Qantas Club - Denied Access [QP member before CX flight]

[njh1964]

njh1964,
Think it's also worth considering that Qantas Club have never had access on CX itineraries and I suspect QF might struggle to negotiate what you suggest given CX itself doesn't have a paid access program (AFAIK only QF and AA have paid access programs - indeed I believe this was one of the reasons that much of BA access was removed from Qantas Club)

Hi moa999,

Based on the current rule, as a "paid" Qantas Club member, I would not expect to be able to access the Qantas Lounge if I were travelling on a Cathay Pacific itinerary. Nor would I expect to be able to access the Cathay Pacific Lounge. My only suggestion here is that when I'm travelling on an itinerary purchased from Qantas, I would like to be able to access Qantas Lounges during that trip.

 

[RichardMEL]

I think some confusion here is happening between QF selling a CX flight as opposed to QF being a CX partner.

to me, QF acting as sales agent for the CX flight is not related to QF's partnership with CX and definitely not related to QP access rules for a paid QP member.

First, anyone could sell the SYD-HKG-MNL itin on QF/CX. Sure, the QF website will have a bias towards oneworld partners, but many companies or TA's will have a bias (eg: some agents will get a better comission out of airline X to sell their preferred routings/partners). The only time, imho, that QF acting as the sales agent becomes remotely relevant is if they were selling that CX tag flight as a QF codeshare. In the OP's example this is not the case.

QF's partnership with CX as a oneworld member is only relevant in terms of oneworld tier status (eg: Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald) or codeshare routings. In the case of lounge access, it's about the tier status. a Paid QP member has zero oneworld tier status, so access under oneworld rules is not relevant (which is why your paid QP membership would not get you into, The Pier, for example unless there was a separate agreement between QF and CX to cover that).

to me all the talk of since QF sold the CX flight that means lounge entry should be granted is a furphy. QF will quite happily sell you a UA or VX flight but there's no way in hell a UA lounge will let me in as a QF P1 just because they sold the ticket.

I do absolutely understand the idea/theory that as a QP member seeking access to a QF operated lounge (in HKG) prior to a QF partner flight they should be allowed access but as covered many times the rules say no. I also understand the OP does recognise the rules are there and is not upset by the denial under those rules, but more the logic behind it.

 

[basso]

Re: Qantas Club Lounge - Denied Access

This is irrelevant because the lounge in question is a Qantas lounge. No-one is arguing that they should have access to any other lounge under the OW agreement.

I am confident that most people would be capable of recognising such a nuance.

It is not part of oneworld, so there seems to reason to make an exception for oneworld flights, and not other airlines. I am confident that you are wrong in your confidence.

 

[yohy?!]

I think some confusion here is happening between QF selling a CX flight as opposed to QF being a CX partner.

to me, QF acting as sales agent for the CX flight is not related to QF's partnership with CX and definitely not related to QP access rules for a paid QP member.

First, anyone could sell the SYD-HKG-MNL itin on QF/CX. Sure, the QF website will have a bias towards oneworld partners, but many companies or TA's will have a bias (eg: some agents will get a better comission out of airline X to sell their preferred routings/partners). The only time, imho, that QF acting as the sales agent becomes remotely relevant is if they were selling that CX tag flight as a QF codeshare. In the OP's example this is not the case.

QF's partnership with CX as a oneworld member is only relevant in terms of oneworld tier status (eg: Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald) or codeshare routings. In the case of lounge access, it's about the tier status. a Paid QP member has zero oneworld tier status, so access under oneworld rules is not relevant (which is why your paid QP membership would not get you into, The Pier, for example unless there was a separate agreement between QF and CX to cover that).

to me all the talk of since QF sold the CX flight that means lounge entry should be granted is a furphy. QF will quite happily sell you a UA or VX flight but there's no way in hell a UA lounge will let me in as a QF P1 just because they sold the ticket.

I do absolutely understand the idea/theory that as a QP member seeking access to a QF operated lounge (in HKG) prior to a QF partner flight they should be allowed access but as covered many times the rules say no. I also understand the OP does recognise the rules are there and is not upset by the denial under those rules, but more the logic behind it.

It can even be said that QF has no bias to CX when on-selling flights, try booking an itinerary to China and see how many non-OW mainland carriers like MU, AC etc come up before CX or KA.

