www.executivetraveller.com

Whereas pretty sure QP used to get access to the old Tabua lounge when flying FJ or QF (but not JQ).

As an aside, note the inconsistency of lounge access - QF Gold and up get access in NAN regardless of QF or FJ code. Not mentioned in this article but discussed in several threads, departing Oz in whY, QF QP and up only get lounge access if on a QF code (QF or FJ metal). So beware booking a cheap FJ fare or redeeming points on FJ metal ex-Oz if you want lounge access (unless you book J, but even then WP get relegated to the J lounge).

That page is nearly 5 years old. It refers to associated lounges which I believe is old terminology, new eligibility rules refer to partner lounges, which NAN is (granted within the definition of partner lounge it talks about associated lounges, but I'd put that down to poor website management).

Also as discussed its information on QF members flying FJ codes is completely wrong now, but was probably correct at the time.

 

[Lynda2475]

fj$99 is only approx au$64. It's definitely worth it. It's almost new, clean & you can have a shower there if you want. AFAIK you can only check your bags at the sofitel on denarau as fiji air owns a %

I got a late check-out form my hotel, so had a shower there after a swim so I didn't feel the need to shower at airport for a 3 hour flight home, obviously that is a plus if connecting from USA or elsewhere.

I stayed at Sofitel and highly recommend.

But I understand that Fiji Airways are also introducing hotel check in at Raddison Blu Resort Fiji, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa and the SheratonFiji Golf and Beach Resort this year.

like I said if you will eat/drink $64 worth and need wifi it can be worth it. If you a re a non drinker probably not/ YMMV.

 

[Danger]

Lounge Access Help Desk

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...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[henrus]

Put simply the Fiji Airways website is incorrect. It states that Air New Zealand business class gets access which makes zero sense given Air NZ has their own lounge in Nadi. It also lists Cathay Pacific, British Airways and American Airlines business class guests... and those three airlines don't even fly to Nadi.

Now I was under the impression that partner lounges were only open to those on Qantas operated flights however there were a few exceptions.

Back in 2018 Qantas used to list the requirements on a per lounge basis, all partner lounges had the following listed:


The notable exceptions were Christchurch, Queenstown and Noumea which had the following instead:



Now the Qantas website (in 2022) seems to be updated that is just needs to be a QF flight number which suggests that access should be possible. Regardless there is an A4 page on the desk of the Nadi lounge with pictures of the QF cards that are allowed access (just wish I had a picture of it or could find a higher quality online).

If it's true that it needs to be a QF flight number then I guess this is a downgrade for those flying from CHC and ZQN on JQ trans tasman services (I have one coming up next month so will find out then).

Regardless the NAN lounge is a part of Dragon Pass. It's possible to get a free membership via Regus which provides access for 19GBP which is currently AU$33.

 

[RichardMEL]

Re CX/BA/AA "Business Class Guests" - this is part of the Oneworld connect/FJ agreement as their sponsors - see this page:

Fiji Airways - oneworld Connect Partner Airline

Fiji Airways is an oneworld Connect partner airline. It provides select alliance benefits to frequent flyers from any oneworld member airline flying Fiji.

www.oneworld.com

Basically if on a FJ operated but CX/BA/QF/AA(oneworld site says AA "soon" - who knows how out of date that is) codeshare flight number, you get in. However if you're a status member but on a FJ flight number, you're out of luck, unless in J. So technically while BA and CX do not serve NAN obviously they do via codeshare.

 

[SYD]

This is the newer review (May 2022) and states QP on QF code gets access (consistent with QF website).

Fiji Airways Premier Lounge, Nadi

Open to a variety of Fiji Airways and Qantas passengers, this refreshed space ticks the boxes.

www.pointhacks.com.au

I found another blog with a photo of the entrance, but the QANTAS access list wasn‘t readable (as an aside, there was a big screen listing partner airlines and NZ is there).

 

[large]

Awesome replies, thank you everyone.....

 

[DPlain]

To add more confusing data points.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/network-and-partner-airlines/fiji-airways.html#lounge-access

On their own website, QF has a matrix for access to the NAN lounge. Whilst it says that QC does not have access, when I flew back in January I was given access.

Noting that, even if you don't have access, I would recommend paying for access. Our flight was delayed by ~4 hours. NAN is a very small airport, and it gets crowded quickly when there are flight delays. Having somewhere that you can rest and eat/drink in the event that you get delayed is worth it.

 

[SYD]

To add more confusing data points.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/network-and-partner-airlines/fiji-airways.html#lounge-access

On their own website, QF has a matrix for access to the NAN lounge. Whilst it says that QC does not have access, when I flew back in January I was given access.

Noting that, even if you don't have access, I would recommend paying for access. Our flight was delayed by ~4 hours. NAN is a very small airport, and it gets crowded quickly when there are flight delays. Having somewhere that you can rest and eat/drink in the event that you get delayed is worth it.

Yeah, I saw that page also but if you click through the QF website lounges and Nadi, it shows the Fiji Airways Premier lounge as a “Partner”.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/all-qantas-airport-lounges/airport-lounge-locations.html

Click through on “Check Eligibility“ and QP gets access on a QF code.

As @henrus mentioned, there’s a QF access list on the lounge reception. Someone should get a copy or a decent photo and post here…. See blurry image here:

Fiji Airways Premiere Lounge Review At Nadi Airport | blorg

Detailed review of the Fiji Airways Lounge at Nadi Airport: USB outlets, shower, hot food, ample seating, spa and you can get in with Priority Pass!

blorg.org

 

[RichardMEL]

FJ is such a special case. It basically comes down to who is selling the flight. ie QF or FJ.

When it comes to status (including QC) on a FJ sold flight you get nada. Either because QF(or whoever) won't pay or FJ won't deal with it. However if the flights are sold by QF (ie: QFxx_ flight number) they're paying for it, because they've essentially bought the service (the block of seats on the flight to be codeshared basically) and they wear the cost for the access.

It's all part of whatever the back end deals are involving FJ or "oneworld connect" airlines (because if one notices per the OW website, it's not ALL OW carriers members who get access, but QF/BA/CX/AA ie carriers FJ has agreements with).

it's a funny old setup and confusing and definitely causes angst.

 

[large]

Again, thank you for the replies everyone......

 

[straitman]

Interesting and I think the answer is it's Fiji and they are not great with detail so it varies depending who is on the desk.

I have read in the T&C where you must be on a QF ticket however twice this year we have been given non queried access on FJ economy tickets as QF LTG. January access for 3 people no issues and this time two.
Worth noting as well if it helps anyone that this lounge gives access to Amex Platinum card holders and Priority Pass holders. They seem to have no issue with allowing access via multiple methods which I have used in the past to get extra people in.

 

[large]

Ok folks just got back from Fiji yesterday.....

Departed ADL on FJ metal on a QF purchased flight. FJ check in at ADL (done by Oceanic Aviation) gave me boarding pass with only FJ flight number. Got into ADL QF club no worries.

Departed NAN yesterday, same as departing flight (QF purchased flight, FJ metal) asked person at check in in NAN if they could put QF flight number on boarding pass, which they did not, seemed to get confused with FF number. So only got FJ flight number.

Got to FJ Lounge, presented boarding pass, and digital QF Club card on phone (also had itinerary on phone with QF flight number from the QF app just in case).

Access granted with no issues, just scanned boarding pass and all good.

I thought it was a nice lounge, especially at 5AM, nice breakfast offering and very friendly staff.

Did pick up some QF points and SC as well.

Thanks again to everyone that replied to my OP.

 

[SYD]

It’s normal to see the FJ number (since that’s what you’re flying), but sometimes there is some sort note on the bottom referring to being QF ticketed.

I don’t suppose you took a photo of the QF access list on the counter?