In this instance, the fact CX has so many flights into MNL is likely the only reason they came up in the booking engine.

 

[Ausbt]

I think it is a stretch to grant QF Club (for a few hundred dollars a year) greater benefits than plantinums!

It's $510 to renew and there is probably a joining fee on top for new members. I think 'few' hundred tops out at $300.00 on the dollar for me but others may disgree. Is it good value? I think if you flew 40 Red-E-Deals per annum domesticaly it probably is, at $12.75 per visit. But on 40 sectors you'd be mad not to push hard though the 500 barrier that first year really and get it included with SG.

 

[TomVexille]

But on 40 sectors you'd be mad not to push hard though the 500 barrier that first year really and get it included with SG.

I think you mean 700

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's $510 to renew and there is probably a joining fee on top for new members. I think 'few' hundred tops out at $300.00 on the dollar for me but others may disgree. Is it good value? I think if you flew 40 Red-E-Deals per annum domesticaly it probably is, at $12.75 per visit. But on 40 sectors you'd be mad not to push hard though the 500 barrier that first year really and get it included with SG.

Oh! How much is QC through AFF corporate rates? I thought that was more in the $300 or so range? (shows how out of touch I am!)

 

[TomVexille]

Oh! How much is QC through AFF corporate rates? I thought that was more in the $300 or so range? (shows how out of touch I am!)

$420 + $240 joining fee if a new member.

The Qantas Club Membership Types | Qantas

 

[RichardMEL]

It can even be said that QF has no bias to CX when on-selling flights, try booking an itinerary to China and see how many non-OW mainland carriers like MU, AC etc come up before CX or KA.

In this instance, the fact CX has so many flights into MNL is likely the only reason they came up in the booking engine.

Think you mean CA (for Air China) as opposed to Air Canada (AC) but I'm nitpicking.

It's well known CX and QF have a less than perfect "partnership" but I'm not sure how much that skews the QF booking engine over schedule etc. The lack of QF codeshares probably is a better indication as those would naturally come up over any other connections. the QF/MU agreement will probably see codes applied there and more bias for HKG-China flights, but I digress.

 

[Ausbt]

I think you mean 700

Wow, 700 to make SG first time? No wonder I've left Q. They comped me PS this year and I'll be using my one club invite when I fly J* on a leisure trip at Christmas. Actually thinking about this reminds me of a time years back when I seemed to be permanently stuck at PS. I had about 4 comp QP invites, some from credit cards and what not and some had expired. I actually handed over an expired one, well out of date, and they didn't notice! Well, that, or they decided not to embarrass me. So next time you see an expired QP invite on e-bay for 50 cents, pick it up and give it a go. Just not at HKG when you are flying CX.

 

[serfty]

... Think it's also worth considering that Qantas Club have never had access on CX itineraries ...

At one stage they did (or at least Intenrational busiess lounges), but that was during the 'anytime access' days of last century.

Also note, that at in the early days of Jetstar, travel on that did not provide for Qantas club access.

 

[tomo69]

I'm amazed at the amount of people at the lounge reception trying it on to get in. I remember one man not so long ago at Brisbane in a raised voice "but I'm only 100 points short" !

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I'm amazed at the amount of people at the lounge reception trying it on to get in. I remember one man not so long ago at Brisbane in a raised voice "but I'm only 100 points short" !

A lady was (legitimately) denied access at BNE Intl querying "even though I'm flying Etihad?" I'm thinking she was confusing EY for EK.

 

[marki]

It all started to flare up more after National Geographic started showing programs on Hacks. Guy was out the front of the lounge asking people to pass him thru. It did not work initially so changed his tack and that got him invited by a stranger into the first lounge. I have also been able to get into first lounges just by asking the lounge dragon if I can have a look as " only 50 sc to reach the level required and this is my qualifying flight.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

It all started to flare up more after National Geographic started showing programs on Hacks. Guy was out the front of the lounge asking people to pass him thru.

It did not work initially so changed his tack and that got him invited by a stranger into the first lounge.

So what did he do to appear less pitiful next time?

 

[marki]

So what did he do to appear less pitiful next time?

Good question the person became more truthful like " ..... I have never been in a first class lounge before ..... And Would really like to see how it looks like( 1st) ..... Do you mind guesting me thru? Your my new best friend ..... Etc etc ....